WHAT SHOULD CHRISTIANS BE DOING IN THIS TIME AND SEASON ?

9/23/2020

I hear so many different viewpoints from people on how the times we are in today are making them feel and how they are being affected by the “effects” of events, situations, and people and their actions in our world today. Terms like “Crazy Times”, “Sad Times, “Upside Down Times”, and “Times of Change” seem to come up in a lot of conversations. I also hear a lot of discussion in Christian circles revolving around “End Times”, and the “Second Coming” and “Return of Our Lord Jesus”. If only things would “Return To Normal”. The thing is, normal seems like it is in a constant state of change and is always being re-defined in the world. Mankind apart from God is always looking to re-define things. Kingdoms of man rise, build, grow, prosper, decay and fall. Wars rage, victors enjoy the spoils, the defeated are vanquished, and a new day dawns. Then, as history seems to show us, the process seems to start all over again. In the midst of all of these things, “ What should I be doing as a follower of Jesus ?” Are you asking yourself this question, and do you know where to find the answer ? I would tell you that the answer comes very clearly in God’s Word, and from Jesus Himself :)

HE WENT TO NAZARETH, WHERE HE HAD BEEN BROUGHT UP, AND ON THE SABBATH DAY HE WENT INTO THE SYNAGOGUES WAS HIS CUSTOM. HE STOOD UP TO READ AND THE SCROLL OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH WAS HANDED TO HIM. UNROLLING IT, HE FOUND THE PLACE WHERE IT IS WRITTEN: “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE HAS ANOINTED ME TO PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM FREEDOM FOR THE PRISONERS AND RECOVERY FOR THE SIGHT OF THE BLIND, AND TO SET THE OPPRESSED FREE, TO PROCLAIM THE YEAR OF THE LORD’S FAVOR.” THEN HE ROLLED UP THE SCROLL, GAVE IT BACK TO THE ATTENDANT AND SAT DOWN. THE EYES OF EVERYONE IN THE SYNAGOGUE WERE FASTENED ON HIM. HE BEGAN BY SAYING TO THEM, “TODAY THIS SCRIPTURE IS FULFILLED” IN YOUR HEARING. Luke 4: 16-21

Jesus was telling the people that HE was fulfilling the prophetic word of Isaiah. He was setting the oppressed free. He was giving sight to the blind. He was anointed by the Holy Spirit to proclaim good news to the poor (in spirit) and proclaim God’s favor on mankind ! I ask you all, “Has much changed in our world today for these same needs ?” The basic facts seem clear to me that oppression, lack of faith, and an inability to see “Real Truth” are still very much alive and thriving in societies, cultures, and nations all over the world today. Mankind still thinks that we can solve all our problems by ourselves. We think that worldly needs like money and equality on any particular groups terms will work to make a better world, even if it comes at the hands of division, and destruction, and hate FOR ANYONE WHO DISAGREES. THAT THINKING IS WRONG ! Our truth, clear vision, and good news come from our faith, our walk, and our love and obedience to Jesus and HIS KINGDOM. Our life and our love and attitude toward each other come from His Commandments and His Perfect Instruction and His Character and Spirit ! AND WE ARE MADE IN HIS IMAGE….WE JUST HAVE TO EMBRACE IT ! SO, what should we be doing as Christians and Followers of Jesus in these times ? WE NEED TO BE DOING THE SAME THING THAT WE HAVE BEEN TOLD TO DO OVER AND OVER IN HIS WORD :)

AND JESUS CAME AND SAID TO THEM, “ALL AUTHORITY IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH HAS BEEN GIVEN TO ME. GO THEREFORE AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND TEACHING THEM TO OBEY EVERYTHING THAT I HAVE COMMANDED YOU. Matthew 28: 18-20

Jesus is asking us to “ GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES” ! Go and tell people about me. Show them who I AM by living the way you should as if you were ME in your actions and thoughts. Be Bold and Be A Light Unto The World. Show Love, and Kindness, and Generosity. Live out your Faith ! Get your behavior in order. Set your priorities on My Kingdom. Live your Life for ME. Drop all that the world tells you is important and makes you successful and Follow ME.

As Christians, I implore you to spend a lot of time in the TORAH ( Old Testament ). Jesus Did ! There is a term in Hebraic called “Teshuva”. It means: Turning away from sin and turning to The Master in Obedience. The Master is Jesus for all who follow Him and are reborn into His Salvation and Kingdom. In Jesus, we receive a “spirit” that sets us apart, to repent from our sin, and to be anointed to “make disciples”. Deuteronomy 30 makes it totally clear how we are to think and walk as God’s beautiful creation. Will you do it ? Will you make it your priority and the Center of your being?

BE ASSURED THAT JESUS IS RETURNING :) Only the Father knows when, but every day is closer, and we are specifically told to be prepared ! We are not to be found asleep. Study God’s Word, Pray always, and Share Jesus, that ALL MAY KNOW THE MASTER :)

“AND THERE WILL BE SIGNS IN THE SUN AND MOON AND STARS, AND ON THE EARTH DISTRESS OF NATIONS IN PERPLEXITY BECAUSE OF THE ROARING OF THE SEA AND THE WAVES, PEOPLE FAINTING WITH FEAR AND WITH FOREBODING OF WHAT IS COMING ON THE WORLD. FOR THE POWERS OF THE HEAVENS WILL BE SHAKEN, AND THEN THEY WILL SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD WITH POWER AND GREAT GLORY. NOW WHEN THESE THINGS BEGIN TO TAKE PLACE, STRAIGHTEN UP AND RAISE YOUR HEADS, BECAUSE YOUR REDEMPTION IS DRAWING NEAR. Luke 21: 25-28

NOT IF, BUT WHEN. BE READY/JAA