What Is A Christian To Do Now?

1. Stay Faithful
2. Pray
3. Praise God. Rejoice.
4. Mourn Sin.
5. Talk to One Another.

And Look Up.

Look Up – Christ will come again

The disciples asked Jesus what would be the sign of His coming and the end of the age (Matthew 24:3; Luke 21:7).  He answered and told the disciples to be on the alert and to be ready (Matthew 24:42, 44). And to look up:

When these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. (Luke 21:28)

We don’t see those specific signs –yet—but we do see other warnings.

But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. (2 Timothy 3:1–5)

Be alert! Be ready! Look up!

Look Up – Jesus Christ is our Living Hope

Christians have been born again to a living hope.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (1 Peter 1:3)

Christ, our living hope, enables us to:

Exult in hope of the glory of God (Romans 5:2)

Exult in our tribulations (Romans 5:3)

Watch expectantly (Micah 7:7)

Know our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:2)

Look up to our living hope, Jesus Christ, who is the anchor of our souls.

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 6:19–20)

Hard Times

Hard times, but

We know how we are to live,

We know Jesus Christis is with us now, and

We know Jesus Christ will be with us to the end of the age.

Rewards Are Coming!

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. (2 Timothy 4:7–8)

Rejoice!

In these dark times, what is a Christian to do?

One:    Stay faithful.

Two:    Pray.

  Pray for officials and leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

            Pray for each other

            Pray as prompted for people, the world

Three: Praise God. Rejoice.

            God is sovereign AND all His ways are holy

            He makes Himself known through bad times and good times

            In wrath, He remembers mercy (Habakkuk 3:2)

            Determine to praise no matter what (Habakkuk 3:16-19)

            Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS (Philippians 4:4)

Remember God wins

Four:    Mourn sin.

God saved those who sigh and groan over all the abominations which are being committed in its midst. (Ezekiel 9:4)

Five.     Talk to one another

            Encourage one other

These are the things which you should do: speak the truth to one another; judge with truth and judgment for peace in your gates. (Zechariah 8:16)

Six.       Look up (coming next week)

God—Father, Son, Holy Spirit—always, ALWAYS, loves His children.*

God has infinite, eternal love for His children, those who have repented and believe in Jesus Christ; His children who have received Christ as Lord and Savior.

For us, every single thing, every event, has the loving purpose of our sovereign God.

Is it a hard day? God is working it for good.

Is it a lovely day? God is working it for good.

God has promised His children (which cannot be broken) that He will glorify us. We are promised that Christ will present us holy and blameless to the Father.

Everything is woven into fulfilling that promise. EVERYTHING.

We have every reason to rejoice. We have every reason to worship Him.

Almighty sovereign holy God is not done with the world.

Almighty sovereign holy God is not done with us.

Hallelujah!

Are you feeling what I’m feeling? Irritable? Anxious? Stressed? Discouraged? Tempted?

STOP!

Emotions stem from thinking.

The first step in stopping a negative emotion is to be conscious of what you are thinking; what you are saying to yourself. This isn’t as easy as it sounds. It takes practice.

Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? (Psalm 42:5a)

Once you are aware of harmful, ungodly thinking, determine to STOP.

But you can’t just stop, you have to replace your thoughts with something God-centered.

Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence.” (Psalm 42:5b)

O my God, my soul is in despair within me; Therefore I remember You… (Psalm 42:6)

See Pink Elephant

Determine to seek the things above.

Determine to set your mind on Jesus.

Determine to fill your mind with God’s Word.

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Father, HELP!

My soul has been saturated with calamities. (Psalm 88:3)

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Things are tough for many people, both with personal issues and world concerns.

As Christians, we must continue to praise God in these difficult times. Here are three examples.

