Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise, (Philippians 4:8, emphasis mine).
Ever since I first heard about the Rapture (sometime in the mid-1970’s), I’ve been fascinated at the idea. This is probably obvious to those of you who read my blog. And the more I learn about the Rapture, the more convinced I am that it is a real event (future as of this writing!), it is pre-tribulation, and it is imminent (could literally happen anytime now). All of that makes me want to jump and shout because it means that soon and very soon I will be face-to-face with Jesus.
But along with the fascination with the Rapture comes a whole lot of other, darker stuff. Let’s face it: the world and all its evils will get worse and worse as the Rapture approaches. Then God will catch us away before the really bad stuff hits the fan. And I admit that I’ve also been fascinated with the escalating bad stuff, too. Escalating bad stuff means that the Rapture is closer and closer. The danger with becoming fascinated with the bad stuff is that it can cause you to take your eyes off of Jesus, however briefly.
And let’s face it, there’s some really interesting bad stuff. There’s deep, dark, secret stuff that’s been going on behind the scenes for a long time: Bohemian Grove, Roswell and UFO’s, Freemasonry of the Founding Fathers, CERN’s search for the God particle, DARPA’s weather experiments and genetic modification of soldiers, The Committee of 300 and the Club of Rome, Dark Eyed Kids, Jade Helm, transhumanism, and on and on.
I could put links to each of those items, but today the Lord has been speaking to me about guarding my thoughts. The problem with looking into the bad stuff is that it can lead you down a very negative path. I’m not saying that we should ignore the bad stuff altogether. In fact there are some people whose calling is to look into the bad stuff and report on it: Chuck Missler, Tom Horn, L.A. Marzulli, Russ Dizdar, and Cris Putnam, just to name a few. They have written great books, made great videos, and speak at churches, reporting on the bad stuff. Theirs is important work. They are watchmen, appointed by God to report these things to the Church[1]. But their work is not my work. I have the Spiritual Gift of Encouragements, and my work is to encourage missionaries in Europe (my mission field).
While pondering these things at my computer, I had a visitor. I found him on my balcony, sniffing at my door: a young ginger tabby that I knew must belong to my neighbors. Their balcony is separated from mine only by a frosted glass partition. I opened the balcony door and he came creeping shyly in, his curiosity winning over his shyness. We quickly became friends, and I scooped him into my arms.
When I rang my neighbors’ doorbell they laughed at the sight of my new friend. I said, “Did you lose something?” They said that his name is Roger, and that this hadn’t been Roger’s first visit to my balcony. Adding that they hope his visits don’t disturb me. I said, “Quite the opposite: I love cats, and I enjoyed his visit. I do hope that he comes back.”
When I returned to the computer The Lord showed me something important. If I let my mind go too far down those dark paths, I risk quenching the Holy Spirit in me and compromising my ministry. The Holy Spirit, He reminded me, is often as quiet and shy as my new little friend.
Then He began to teach me everything that I need to know about the bad stuff. The bad stuff that is surely coming and is already happening in the world should encourage us, and here’s how:
- Jesus is coming! We should never lose sight of the fact that Jesus is coming. All the bad stuff really should point us to this fact.
- Knowing that Jesus is coming should motivate us to get out there and share our faith. There are billions of people out there that would go to hell if the world ended right now. But God in His mercy has given us time to get out there and tell them about the Way to Life. That time is not unlimited. The cosmic clock is ticking down, so we should get out there and make the most of the time we have left.
- Revival has started! Yes, Revival has started! Now, you might not be seeing people beating down the doors of your church yet, but remember, Revival always starts at the House of God. In other words, Revival starts with us. And the really exciting thing is which ones of us: the Youth of the Church. This young generation of Christians are more excited, more committed, and far bolder than any generation before them.
I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants—men and women alike, (Joel 2:28-29).
We are seeing this scripture being fulfilled—hallelujah!
- When Revival spreads further (when the Spirit has been poured out on the rest of the people), then we will see people beating down the doors of the church. That is something I want to see. And I will see it!
- By focusing on God, and who He is, you will begin to see that what the world calls crisis is really opportunity. While everyone around us is worried about their job in the “economic crisis,” they will see the difference in us because we look to God as our Provider.
While everyone around us is worried about the “refugee crisis,” they will see the difference in us because we see it for the unparalleled opportunity that it is to show the love of God and to share our faith.
While everyone around us is worried about terrorist activity, they will see the difference in us because we have peace in the midst of terrorism, anarchy, chaos.
The world’s crisis is opportunity for the Kingdom of God. Jesus said: “The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force,” (Matthew 11:12, NKJV). Let’s take back ground now.
Our world view should be radically different from the world’s. We need to be light in this dark and ever-darkening world. That’s what God made us to be, after all. If you need to readjust your focus (as I did), then do it. Thanks Roger! God is good!
[1] Church as in the Body of Christ worldwide, not any particular denomination.
Walking By Faith in Europe 