Scripture for Today, 8-20-18: God Gave Them Over

​Given Over
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God said, 'My people would not hearken to My voice; having none of Me. So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels.'

Psalm 81:11-12; Romans 1:28
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God punished Israel; why do we think He won't punish America?
​Deuteronomy 32:20-22, 23-51

 8-20-18, * -- Why have so many people revolted at the idea that President Trump wants to Make America Great Again? This madness is more than US political elections; it’s an overarching issue, the loosening of the restraint of evil around the world. In other words, the closer we get to the end, the more unhinged the world becomes.
 
More than any time in the past seventy years, we are witnessing the status-quo of moral and societal degradation being challenged by President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. God is currently using these two leaders.
Therefore, the emergence of “The Trump Derangement Syndrome” [TDS] is only one sign (out of many) forecasting the true nature of the increasingly deranged times we find ourselves. However, we born again believers can be encouraged, as this current outrageous outcry from the liberal leftists is not only symptomatic of the lateness of our day and age, but is also indicative of the nearness to our Lord’s return. (2 Timothy 3:1-2, 3-5)
 
Jesus said that things would progressively deteriorate the closer we got to the end. He likened the progression to birth pangs in a pregnancy (Matt. 24:3-22). The Apostle Peter spoke of the last days being filled with skeptics and mockers questioning if the Lord would ever return (2 Peter 3:1-3). Jesus half-brother, Jude, spoke of the apostasy and falling away and likened it to previous times in history, where sexual perversion would become normalized and false teachers would wreak great damage by creeping in unawares and leading many astray (Jude 1:15-18).
 
The truth about Jesus Christ is not accepted by the unregenerate, lost and unbelieving people of the world.
 
“Who [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” Colossians 1:15-18
 
The lost person cannot accept the things of God at face value (1 Cor 1:18). Therefore, because of their love of sin and wickedness they suffer strong delusion (2 Thess 2:10-12) and God has ‘given them over:’ [See Deuteronomy 32:20-21, 32-35, 51]
 
“Even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Romans 1:28-32
 
The coming of the lawless one (2 Thess 2:9) is according to the working of Satan. For those who hold fast to God’s word, (Rev. 3:10) have faith as He will remove His own and protect Israel.
 
“Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles,
until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.”
Luke 21:24, Rom. 11:25-26

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*Excerpted and adapted from Pete Garcia here