We look not at the things which are seen; but rather, we look at the things which are not seen… being always of good courage.

II Corinthians 4:18 – 5:8

“He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation: for by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.” ~ Colossians 1:13-16

Courage: Fearlessness in the face of danger

When thinking of people of courage, our thoughts may turn to some of the Israelites of the Old Testament, the first covenant, who were spoken of in Hebrews 11, who by faith conquered kingdoms, shut the mouths of lions, escaped the edge of the sword, experienced mocking, were put to death, were destitute, afflicted, ill-treated, and more. Such acts are the picture of resolute fearlessness in the face of danger. Their actions could be considered the epitome of courage.

The Israelites could not have fully understood God’s plan of the Messiah who was promised to them and, indeed, they did not even receive the promise in their day. What was promised to them came later when God gave Jesus, His Son, the Anointed One, when He provided something better for us; therefore, apart from us the Israelites were not made perfect. The promise is by faith, so it is guaranteed to all, not only to these who exercised such courage and faith while under the Law, but to us as well who are of the faith of Abraham. Since we have them as our example, we can throw off everything that hinders, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and we can run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of faith. Since we receive a kingdom that cannot be shaken, we have gratitude whereby we offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe.

Confusion, Fear & Chaos: What you see in the world around you today

When you see what is occurring in the world around you today, do not be dismayed. Jesus said his disciples are not of this world; and though you are not of this world, because you live in this world you still have the hope that culture, government, and society will continue to support the wellbeing of community, reaffirm sanity, and strengthen bonds. Recently; however, you may find the events that occur around you create a barrage of confusion, fear, and chaos. The question remains, then, how do you remain always of good courage when you look around and see you are surrounded by a world in upheaval?

Concerning the faith of those in the first covenant who exemplified such courage, it says “…faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval.” They had such courage because their faith was the incredible assurance of things hoped for and their faith was the unshakable conviction of things not seen. They had faith in God. They believed they would receive what was promised to them. They did not receive what was promised to them, but through their faith they gained approval with God.

We have something better. We have Christ. Through our faith we have received what was promised, so our courage is galvanized by the advantage of having received the promise; therefore we can remain always of good courage by not looking at the things which are seen, and by looking at the things which are not seen. We lay aside the things which are seen, everything that hinders and the sin that entangles us, and in doing so, we look not at the things which are seen. Instead, we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of faith, and we receive a kingdom that cannot be shaken; and in doing so, we look at the things which are not seen.

On the occasion when Jesus told the disciples they were not of this world, the declaration of that truth was a revelation which, previous to that point in time, they had not understood. The truth is, as believers in Jesus Christ, we all are in this world, but we are not of this world. This description of our position in relation to this world is key to the source of our strength and courage, it is key to where we reside, and it is key to what we set our eyes on. Our strength is derived from our relationship with our God, He who created all things. Our enduring strength is not derived from anything in this world, not even our relationships with friends and family. Those are important, yes, but they are not the bedrock of our strength. Our courage initiates with our relationship with our God and it blossoms in our relationship with Him, He who created all things and who redeemed us and forgave our sins. Our residency is not in the domain of darkness. Our residency is in the kingdom of God’s beloved Son. Therefore, because our strength is not derived from things in this world, and because our residency is not in the domain of darkness, our eyes need not be set on this world.

Jesus put the focus of our eye into perspective when He said, “No one lights a lamp and puts it away in a cellar nor under a basket, but on the lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye is clear, your whole body also is full of light; but when it is bad, your body also is full of darkness. So watch out that the light in you is not darkness. Therefore if your whole body is full of light, without any dark part, it will be wholly illuminated, as when the lamp illuminates you with its light.” ~ Luke 11:33-36

The disciples who walked with Jesus, when they began to declare Jesus to the world after he was crucified, did not follow cleverly devised tales; because they had witnessed His majesty, in person, as He lived before them when they followed Him. When God’s voice audibly declared, “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well pleased“, they were there and they heard it, with their ears, from heaven. The disciples, therefore, had the word of the prophets of the Old Testament made more sure and they encouraged those whom they witnessed to, to pay attention to the word of the prophets as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in their own hearts.

God the Father rescued you from the domain of darkness, and transferred you to the kingdom of His beloved Son, who is the image of the invisible God. Your eye is clear and your whole body is full of light when you keep your eye on the kingdom of Christ, His beloved Son! An eye focused on the Son is an eye focused on Him who is the image of the invisible God and in doing so you are looking at the things which are not seen. You are looking at the invisible God. When you read the news headlines, when you hear news from family and neighbors, focus not on it; but, while giving some attention to what you read and hear, keep the focus of your eye on the kingdom of His beloved Son. As you do, you will maintain your focus not on the things which are seen, but on the things which are not seen. With that focus, your eye will remain clear, your whole body will be full of light, and you will be ALWAYS OF GOOD COURAGE.

