Jim Evans
We know Jesus is coming soon. So what does the church look like - who He is coming back for? We need to see who we are in Christ - the inward man and ask ourselves if we are living and walking for Christ. A few distinguishing factors of this last day church will show those who are transformed by the Word, those who are obedient to the Word, doers of the works of Jesus and a people who are victorious and full of hope in Christ. Does this describe how we are living now and are we ready for what is about to happen?
As we see more and more events taking place all over the world, the bible teaches us to watch for the seasons we are in - and it's time to get ready. Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 3:1-5, of the kind of times there will be in the last days, the evil and lawlessness that will take place. Then in 1 Corinthians 15:50 he begins to tell about what we should be doing until the Day of the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Will you be ready when He comes?
We serve an awesome and almighty God. Everyone is going through some kind of issue or trouble and need to see that there is hope. We have an everlasting hope in Jesus Christ. Just as the disciples in the boat during the great storm, we panic, become full of fear and act as if we have no faith when issues arise and problems begin to pile up. We try to handle them on our own for too long before taking the issue before Jesus. Struggles and problems come suddenly and without warning, causing a spirit of distress. The only good thing that comes out of fear - is that is drives us to Christ - but we should already be praying and in the Word everyday. Four things we should do; change our focus from the circumstance to the solution - Jesus, put your trust totally in the Lord, stand firm on the promises of God and remain steadfast in our faith.
We have received a mandate to go out and reach as many people as we can in our area. Not just the surrounding towns but the entire Southeast Indiana. We are to work together with our fellow churches towards the same goal of reaching souls around us for Christ. You and I must begin to have a "large harvest" mentality and see beyond our own church. The multitudes are tired, weary, scattered, confused; you and I can show them the answer is Christ.
What If I knew the day and hour that Christ was coming back? What would I do? Would there be a sense of urgency to share Jesus with those around you? The church is missing this sense of urgency. We need to be reaching people for Christ before He returns. Our Lord is so loving and kind, He is allowing us this time to reach those around us before it is too late!
The Church today needs to awaken and see four areas of God's Kingdom through His eyes. 1. The Church must see the great need (Matt. 25: 31-40). We encounter many people in our daily life and should recognize the various needs each one has. 2. The Church must focus on the lost (Matt. 9: 35-38 and Matt. 28: 19-20). All of us have a different story that gives us the ability to reach certain, other people. 3. The Church must reach as many as we can (Luke 14: 16-24). 4. The Church must expand our area of outreach (Isaiah 54: 2-3). Multitudes of the world are waiting to be reached. We can make a positive difference for Christ in the lives of people we come in contact with at everyday places. Lord, send me!
“For the Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power,” 1 Corinthians 4:20. When we’re willing, God can use us in changing the lives of others. Jesus came to save the lost, bring them into the body, so they may have eternal life. God heals our lives, bodies, and hearts. We are sure to be in union with God when we keep His word and do it; be determined to know God’s will and to do God’s will. To do things God’s way – we must stay spiritually minded, read Colossians 3:2. Know and live the Word, be “Word-conscious,” the Bible is the living Word of God, read James 1:22. Stay flexible – be ready to make essential changes in our lives so when God speaks – we go. We battle to know and do God’s will for us and become overwhelmed. God’s ways are much higher and greater than our ways. Pray for knowledge of His will, all wisdom, and spiritual understanding, read Colossians 1:9-10. Why do we ask for the knowledge? So we can prove we belong to the Lord, please the Lord, and be fruitful. Jesus instructed us to continue to knock and ask, read Matthew 7:7-8.
God is in process of restoring His Church. We are subjects of the Kingdom of God. In John 17:16, Jesus said, “They are not of the world even as I am not of the world.” We need to move under direction of the Holy Spirit while operating in the manifested life of Jesus Christ. Above all, we should put the things of God first in our life and set our minds on the things of Heaven. In Romans 14:17, Paul tells us, “For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” We have and makeup the Kingdom of God - by being restored - to living in the manifested power of Jesus Christ.
