It would seem that we’re entering into a season where everybody and their mother are posting prophecy videos with words and dreams from the Lord. While I would agree that if the word or dream aligns with God’s Word, it’s good to go; however, we should never say ‘thus says the Lord’ without having the goods. We know that a person ‘has the goods’ when what they say lines up with God’s Word. Remember to test the spirits and all that it entails. (1 John 4) I watch a lot of prophecy videos and I can discern within the first 30 seconds if the person is legit or not. I am not saying that they are false so much as I am saying that I am moving on to the next one.
No matter how many high watch dates come and go, we are never to focus on them perse, but always on the Lord and what He is doing in the world. We must live our life to the fullest by fulfilling our call with grace. Yes, we can see that the proverbial bridge is out ahead and that our future is not as sustainable as many would have us believe. However, today is, and by God’s grace, tomorrow will be, and the next day, and each day, one day at a time as we press on toward heaven. Each day is one day closer to home; we must all keep foraging on.
Paul reminds us, “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:14
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” – Colossians 3:1-3
Our focus on Jesus is not determined by a passed high watch date or season; rather, it’s fueled by our love for the Lord and our desire to obey His voice in our service to Him. We can enjoy the encouragement and hope that is associated with the anticipation of the Lord’s return during a certain time, feast, or season, but it must never detour us in our walk with Christ or our service of Him. Jesus will never fail us or let us down. He loves us and we can trust Him. He will get here when He gets here; hopefully it will be sooner than not.
Back in the 80’s, I was a drummer in a Christian rock band called ‘Upward Call.’ Back then our love for Jesus was as fresh as our muscles were defined, our waist line was thin, our head was full of hair, and our Christian T-shirts were testifying. Our band didn’t get far, but we loved what we did and our band’s name spoke of our focus and resolve in our faith and love for Jesus. The band’s name, Upward Call, came from Paul’s letter in Philippians 3:14. We have been ‘pressing toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus’ ever since. In the 40 plus years that have passed, I haven’t lost sight of my goal or that prize; and you shouldn’t either. Keep looking up, Jesus is coming for us, like real soon. Until He gets here, we need to keep on working, serving, planning, and being who He has called us to be in these last days.
This being said, I should like to encourage all of you to keep on in your faith, love Jesus, and love others in the process; starting with those who are closest to you. I am hoping for the Lord’s soon return; however, in the event that He tarries, there’s plenty to do for His kingdom’s sake. I will continue to do my best to be my best as I work out my salvation with fear and trembling. I will continue to seek the Lord and study His Word, knowing that there is always something new and exciting therein. I encourage you to do the same and not lose sight of what really matters; those precious souls that still need to be saved on this side of the Rapture. So many folks today haven’t got a clue about what’s about to happen to this world. They know something is afoot, but they don’t have that needed biblical worldview to solidify it. That’s where we come in, because we do and will do our best to convey the prophetic truth about what and who is coming down the pike. It won’t be long, but every day we get is another day for God’s glory.
I recently applied for a new job. It’s not that I don’t enjoy my current job, because I do; it’s just that this close to the Rapture, starting a new job is akin to pressing on toward the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. On the application, one of the questions they asked me was, ‘Where do I see myself in five years?’ This is the jist of what I put in the answer box. ‘With Jesus, and all those who love Him in heaven. However, if He tarries and the creek don’t rise, I hope to be serving Him faithfully in the place and capacity that He has called me to.’ I answered this way because I am reminded of the words of Jesus,
“Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. 47 Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.” – Matthew 24:45-47
The phrase, ‘in due season’ means ‘at the right time.’ I believe it’s an inference to the Rapture. The Lord expects us to be working at something, not just sitting around when He finally does return. He expects us to be engaged in our community, interacting with others, and being obedient to His will for our lives and His Word. I want to be ‘blessed’ by God because when He returns, He will find me working in that part of the vineyard that He has entrusted to my care.
It’s not just about a job or responsibility, it’s about caring for our families, our church, and those people that God has placed in our lives. The other day I was doing yard work at one of our properties. I was thinking about this passage in Matthew 24. I was literally working with grass, weeds, tree branches and leaves in the yard when I felt the Lord tell me that if I wasn’t doing this yardwork, it wouldn’t get done. The proof of this statement is found in the many unkempt yards in our neighborhoods. The message, as long as we live in this world of sin and weeds, we need to keep the yards entrusted to our care in good condition. The look of your lawn is not about salvation; however, it does reflect how well you care for those things that God has entrusted to your care.
As you may recall, “Then the Lord God took the man (Adam) and put him in the garden of Eden to tend (cultivate) and keep it.” – Genesis 2:15
Even in a curse-free environment, Adam was still charged with doing yardwork in the Garden of Eden.
Then later, as a result of his sin, God said, “Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. 18 Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth (cause to grow) for you, and you shall eat the herb of the field. 19 In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return.” – Genesis 3:17b-19
While this is an entire teaching in of itself, for the sake of this limited blog, I will say that sometimes when I am doing yardwork, I am reminded of this passage. We live under the curse and therefore must operate within its parameters. However, there is a world coming where this curse will be lifted and we will not be found toiling (sweating) over the lawncare of our heavenly property any longer. Until that day, I will be found faithful in working that part of the vineyard that the Master has charged me with. When He does return, I will be there working as I wait for Him; and I will be blessed for doing so; and so will you.
Like with all of my blogs, I close it as if it were going to be my last. I am keeping my eyes on the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. I challenge and encourage you to do the same. We’re almost home.
Blessings again too all my brothers and sisters in Christ,
Maranatha!
Encourage Men 