If these were just mere words, the feat of being always of good courage would be an impossibility. Thankfully, though, these words are truth. They are words of truth from the One who authored them. Your ability to live while being always of good courage is possible, and it is sustainable through your relationship with the author of Truth. Your living, viable, and vital relationship with the invisible God through Christ His Son is the breath and the life of good courage being always in you; and the riches of that relationship is Christ is in you, the hope of glory!

National News Today

Thanksgiving, An American National Holiday – November 24, 2022

Happy Thanksgiving!

Give thanks unto the Lord, this day, for His many blessings of abundance.

He promises to bless His children. Those who are in Christ Jesus are kept secure in Him. Those who remain faithful in Christ, who maintain fellowship in Christ, cannot be separated from the love of God.

Remain faithful in Christ. Maintain fellowship in Christ.

Pray for our nation. Protect the children. Live your life as a testimony to the goodness and the kindness of Christ Jesus, our Lord. Submit to God, the Father. Love your neighbor. Let the compassion of God be expressed to them as you rub shoulders with them. Look for ways you should minister to them. If someone is your neighbor and you’ve had opportunity to interact with them, above all else they should know beyond any shadow of a doubt, that you love them.

Protect the American town square. If you see injustice in the town square, expose it if its presence is a danger to your neighbors.

Live your life as a testimony to the justice and the righteousness of Christ Jesus, our Lord. Pray for those who strongarm injustice over others. Pray for those who are being taken advantage of through the injustice.

Let your light shine!

Do not shrink back. Your life is a light unto the nation!

Your life is a sweet fragrance that is a preserving salt. Let the sweet presence of the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ fill your neighborhood, your work office, your school, your community, with the aroma of God’s amazing grace!

Health News Today

Vaccinated Americans Make up the Majority of COVID-19 Deaths – November 23, 2022

The Wall Street Journal, today, reported that the recently released, August 2022 federal and state, data revealed that in August of 2022, 58% of COVID-19 deaths were among people who were either vaccinated or boosted. The report described a troubling trend as the percentage of deaths among people who were vaccinated has been steadily rising over the past year. Fox News reported on this as well.

This can be troubling information for the, CDC estimated number of Americans, roughly 80.6% of the total population of Americans (267.5 million people) who, as of November 16, 2022, have received at least one dose of vaccine and the estimated 228.2 million people, or 68.7% of the total U.S. population, who have completed a primary series. The primary series represents the number of people who have received the second dose in a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series (such as the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Novavax vaccines) or one dose of the single-shot Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.

Americans were told, convincingly, by the media, by state and federal government officials, by medical institutions, and by the pharmaceutical industry, that the COVID-19 vaccinations would protect them from getting the COVID-19 virus, that it would keep them from spreading it to others, and that it would reduce their chances of death from COVID-19. Now the data substantiates that if they were injected with the COVID-19 vaccination, they have a higher chance of dying from coronavirus than those who did not get the COVID-19 vaccination.

As a disciple of Jesus Christ, how do you feel about this report and what do you do in light of this news as you seek to keep your eyes on the things that are not seen and not let your eyes dwell on the things that are seen. Being vaccinated or not, over time, state and federal data has favored and marginalized all Americans. Data for a period favors the survivability of the vaccinated. Data of another period favors the survivability of the unvaccinated. What now? The vaccinated and the unvaccinated are both in the same boat. Unfortunately, the unvaccinated, apparently are those who currently are in the most danger.

■ Here Are A Few Biblical Principles You Can Express Four Faith In

Rely on God’s sovereignty over your life.

The bible states that our days are numbered and that God knows us so intimately that He knows the number of the hairs on your head. The truth is that He fashioned you in your mother’s womb and He knows the day you will die. This life is not your primary concern, but rather, your life here on earth is His primary concern and He will bring an end to your days the day of which He has ordained to be your last day. Your primary concern is your eternal life, which you are living now as you are in Christ and which you will fully realize the day you breathe your last breath here on earth. Death is nothing to fear. When you die, you will be absent from your body and you will be present with Christ.

Trust that your life is in God’s hands.

The Psalmist said, “You are my God, I trust in You. My times are in Your hands.” While you continue each day, do not fear the virus. Know that God is your God. Trust in Him. Know that your times are in His hands. There is incredible peace when one rests in that truth. There is nothing to fear. There is nothing to worry about. If you get sick, reaffirm before God that He is your God, that you trust in Him, and that your times are in His hands.

Trust God for health and healing.

Whether or not you get sick, trust God for good health. God desires that you prosper and be in good health, even as your soul prospers. Do all you can to ensure that your soul prospers. If you get sick, trust God for healing. Ask the heavenly Father for healing. You can go to the elders in your church and ask them to pray the prayer of faith for your healing. God can heal you. God wants to heal you. Always ask and trust Him for health and healing.