Timely Words of Hope, Guidance and Direction from the Bible

In this time of great deception, disappointment and persecution, when many including our religious leaders aren’t stepping out to lead in according to God’s righteousness, we as true Christians need to go to scripture, pray and seek a closer relationship with God our Father through Jesus our Lord.

I have copied a few scriptures that I know for certain will speak to those who have spiritual eyes and ears to see and hear. Please, stop listening to false prophets and those who spread fear, bring division and strife, and cling on to Jesus or Savior, our Deliverer and our Prince of Peace.

What the Bible Says about False Prophets (Religious or Secular):

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive (Romans 16:17-18).
Thus, says the Lord of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:16).
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves (Matthew 7:15).

What the Scriptures say about persecution:

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me (Matthew 5:11).
Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also (John 15:20).
In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:43-44).

Continue to live Godly lives during persecution:

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 4:44).
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse (Romans 12:14).
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness (Galatians 5:22).

Seek Peace, Not Vengeance:

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord (Romans 12: 19).
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God (Matthew 5:9).
Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you (2 Corinthians 13:11).
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful (Colossians 3:15).

Stop Fearing – God is with us:

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed (Deuteronomy 31:8)
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7)
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword… in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us (Romans 8:35-37)
That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:10).

Do justice and righteousness for the widow, the stranger (aliens), the orphans and those who cannot defend themselves such as the unborn and the homeless, and God will Bless you and keep you:

Thus says the Lord: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place (Jeremiah 22:3)
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares (Hebrews 13:2).
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me (Matthew 25:35).
“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts (Malachi 3:5).
He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt (Deuteronomy 10:18-19).
The Lord watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin (Psalm 146:9).
“For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds, if you truly execute justice one with another, if you do not oppress the sojourner, the fatherless, or the widow, or shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not go after other gods to your own harm, then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave of old to your fathers forever (Jeremiah 7:5-7).
Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy (Proverbs 31:8-9).

Pray for Those in Leadership in Government and in the Church and submit to authorities and laws that are aligned with the word of God:

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment (Romans 13:1-2).
Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor (1 Peter 2:17).
But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare (Jeremiah 29:7).
There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community (Proverbs 6:16-19).

Keep away from those who cause dissention (riots) and strife:

Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them (Romans 16:17).
Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment (1 Corinthians 1:10).
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand (Mark 3:24).
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21).

Know that our battle is not against flesh and blood (other humans), but against Satan, the ruler of this world and against his demons who are rulers and authorities in high institutions and in the spiritual and physical realm all around us.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm (Ephesians 6:12-13).

Therefore, let us humble ourselves, repent and submit to God, resist the Devil, so that God may heal our land and Satan will flee:

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7).
Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil (Ephesians 6:11).
And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death (Revelation 12:11).

Be strong in Christ; stand in faith, in righteousness, and in His word.

May the Lord continue to bless you and keep you.

In the beautiful name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, we pray.

--- Amen