"Be merciful to those in doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear-hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh." Jude 22-23
In these last days, being a witness for Christ is more important than it has ever been. The urgency in my spirit as the end draws near is overwhelming. I feel sick to my stomach knowing that the time of our Lord is so close and yet there are so many who still do not know the Lord. Family members and friends who have not received the Lord as Saviour are on my mind constantly.
The noise of confusion and false doctrine seem to be on the rise. The way therefore that we witness must be examinied and customized in every circumstance. Jude speaks of witnessing to some with compassion and kindness. To others he calls for urgency as if rescuing them from a burning building. Still others who are confused and lost in the world system must be shown mercy ernsestly praying for them to see the light of God's love through our lives. Finally others may require us to get into their world and witness to them where they are, being cautious to show them love and kindness being careful not to condone their worldly behavior.
We must constantly call on God in prayer to help us understand how to witness to each non-believer we encounter. It is not a cookie cutter approach rather it is a human to human approach in which we demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ to them with our actions more than our words. Time is drawing near and practice time is over, we are in the fourth quarter and we must begin our full court press to bring in the harvest before the King calls us home.
My prayer. Father there are so many lost souls who need to know the gospel . You have given us the responsibility and the opportunity to share it through our lives and our conversations. Give us discerning spirits Father and show us how to customize our approach in sharing the gospel with everyone in our sphere of influence. Help us to be ambassadors of your Kingdom in everything we do. I pray in the name above all names, Jesus Christ. Amen!
Showing posts with label In the last days. Show all posts
Showing posts with label In the last days. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
A People Who Live Apart
"From the rocky peaks I see them, from the heights I view them, I see a people who live apart and do not consider themselves on of the nations." Numbers 23:9
God put this verse in my spirit this morning as I read his word. In these times of turmoil and changing values and the swirl of politics and social agendas. God tells us to step back and look at who we are in his eyes. We are set apart from the rest of the world. We are his chosen. It is up to us as followers of Christ to be different fro the rest of society because we are his children.
The world will try to swallow us up and water down the truth of God's word but it is up to us to remain steadfast and continue to proclaim the truth no matter what the consequence. It is time we stand as believers for the truth of God's word and show the world that we are His and that we are steadfast not tossed about like a wave on the ocean.
As believers we must be aware what the enemy is doing around us and fight back for what is right for our God and our families. No matter what the personal pain and persecution that we will suffer in the months and years ahead, we have only one time to get this right and God is watching us "from the heights."
My prayer. The days of persecution have arrived in America Father and we need your strength to see us through. Walk beside us Father and hold us up. Thank you for the redemption we have through Jesus Christ that when we fall you have already paid the price for our iniquity. Fill us Lord with the Holy Spirit and embolden us to stand for the truth of your Word in a dying and hostile world. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!
God put this verse in my spirit this morning as I read his word. In these times of turmoil and changing values and the swirl of politics and social agendas. God tells us to step back and look at who we are in his eyes. We are set apart from the rest of the world. We are his chosen. It is up to us as followers of Christ to be different fro the rest of society because we are his children.
The world will try to swallow us up and water down the truth of God's word but it is up to us to remain steadfast and continue to proclaim the truth no matter what the consequence. It is time we stand as believers for the truth of God's word and show the world that we are His and that we are steadfast not tossed about like a wave on the ocean.
As believers we must be aware what the enemy is doing around us and fight back for what is right for our God and our families. No matter what the personal pain and persecution that we will suffer in the months and years ahead, we have only one time to get this right and God is watching us "from the heights."
My prayer. The days of persecution have arrived in America Father and we need your strength to see us through. Walk beside us Father and hold us up. Thank you for the redemption we have through Jesus Christ that when we fall you have already paid the price for our iniquity. Fill us Lord with the Holy Spirit and embolden us to stand for the truth of your Word in a dying and hostile world. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
The Passion of Christ - Part 4
Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. Luke 22:54
Peter, James and John were part of Jesus’ inner circle, they were his closest friends. In most of the major discussions and certainly when Jesus prayed the night before he was handed over to be crucified, Jesus had them near. In fact, when Jesus was seized by the temple guards, Peter drew a sword and cut off the ear of one of the soldiers.
Why then, would Peter, as Jesus’ predicted, deny to have even known his best friend after Jesus was in custody. In fact, “…Peter followed at a distance,” as arresting soldiers and Jesus made their way from Gethsemane to the temple court. Peter chose to hide in the shadows rather than admit he was a follower of Christ. He was scared.
This episode speaks volumes about the state of Christianity in 2009. Unlike Peter who had no idea what would become of his friend Jesus, we modern day Christians have the benefit of knowing how the crucifixion story ended. We can look back on the day of Pentecost, where thousands saw the Holy Spirit descend upon the disciples and Peter stood up and led over 3000 to the Lord; yet, most of us still follow Jesus at a distance. What are we afraid of?
Many Christians fail to grasp the power of the risen Lord. If the Body of Christ (the Church) who has asked Jesus Christ into our hearts would understand the power we possess knowing that God has forgiven our sins and that we have overcome death as well, then we would not remain in the shadows, embarrassed to admit we believe. Of all the religions on earth Christianity is the only one that can say that their leader has been put to death but is now alive and has been living for the past two thousand years! That’s empowering!
It’s time to get serious about our faith and stop listening to all of the noise around us trying to put Christianity in a box. The power of Christ living inside of us drives out all fear. Stand up and tell others why you are so confident. The Last Days are here brothers and sisters and if we don’t tell the lost about the good news, it may soon be too late.
