Moving Forward in Him

Today I thank God for His mercy, grace and provision. Although the lenses from which I few seemed to be clouded, scratched up, etc., I know that He is faithful. As I listen to Him, I am being obedient to take the day to write, rest and leave things in His hands. I am so grateful. Didn’t have to be here today, literally. And, since my dog experience, this is more real than ever before. Not sure why, but things don’t always hit home until something happens so close to home that it cannot be avoided.

That said, I want to talk about moving forward from the things of this world to the matters of heaven. People are dying senselessly, the crazy presidential race has become a farce regardless of who you want to vote for and making a decent living seems to be a challenge in a class all by itself. (What happened to the middle class?) The Word of God says that things will continually wax worse and worse until Christ returns. Are you prepared? I had to ask myself this serious question. Am I? Are my thoughts consumed with what is going on in the world today or making sure that I am following Christ? This is not about not caring for people in this world. This is about being ready. I know many of you know about the Left Behind novels and what that means Scripturally. While this point may seem irrelevant or invalid to some, the question to ask is if it is true, will you be left behind? If it is not true, no loss.

Yes, I did read this series. I was able to follow along in Scripture with this selection and it was very intriguing. Another favorite on my Christian fiction list. And very indicative of those sitting on that proverbial fence. Personally, I would rather take a chance on it being true and being prepared than not. First Thessalonians speaks this way about the subject.

1 Thessalonians 4:15-18
15)For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will be no means precede those who are asleep. 16) For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17) Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall aways be with the Lord. 18)Therefore comfort one another with these words.

I am compelled to speak this truth today. We are to comfort each other with the matters of heaven and not be consumed by the things going on in the world. While it is necessary and even expedient to pray for those in the world, it is the hope that we have in Christ that needs the focus. Of course, being led by the Holy Spirit, He will speak to you what He hears from the Lord. He will also pray as needed (Romans 8:26-27) so that what needs to be accomplished in the heavenly realm is done. But, brothers and sisters, we truly need to be praying others into heaven by diligent obedience to the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:26-27
26)Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27)Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

God has us covered on all sides. We need to trust and obey.