by David Brenneman
"“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." John 14:1-3 NASB.
People look for something or someone to hope in all the time. People look for answers to the thoughts they have, the problems they face all the time. Just look at how the term 'Google that' came into being. People 'trust' what they 'Google' blindly. Which is in reality an artificial intelligence program running algorithim's. Ironically, that's what drives what you see, what you read, what you don't see and don't read on things like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. People unknowingly being guided and directed in this world by software running on computer servers.
It's also interesting how the 'thing to do' has to do with unplugging from technology. People go on so-called exotic vacations to get away, then when they return spend hours and hours trying to catch up on every single detail of what they missed while gone.
When we read in the Bible it speaks towards the future when knowledge would increase. Indeed it has! What was even mere thoughts, ideas, abstractions from even 20 years ago are now a reality in today's world in regards to creativity and creating things. Even 20 years ago the thought that things like 3D printing would be for those with money was held by many. Today, there's so many vendors of those kinds of printers and supplies it's like the VCR age all over again.
The thing is the distractions of it all. Smoke and mirrors. The empty promises of creating a world that best defines each of us and disregards the truth at large as depicted in the Bible. The empty promises of creating our own personal utopia. That science fiction could become science fact.
The truth is there's two specific plans of God for people. The first, and more important of the two, is salvation in Christ Jesus. To seek and save the lost of this world is why Jesus said He was sent. He was sent to live a sinless life, proving that was possible only in Him, to die on a cross for the crimes of sin that He didn't commit, taking our place...and then raising from the dead to defeat that once and for all. Making the way for us to have salvation through His shed blood. The second, is how each believer in Christ Jesus has a place in the body of Christ, His Church, and to fulfill that part.
Once we come to Christ to be saved, it's the beginning of that process to become more like Christ, also known as our sanctification. That's Plan 1.
After coming to Christ to be saved, we're placed in the body as the Spirit sees fit, having a purpose in the Church of God for bringing others to Christ. That's Plan 2.
Those plans of God for each person ought to be what's most important to us, not the things of this world as the world deems to be important. The thing to really consider is when the world says something is 'important' it likely isn't. Because the god of this world, Satan, is behind such things. He is trying to craft this world into his own image, not the image God intended. He's trying to twist the minds of people towards his own ends. Jesus called him the Deceiver. The Liar and Father of Lies. His aim and goal in the lives of Believers is to get them to hide their faith and blend in with his world rather than oppose his world. Jesus said to let our light so shine that those who see it give glory to God. Some will honestly hate you for it when you live it out as Jesus intended. He said to expect that.
Jesus's promise will be kept.
Jesus will be returning...sin WILL be dealt with. The judgments of God as written in the Bible WILL be carried out. Utopia is not on the horzon for mankind.
Consider it well that Jesus DID come in every aspect as predicted in the Old Testament. Statistically that is beyond calculation in regards to any random person meeting all the criteria mentioned in the Old Testament. Yet He did it. The Jewish Leaders of the day KNEW of those prophecies and yet believed not in what they truly meant. The soldier who pierced the side of Jesus and saw how He died even cried out that truly this was the Son of God. Yet the Jewish leaders who saw Him die on the cross didn't believe.
Testimonies are everywhere you care to look concerning Jesus keeping His promises to people. Never to leave them or forsake them. To be with them always. He said that if this world hated Him they would hate us too. I've been there and seen that on more than a few occasions.
People don't want to handle the truth of God. They don't want to know that their way isn't the right way to live life. Cockiness and arrogance against God are ended when a person physically dies. In Hell there's no person who can do a thing about their situation there.
Those who are in Christ indeed ought to engage in the activities that point people to Christ. To inded let their light so shine befor men and women that they see our good works and glorify our Father who is in Heaven. Jesus says not to put our light under a basket. But to set it out for all to see.
We cannot live two lives or three lives or however many to please those around us, ourselves and God too. Jesus said to deny ourselves, take up our own cross and follow Him. That's the legacy of the Apostles. There never would be any more Apostles after Paul. They denied themselves, took up their own cross and followed Christ in every way. The things of this world are often referred to as chains. We willingly pick them up and have the hardest time putting them down because they so entangle with so many other things.
What would you do if there were a knock at your door and you discovered it was Jesus Himself asking to come in? Would you be ready for Him? Would your house be swept, and in order? Would you be unashamed of Him coming in? Unashamed of Him being shown or seeing every single thing in your house?
The truth is He already knows every single thing in your house.
The truth is He already knows every single thought you have thought.
He already knows your heart and what you've allowed to take up residence in your heart besides Himself.
He already knows. That isn't to say He approves.
When Jesus DOES return...will you be ashamed at what has been in your life that you chose over Him?
When Jesus DOES return...will you be found by Him living out your life in obedience to His Word?
When Jesus DOES return...will you be found as a worker in His fields?
How will YOU view His return? Will you be excited to see Him or will you be wanting to be in the back of the room, trying not to be noticed?
When you look at what you've allowed into your life, would you be able to see God's hand in your life or your own handiwork?
Think about it and make whatever changes you need to today. Life isn't about success at work or success with this or that. Life is about God's two plans in your life. His sanctifying work in you and your part in His overall plan to reach people for Christ before He returns. Love not the world nor the things of this world. That includes money and possessions. That includes status and accolades. It includes making the most of our time because the days are short.
Jesus WILL keep His promise to return. The question for you is...how will you view it? Fear or joy?
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