Time is Dwindling: BE FOCUSED ON GOD’S MISSION!
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.
(1st Corinthians 12: 4-7 NASB)
And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.
There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.
But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”
Last night, my husband and I attended the championship basketball game, one that would determine which county team would travel to the coveted STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. The crowd was riotous, the noise was boisterous, and the energy was NOT harmonious because at the end of the time, when the buzzer sounded—ONLY ONE TEAM COULD BE VICTORIOUS!
As I sat there, cheering for the team I hoped would win, I found myself pondering the Evangelism Conference I attended during the last few days. I was reminded & encouraged to focus more intently upon the task—the LORD has given to each of His Children.
Child of God, we have read the last pages of God’s Word; we have read John’s Revelation; & we know WHO WINS!
We know the TRUTH, so what are we waiting for & why are we silent, merely walking through our days, focused upon the events recorded on our calendars, our agendas, and our schedules of events?
Time is Dwindling: WE MUST BE FOCUSED ON GOD’S MISSION!
- If the world were a stage as William Shakespeare penned, then the final curtain is immediately upon us.
- If the whole universe were a game to be played, then we have reached the fourth down, and it’s now or never.
- If the salvation of mankind could become an image, then the grains of sand falling through the hourglass are quickly slipping through, revealing how time, as we know it, is expiring.
King Solomon spoke about the “seasons” of life in the book of Ecclesiastes; surely, if we look at the chaos found within our world, then we may ask: “God, have we reached the last days?”
OUR SAVIOR UTTERED THESE WORDS:
“But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads,
(The Gospel According to Luke 21: 28 NASB)
because your redemption is drawing near.”
Redeemed child of God, the time to share the Gospel with those we know, with those God places into our daily path, and with those who place their feet under our kitchen tables—IS NOW!
May we be focused less upon our own agenda and BE FOCUSED ON GOD’S MISSION!
Our inheritance from our Father is equal, but our spiritual gift is unique to each of us, given specifically to each one of us by the Holy Spirit. We have but one solitary task: To share His Gospel with the world surrounding us. Therefore, Our Father has gifted us each in a uniqueness, a way to reach those who surround us, who walk upon the same acreage of land where we walk. Again, I say, do not believe me, but believe the Word of God given to the apostle Paul, a reminder given to encourage the saints of God—
“But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.
(1st Corinthians 12: 11-12 NASB)
For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body,
though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.”
How are we doing? Maybe this day, today, is the time to take an evaluation of our lives, to see where we are failing God, to repent, and to start afresh.
- God knows everything! Yes, child of God, God does!
- Our Father knows when Jesus will stand and come again to earth!
- The LORD does not look to earth, shake His head, surprised by the turn of events—HE sees!
GOD IS NEVER SURPRISED!
NOR IS GOD EVER WITHOUT A SOLUTION!
We are surrounded daily by two types of people, and while they wear different shades of skin colors, speak in different languages, act in particular or even odd ways, still all humanity is divided into camps—
PEOPLE ARE EITHER LOST & WITHOUT ETERNAL HOPE!
OR
PEOPLE ARE SAVED BY GOD & SECURE IN GOD’S ETERNAL HOPE!
We who have received GOD’S MERCY & GOD’S AMAZING GRACE have also received the GREATEST MISSION—SHARE THE GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL MESSAGE WITH THOSE WE ENCOUNTER!
We have certain skillsets, certain careers, and certain friend groups, families, and areas of influence. Let us look up, for the fields of God are ripe for HIS HARVEST!
Child of God, let us not hoard our spiritual gift given to us by God’s Holy Spirit at the moment of our salvation, but let us share our gift with the world. As we do, the Lord provides us opportunities to share His Gospel message with those we encounter. We are able to share His Message of HOPE because of GOD’S LOVE FOR ALL PEOPLE!
Time is Dwindling: BE FOCUSED ON GOD’S MISSION!
In speaking with His disciples about the last days, about the things to come, Jesus spoke of kingdoms rising against one another, about earthquakes, signs in the sun, moon, and stars. Jesus also spoke to His disciples about great famines, about Christian persecutions, about Jerusalem surrounded by armies, about days of vengeance. Friend, I am not making this up for the Bible tells us so. Read the twenty-first chapter of the Gospel of Luke, and you will see the words of Jesus given to His disciples.
One the days leading up to His Crucifixion, Jesus knew what His disciples would soon face, and so He Prepares Them for the Battle, for the Walk of Faith, for the Sharing of the Gospel, for the Acts of the Apostles that JESUS KNEW THEY WERE TO FACE!
Jesus tells them—
“It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony.
(The Gospel According to Luke 21: 13-15 NASB)
So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves;
for I will give you utterance and wisdom
which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute.”