Troubles are Attention Getters
From the Amplified Bible

The world has always experienced much trouble and suffering, and the Covis-19 pandemic has resulted in much death, fear, concern, worry, and hardship.

People are given advice on how to cope, plus governments introduce rules and regulations to help. The usual response by man is to look to the world for guidance and help from fellow man, medicines, material things, money, assets, etc. So often brings partial or temporary relief but ultimately leads to more troubles, disappointments, dependence, and suffering.

What is the cause of all this? The Bible tells us! at 

2 Thessalonians 2:3 -4, Let no one deceive, {or} beguile you in any way, for that day (the Lord Jesus' return) will not come except the apostasy comes first [unless the predicted great falling away of those who have professed to be Christians has come]. The man of lawlessness (sin) is revealed, who is the son of doom (of perdition), who opposes and exalts himself so proudly {and} insolently against {and} over all that is called God or that is worshipped, [even to his actually] taking his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming that he himself is God.

Who is this man of lawlessness (sin)? Who is the son of doom? Satan (the Devil, Lucifer), the evil spirit force who deceives man to believe that doing things by our fleshly efforts is the best way. 

Satan was sent to earth by God at the time of creation (He is depicted as a serpent who deceived Eve in the Garden of Eden to eat fruit off a tree that God said was not to be eaten. (Gen 3:5) Satan said, "In the day you eat that fruit, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God,"

Eve used her eyes to see that the fruit was good, and she believed the lies of Satan, and she ate some of the fruit. BUT, if she had talked to God and sought His guidance, she would have been warned of the consequences of believing the lies of Satan.

That was the beginning of troubles for mankind ….. and mankind, most times, does what Eve did and relies on their own reasoning, abilities, and experience plus are ever ready to listen to others, (which as we see from the highlighted text in the verse above) is influenced by Satan most of the time.

Why did God send Satan to earth to cause so much trouble and suffering to mankind?

God is love, and He wants to give man good all the time … so he imparts choice to man … He lets man choose to seek His help or choose to rely on his flesh. He doesn't simply impose His will on man. This is highlighted in John 3:16: For God so greatly loved {and} dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever [by choice] believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.

So, in our troubled world, where most are experiencing suffering (including those who have professed to be Christians), God is waiting for any man to seek His guidance and help …… as mentioned above, He gives ALL mankind the choice to call out to Him.

This usually happens when a person reaches that "point" in life when they realise that "self-effort and trusting the world" is not bringing good results. This "attention-getting" is ongoing for everyone, and the "point" is different for everyone. Our response may be a simple plea - "Help me!" …. (see ### below)

God is ALWAYS waiting to hear our call. When we finally call, He may reply, "Ah! At last, I have your attention!" 

He always knows what is best for us, and as you continue to trust Him to answer your call for help, He will always help you. Acts 26:18 To open their eyes that they may turn from darkness to Light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may thus receive forgiveness {and} release from their sins and a place {and} portion among those who are consecrated {and} purified by faith in Me.

Because Satan is always looking for opportunities to deceive, he will seek to lure us back to relying on ourselves and the world. 

To guard against that happening, Christ Jesus told us the solution … John 3:7 … You must all be born anew (from above). …..this means that you must receive a cleaned spirit from Him and Father (to replace the contaminated/deceived spirit caused by Satan's influence).

Mankind initially sought to overcome the effects of Satan's influence by "self-effort" (rituals, man's rules, etc.), which is ineffective. So Father God sent His Son to earth to spiritually free mankind and gave spiritual sight!  (Luke 4:18-19 (Christ Jesus said) The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed One, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the (spiritual) captives and recovery of sight to the (spiritually) blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity], To proclaim the accepted {and} acceptable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the free favours of God profusely abound].).

Christ Jesus' closing words at His crucifixion were "It is finished!"  (John 19:30) … He had achieved what He had come to earth for by the sacrifice of His sinless body in full payment of all man's sin. Immediately, all human spirits were made new, ready to be imparted into any person, as soon as they take the step of faith and be born again spiritually.

