WEDNESDAY WEEKLY WORD...light at the end of the tunnel

One of the greatest things we can do when we are experiencing hard times is to see light at the end of the tunnel. With the economy the way it is these days, I would dare say that many of us are looking for that light at the end of the tunnel.

Unfortunately, many people are looking for the wrong light. They are looking down the wrong tunnel.

Many Christians were surprised and outraged by the movie and books authored by Dan Brown, "The DaVinci Code". Dan Brown, the author was one of those wrong lights. People followed him down the wrong tunnel. His writings led the readers to believe that the church made up the idea of Christ being the Son of God and it was written thru Browns book, that the church suppressed those with a different perception.

Spreading "doubt" should not of taken us by surprise. After all, to some degree, doubt has been present throughout history. Most of us have heard of "Doubting Thomas", but in reality, didn't ALL of the disciples have doubt at first? (Luke 24:38)

"But we were hoping that He was the One who was about to redeem Israel."

(spoken with despair by two of the Disciples on the road to Emmaus) Luke 24:21

All of this doubt and despair was quickly turned around when the risen Christ showed Himself. The prophecies of the scripture were indeed a light at the end of the tunnel for all those who believed.

One of the prophecies that I studied this week was from Isaiah. It was prophesied that God's Messiah would be seen as the "Prince of Peace".

ISAIAH 9:6 "For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace."

Now it is true that war has been in our past, is currently present and most likely will be in our future. As long as there is opposition in this world ... we will have war! We shouldn't be surprised...and as Christians we should have the hope and the peace that God is our Prince of Peace and one day His vision of a peaceful world will happen. Isaiah saw this kind of peace, he had this kind of hope.

ISAIAH 2:4 "They will turn their swords into plows and their spears into pruning knives. Nations will not take up the sword against (other) nations, and they will never again train for war."

In last week's YOUR OPINION MATTERS POLL, I polled the readers the following question: "Who do you most look at as an "oppressor" in your life right now?" The top 3 responses were...
1. 35% of those voting said that they had oppressors in their life.
2. 21% of the readers voted and said that the oppressor in their life right now were creditors.
3. Another 21% voted and said an irritating family member was an oppressor to them.

Oppressors...those we battle with .... that we war against...in the flesh and spiritually. The poll this week confirms to me that there isn't much difference between myself and "Doubting Thomas". When the battle brings me to the front line ...

Where is my faith?
Do I doubt that I have a Prince of Peace?
What do I hold on to?

Even though war continues on today, can I remind you, that God still holds the vision of Isaiah 2:4 before us. The way to overcome our oppressors is by accepting the Prince of Peace ... Jesus Christ!

WEDNESDAY WEEKLY WORD is a post that I designate each Wednesday to reflect on a personal study. For the next several weeks, I will be sharing some thoughts and scripture on promises of Christ returning for His church. Hope you will join me again next week as we venture into this study.

YOUR OPINION MATTERS POLL: please take time to vote in this weeks poll. I am asking about your family tree this week....YOUR OPINION REALLY DOES MATTER!