My prayer. Father again, forgive us for trying to limit you. Forgive us for being weak-kneed Christians. Empower us through your Holy Spirit to speak boldly without fear or reservation about the gospel. Prepare a way for each of us as we go out in a very dark world to be beacons of light. I pray that we be doers of the word and not hearers only. In Jesus name Amen!
Peter, James and John were part of Jesus’ inner circle, they were his closest friends. In most of the major discussions and certainly when Jesus prayed the night before he was handed over to be crucified, Jesus had them near. In fact, when Jesus was seized by the temple guards, Peter drew a sword and cut off the ear of one of the soldiers.
Why then, would Peter, as Jesus’ predicted, deny to have even known his best friend after Jesus was in custody. In fact, “…Peter followed at a distance,” as arresting soldiers and Jesus made their way from Gethsemane to the temple court. Peter chose to hide in the shadows rather than admit he was a follower of Christ. He was scared.
This episode speaks volumes about the state of Christianity in 2009. Unlike Peter who had no idea what would become of his friend Jesus, we modern day Christians have the benefit of knowing how the crucifixion story ended. We can look back on the day of Pentecost, where thousands saw the Holy Spirit descend upon the disciples and Peter stood up and led over 3000 to the Lord; yet, most of us still follow Jesus at a distance. What are we afraid of?
Many Christians fail to grasp the power of the risen Lord. If the Body of Christ (the Church) who has asked Jesus Christ into our hearts would understand the power we possess knowing that God has forgiven our sins and that we have overcome death as well, then we would not remain in the shadows, embarrassed to admit we believe. Of all the religions on earth Christianity is the only one that can say that their leader has been put to death but is now alive and has been living for the past two thousand years! That’s empowering!
It’s time to get serious about our faith and stop listening to all of the noise around us trying to put Christianity in a box. The power of Christ living inside of us drives out all fear. Stand up and tell others why you are so confident. The Last Days are here brothers and sisters and if we don’t tell the lost about the good news, it may soon be too late.
My prayer. Father again, forgive us for trying to limit you. Forgive us for being weak-kneed Christians. Empower us through your Holy Spirit to speak boldly without fear or reservation about the gospel. Prepare a way for each of us as we go out in a very dark world to be beacons of light. I pray that we be doers of the word and not hearers only. In Jesus name Amen!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
I Will Protect Him
"I will protect him for he acknowledges my name." Psalm 91:14
These are and will continue to be difficult times. High unemployment, a government stripping our country of its sovereignty, and a general anger amongst the population dominate our thoughts. The warnings of the prophets from Ezekiel to Daniel to John seem to be coming to life nightly on the evening news. Jesus himself said of these days, "...because iniquity (wickedness) shall abound, the love of many will wax (grow) cold." Mat 24:12
One can see tempers growing shorter and unemployment lines longer. Talk of protest and anarchy fill the airwaves of the talk radio stations, while Internet blogs violently slander anyone who disagrees with their point of view. Freedoms that were taken for granted ten years ago are being threatened by an ever-increasingly fascist tone throughout the land.
What can a Christian do, who is chastised for his beliefs, and threatened when he speaks out against the murder of unborn children or in defense of his family against the violence and degradation of pornography?
We must all have faith, realizing that God sometimes allows calamity to strengthen our resolve and to show his glory to those who do not believe. Sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph when reunited once again with his family after many years, said of his hardships," God sent me ahead of you to preserve your lives." In other words, Joseph knew that God had a bigger plan in mind and he had to allow Joseph to suffer hardship so that Jews would be relocated to Egypt and eventually grow to over two million there. By Joseph's suffering God would lead the Jews out of Egypt and show the world his power and love for his people freeing them from slavery and leading them into the land he promised to Abraham. To God, a little suffering now to bring him glory and new souls into the kingdom is worth it and expected.
No matter what is happening now, it will most likely get worse. Some may lose everything, others may find themselves hungry and homeless, others may even die. However, God is still there and watching and using the power of the Holy Spirit in us to bring him glory and win souls for eternity. This is our chance to shine saints, and to "run with patience, the race that is set before us." Heb 12:1
These are and will continue to be difficult times. High unemployment, a government stripping our country of its sovereignty, and a general anger amongst the population dominate our thoughts. The warnings of the prophets from Ezekiel to Daniel to John seem to be coming to life nightly on the evening news. Jesus himself said of these days, "...because iniquity (wickedness) shall abound, the love of many will wax (grow) cold." Mat 24:12
One can see tempers growing shorter and unemployment lines longer. Talk of protest and anarchy fill the airwaves of the talk radio stations, while Internet blogs violently slander anyone who disagrees with their point of view. Freedoms that were taken for granted ten years ago are being threatened by an ever-increasingly fascist tone throughout the land.
What can a Christian do, who is chastised for his beliefs, and threatened when he speaks out against the murder of unborn children or in defense of his family against the violence and degradation of pornography?
We must all have faith, realizing that God sometimes allows calamity to strengthen our resolve and to show his glory to those who do not believe. Sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph when reunited once again with his family after many years, said of his hardships," God sent me ahead of you to preserve your lives." In other words, Joseph knew that God had a bigger plan in mind and he had to allow Joseph to suffer hardship so that Jews would be relocated to Egypt and eventually grow to over two million there. By Joseph's suffering God would lead the Jews out of Egypt and show the world his power and love for his people freeing them from slavery and leading them into the land he promised to Abraham. To God, a little suffering now to bring him glory and new souls into the kingdom is worth it and expected.
No matter what is happening now, it will most likely get worse. Some may lose everything, others may find themselves hungry and homeless, others may even die. However, God is still there and watching and using the power of the Holy Spirit in us to bring him glory and win souls for eternity. This is our chance to shine saints, and to "run with patience, the race that is set before us." Heb 12:1
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