This freedom, this victory over the troubles of this world, was made available to all human spirits by Christ Jesus at His crucifixion. He bought everyone's spirit with His life, and He made them new and set them free ... when any person turns to the Light (Christ Jesus), they will see what He has made available for them! ... free, renewed spirits to enter their "earth suits." (1 John 2:2 And He [that same Jesus Himself] is the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins, and not for ours alone but also for [the sins of] the whole world.)

 As Paul (formerly Saul) said, (Gal 2:20), "I (my spirit) have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ Jesus Who lives in me" … you, or anyone, can say that … all it takes is "whosoever believes" and takes the step of faith to be (spiritually) born again (see *** below) ... the benefits being...

Rom 8:1 Therefore, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are (spiritually) in Christ Jesus, {who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit.}

Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has freed me from the law of sin and of death.

Rom 8:3 For God has done what the Law could not do, [its power] being weakened by the flesh [the entire nature of man without the Holy Spirit]. Sending His own Son in the guise of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, [God] condemned sin in the flesh [subdued, overcame, deprived it of its power over all who accept that sacrifice],

### As Christ Jesus provides any person total freedom, we are told …. John 6:44 No one is able to come to Me (Christ Jesus) unless the Father Who sent Me attracts {and} draws him {and} gives him the desire to come to Me, and [then] I will raise him up [from the dead] at the last day.

Jesus showed the world how a Godly Spirit can be received ... He came to John the Baptist and was fully immersed in the River Jordan. As He came up, He left "the old man" (the carpenter) spiritually behind in the water and was anointed with Father's Holy Spirit.  

*** This step of faith is available for anyone … when they believe .... be it in a river, a pond, a lake ... or even under a shower.  God knows their faith and sees them taking the step of faith! (The Greek word for baptism is "baptidzo," and it literally means to "dip" or to "immerse.") … but much of mankind has been deceived by Satan into believing that the "sprinkling" of a baby or young child (too young to make a choice) in "baptism" is "good enough."

When a person chooses to be baptised, and they understand that as soon as the "old spiritual man" is washed away (following Jesus' example in baptism), this allows the Holy Spirit to come to them. They become a new "spiritual" creation ... they become a child of God, cared for by Him. 1 John 5:4, For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world (and all evil influences in the world.) - even our faith. .... God is love ...and love overcomes all things. God is Spirit – to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (Note: It is "whatever"… not whoever ... it is a renewed spirit)

1 John 5:5 Who is it that is victorious over [that conquers] the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on that fact]? 

So, all that is required is for anyone to turn from the darkness of the world to Jesus Christ, the Light so that they can realise that their spirits have been set free. Today on earth, there are over 7 billion people, and most are still looking into darkness …. through the deception of Satan.

As a person believes and gives thanks, the Holy Spirit covers, protects, guides and supplies all needs. The person who takes that step of faith is spiritually engrafted into Christ Jesus by Father, the same as a twig is engrafted into a grapevine. 2 Cor 5:17, Therefore if any person is [in-grafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh {and} new has come!

Christ Jesus explained it with this analogy... John 15:1 I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser. (Who, when a person is drawn to Lord Jesus by Him (Father), He cuts them from the old "Adam vine" and grafts them into the True Vine.) … then,

John 15:2 ....He cleanses {and} repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more {and} richer {and} more excellent fruit. .... (and 1 John 1:9 .. as we confess our sins, He will forgive us and cleanse us.)

 John 15:4 Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me.

John 15:5 ..... Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me], you can do nothing.

1 John 4:17 In this [union and communion with Him – one with Christ (grafted into the Vine)] love is brought to completion {and} attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him], because as He is, so are we in this world.… branches grafted into Him, the True Vine, moment by moment receiving all that He is and has (Christ in ... Christian), including the seeds of the fruit … cleansing, purifying, strengthening, equipping us, so that we can bear much fruit for Father's glory and use (John 15). The fruit being .. Gal 5:22 -24 But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge]. And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites {and} desires. 

