Are These the Last Days?

Father God, I wish I could have a glance at your Kingdom calendar so I could understand where we are on your timeline. Are we in the last days?

I have been alive 49 years as of this week, and I cannot remember a time when people were not saying, "Jesus could come back any moment now." Times are difficult, but haven't they always been? People are "selfish, greedy, boastful, and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to parents, and ungrateful" (2 Timothy 3), but have they not always been this way since the time of Cain and Abel? Nothing is sacred in our day and time, but didn't Moses face that same attitude when Aaron built the golden calf for the Hebrew people? Every day we encounter people who are unloving and unforgiving; we hear slander and we witness the effects of those who have zero self-control. But these words describe humanity from the dawn of time. People are cruel and hate what is good, but there are examples of this in every century. Betrayal, recklessness, pride, and the love of pleasure are evident in every part of our world, but these have been in existence since the great accuser was kicked out of heaven along with all of his demons. Is there anything that distinguishes our day and age from every age before this? The only cure for the wickedness in our world is the coming reign of Christ when he comes and defeats the enemy and casts him into hell for eternity.

What can we do until then?

It concerns me that as believers, we read these verses as though they only apply to people outside the church. We point our fingers and say, "All you people are heathens, and you're going to hell if you don't come to Jesus!" and we blame the evil of this world on all those sinners out there.

The book of 2 Timothy was written to a pastor. Paul was helping Timothy understand how to work with his church members. Let that sink in for a moment. The church has no one to blame for the chaos in this world but themselves. "They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!" (2 Timothy 3:5) This verse strikes terror in my heart! 

Are we only playing church, or are we stepping out in the power of the Mighty Name of God our Master and Savior? Are we carrying our shields of faith and waging war with the sword of the Spirit, or are we sitting in our pews and casting stones at all those evil sinners?

It's time to get up off that thing, church. We have to live our purpose and stop running scared from persecution and suffering, which are the only things that will purify us from evil and form us into godly servants. We must become inspired by the Holy Scriptures and preach the Word of Truth that teaches us to do right and equips us for every good work. Are you equipped? Time is short. Get to work! 

Do You Know that You Know that You Know?

Can you REALLY know that you are saved? Peter encourages you to "make your calling and election sure" (2 Peter 1:10), and he explains how you can know that you know that you know you have eternal life in his book of 2 Peter.

Have you received faith from God? (v. 1) You cannot come to God unless God himself enables you and gives you the gift of faith. (John 6:44, 65) If your faith is weak, ask Him to strengthen it!

Is your faith precious to you? Are God's promises precious to you? (v. 1, 4) If your faith and God's promises are truly precious to you, then your life WILL be changed.You will purify your life from everything that contaminates your body and spirit, and you will give it your all to live a perfect and holy life. You will revere God. (2 Cor 7:1)

If none of this describes you, then you are NOT saved. If you DO revere God, and your faith IS precious to you, then God's divine power has given you "everything you need for life and godliness." (2 Peter 1:3) Does this mean the race is over and your work is done? No. Peter says you will want to "make every effort to add to your faith." Receiving salvation through faith is the basic model. Now you can receive the upgrades: goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness, and love. And these are not one-time upgrades; you can have all of them "in increasing measure" when you keep on growing in your faith and knowledge of God and his righteousness. (2 Peter 1:5-9) Why would anyone settle for the basic package? Who would want to be ineffective and unproductive in their Christian life? Not me! And I don't think you want to either.

What are some practical ways to insure that you are saved and that you are effective, productive, and increasing your upgrade potential?

1. Stop right now and ask God to fill you with his divine power. Ask others to pray with you. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. (James 5:16) When you ask in faith, God answers this prayer!
2. Study the Bible daily. How else can you grow in your knowledge of Him?
3. Find a godly mentor and ask him or her to help you add to your faith. Whose Christian walk do you admire? Ask that person to help you learn to be effective in God's Kingdom.
4. Be a mentor to a new believer. Making disciples is the only way you will be productive in your faith walk. If you don't know how to make disciples, refer to point #3, and ask your mentor.

Are you tired of living a mediocre faith life? Then read God's Word and put it into practice. The life improvements are 100% guaranteed!

How to Make Your Pastor Angry

Most pastors today would much rather preach about the love of God than the wrath of God. However, if you mess with their people, you better watch out! When Jude sat down to write his letter, he had every intention of focusing on the positives so he could encourage the believers to enjoy the rewards  of their salvation. Instead he was compelled to write a scathing letter condemning the men who were dividing the church. If you want to make your pastor angry, do something to stir the pot and try to divide the church body.

Jude's anger and frustration is evident in the way he described his opponents. He said their condemnation was certain, and he called them sneaky, godless, immoral, dreamers, slanderous accusers, abusive, ignorant, blemished, self-centered, ungodly sinners, grumblers, fault-finders, evil, braggarts, flatterers, and scoffers. Jude compared the divisive men to Cain, Balaam, and Korah, all men who were judged for their rebellion against God. He said they were like "shepherds who feed only themselves, clouds without rain, trees without fruit and uprooted--twice dead, wild waves, and wandering stars." In a nutshell, Judge considered these divisive men to be good for nothing and headed to hell in a hand basket!

Jude began and ended his short letter with encouraging words for believers. He called them dear friends and told them they were called, loved, and kept by God in Jesus. He wanted them to build up their faith, to contend for their faith, and to pray in the Holy Spirit. He wanted them to keep themselves in God's love and to wait for God's mercy and eternal life. He told them to show mercy to some but to fear those who would divide their fellowship. Jude packed such wisdom in his brief 25 verses. I wish he had kept writing!

What can we learn from Jude? Do not be divisive. (It makes your pastor really angry!) Stand up for your faith. Stay faithful and wait for God's mercy. Jude concluded his writing with this beautiful doxology.

"²⁴ To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— ²⁵ to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen."