Last Days Lifestlye

THE END IS NEAR…

There is a Filipino barber with an American customer. After a few minutes, the Filipino barber wanted to tell the customer that he is about to finish cutting his hair but he doesn’t know how to say it right in English so he said in broken English “Sir, your end is near…”

This maybe a funny story but in reality the end is near. Let’s read 1 Peter 4:7-11.

1 Peter 4:7-11

7 But the end of all things is near; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Honestly, the first time I read 1 Peter 4:7 that says “…the end of all things is near”, I was frightened. I asked myself “What if Jesus is coming soon? Will I be left behind? What about my family? Are we ready?” Suddenly, I felt I am not ready and I was in an unsure state. I know that I am saved and going to heaven because I have Jesus in my heart but deep within I felt I am not prepared if Jesus comes again at that time. I had to do some heart searching and evaluation. Praise the Lord, I know better now and I can share to you some preparations we have to do to get ready.

How can we say that we are nearing the end or we are in the last days? In Matthew 24, Jesus taught the disciples about the signs of the end time. Please read the whole chapter of Matthew 24. I believe that all signs of the end times written in the bible are happening right before our eyes. I believe that the next big event is the 2nd coming of the Lord Jesus. We are now in that time. We are now in the end time-the last days. We must know how to make our election and calling sure (2 Peter 1:10). We must be prepared. How should we prepare? What should be our lifestyle now that the end is near? What manner of life should we live now? What should be our lifestyle- our Last Days Lifestyle?

LIFESTYLE – is a manner of living: the way of life characteristic of a particular person, group or culture. (Encarta 2009 Dictionary)

LAST DAYS LIFESTYLE

1. BE SERIOUS AND WATCHFUL IN PRAYERS-1 Peter 4:7

1 Peter 4:7- The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.

Time is ticking closer and closer. We cannot afford to play around. “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil”. Ephesians 5:15-16

a. Focus. Now is the time where many are distracted with many things. The world offers a lot of things to distract and eventually destroy people. We are instructed to clear our mind (be sober) and be watchful in prayers.

b. Watchful. Now is the time to be more prayerful than ever before. Jesus said “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation”. Matthew 26:41. If you are praying, you need to pray more. Prayer is power. God moves in response to prayer. We accomplish more when we pray and plan than plan and pray. The bible says “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.” I believe that satan knew his time is almost out that is why he will double his efforts to steal, kill and destroy us Christians. That is why we need to be watchful and prayerful. 2 Tim. 3:1 says Earthquakes, famine, false teachings, etc. we need to pray more to be able to overcome these things. “For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God…"If it is hard for the righteous to be save, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" – 1 Peter 4:17-18

2. POSSESS AND SHOW THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT-1 Peter 4:8, Gal. 5:22-23

1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

a. Possess - Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.