When we use the phrase, Weight Loss, it is generally referring to the loss of a few pounds to improve one’s body mass index (BMI), and promote good health.  Or perhaps some would think of it in terms of dropping a few inches from their girth, so as to de-escalate the need for purchasing a new wardrobe to adorn their new BMI.

  But there is another realm in which the words Weight Loss might also be applied, namely, in measuring the importance of the items we have placed on our priority lists.  e.g. “Now this is a very weighty matter to me.”  What we mean is that this item is consequential, crucial, or even grave.

  I’m learning that some of the weightier matters in my life may need to experience some weight loss—they are not nearly as important as I once imagined.  Perhaps I have spent too many years majoring on the minors, have been a bit nearsighted in prioritizing the stuff of life, have put too much emphasis on the here and now: the creature comforts that I enjoy, the way of life that I have grown to love, the personal goals that I sought to obtain.  I  see now, I have neglected the spiritual and eternal elements of my existence, giving preference to the less weighty, temporal things of life. 

 How about you?  What are the weighty matters affecting your life?  Perhaps you are thinking about a mate, a diploma, a first house, a career, retirement, or maybe, your poor health.  These are indeed weighty matters, but have you considered the more crucial matters of:  your relationship with the Creator, the divinely issued purpose of life, the eternal abode of your soul, and your influence on the eternal souls of those you love, etc.?

  Perhaps you should join me in putting the temporal things that are on your priority list on a diet so that they seem less weighty in the years you have left, and so that the more weighty matters, that pertain to the unseen and eternal issues of life, will take their rightful place at the top of your list.  God says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these [temporal] things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)”

  In the Middle Ages, the days of kings, knights, serfs and peasants, it was not uncommon to hear someone talk about The Fool.  He was the court jester or the joker of a nobleman’s household, responsible for entertainment.  In our day the title, Fool, has taken on a different meaning; it describes an ignorant person who exercises poor judgment.  Under the inspiration of God, the writers of scripture employ the word many times.  e.g. “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. (Psalm 14:1)”

  For one to deny the existence of a Being whose wisdom, knowledge and power exceed that of feeble man, is illogical and foolish.  The great design of this universe requires a Great Designer/Creator.  The perfect order that can be observed from the realm of the microscopic to the realm of the galactic, most certainly requires a Sustainer.  The astounding book, the Bible, that contains perfectly harmonious answers to the world’s toughest questions, provides a moral compass for the otherwise wayward and wandering human race, and prescribes a satisfying purpose for all who choose to embrace it, most certainly requires God!  To say otherwise is foolish and undiscerning.

  But many would rather be called a Fool, than to admit there is a God.  They know that if God exists, He would certainly require something of them, but they are determined to be captain of their own soul.  This might seem okay except that God has a plan for fools: the unbelief of a fool is sinful, and “the wages of sin is death… (Romans 6:23).”  God says, “…the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: [Hell] (Revelation 21:8)”

  But God wants you to know that He would “…have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (1Timothy 2:4)  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)  Perhaps you should reconsider.

  The Bible speaks of two realms in which everything living abides.  Those  who are aware of these two realms refer to them as: physical and spiritual, flesh and spirit, temporal and eternal, earthly and heavenly, seen and unseen.  While there are those who ignorantly refuse to believe in anything they cannot see, hear, taste, touch or smell, a growing number of people are beginning to realize that there are realities that loom just beyond their senses.  Some, who grope in the dark (evil) side of those realities, are quite keenly aware of their existence—as are those of us who love the Light (good).  

  In the realm of Light, there are God and Angels, who minister on earth, though their present abode is Heaven.  In the realm of darkness, there are Satan and Demons, who, though unseen, dwell among men to wreak havoc in the earth.  A spiritual battle rages; you are on the battlefield and would do well to understand your enemy.

  The Word of God says, Of Satan’s Origin: “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. (Isaiah 14:12-15)”  Of Satan’s Ways: “…the god of this world (Satan) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2Corinthians 4:4)”  God warns: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (1Peter 5:8)”

  The Bible says that you and I were born into darkness, but can become part of the Kingdom of Light.  The Apostles of Christ were sent, “To open their (men’s) eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith… (Acts 26:18)”

  One of the most celebrated truths pertaining to our God is that He is immutable (unchanging).  He is holy, just, merciful, gracious, loving, all powerful, all knowing, and everywhere present.  Today, He is exactly what He always was, and always will be. “For I am the LORD, I change not… (Malachi 3:6).”  James refers to God as, “…the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (James 1:17)”  This simple truth has far reaching ramifications:

  Since God does not change, what He has proclaimed as truth will always be the truth. “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. (Psalms 119:89)”  Truth never changes, because the Author of truth never changes.

  Since God does not change, what He promises must come to pass.  “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. (2Corinthians 1:20)”  God’s promises are sure because He never changes His mind, He cannot lie, and He never forgets.  He is immutable!

  Right and wrong are inseparably linked to Him, and since He is immutable, what He has determined to be right, or wrong, will always be right, or wrong.  For example: God calls homosexuality wrong in Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; and Romans 1:27.  God calls pornography wrong in Matthew 5:28-29; 1Cor. 6:18-20; and Galatians 5:19-25.  God calls transgenderism wrong in Genesis 1:27; Deuteronomy 22:5; and 1Corinthians 6:9.  God calls lying wrong in Proverbs 6:16-19; 12:22; 19:9; and Psalms 101:7.  God calls pride wrong in Proverbs 11:2; 16:5; and 16:18.  …and the list goes on.  Today, our perception of right, and wrong, do not align with God’s Word, so we are certainly misled, because “right” and “wrong” were His idea, and He never changes.

  As believers, we who know God, are His representatives on earth.  We must represent God’s immutability to those who do not yet know Him.  If we, as children of God, perceive His truth as evolving, if we doubt His promises, if we accept what He calls wrong as right, or what He calls right as wrong, our lives will convey to the world that we serve a God who changes with time, and He does not!

  Today, around the world, the masses clamor for peace while celebrating diversity.  But common sense tells us that diversity is the enemy of peace.  Even the Word of God clearly states:  “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! (Psalms 133:1)”

  We have been unified before as a nation, even in times of war (on other soils).  While at peace among ourselves, we laughed together, worked together, mourned together, and sometimes died together.  But then, the unifying force of our common cause ended; the war was over, and after our victory celebration faded, we began to celebrate our diversity again.  Soon, our national unity and its subsequent peace had dissipated.  So, must we be at war with others, to be at peace among ourselves?  NO, but we must have unity of cause before we will have true peace, whether it be in our families, churches, businesses, nation, or in the whole human race.  But beware, a counterfeit unity produces only a counterfeit peace—a bad peace.  

  Those who study the Scriptures know that there is coming a day when a Satanically inspired man will step onto the world stage as a peacemaker in the Middle East.  He is depicted as the rider of a white horse in the book of Revelation, chapter six, who makes his entrance with a bow (but no arrows), and a crown.  He will conquer nations without firing a shot, be appointed the head of a confederacy of ten nations, and broker a peace treaty in the Middle East between Israel and surrounding nations.  His peace will be a false peace and last only long enough for Israel to drop her guard, and rest defenselessly in the false peace of their feigned deliverer.  There will be Great Tribulation!

  So, is there hope?  Is peace within our grasp?  Probably not universally, but thankfully God offers a peace that does not depend upon the circumstances—a personal peace.  “Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:5-7)”  And remember, Jesus is the “Prince of Peace!” (Isaiah 9:6)