Preparation
Understanding the promised nature of Jesus' return, and then actually preparing for it, makes every small problem take its rightful place.
When I started taking Jesus' return seriously...when I took a sober look at it, the enemy whispered: your family will fall apart, your kids will be outcasts, and you will be rejected if you stick with this... In fact , almost as soon as I took up this message, relationships began to flare up, my son had a major accident and broke His jaw, and all of life seemed to rise against it. But this was just a test.
I didn't turn back and this is what has grown out of taking Jesus's return seriously and actually helping others get ready:
My marriage is better than ever, with both of us excited about the future
My relationship with my boys is closer than ever, with our family sharing in a common vision that has Jesus at the very center
Even though I make no effort to hide my beliefs, and often share what I am doing with my clients, give them copies of the books I write, and pray for them, my business hasn't suffered...and regardless, my fear of my business suffering has all but disappeared! The more I risk it for Jesus, the less I fear losing!
Most people who actually take the time to find out what I am saying have less fear and more excitement for the future
I have a hunger for holiness that passes my understanding. I have been a believer for 40 years and have never been so on fire to be like Jesus, though I have far to go.
I have more hope for the world than ever before
The Bible actually makes way more sense, and I have a growing fascination with how much very understandable and specific detail is in there for my generation
All the little distractions now seem small....The nagging temptations have all but disappeared.... The silly arguments in our marriage that used to continually hamper us literally seem like such a waste of time.
I perform all my regular duties that I was doing all along, but I also write about, and teach about, and serve and enjoy God more than ever.... I have an overflow of time and energy even though I am doing more than ever.
Yes, I still have fears and struggles, and the world does war against this message in subtle and not-so-subtle ways...but day by day, I can say with certainty that life is getting better, not worse. Fears are growing dimmer not stronger. Joys are getting more intense, not less...and I am growing more free.
This is all the result of a Biblical promise that you only get by saying yes to it:
Revelation 1.3.nkjv Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
I can say with confidence: taking Jesus's end time plans seriously puts everything else in its place....it fixes marriages, it makes better parents, and it creates a quality of life few seem to be enjoying in this time.
But, encountering this information and rejecting it hampers marriages, divides families, leaves people in fear and doubt, and has consequences that are eternal in nature.
Revelation helps you put on restraint and walk more and more in the path God has laid out for you...
Proverbs 29.18-19.nkjv Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law. A servant will not be corrected by mere words; For though he understands, he will not respond.
Happy Fathers day. The best choice I ever made as a husband or dad was to totally sell out my hopes and dreams for Jesus's return. I have gained much more of my soul, and am free from many of the world's snares. I am just getting started. I am still an infant in this whole thing. But, I have seen enough to know for sure that the promise is true....and He is coming ...soon....
When I started taking Jesus' return seriously...when I took a sober look at it, the enemy whispered: your family will fall apart, your kids will be outcasts, and you will be rejected if you stick with this... In fact , almost as soon as I took up this message, relationships began to flare up, my son had a major accident and broke His jaw, and all of life seemed to rise against it. But this was just a test.
I didn't turn back and this is what has grown out of taking Jesus's return seriously and actually helping others get ready:
My marriage is better than ever, with both of us excited about the future
My relationship with my boys is closer than ever, with our family sharing in a common vision that has Jesus at the very center
Even though I make no effort to hide my beliefs, and often share what I am doing with my clients, give them copies of the books I write, and pray for them, my business hasn't suffered...and regardless, my fear of my business suffering has all but disappeared! The more I risk it for Jesus, the less I fear losing!
Most people who actually take the time to find out what I am saying have less fear and more excitement for the future
I have a hunger for holiness that passes my understanding. I have been a believer for 40 years and have never been so on fire to be like Jesus, though I have far to go.
I have more hope for the world than ever before
The Bible actually makes way more sense, and I have a growing fascination with how much very understandable and specific detail is in there for my generation
All the little distractions now seem small....The nagging temptations have all but disappeared.... The silly arguments in our marriage that used to continually hamper us literally seem like such a waste of time.
I perform all my regular duties that I was doing all along, but I also write about, and teach about, and serve and enjoy God more than ever.... I have an overflow of time and energy even though I am doing more than ever.
Yes, I still have fears and struggles, and the world does war against this message in subtle and not-so-subtle ways...but day by day, I can say with certainty that life is getting better, not worse. Fears are growing dimmer not stronger. Joys are getting more intense, not less...and I am growing more free.
This is all the result of a Biblical promise that you only get by saying yes to it:
Revelation 1.3.nkjv Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
I can say with confidence: taking Jesus's end time plans seriously puts everything else in its place....it fixes marriages, it makes better parents, and it creates a quality of life few seem to be enjoying in this time.
But, encountering this information and rejecting it hampers marriages, divides families, leaves people in fear and doubt, and has consequences that are eternal in nature.
Revelation helps you put on restraint and walk more and more in the path God has laid out for you...
Proverbs 29.18-19.nkjv Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law. A servant will not be corrected by mere words; For though he understands, he will not respond.
Happy Fathers day. The best choice I ever made as a husband or dad was to totally sell out my hopes and dreams for Jesus's return. I have gained much more of my soul, and am free from many of the world's snares. I am just getting started. I am still an infant in this whole thing. But, I have seen enough to know for sure that the promise is true....and He is coming ...soon....
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