June 2013

Slow Down, Work Zone

We live in a very fast pace world. The incidents of pedestrians getting hit by cars is on the rise. Aggression on the road is escalating. Time seems to go by faster and faster. One person humorously commented that time goes by so fast he is now using his clock as a fan as the hands spin so quickly.

As we move closer and closer to the coming of Jesus Christ we will see many things.

2 Peter 3:3-4 says: "Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation."

2 Timothy 3:1-3: "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,..."

We are seeing these very things take place. That with is immoral is seen as good, and that which is truth and right is seen as evil.

Isaiah 5:20: "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter."

Those are some of the facts of what will happen and is happening. Not exactly encouraging, but true. But that is not the whole story. There is God's side of the story in all of this.

Acts 2:16-18: This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
"In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams."

God's Invitation

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29)

²⁸ "When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
³⁶ "Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man." (Luke 21:28 & 36)

This is not a time to lose hope, but to look to our Hope, Jesus Christ. Where we look and what we focus on is critical. If we focus on the conditions, we will lose heart. If we look to Christ, we will gain strength and joy.

Our hope is not found here in the thins of this world. Our Hope is found in the One who has conquered death, hell, and the grave.
Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life.

These are the words of Jesus: John 11:25-26 ..."I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

This is the time to put our faith in Jesus Christ and what He has done for us on the cross. This is the time to turn away from sin and turn to God. This is the time to call on the name of the Lord and walk in obedience and fellowship with Him. This is the time, while so many are living the fast pace, to "Be still and know that He is God." (Psalm 46:10)

Do be in prayer as we are wanting to give more time to this ministry. Please pray for the finances to help make this happen.

Thank you. Pastor Rick, 
Pastor of a church without walls.