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 WEBWe 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:
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In Jesus name Amen.
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. Amen!
Amen
Amen.
Amen. Thank you Pastor Dion for a powerful devotional today. May we all be Blessed by God's miracles. Amen
Amen,we love and worship you Jesus.You are everything to us.You are awesome.
Amen! Thank You Lord!
That is a great devotion Pastor Dion! Fulfill Your will, Father, Amen.
Amen God is great praise him for our blessings
Amen, Yes Lord.
Heavenly Father this virus from hell has and is affecting the whole world and your called out ones Today Father I thank you for when the fullness of time will come when You will wipe this pestilence from off the face of this earth you created, so that your disciples can once more go forth into all nations to spread the good news of Salvation to a dying world. Thank you for inspiring Pastor Todd to bring out this timely message. May you continue to bless him and his family and the members of this on-line church in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen
Amen Father I am Yours
Amen pastor what a spirit filled devotional the words you quoted from scripture jumped off the page and touched my heart. Even though my body is unwilling my heart and my mind are so ready to serve Please Lord send me the right people to help mentor me so I can get in the ring with your Holy words imprinted on my heart, I love you Jesus and I so want and need to serve you in any way that is your perfect will, if need be sacrifice my life so others may come to know you in Jesus name I pray amen
God help me with my grandchildren. Keep them safe. Thank you God for all our blessings. In the name of Jesus. Praise God Amen
A very timely message for us in these troubling times. It seems everyone is turning to Revelation, looking for signs and indications that the end is near. Instead, we should be "doers of the Word"!
Heavenly Father guide us to be as You wants us to be, lead us towards the real meaning of our lives. Send to us Your Holy Spirit to open our hearts and minds for the work to do in Your name, we pray this in the Holy Name of Jesus. Amen. Help us Lord we need You.
Awesome devotional as a reminder of what we need to do for the Lord, thank you Pastor and Sylvia God bless you both.
A rousing call in your message this morning, Pastor Dion! Thank you! Lord, Fulfill Your will in my life and help me get involved in what You are doing on earth today. Amen!
Amen and Amen!!! What a promise to hold on to, ". . . even to the end of the age", thank you Lord Jesus!!!
Yes Lord Jesus, amen
Amen!