We are nearing the end of another year. Where did 2010 go? As one looks back over the past year there are so many things to remember with fondness, and so many things that one hopes will quickly be forgotten in the recesses of our minds. Oh for the opportunity of doing some things over again - for a second chance, but alas, that never happens. One can only hope that better judgments will prevail in the coming year.
As one looks ahead to the coming year, one asks "What will the year hold for us?" Of course the correct answer is "We do not know, only God knows that." But it is fun to do some crystal-balling. So, here is my list of what MIGHT happen in the coming year.
1. I believe there will be some very strange political posturing in the coming year. In Washington, Republicans will control the spending as they control the House of Representatives. The question is: will they hold to their fiscal conservatism - the banner under which most of them were elected this past November? How will the President respond to this change in ideology? The politics in Washington will be very interesting, to say the least.
2. Then there is the question of Iran. According to a report in the December 29 issue of IsraelNationalNews.com, Israel's Strategic Affairs Minister Moshe Ya'alon said that "we are talking in terms of three years before the Islamic Republic of Iran can achieve its presumed aim of producing a nuclear weapon." The recent damage from the Stuxnet virus on the Iranian computers has been more severe than first indicated. Furthermore, reports from inside Iran indicate that the sanctions are beginning to have an affect upon the common people, leading some analysts to state that an Iranian revolution might be at hand. I know that Iran will keep the world guessing in the coming year. (So, also, I might add, will North Korea).
3. The Middle East seems poised on the verge of a tremendous explosion in the coming year. Although he will deny reports, PA President Abbas seems to be moving ahead with having the United Nation make a unilateral declaration of Palestinian statehood sometime in late summer of 2011. Later this week, Abbas will lay the cornerstone for a Palestinian embassy in Brazil, which, along with Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia have announced the recognition of a Palestinian State. If such a declaration is forthcoming, it will only lead to war. What will happen to the nearly half million Israelis now living inside what the Palestinians claim will be their State? You remember that the Palestinians have already declared that there will be no Jews living in Palestine. What about the possibilities of Hamas taking over the West Bank and creating another terrorist camp? I am glad that I am leading a group to Israel in the Spring - the summer might get very hot, in more ways than one.
4. I believe that attacks upon Christians around the world will increase significantly. And, I believe that American believers will be persecuted, and even imprisoned, for their faith. This has not happened on American soil in many years. It is time for the Church to begin preparing their members on how to respond to this coming persecution: to have a resolve as did Daniel.
5. Finally, I believe that 2011 will see the continued separation of churches from the truths of the Word of God. Many have already started down that pathway. More will yet follow. The goal will be to become relevant and tolerant to culture. In the process truth will be cast aside and the Word of God will become just another book. Oh to remain biblical in these days! It is going to be increasingly more difficult to do.
There you have five items I am keeping my eyes upon as we enter 2011. Friends, it is time to focus upon Jesus. He is coming! Will it be in 2011? I don't know! I had hoped for His return in 2010, but the "fullness of time" is not yet. So, as we wait and watch for His return, we need to be at work because the fields are white unto harvest.
I do want to wish you a blessed New Year filled with the special favor of God.
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2 comments:
Hi Max - You talked about being Salt and Light yesterday in church. I was having a conversation with an acquaintance about "the world is going to hell and we don't care". The conversation came down to this: If we want to make a difference can we just send money to a ministry, lets say prevention of child sex trafficking or sponsoring a child in another country. We donate money (so that we can say that we've made a difference) and then have someone else do the work. Is that part of what you where saying or where you saying "get in there and make a difference"?
Follow up:
I spoke to this individual again and asked them how they felt about it and I shared with them that I felt that we could do either or both if we are able and we feel God leading us to.
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