Subscription Lists

The world is changing...

Perhaps this is an understatement, or perhaps an overstatement depending on the ones who hear the statement. The world, where ever your world is, undoubtedly is undergoing change of some kind. And much of it not for the good. Change per se isn't necessarily bad or evil. It depends on the place and kind of change. Change is particularly noticeable in larger cities, but is occurring also in smaller towns. And even "country" areas. All of these changes are occurring quickly.

Sometimes almost breathtaking in degree and speed. Few want to wait for change...they want change, and they want it now - regardless of the cost, even at the cost of violence. In some parts of the our world, there is no place to hide, one is guilty regardless of innocence, and their harm is likely. Anger is expressed without restraint. For some, there is no escape - and no justice.

And so it goes, in much of our world today.

In many cities in the U.S., citizens are encouraged to designate "safe houses" for children to flee to in the event of danger. Some are encouraged to designate "safe rooms" where they may be unlikely to be harmed. Will there come a time when "safe cities" will be designated? Many are now moving to where they are safer parts of their nation, and even the world.

Of course, God is aware of all of this, and He understands the problems and circumstances. In the ages past, when God was dealing directly with Israel and other nations, He provided a law, a place for the innocent to flee to, until justice could be administered fairly. A city of refuge that was secure from the vengeance of one supposedly offended or sinned against:

"Say to the Israelites, When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall select cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the slayer who kills any person unintentionally and unawares may flee there. And the cities shall be to you for refuge from the avenger, that the manslayer may not die until he has had a fair trial before the congregation." - (Numbers 35:10-12).

But that was then. This is now.

Our world is speedily coming to a time spoken of in the book of Isaiah:

"Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened at all, that it cannot save, nor His ear dull with deafness, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue mutters wickedness.

None sues or calls in righteousness [but for the sake of doing injury to others—to take some undue advantage]; no one goes to law honestly and pleads [his case] in truth; they trust in emptiness, worthlessness and futility, and speaking lies! They conceive mischief and bring forth evil! They hatch adders’ eggs and weave the spider’s web; he who eats of their eggs dies, and [from an egg] which is crushed a viper breaks out [for their nature is ruinous, deadly, evil]. Their webs will not serve as clothing, nor will they cover themselves with what they make; their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands. Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood.

Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; desolation and destruction are in their paths and highways. The way of peace they know not, and there is no justice or right in their goings. They have made them into crooked paths; whoever goes in them does not know peace. Therefore are justice and right far from us, and righteousness and salvation do not overtake us.

We expectantly wait for light, but [only] see darkness; for brightness, but we walk in obscurity and gloom. We grope for the wall like the blind, yes, we grope like those who have no eyes. We stumble at noonday as in the twilight; in dark places and among those who are full of life and vigor, we are as dead men.

We all groan and growl like bears and moan plaintively like doves. We look for justice, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far from us. For our transgressions are multiplied before You [O Lord], and our sins testify against us; for our transgressions are with us, and as for our iniquities, we know and recognize them [as]: Rebelling against and denying the Lord, turning away from following our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving in and muttering and moaning from the heart words of falsehood.

Justice is turned away backward, and righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God) stands far off; for truth has fallen in the street (the city’s forum), and uprightness cannot enter [the courts of justice]. Yes, truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. And the Lord saw it, and it displeased Him that there was no justice." - Isaiah 59:1-14

There may also come a time when those who are genuinely Godly who have died, will be considered the most blessed..

"The righteous man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; and merciful and devout men are taken away, with no one considering that the uncompromisingly upright and godly person is taken away from the calamity and evil to come...." (Isaiah 56:1)

May we all genuinely seek God while there is time.

"Thus says the Lord: Keep justice, do and use righteousness (conformity to the will of God which brings salvation), for My salvation is soon to come and My righteousness (My rightness and justice) to be revealed." - Isaiah 56:1

It is high time to seek God...while it is still called today.

"Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it. But the gate is narrow (contracted by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it. Beware of false prophets, who come to you dressed as sheep, but inside they are devouring wolves." - Matthew 7:13-15

"Voice of Inspiration" from Andy Castro

I See Dead People (Updated Version)