Col 1:16 For it was in Him that all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities; all things were created {and} exist through Him [by His service, intervention] and in {and} for Him. Col 1:17 And He Himself existed before all things, and in Him all things consist (cohere, are held together). – so everything that is needed will come from Him ... not by our effort!  …. So simply rest in Him and wait expectantly.

Joined to Lord Jesus, all can say and know ... I am as He is – born again - part of the Body of Christ (He is the head ... thus we have the mind of Christ), anointed with the Holy Spirit. Apart from Him, I can do nothing!" The Body of Christ – Him and all branches are the True Church on earth .... because, as Lord Jesus is, (the Word of God), so are we in this world (1 John 4:17)

1 Cor 3:16 Do you not discern {and} understand that you [the whole Church] are God's temple (His sanctuary), and that God's Spirit has His permanent dwelling in you [to be at home in you, collectively, as a Church and also individually]?  

We have two temples at the side of our head. When a person is born again (guided by the Holy Spirit, not our flesh), our mind (the mind of Christ) is between/in the temple ... we are the True Church ... not the structures that man calls the church, which is so often influenced by man/fleshly input and Satan's deceptions.

NOTE: Father doesn't want people to strive and put in a big effort to be Christians. All that is needed is to rest in the Vine  .. to have a consciousness of being spiritually grafted into Him by Father ... look around you at the trees, shrubs, vines ... moment by moment; they are receiving all that is needed to grow and produce.

 He is love.....  He is in constant union with all born again believers … what the world needs now is love.

There is a promise given to all of mankind …. John 15:7 If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you {and} continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. So, simply wait on God …. With your trust and expectation in Him! 

When any person is born again, Father provides us with His protection, and He wants us to intercede (pray for help) for all people who have yet to call out "Help me!" and be drawn by Father. As mentioned above, today on earth, there are over 7 billion people, and most are still looking into the darkness and do not realise freedom is available.

So, have a consciousness of this ….

Eph 6:10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him – a branch of the Vine, constantly cared for by Father]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides.]

Eph 6:11 Put on God's whole armour [the armour of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies {and} the deceits of the devil.

Eph 6:12 For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.

Eph 6:13 Therefore put on God's complete armour, that you may be able to resist {and} stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].

Eph 6:14 Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity {and} of moral rectitude {and} right standing with God,

Eph 6:15 And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.

Eph 6:16 Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].

Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God.

THEN …Eph 6:18 Pray, at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose {and} perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people)

……Father wants all people to be with Him for Eternity!  …. John 3:16 For God so greatly loved {and} dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever [by choice] believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.

Note (the highlighted words) – we are simply to stand in the protective armour with the shield of faith that Father supplies …. He will do it all for us …. The Holy Spirit wields the sword ….. we are simply to be vessels on earth for Father to work through …. As stated in 1 John 4:17 above …. In this [union and communion with Him – one with Christ], love is brought to completion {and} attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him], because as He is, so are we in this world.

Father tells us an absolute essential …. Matt 6:14 For if you forgive people their trespasses [their reckless and wilful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Matt 6:15 But if you do not forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and wilful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses.

So, get a pen and pad and ask Father to advise you of everyone (including yourself) that you have NOT forgiven … then, one by one, recall the people (and maybe the incident) AND forgive them all … then pass them all over to Lord Jesus. (A reminder …. Col 3:17 And whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus {and} in [dependence upon] His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him.) ….. so, so often in churches today, we hear "In Jesus' name!"

1 John 5:4 For whatever (a born-again spirit) is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith.

The success of your life, as a child of God, is in direct proportion to the consciousness of the living Christ, and the almighty power of God, that is in your heart."  F J Heugal… Rest in Him every moment.

Zech 4:6 not by might, nor by power but by Your Spirit (the Spirit of love) Who is available to do it all through us .. IN and WITH love!

Brian McMichan …. Queensland, Australia.

Reflections of Brian McMichan

Brian McMichan

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