The Retirement Plan

• Printable Version - Share on Facebook - Posted by Dion Todd April 15, 2020 - Filed in Devotional - 6,313 views
  Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.' Matthew 28:18 WEB
  
  We just waited for Jesus to come and get us. After getting saved, I started attending a local church and got baptized in the Waccamaw river. Then we waited, and waited for the rapture of the church, the return of Jesus Christ to Earth. They taught us that it could happen any day now, and some even set dates when He would return. Soon I began to sense inconsistency, for many were building bigger houses, and they were making plans for a bigger church building. It seems they were not planning to leave so quickly. Eventually I learned that it was a time honored tradition to wet you, set you, and forget you.
  
  I was a devout believer, on fire for God at the time and I just wanted more. I read the entire KJV Bible in about six weeks, then bought another translation and read through it again making notes. I set up a streaming audio system using an old computer that I had, and it played the bible all through the house and out into my computer workshop 24/7. It read Genesis through Revelation in a continuous loop that took about three days. I laid in bed at night listening to the bible and meditating on it.
  
  After a while I began to have a hard time reconciling scripture, with our behavior. Oh, we spoke all the right words, but mostly lived like everyone else. My prayers were only vain repetition, usually built from what I had heard others pray. I eventually spent a lot of time studying the books of Revelation, Daniel, Matthew and how the end times would come about. Eschatology became an obsession.
  
  One day the Lord spoke to me through a prophet that was visiting from Texas and said: 'Son, don't worry about the retirement plan, it is even now a time for refirement, wherein I do stand. And don't be so concerned about the end of the book, go back to the beginning, take another look.'
  
  I knew that it was God speaking for the words burned and no one knew (or cared) what I had been studying but me. He was saying that there is more to the Christian life than sitting there waiting on His return. God has a plan to fulfill on this earth today and we are His hands and feet. While we are sitting here waiting on Him to come get us, He is sitting there waiting on us to start doing what He told us.
  
  We are to spread the gospel (Good News) to all the nations, for He will not return until it is complete. If you are not able to carry it yourself, then get in league with those that are doing it, pray for them, support them, encourage them. Be a part of what God is doing in the earth today, and you will find true satisfaction. It is what we are meant to do as Christians. For example, the Apostle Paul worked hard, but he was supported by other Christians as he ministered (Philippians 4:15). That is how he ate.
  
  No one can help everyone, but everyone can help someone. Learn to be a giver, and not a taker. Learn to serve others, and not just be served. Encourage others and build them up, when you need it most, it will return to you. There is a reason that we should do unto others as we would like done to us, for what goes around, shall come around. He who waters, shall be watered himself (Proverbs 11:25). Cast your bread on the waters; for you shall find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, yes, even to eight; for you don't know what evil will be on the earth. (Ecclesiastes 11:1-2).
  
  Forget about the end times, it is time to do what He asked us now. Today is the day of salvation. Invite the Holy Spirit to come and spend the day with you. Pray, listen, do what is right, and follow His gentle promptings. He has a plan and a purpose for you here and now. His plan is not in the afterlife, it is happening right now around us. If you are just waiting on the return of Jesus, then you are missing the point, for our work is to be done today. We are here for such a time as this.
  
  Yes! Jesus is coming back, but don't get hung up on the retirement plan like I did. Let us work in the harvest until the very last minute, save every soul that can be, and when we cannot go, then let us support those that are in the field. Let's work together to hear 'Well done thou good and faithful servant' (Matthew 25:21), and not 'You wicked and lazy servant' (Matthew 25:26). Get in tune with what God has for you today and you will not have to worry what happens on the earth later, because you will already be prepared.
  
  Prayer: Heavenly Father I adore You and want more of You in my life every day. Please help me make the right decisions. Guide me to where You want me to be. Fulfill Your will in my life and help me get involved in what You are doing on earth today, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
  
  Note: 'Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.' (Philippians 4:6-7) ~ If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network
  
  
  

  > You can subscribe to our daily devotional here <