Don't survive; thrive for God.

I have been a lover of Jesus for almost 2 years now. I am a new Christian, if you will, a 'baby Christian'. But nonetheless, a wholeheartedly, devoted, worshiper of Jesus Christ who saved me from the depth of my lonely pit.

 

Each message our church pastor brings is terrific, he steps aside and lets God intervene and it undoubtedly speaks. The message that he gave yesterday struck a cord with my heart. It was titled "Remain Faithful", and he talked about the Antichrist(s) of the world.

 

If there ever were a message for me.... this was it! Just to remind me of what I am fighting for in my family. To remind us all of what we are fighting for.

 

1 John 2:18-29

Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.

But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. (18-23)

 

How we need to act in a sense of urgency. The world is falling and God's word lives true.

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. - 2 Timothy 3:1-5

The world looks like this today. The Antichrist could rise any day and it would be my last day here. The world is looking for this leader to "fix things". 

 

Bro. Kelly said "live with expectancy that today could be the day that Jesus comes." I know that I don't wake up thinking this. I do wake up and pray, but I don't live my day with the expectancy that it could be the last day to see my family, to share love, to show grace, to teach Landen God's word.

 

I do those things, but not with urgency; in the way that maybe I should be.

 

Bro. Kelly also asked the congregation, "Is teaching your children of God's word and love the most important thing, over sports, over shooting guns, over other "priorities"? If it isn't, then it should be." 

 

I sat in the pew, alone, and tears fell. Because I know that, for me, teaching Landen about God is the most important thing.  I didn't know God until I was 27 years old. While I am 100% grateful for the way the Lord found me, I don't want that for Landen to have to wait that long.  I don't want Landen to think that the standards that the world has are acceptable to God, because they aren't.

 

I watched some of the Grammy's last night. I use to watch those award shows all the time, I would even say that I loved them. I love music, and still do. But now my love has changed.

 

I found it unappealing, most of the lyrics were degrading and I kept thinking "I would never let Landen listen to this". "If I heard him repeating this stuff....", "This is what fills kids minds, no wonder they world is failing," "No wonder kids disrespect people [their parents], the world is teaching them it is, not only ok, but acceptable." Man, this gets me fired up!

 

I kept thinking of the antichrist in the world. All these people persuade the audience that it is favorable to act this way. That "this behavior" is desirable. I can tell that I have shut myself off from the world's antics (because I didn't know half of the people on there any more). But once I have seen that, my fire for Jesus and bringing Him to people is stronger! My niece listens to this stuff! What?! Afterall, Jesus doesnt want us Christans to be removed from the world! [I can see myself getting off topic of this blog. Gotta move on!]

 

My challenge for my self is this: Live in this day. Don't wish for it to be tomorrow or 'Friday'. 

 

Don't survive, but thrive! (I have been guilty of saying, "We are surviving." When someone asks how we are doing. - Not anymore!)

 

I plan to make notes and remind my self, that this could be the last day. While I would see my Heavenly Father, my husband would not. I need to do what I can today to show Jesus to him (and the lost world). To make every moment count with Landen and my family.

 

To make every moment count for God.

But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. - Jude 17-23

*Be Blessed Friends*