Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Jun 4th, 2011 It’s That Simple – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl

Today’s Reading: Esther 6-10, Proverbs 4

2^nd Milers Also Read: 2Corinthians 9-12

October is coming. I forgot the date, but it doesn’t matter being that it is
not the right date anyway. The rapture of the church could happen
before you finish reading this. Luke 21 is a good place to learn of
what the world will be like in the end times: such as the days of
Noah. While reading 2Corintians 11, I was reminded of Luke 21 and
verse 26: …Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking
after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of
heaven shall be shaken.

There is no doubt that this world we live in today is under major stress.
People working ten jobs in order to make ends meet. The soaring
prices of gas and food. Others fear loosing their jobs. There are
wars, and rumors of wars. Is it any wonder that man’s hearts are
failing them for fear? But 2Corinthians chapter 11 and verse 13 says,
“But I fear, lest by any means, as the
serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be
corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”

There is simplicity in Christ. Where? Sometimes circumstances blind us to
just where in Christ that simplicity is. My verse is John 16:33 –
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.
In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have
overcome the world. Bad things are going to happen – ye shall have
tribulation. Use these things to thrust you closer to Christ. That’s
why God may have allowed it to happen in the first place. God knows
your whole life from beginning to ending. He knows what you need. How
much more simpler can it be? Sick of working those ten jobs? Then
tithe. God said that He would rebuke the devourer: those little
things that eat away at your paychecks. You may find you will be able
to cut down to five jobs, and eventually one. It’s that simple: the
simplicity in Christ.

Do you fear some terrorist may brake through your door and blow himself
up splattering him and you all over the living room walls? Are you
saved? Jesus said in John chapter 6, “All
that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me
I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do
mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the
Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me
I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth
the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will
raise him up at the last day.”

If you are saved, your final home will be heaven. Jesus will not cast
you out. What have you to fear but God? He is your heavenly Father
and He chastens those He loves: you should only fear Him. It’s that
simple: the simplicity in Christ.

I have a verse hanging on the wall over my computer. It’s been hanging
there for about 2 years now. It is Ecclesiastes 12:13: “Let us hear
the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God, and keep His
commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”

It’s that simple: the simplicity in Christ.

Peace. (John 14:1-9)