“But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me do and to those in which I will appear to you.” ~Acts 26:16 ESV
“But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you.”
~Acts 26:16 ESV
Have you ever felt like you had absolutely no idea why God put you on this earth? Ever wondered if you could do anythiny that would have a long-term effect? I sure have!
I know I’m a work in progress, and I also know God will never give up on me. He is always working to improve us and help us to change into the sons and daughters He created us to become. Nevertheless, these changes are usually uncomfortable, if not downright painful! I, for one, am sick of the discomfort, so sick of it that I am finally willing to become more pliable, more willing to turn in the direction that God leads me.
Sometimes I think I might just be the world’s most stubborn person! It seems to take a mountain falling on my head to get me to change. A gentle nudge never seems to work. Fortunately for me, I’ve finally become aware of this pitfall in my personality and am willing to address it. Now, when I get the same prompting more than once, I take it. I don’t wait till the house falls on me to get the hint.
Seems God’s purpose for every one of us is this—to share the wonderful news of God’s love for us through the gift of eternal life through His son Jesus Christ. That’s it! The only thing that makes each of us different and special is our unique gifts and abilities to share this story.
God gave us our uniqueness. He gave each of us a special talent to use to glorify His name. Some, like myself, have the gift of gab—the ability to tell our story in both spoken and written words. Others can teach, or preach, or sing, or play an instrument. Some can heal, or encourage, or cook. And all of us can reach out and help those in need in any other number of ways. Whatever your God given talent is, that’s your way to share God with others! I love to tell of the many miracles in my own life—we all have our own story to tell, and we all have the love of God within us.
Christmastime is one of the best times of year to make a personal effort to share the gift of salvation. Surprisingly, many people don’t really understand that Jesus lived and died solely to save their eternal lives. Sure, they know the story about the baby Jesus, and have heard Christmas carols that tell of the manger and Mary and the animals and all, but don’t really understand the why part.
This time of year is a such great opportunity to reach out and share. Spend a few dollars at your local dollar store, get sundry items like disposable razors, hand wipes, toothbrushes, and small containers of shaving cream and toothpaste. Then wrap up little gift boxes and go out and share them with the homeless. Who wouldn’t want a present, right?
Asking questions is a great way to start a conversation. Ask someone if they’d like a Christmas gift, and then ask them if they’d like you to pray with them, incorporate a little summary of the story of salvation into the prayer—thanking Jesus for His sacrifice on the cross so we can live with Him forever.
Don’t forget to first silently pray and ask Jesus to give you the words to say before you start. God can, and will, speak through your mouth, all you have to do is be a willing vessel.
There is only one reason we are here on planet earth, and that is to share the love of Jesus. Reach out to someone this holiday season and enjoy the warmth that giving brings, not only to others but to you as well!
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
~John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
~John 3:16
Climate change is the secular world's explanation for Bible prophecies playing out. This is not to say that the climate isn’t changing, and changing for the worst. It most definitely is, but just because God knows something will happen doesn’t mean He’s making it happen.
Are humans responsible for any of this huge change? Of course, the inhabitants of this planter have played a huge part in this situation, who else would Satan manipulate to do his bidding? But the fact still remains that God has foretold all of this is His Holy Scriptures.
Humanity is doing everything wrong as far as God’s original plan, and this is clearly the biggest part of this messed up climate situation. Nevertheless, just because God knew it would happen, and warns us of the inevitability, doesn’t mean He planned it.
He is beckoning us back to Him, to read and understand His word, especially His words spoken through the prophets. He warns us over and over to turn from our secular ways, turn back to Him, to His ways and commandments. But so many have gone astray and don’t want Him or His ways. They just trod along, spiritually dead, not caring who or what they harm. Literally leaving a wake of destruction in their path.
Every time I see a turtle with a six-pack band stuck on his back my heart breaks. Every time I see the suffering of any animal as the effect of human selfishness it devastates me. The simple fact that so many just don’t care about the ecological health of the world around them should be a rude awaking to the rest of us. They are lost, they are the devil’s workers here on earth. They are the ones that are working out the prophecies of God in the destruction of His creation.
The current climate situation is a huge case in point. If not for humans that Satan leads astray with self-centered existence, who else would he use to destroy this planet? The throw-away mentality that has existed for decades is the major culprit to this catastrophic situation. And you better believe that Satan is the one that’s at the helm of this sinking ship!
We all need to do our part, not only for the welfare of wildlife but for the planet itself. Yes, we must all care about the world around us, however, that won’t change this situation. Planet Earth is on a terminal course of destruction. Our primary responsibility now is to share the truth about all of this climate change, that it's simply a precursor to Christ’s return. It’s all been predicted by God for thousands of years, and you can be certain it will most definitely come to pass.
The ultimate effect of sin is degradation. The falling apart of everything, from the breaking down of our physical bodies, (sickness, disease, pain, and suffering) to the degeneration of all existence, even the planet itself. The degeneration of everything . . . all living creatures, animals and even plants. As well as the worsening of the weather and increase of planetary devastation are all the byproduct and the effect of a broken and fallen world.
Can God stop it? Yes. Will He stop it? Yes, but not until every person has made their decision either for or against Jesus. Not until everyone has heard of the gift of salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus, and have made their choice, will this mess finally come to an end.
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” ~2 Timothy 3:1-5
”For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful.” ~Romans 1:26-31
Wouldn’t you say this sounds exactly how things are in this very day and age? There’s such an enormous surge in wickedness of every kind. Crime is running rampant, murder and rape are at an all time high. Sexual immorality, pornography, multiple sex partners, indulgence in unnatural lust/homosexuality/incest/ transgenderism, and abortion, as well as overindulgence in every possible thing. Pride and greed have become the all-consuming ruler of this present world.
Oh yes, I’d have to say we are most definitely heading into the last days. God tells us that once this order of event starts, it will not end until everything that God has predicted happens. And this is all the more reason to believe that soon Jesus will come again to execute judgment upon the evildoers and restore order, peace, love, and justice upon this earth.
Q: Are you ready to work for Jesus?
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