Like Night and Day

How do you know it’s summer in South Texas? Well, while one is adjusting the water temperature of a much anticipated evening shower, mixing cold water with the hot and all that happens is – the water gets hotter – you know it’s been a hot day. Yeh, this is the time of year when all one needs is to turn on the cold water for a good refreshing shower. It’s only July and we’re experiencing August temperatures already. The big city has imposed water restrictions in an attempt to help the aquifer maintain a safe level of adequate water but I’m afraid it’s going to take serious prayer and rain. I believe I heard this is the earliest in any years previous that water restrictions have come into effect. I guess it’s just one more thing to add to our already too long list of things restricting our everyday life. The presence of the evil one comes in many different forms to aggravate and taunt us into a froth of frustration, but calm heads will prevail – Pray in earnest.

[John 1:4-5; 3:16-21] While things of this present sphere remain, political kingdoms will rise in dominance, peak and fall. There are, however, two spiritual kingdoms which will continue until the end of time: one is the kingdom of darkness which is ruled by Satan and his evil cohorts; the other is the kingdom of light (heaven), also known as the kingdom of Jesus, the Christ and His church. In addition to having different rulers, they have distinctive features. * The kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of light have distinguishing objectives. The kingdom of heaven seeks to bless God’s creation, especially mankind; the other to curse and destroy. The purpose of one is to provide life, give meaning and fulfillment, while Satan works to rob, steal and kill, to make us despondent under the gloom of misery and hopelessness. * The kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of light bear distinguishing fruits. One produces chaos, confusion, lawlessness, selfishness, hatred, strife, division and death, while Jesus creates peace, unity, joy and love. * The kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of light have distinguishing destinies. The kingdom of darkness will be completely overwhelmed and utterly conquered by the power and glory of Jesus at his coming. Darkness will vanish in the presence of His light. Satan, his angels, his willing and deceived followers, will be vanquished in everlasting destruction. Jesus, the king of righteousness, along with his angels and faithful followers, will glow in radiant splendor as He places on their heads the eternal crown of victory over Satan, sin and death. Presently, the gospel of Jesus Christ has the power to translate you from the power of the kingdom of darkness, to deliver you from death and give you life in the eternal kingdom of light. Jesus said of himself; “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men love darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.” Today there is plenty of darkness around us and Satan is very busy deceiving those who refuse to walk in the light of truth. It seems we are faced with an uncompromising enemy on all sides. The apostle Paul said, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). It’s not easy to do. Our first temptation is to strike back – to get even! A wrong has been done, and we are going to see at he doesn’t get away with it. One side wants to loot and riot under the cover of darkness while the other side wants to bring the problems to light and expose the truth. Which side would you want Jesus to find you on when He returns? It may be very soon.