Keeping People In The Dark

Keeping People In The Dark

by Keith Bellamy

Have you ever been kept in the dark about something? By that, I mean you may be part of an organization and the finances of that organization as to actually what was available are kept secret from those who contribute.

Years ago, we were supporting a certain project and we could not get an exact figure on the finances of that particular organization. The leaders of that organization had a mind-set to keep everyone in the dark about how much money was actually available. Some people were asking questions and certain leaders blew off their questions. The leaders didn't want the truth out.

Someone said, “Ignorance is bliss.” But’s it’s not.

Sometimes there are those who have been kept in the dark as far as the Word of God is concerned. There are those who don’t want you to understand the Bible. And we live in a society today that plays on ignorance.

Some are told that only the clergy or church decide what the Bible says. I have read commentaries that have marked out references to a certain scripture.

Many years ago, some student preachers were discussing 1 Peter 3:21. The lady they were visiting made the comment that passage wasn’t in her Bible. And it wasn’t! She had cut it out! However, the passage still says, “Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (NASV).

I have read many passages that so many try to explain away. However, I must insist that the Bible be my guide.

You and I are being bombarded by political messages that tell us the government can fix our problems. If you believe that, then maybe we need to see what happened to the children of Israel, who bought into that message.

Only God can fix our problems. He has made salvation possible through His Son, Jesus Christ.

God doesn’t keep us in the dark. His Son was the light. And we must follow Him to stay out of the darkness.

FRUSTRATIONS

FRUSTRATIONS

by Keith Bellamy

Do you ever get frustrated?

“What do you do about it? Usually I need to go for a walk, and so our dog Sadie and I would go for an extra walk. She liked it, and it helped me deal with my frustration. A preacher friend of mine said Sadie was a good psychologist when she licked his face.”

We lost our Sadie, but now we have Buddybo. He adopted us. God must have known we needed some relief from our frustrations, because He can certainly help in relieving us of our frustrations.

But what about turning our frustrations over to God? Would you be willing to let Him have your frustrations and let Him help you deal with it? Notice the words of Psalm 121:2: “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (NIV). I truly believe that God will help us through the good times as well as the bad times.

The early church was faced with seemingly impossible situations. Persecution was everywhere. And remember, even Jesus’ own people would not accept Him (John 1:11). Do you think Jesus was ever frustrated? He obviously was, when He would question their faith. But He still loved those who doubted.

We live in an age where according to many we need to be politically correct. Back in the first century, the Jews had that same attitude and so did the Gentiles. However, Acts 17:6 tells us that the followers of Jesus had turned the world upside down. They didn’t care about being politically correct.

There’s a song that we sing that says, “My Jesus knows just what I need.” And if we believe that, we know He will help us through our frustrations!

Going Home at Peace

Going Home at Peace

By Keith Bellamy

I recently saw a man go home from prison after serving twenty-one years in the Texas prison system. His wonderful family was waiting for him. His church family was waiting for him. He returned home at peace. He knows there is only peace in Christ Jesus.

Many years ago, my dad went home to be with the Lord. Over the last nineteen years I have learned to adjust to Dad's passing. When my brother called me to let me know Dad's blood pressure had fallen and there was no systolic pressure, I flew home. When I took Dad's hand, I told him it was time to go home. He squeezed my hand. I had said that same thing earlier that year when the doctor told my mother we needed to come to see him; but Dad wasn't ready then.

My dad was literally worn out. He had been sick for years, and for almost two years, he had become totally incapacitated. He could not help himself at all. Many times, when he was in that bed I would watch him, but he never seemed to complain. Like a lot of men, Dad was not a good patient when he was able to get around. But being in that bed, I saw strength and a faith I had not seen in my dad before.

That night, September 3, 1999, about five minutes or so before Dad died, my brother commented to our mother that Dad was smiling. Physically, he had nothing to smile about. My mother told my brother that Dad was seeing Jesus.

Now as much as I miss my Dad, I am glad he went home at peace.

Going home at peace is what we all want. For so many this is not an easy journey. So many must suffer in various ways. And then there are some who lose their lives in a very tragic way.

My question to you is, "If you were to die today, would you go home at peace?"

Remember the words in Hebrews 9:27. “And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment...” (NLT)