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All the New Testament writers expressed in one way or another their conviction that the end of all things was near. This included the Lord’s return for His Church, judgment of the wicked, and the beginning of a new heavens and new earth. “According to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13).
Does this mean, as some say, that we should stop all our normal activity and go to some mountain and wait for the Lord to return? Peter makes it clear that we must be involved in character building. “The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be self-controlled and sober minded for the sake of your prayers” (1 Peter 4:7). These last days demand that we be people of prayer. In the parable of the ten minas, the nobleman “called ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come’” (Luke 19:13). In the end of this parable, each servant is judged by what they did with mina they were entrusted with. This raises the question as to what we are doing with the treasure of God’s Word until the Lord returns. There is no age limit, personality requirement or a certain number of resources. What we are given is a gift from the Holy Spirit that must be held as a stewardship.
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There is another kind of preparation that I did not mention in the blog yesterday. The best example I can give is Jesus during the night before He selected the twelve disciples.
“In these days He went out to the mountain to pray, and all night He continued in prayer to God” (Luke 6:12). We will give time for prayer over those matters that we know God’s will and answer is the only thing that is of any value. If we think that our knowledge and experience are enough for making decisions, we will spend little, if any, time in prayer. “Prayer is surrender – surrender to the will of God and cooperation with that will.” E. Stanley Jones One of the most important aspects of this ministry and any ministry that has a missionary component is the preparation for “Going”! I am not thinking of the financial resources needed to “Go” but the preparation of minds and hearts. Anyone who is familiar with what makes up an orchestra knows that many hours are invested long before the short two- or three-hour performance. But there is more to consider:
If these aspects of mission work are carefully executed, we can trust the Lord of the Harvest to gather in the highest yield that will give Him the greatest glory. As time races toward the end of this year, there are many thoughts that also race through my mind; projects that need to be finished, people we need to visit, personal and ministry plans that should be finalized, and much more. As these thoughts collide with each other and fight for priority, I ask myself, what is most important above all of them? David helps me get to the bedrock of all my priorities.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23–24). We often talk about being vulnerable to someone who has our best interests at heart. There is no one who fits this description better than the Lord Jesus. Are we like David and ask Him to search us and know our hearts? He does already! We may avoid this openness because of what He might reveal about our inner being that we want kept hidden. But the Lord is the safest Person and the One who cares about us more than any others. Our thoughts can deceive us. They are all known to Him and He is aware of the motives behind each one. Lastly, rest in the confidence that the Lord will correct us so our path is directed in HIS WAY which is EVERLASTING and always for HIS GLORY! As I am preparing questions for a study in John 4:43-54, the question emerges as to the difference between wanting to see a sign performed by Jesus or believing in His person. Jesus makes this observation in answer to the official in Cana of Galilee:
“Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.”” (John 4:48). Was the official seeking a sign or was he genuinely concerned about his son and felt that Jesus was the only one who could heal him? I may not be able to emphatically answer that question, but it does raise a question as to the motives behind what we ask God for. This leads us to the definition of faith (believing) in Hebrews 11:1. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Therefore, it is one thing to ‘believe’ a fact about a person, but it is very different to allow that fact to trust in what that person represents and can do now and in the future. The outward evidence that ‘signs and wonders’ give may not produce faith and conviction that leads to total reliance on that person for everything. The people of Samaria spent time with Jesus (two days) and got to know His person. That resulted in believing “that this is indeed the Savior of the world” (4:42). In thinking about “end times,” Peter has some wise counsel to give us. Many become occupied with “signs” and “prophetic Scriptures” that speak about events which will occur prior to the Lord’s return. While we are seeing a rapid decline of morals and evidence that the end is near, there are certain plain instructions that we cannot overlook.
“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.” (Mark 13:32–33). Peter points to another critical need we have in these last days. “Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness” (2 Peter 3:11). Both references place strong emphasis on personal readiness and inner character. As many do, what if we spent all our time seeking to predict the Lord’s return with some degree of accuracy and yet living unholy and godless lives? What would we gain except condemnation? I urge my readers to focus your attention on what really matters when the Lord comes. “And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears we may have confidence and not shrink from Him in shame at His coming” (1 John 2:28). Psalm 2 raises a question that might be on the minds of some today. “Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed” (Psalm 2:1–2). With the smallest amount of observation of world affairs, we can see the world descending out of moral and reasonable control. This should not surprise us.
Before we get thinking and discussing the political and economic condition of nations, it is vital that we read the last chapter of history that has already been written. “Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying, “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for You have taken Your great power and begun to reign”” (Revelation 11:15–17). There will not be one earthly power, authority, or ruler that will not bend their knee to Jesus as “King of kings and Lord of lords.” These verses should settle our hearts and place our mind on the authority who will end all others! “And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10).
To a people who were oppressed and felt like they were forsaken by God, the message to the shepherds was light in a very dark world. What was this “good news” and how could it bring “great joy” in these conditions? Even today, there are many people suffering under similar conditions with seemingly no relief in sight. The message continues. “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (2:11). Notice that the “angel of the Lord” did not say ‘who will grow up to be a Savior.’ From the moment of His birth, Jesus was the “Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” This was His purpose in coming. “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). If you celebrate Christmas just because Jesus the baby was born, you are missing the great purpose God had in sending His Son into this world as a babe, “that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). As the song puts it, “A Baby Changes Everything”! Has He changed everything for you? His death completed His purpose in coming for you! “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38).
I was speaking with someone this morning who is struggling to know and understand his purpose in life. As I listened to the difficulties he has faced, I realized that he had never seen that God placed him here and put him through trials so he would know God better. By learning God and His purpose, he would be able to help others see themselves differently. As we continued to talk about this, his face changed from almost a pale stare to a smile and said, “I never thought of my life in that way.” This opened the door to point to the great purpose God has for every follower of Jesus. Jesus knew His purpose for coming to earth. Christmas celebrations tend to keep Jesus in a perpetual ‘manger state.’ All the gospel writers quickly move their narrative to the years of His ministry and final sacrifice that gives us our purpose. The significant impact those years have on the whole world through doing “the will of Him who sent Me” should trigger God’s purpose in us. In speaking with many people over the years, very few have a grasp on God’s purpose for them. If you are reading this and fall into that category, I urge you to get alone with the Lord and ask Him to reveal HIS purpose for you!  “I want to thank God for his grace and mercy upon us and for your prayers and encouragement.
We had a very blessed time in Congo DR as we witnessed church leaders receiving certificates after completing God’s Plan for His Disciples (GPHD). There are three Timothy’s among the graduates who will be able to teach other faithful men (2 Timothy 2:2). In the future we will have church leaders coming together to meet at this center for training. I am seeing a seriousness among the Congo church leaders. It was wonderful to see new pastors who came from faraway places, even by private cabs and paying fares by themselves. Chalilo, Congo, is the place where the leaders wanted us to spend more time. The leaders here consider the training as good as a Bible College, because they have never been trained or gone to Bible School. All 19 leaders paid close attention as we taught them over two days. We gave them new Bibles and told them to read and study the word of God as they go through the manuals. We thank those who gave us money for the Bibles.” Our next training will resume in February for Chalilo, with GPHD while the Congo DR leaders will be trained in God’s Plan for His Church (GPHC). Please be praying for these events.” (Henry). |
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