smokeyquartz001

Despite the economic doom and gloom many throughout the world face today, there is hope and peace available in the Blessed Controller of all things.

As April 2008 reached its final days, the economic news I heard on the radio was not all that bright: Oil prices shot up again close to $112 a barrel, and a report from OPEC indicated oil at $200 a barrel in the future might not be out of the question. The same report explained that somehow when the US dollar declines, oil prices go up. If the dollar could be strengthened by ten percent, oil prices could be reduced by 40 percent.

It's now summer 2008 and oil prices have recently hit $144 a barrel.

This rising cost in oil is eventually reflected in a rising cost of most consumer goods, and the United States is not alone in this economic dilemma.

As a result, individuals are expressing a number of emotions: frustration, anger, fear, worry, and more. On the other hand, there are a few, that though they have concerns, they possess hope and peace.

Their hope and peace is rooted in the Holy Bible, which readily shows that God through Christ is the Blessed Controller of all things. It is also rooted in a personal knowledge of Its Author, God. They know that God has a specific plan established, and a personal plan for each individual that would bring them hope and peace if only they would trust Him.

While the concerns of these people would include rising prices, the greater concern to them is the fact that billions do not fully trust in the one true God through Jesus Christ.

For some, the question that often comes to their mind is when will revival come? By that is meant a real revival where hearts, minds, and lives are dramatically changed as they yield to the loving, merciful move of God.

It has happened many times before, and there is a sense among true Christians that there shall be one more great and true revival before Christ removes His Church from the earth.

Yet, to many, the greatest concern is this: There has been little spiritual response in recent years when calamity strikes. Again, someone has said that on September 11, 2001, the United States bowed the head but did not bow the knee. There was a cry unto God, but not a powerful embrace of all He is and all that He offers in Jesus Christ.

So the question in many a true Christian's mind is, "What will it take for some people to truly and fully commit to God?" For those who do not personally know Christ, the question might be, "How in the world am I going to make it?"

There is one avenue for both answers, and that is prayer. If you do not personally know Christ, that is, He has forgiven your sins and He lives within you, then by all means consider talking to Him now, asking Him to cleanse you of your sins, and inviting Him within you to live. Once you do that, read the Word of God and embrace Its truth and hope. Eventually you will come to the place that you will have peace in the midst of all this economic doom and gloom.

Immediately, you will find the power of this verse: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." -- Matthew 11:28. Our Lord waits to embrace you, and hold you close to Him, very close, as the turmoil of the world increases around us. As you fully trust Him, He will meet your needs.

For us that know Christ, we can certainly pray that God will soften hearts and that His Word would be swiftly, boldly, and wisely proclaimed to the unsaved, praying also for ourselves that we will be the people He wants us to be in these difficult times.