“5 THINGS NEEDED IN THESE LAST DAYS”
INTRODUCTION:
This past week I was saddened at hearing that the Supreme Court struck down a Federal Law defining “Marriage” as a “Union between a man & a woman.” Frankly, it was more than just saddened, I was “HEARTBROKEN & INCENSED” at the same time. I know what the definition is, I don’t need any court telling me! I have the Bible!
It would seem that the very fabric of our society is tearing itself apart faster with each passing day! We’re watching, right before our eyes on the news every evening the destruction of our society & our “JUDE O-CHRISTIAN VALUES” dissipating without hardly a word being said from our so called “Conservative Law Makers!”
It’s almost so disheartening that if one is not careful you could be become so discouraged that you lose all hope for this world! Maybe not for God, or your Christian Life, or Lifestyle, but for the world! Folk we cannot afford to become so “DISHEARTENED or DISCOURAGED” that we give up on the world!
Yes, we know where this world is going but there are many reasons to “NOT GIVE UP!” Some of those reasons to not give up are some our “VERY CHILDREN” who are not saved yet, our “GRANDCHILDREN”, the “LOST!” Someone has to stand in the gap for the “LOST” whether they appreciate it or not! This is not about their “APPRECIATION” it’s about doing what is “RIGHT” in the eyes of God, it’s about “LOVING” the lost like Jesus did, it’s about “CARING” about what God cares for!
Our grandchildren are going to grow up in a world that has “VIRTUALLY NO VALUES!” Our grandchildren are looking to us for “LEADERSHIP” for what is “RIGHT & WRONG” for something worth “DYING FOR!”
Having something worth “DYING FOR” is the greatest reason for “LIVING!” You give someone a reason to “DYING FOR” & you’ll have a “KINGDOM WARRIOR!”
Young David said it well in I Samuel 17:26 on the battlefield while standing looking at Goliath as he said,
“Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the Army of the Living God?”
Folk, that is the attitude we need & should have today as we are seeing the values of God being hacked down daily!
Babies are being killed by the 1000's daily, by the millions yearly because of abortion, now little girls can get the day after pill without a prescription or parental permission & without questions, babies are having babies, sexual activity for teens as young as 12 years old is not only considered normal by some parts of our society, but for the most part encouraged for self expression, kids have no idea what is right or wrong based on TV, children’s shows, movies, pop icons, non-existent cultural values that lift up people who are non-traditionalists, teaching our children their lifestyles are not only acceptable but positive & encouraged!
We’re seeing Homosexuality with a running start that’s leading to that lifestyle being foisted not only on our society but on our children in schools! A school in Colorado, by court order, now has to allow “TRANSGENDERED” children as young as 7 years old to share co-ed bathrooms! What makes a little boy think he’s “TRANSGENDERED” except a society that accepts or is accepting, by sitting back & doing nothing, as though that is normal & foists that idea & concept on the innocence of a child and the children of a grade school!
FOLK, OUR WORLD NEEDS US NOW! OUR WORLD NEEDS US RIGHT NOW MORE THAN EVER BEFORE!
The enemy has & is pulling out all stops as never before because he knows the time is short, that his downfall is close at hand, at the very least only #7 years away. To the enemy time is everything because he knows his time is short!
The church can’t sit back anymore wondering, “What can we do?” Matthew 5:13-14 says...
“You are the SALT of the earth...You are the LIGHT of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden!”
The coming of Jesus is so close, He could come any day & I feel that in my heart more than I ever have in all my life!
If you’re thinking “What can I do?” I’m glad you asked me because I have some answers for that question!
I. LOOK TO THE EASTERN SKIES!
You might be thinking “What does that mean?” It means that we’re expecting the coming our of Lord any moment! It means that we’re not only “EXPECTING” but looking with “ANTICIPATION” & that we’re busy about the “FATHER’S BUSINESS!”
Matthew 24:27 says...
“For as the lightening comes from the EAST & flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be...”
We need to be living in “ANTICIPATION” that is more than just “LIP SERVICE” but “LIFE SERVICE!”
Matthew 24:36
“But of that day & hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.”
Folk, if the church lived more in “ANTICIPATION” souls would become more important than ever before!
II. KEEP OUR KNEES BENT AT THE ALTAR!
When I say at the “ALTAR” that doesn’t mean at church only, it means the “ALTAR OF LIFE” your “DAILY ALTAR” wherever you go, wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, in your home, “PRAYER” needs to be very real part of our lives!
I’ve learning & teaching myself to “PRAY” more & more everyday, when I’m driving, when I’m laying down to sleep, when I wake up in the morning, when I get up in the middle of the night! I’m practicing it more & more!
Ephesians 6:18
“Praying always with all prayer & supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance...”
III. KEEP OUR HEARTS CLEAN!
David said it in Psalm 51:10
“Create in me a CLEAN HEART, O God, & renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
We need to always guard our hearts keeping watch what goes in as well as what goes out!
Our speech reveals what is in our hearts, sometimes that is good & sometimes it is good! What does that mean? Things that come out of the mouth reveal what is in the heart. We always need to deal with what is in our hearts whether it’s “GOOD or NOT!”
Mark 6:45 says
“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bring forth good; & an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings for evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”
Guard your heart! Proverbs 4:23
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. “
IV. KEEP OUR EARS TUNED TO HIS VOICE!
We need to listen to the “VOICE” of God in our lives! God speaks to us but if we’re not listening then we’re missing one of the greatest aspects of Christian Life.
You may think that, “Well, God speaks to me in the Spirit.” That’s true but if he spoke to people in the Old Testament like I’m speaking to you then why wouldn’t God do that with you as well! I believe that He wants to and He will if we “ATTUNE” our ears to “HIS VOICE!”
Jesus said in John 10:28
“My sheep hear/know My voice, & I know them, & they follow Me.”
This is saying that not only does His sheep know His Voice but they “FOLLOW” or “OBEY” that voice!
V. PRAISE ON OUR LIPS!
Hebrews 13:15
“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”
Your “PRAISE” is important to Him & your “PRAISE” is important to “YOU!” Your “PRAISE” is important to the sinner even though he doesn’t know or realize it!
Why? Because your “PRAISE” brings you into His presence which “INFUSES” you with the “GLORY, LOVE, & PASSION” of God!
VI. HAVE A PASSION FOR SOULS!
God has a “PASSION” for Souls! Why else would He send Jesus to die on a cross for the Souls of the Lost! Because he has a “PASSION FOR SOULS!”
John 3:16 says it totally! I can’t say it any better than that!
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Proverbs 11:30
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, & he who wins souls is wise.”
Altar call!
