This lesson today is going to be as real as it’s going to get. So lets prepare our hearts to listen to what God has for us.
Have you guys noticed an upward trend of senseless acts of violence, hatred being spewed with no regard for others, division of the church, separation of families, divorces on the rise, father against son, mother against daughter, suicide, vanity, acceptance of things that God hates, and the likes? Have you noticed that there may be things going on in your life that make you question Gods existence? In 2 Timothy 3:1-5 it says “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people”
These past couple of weeks we have been talking about being under construction, and that during this time God is shutting some things down so that he can rebuild. But lets dig a little bit deeper into that. These are trying times right now and God is weeding out those who have been riding the fence or have been lukewarm about serving him. He’s no longer playing games with his children. It’s kind of like when we used to push the envelope with our parents until they turned around and popped us. Things got really real at that moment. The same thing is happening right now. God is creating his army of disciples and HE wants to know who is with him. So right now he is disciplining us, bringing us to our knees. It is not accident that we are currently “under construction.” It’s not a coincidence that it seems that you are being tested every which way you turn.
i know for me, i know im being tested, as I move for the 3rd time back to Frederick, with a new baby and my husband in another state. I know the test question, how to be humble, but, whats the answer?? And during this time, Gods the teacher. The teacher is always quiet during the test. he wants to see how I get through it.
God is taking us through it because He wants to see that we can not only praise Him when things are going right, but also when things are going wrong. He wants to know that beyond a shadow of a doubt we trust Him…no matter the circumstances. In James 1:12 ESV it says
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
Ask yourself, what is your trial right now? Cant find a job? Having difficulties at work? You or your family member cant get over an illness? Having an ongoing fight with your partner? He wants to see that we can get through that test, that we can trust him no matter what!
What could be better than eternal life? Absolutely nothing.
So during this time of tribulation what can we do? How do we prepare when evil is lurking all around us? In Romans 12:12 it reads “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Pray like you’ve never prayed before. Seek God. Seek Him to the point that it becomes second nature like breathing.
Let's remember the God we serve. That even when we are going through this is what he has promised us for our obedience “And after you have suffered a little while the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” 1 Peter 5:10
So who’s with HIM? Are you ready to get with it or get lost/left behind?
