Hope and your Future

So let us go out to him, outside the camp. Hebrews 13:13 NLT 

Carrying His cross, Jesus went forth to suffer outside the camp. As Christians, our reason for leaving the “camp” of the world’s sin—even its religion—is not because we love to be strange, but because Jesus left the camp first, and disciples must follow their Master. Christ was “not of this world” (John 8:23); His life and testimony were a constant protest against conformity with the world. You could never find a greater affection for people than you find in Him, but He was still separate from sinners. So Christ’s people must go out to him. They must take their position outside the camp, as witnesses for the truth. They must be prepared to walk the straight and narrow path. They must have bold, unflinching, lion-like hearts—loving Christ first, and His truth next, and the two together more than all the world. Jesus would have His people go out to him, outside the camp, for their own sanctification. You cannot grow in grace to any degree while you are conformed to the world. The life of separation may be a path of sorrow, but it is the highway of safety; and though the separated life may cause you pain and make every day a battle, it is a happy life in the end. No joy is greater than that of the soldier of Christ—Jesus reveals himself so graciously, and gives such sweet refreshment, that warriors feel more calm and peace in their daily strife than other people in their hours of rest. The highway of holiness is the highway of communion. By this path we hope to win the crown, if divine grace enables us to faithfully follow Christ outside the camp. The crown of glory will follow the cross of separation. A moment’s shame will be well compensated by eternal honor—a little bit of witness-bearing will seem like nothing when we are forever with the Lord. - C.H. Spurgeon Morning and Evening. 

Before I begin writing...consider this hymn.  Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus 

'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know, "Thus saith the Lord!"

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I've proved Him o'er and o'er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

I'm so glad I learned to trust Him,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend
And I know that He is with me,
Will be with me to the end.

Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood
And in simple faith to plunge me
'Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

Yes, 'tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.

I woke up to that song running through my head.  As I lay there, I just embraced the moment.  Telling Jesus that I love Him and know we will see Him soon. 

My dear readers...is that hymn your hearts desire?  Is it the song of your heart in this hour?  As Spurgeon said above...we are to follow Christ regardless of how rough the road is.  

Nobody ever imagined a world like we are in right now.  Sure science fiction writers tried to come up with stories but nothing is as real as reality.  

This current hour of mankind is God's hand before the call of God. Only God could bring about such a world changing thing that impacts everyone.  According to Jesus Himself, nothing reaches a believer unless it is permitted by Him.  This is touching believers and unbelievers alike. 

The world is coming to a halt.  People all the sudden have time to consider their own mortality.  

Only God can quiet over 8 billion people. 

The road of a believer isn't promised to be perfect.  It's not promised to be all health, wealth and prosperity.  That's a lie of Satan.  Each life that comes to Christ is a new creation in Christ. It's a life changed to reach another life.  What happens with you in your obedience to God will impact someone else who doesn't know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  Scripture says every man will be without excuse in the day they stand before Him.  Which means everyone who has ever lived will face exactly what they themselves needed to see and understand to enable them to come to Christ.  It only remains to be seen if they receive His free gift of salvation.  They still need to ask for it. To ask for forgiveness of their sins. To be born again. 

We are approaching the most celebrated day for Christians. The remembrance of what Jesus went through to obey His Father. To die for the sins of all Humanity. Scripture says in that moment on the cross He who knew no sin was made to be sin.  In that moment it was all heaped upon Him the wrath of God hit Him.  His own Father had to look away.  

In all that, Jesus defeated sin, death and the grave.  3 days later He arose from the dead.  Shown to be alive to over 500 people.  Then as it says in the book of Acts, He arose to return to Heaven. Sitting at the right hand of His Father.  Having become the sacrifice for sin and now being the mediator between God and man for those who believe.  

Scripture eludes to a global earthquake at or near the time when Christ returns.  In that same book of Acts the angels said that He would return in the same way He departed.  That global earthquake, I believe, will be the thunderous roar from countless billions of believers in Heaven as the door opens for Jesus to come back to receive both the dead in Christ first then those who remain who are alive. 

There's going to be even more chaos than you see today when that happens.  Right now is the warm up to the main event.  

Jesus gave what's called the Great Commission.  To go to all the world telling everyone about Jesus.  Making disciples. Baptising them in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Teaching them all that He commanded.  

A little later in Scripture you will find more on the state of the world when the time is near for His return.  What the people of the world would be like.  He also says that until the times of the Gentiles is full. Meaning there is an end to the time of the Church on this world.  A time when Jesus will return to call the Church to Himself. 

There's another Scripture. One that says who would believe our report?  A year ago this current impossibility was just that an impossibility.  Today it's reality. 

People have mocked the Bible for centuries. Said those things in it about the End Times was an impossibility.  Yey now we see it's very much a possibility.  It's happening. 

My dear reader people are being made to see that where you spend eternity matters.   Some have said suicides will increase.  Probably true.  For people who cannot see any vestiges of hope, that will be their end.  Some have said that depression will be rampant.  Again, very much a possibility.  Because people will still wrestle with God about what He is trying to say to them.  Not willing to acknowledge His message to them. 

Still other even within the Church are facing refinement.  People are being revealed for who they are.  Some have believed they were saved yet are now being shown they need to get real with God.  Some are finding out that this current trial in life has proved they weren't saved.  That they now have been granted a chance to make things right. 

People are learning that life is more than money or pleasures.  That the message of the Bible hasn't changed and that indeed it's prophecy will be coming true.  

Governments will talk of hope and peace and safety.  Scripture said so.  

Jesus said behold I am coming.  

For those who are yet still on the fence about Jesus, know this, Satan owns that fence.  You are still listening to lies by procrastinating.  Soon many millions will cry out for Jesus not to leave them behind.  But it will be too late.  If you haven't decided before He comes, you will be here when the wrath of God is poured out on mankind as it states in the book of Revelation.  That's what setting on the fence will get you.  It means you have rejected Christ. It doesn't mean a thing about being undecided.  You chose when you cling to the fence. 

For believers it's really time to be serious.  To lay aside every encumbrance as Paul put it.  Now is the time to let the light and love of Christ shine.  Prayer is where we should be. Prayer for our leaders as we are commanded. Prayer for family and friends and strangers that they would come to Christ.  Prayer for healing.  God still does that today.  Prayer that our Spiritual eyes be opened.  That we share with boldness the truth of God in our lives with others.  

Right now perhaps more people are watching Church on the internet than had ever set foot in a church building before this event.  They are looking for hope. 

My dear readers....all of you...it's only found in Christ Jesus.