Living in the last days...

Chapter Seventy-one:

The Bible says that the end times will come as God's wrath did in the days of Noah, when people were going about living their lives, doing their normal daily routines (Matthew 24:37-39).  It also says that no one knows when this time will come, not even Jesus (Mark 13:32).   It is not my intent to be an alarmist, but I do believe it is important to be prepared.  Just as we prepare for possible weather problems and stock up necessities such as food and water, we need to be prepared, spiritually.  However this time of preparation is not something we can leave until just before the proverbial storm hits and hope that we make it through.  I believe that we should already be living our lives in a manner where we find that we are already prepared for whatever trouble may come, whenever it comes. And, my friend, it will come.

Unfortunately, many today are spiritually asleep and do not even realize it nor care.  It is more comfortable and certainly easier to live our lives as though things are just fine. We want to hide away when we hear bad news because we have a difficult time living with a lot of negativity, and admittedly, it can become very overwhelming.  However this is no time for being spiritually lukewarm and we must not ignore our need for being ready.

First and foremost, we must be in a very close relationship with Christ. We need to ask the Lord to continue to show us any sin that entangles us so we can repent of it. We need to be growing in holiness and spiritual maturity.  Also, we must get serious and walk away from any fleshly desires that we continue to dabble in, knowing that they are not only a major inroad for the enemy to use against us, but they will continue to be a roadblock in our walk with God.

Isaiah:55:6-7 tells us, "Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon."  Our walk with God must be getting stronger so that we are keenly attuned to His words of direction and warning as evil will continue to grow. We can walk with God, not in a spirit of fear of the unknown, but with the assurance we are walking with the one who will lead and guide us through all difficulty.

We need to do a serious personal inventory and ask ourselves several important questions in order to ascertain the areas that we need to improve upon.  How well do we know our Bible? Will we be scripturally ready to give an account for why we believe as we do? You may want to ask the Lord if there are certain portions of Scripture He wants you to memorize so that not only will the Word be hidden in your heart for your own strengthening, but so the Holy Spirit will be able to bring it to your remembrance when the time comes when you need to share it with another. 

Can we explain to another why he/she needs the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior? Are we doing our best to bring the lost into the Kingdom of God? Do we have a strong enough relationship with the Holy Spirit?  Are we spending time in prayer and fasting?  How prepared are we to deal with attacks from the enemy? Do we understand the purpose of the armor of God and do we utilize it on a daily basis?  Are we a people of boldness that can stand up to persecution and accusation?  And, most importantly, what teachings or beliefs have we allowed into our lives that have eroded away at the very foundation of the Gospel?

The last days will be a time when it will be easy to become distraught and distressed.  Even now, we can easily become preoccupied with how pervasive evil and sin is in the world and depression and sadness will try to overwhelm us.  I believe this is one of the reasons why Scripture puts so much emphasis on watching our thoughts, what we think about, and in today's age of high-tech we need to be careful of what we allow into our minds through various forms of media.   Philippians 4:8  tells us plainly, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."  We will need to purposely think on those things that are good so that the seeds of despair and hopelessness cannot take root. Again, our focus has to continually be upon Christ and furthering the Kingdom, and not on what we see going on around us.

One of the most difficult things we may have to struggle with will be watching our loved ones walk away from the truth of the Gospel and not follow the narrow path that leads to life. They will choose to follow the way that many others will follow, the broad path that leads to destruction. When you try to warn them, they will disagree with you and walk away from what you are trying to say to them. 

Matthew 10:34 warns us that, "Christ came not to bring peace but a sword to divide even families."  Scripture is telling us here that even those we care about the most may turn their backs on us because we are believers and it is at that moment we will need to decide who we are going to follow.  Our loved ones may not be open to our words of concern and warning. During those times, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to open their eyes so that they may see and be saved. Also pray that God will give you the strength to walk away, if need be, and be willing to leave them in God's hands.

It is important that we not allow ourselves to become so overwhelmed that we lose our joy and peace in the Lord. The joy of the Lord is to be our strength and has to be our strength . This joy is not as the world gives or understands, but is the joy that only a child of God, a follower of Christ, can comprehend.  As we continue to abide in Christ, pray without ceasing, and meditate on the Word of God day and night we will have that peace. Philippians 4:7 assures us, "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." 

The Apostle Paul experienced many times of trial and trouble, as have many who have preceded us in this life. He reminds us in Philippians 4:12, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."  Paul was a man who was in and out of trouble from the minute he began to walk with God and he ended up giving his very life for his beliefs.  Yet he knew that "it would be better to be with Christ" (Philippians 1:23), and that is what encouraged him to continue despite the many challenges he faced. 

We read that Daniel "purposed in his heart" (Daniel 1: 8-16) that he would not go against what he felt was the right thing to do.   While we may feel we fall short of being one of those whom we consider spiritual giants of the Bible, we, too, need to continue to live a life of unmovable determination in our heart that we are going to stand for Christ, regardless of the cost. Daniel lived a life, just as we must, of having his focus on the eternal things to come. 

Be assured, knowing that Jesus is praying and interceding for us before the Father (Hebrews 7:25). God has promised that He will watch over us and care for us during the time of unparalleled trouble. He will provide whatever we need to endure. However, He does want us to be aware and be spiritually prepared.  Although Satan's goal is to try to destroy the people of God, God will watch over us and will not allow it to happen. We can take comfort in God's promise regardless of what circumstances look like.  And as Luke 21:28 says, "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift your heads, because your redemption draws near."

These words of A. W. Tozer should be an encouragement to us all: "Only that man has a right to be unafraid who has fled for refuge to the mighty Savior. Such a man knows the danger is there, but he also knows that his Almighty Lord will bring him safely through and present him at last faultless before the presence of God."