The Way Things Are and As They Need To Be
Part II
The Pandemic of Fear vs. The Idiomatic Power of God
Where We Were Yesterday – And, History Repeats Itself
There have been great and mighty civilizations and nations whose influence and control gave them the power to do as they wished at the will or whim of whoever gave voice and command to that power. Each world-power possessed something – whether it be the wealth, the military, the innovation, the skill, the land, or the title. In study of great world-powers and influential societies remarkably there are very common and consistent characteristics in how they ruled with, or wielded that power over the people subjected to their authority and control. Whether it be the Roman Empire, The Persian Empire, The Great Bronze Age and the Great Greek Influence, The Inca Civilization, The Maya Civilization, The Egyptian Rein of the Pharaoh’s (Joseph), The Assyrian and Babylonian Occupations, the Hebrew Covenant Nation (the Torah and Mosaic Law), and I will even include the Roman Catholic Empire which was fueled by 500 years of Crusades under the banner of Christianity. There are certainly many more but these are a few of the greatest in mankind’s history. From their rule of authority and power of influence came some of the world’s greatest architecture and design, military methods and combat strategies, music and creative arts, language and writing, philosophy and literature, complex civil structures and rules of governance, sewage and illumination (without electricity), the origin principles of math, science, and medicine, as well as domestic familial structures. The list is endless.
A study of the rise and fall of great civilizations and ancient world-powers reveals much in regards to what we are experiencing in the way things are today. Interestingly, the number one common characteristic of all these historical world-powers was that they were each one “fear based” power structures.
ONE – They imposed their power over the people through fear-based mechanisms.
TWO – They were driven and motivated by their own fears. The loss of power and control over the people.
THREE – They exercised and managed this fear-based power and control in various ways. Here is a common list. Physical threat to human life, social threat to the common way of life or living, and the emotional threat to the lives of loved ones. They could do this repeatedly by creating self-inflicted pandemics, human purging (eliminate the weak and helpless), famines and economic crisis, loss of liberties or human dignities (slavery and trafficking). Creating addictive and compulsive appetites for destructive behavior and substances.
Finally, there is an alarming but not surprising immoral consistency among the all of these failed or faltered world-powers.
ONE – Complete disregard for faith in God or recognition of God’s law as a moral baseline/conscience/compass. Rejection of any Monotheistic Religion.
TWO – The devaluation and exploitation of human life.
(Human Sacrifice, Human/Sex/Child Trafficking)
THREE – The moral and ethical collapse of ruling or controlling class. Sexual perversion, exploitation of children, and the re-defining of biological gender roles.
Where We Are Today – The Pandemic of Fear
The Way Things Should Be – The Idiomatic Power of God
Proverbs 10:27-32
The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short. The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish. The way of the LORD is a stronghold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers. The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land. The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.
Psalm 37:25-29
I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing. Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever. For the LORD loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever.
1 Peter 3:13-17
Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
Matthew 5:2-12
And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
About Reunion Community Church
We are a Bible teaching Christian church in Peoria, AZ. We love God and teach His Truth. We invite you, your family and friends to join us on the faith journey, growing closer to one another, the Christian community of believers at Reunion, and most importantly with God. Read more about the timeless Truth we build our lives and faith in Christ on HERE.
We are conveniently located just off the 101 on 83rd Ave and Cactus Rd. Join us on Sunday mornings, Weds. evenings, and throughout the week at our small groups, meeting in homes around the Valley, including Surprise, Glendale, Peoria, Phoenix, Goodyear, Litchfield, and more. Connect with us on Facebook and watch our live streaming service on YouTube.