Hezekiah

The Assyrians threatened Israel when Hezekiah was king, speaking to the people and delivering a letter. Hezekiah entered the house of the LORD, and spread out the letter before the LORD. Hezekiah started with praise:

O Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, who is enthroned above the cherubim, You are the God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. (Isaiah 37:16)

Then Hezekiah made his plea, and prayed his purpose:

Now, O Lord our God, deliver us from his hand that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, Lord, are God. (Isaiah 37:20)

Habakkuk

Habakkuk was a prophet in Judah when the Babylonians (Chaldeans) threatened Israel. Habakkuk knew that the LORD appointed then to judge and correct Israel and knew horrible times were coming. He resolved to praise.

Though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls, yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, and makes me walk on my high places. (Habakkuk 3:17–19)

A Personal Story

When I was diagnosed with a serious eye issue, I was 1200 miles from my doctors, and travel wasn’t immediately possible. I didn’t know if I would retain full vision, or if I would lose my ability to read or drive. Would I still be independent? I would wake in the middle of the night looking around to see if I could still see.

At the time, I was slowly working on the final edits of my book (When Storms Come), with the help of enlarged computer images and magnifying glasses, focusing on God’s sovereignty and His love. I determined to praise.

“Though my eyesight gets worse and I can no longer read or drive, even if I become blind and lose my independence, yet I will exult in the Lord, my Marker, my shelter from life’s storms. I will rejoice in the God of my salvation, the God of my hope. I will praise my Lord Jesus Christ who lives in me and intercedes for me with the Father. I will praise the Holy Spirit who dwells in me and guides me to all truth. God Almighty has brought me safe so far, and He will bring me home.” (When Storms Come, page 193)

As I went through those uncertain days, sometimes I was scared, but sometimes I was giddy with the joy of God’s presence and the certainty that He would be with me, even in blindness.

Now, after six eye surgeries, I see well. Thank You, Almighty God!

How about you?

Whatever your situation, you are called to praise God, to rejoice always, to give Him thanks throughout everything.

Will you resolve to praise our great God?

What is God up to?

God is sovereign over everybody and everything all the time.   

The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all. (Psalm 103:19)

Our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases. (Psalm 115:3)

I am the Lord, and there is no other, the One forming light and creating darkness, causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the Lord who does all these. (Isaiah 45:6–7)

God has a plan and He is working His plan

… according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will.  (Ephesians 1:11)

All God’s ways are holy

Your way, O God, is holy. (Psalm 77:13)

God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts and His ways higher than our ways

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8–9)

God works good during everything for those called according to His plan

God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

At the end, Christ reigns. He brings His children to heaven, and He judges His enemies.

The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever. (Revelation 11:15)

What are unbelievers to do?

Repent. Believe. Turn in faith to Jesus Christ. (See Becoming the Child of God)

What are Christians to do?

Stay faithful

Stand firm

Trust

Praise God

Pray

Press on

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Also see What is God up to?

Escape Bad News

We are all going to die … and we don’t know when.

We might die of old age or illness or disease or injury or assassination or murder or calamity.

The two certain things are:

We will die and

We will face God’s judgment.

At death, a person might enter into eternal life or God might eternally condemn.

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

How do we escape bad news? How do we escape God’s wrath and condemnation?

The good news of the gospel is how to escape the wrath of God, the bad news of consequences of our sin.

We must repent and believe Jesus Christ, receiving Him as our Lord and Savior.

We must get this straight now, in this world.

Becoming a Child of God

Are you a child of God? If you’re not a child of God, this is truly bad news, and eternally too. Becoming a child of God is the fundamental first step for a good life now and heaven later.

The familiar promise is conditional. “… God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

If you love God, if you are called according to His purpose, and if you are God’s child, God will cause all things, including bad news, to work together for good. If you’re not a child of God, the bad news is, in fact, bad news.

Greg Gilbert in What is the Gospel? lays out the gospel very clearly:

1. It is God to whom we are accountable. Because He created us, God has the right to demand we worship Him. God has the right to tell us how to live. God owns us.
2. Our problem is we rebelled against God. We need God to forgive us our sins, not judge us for them.
3. God’s solution to our sins is the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
4. We become included in God’s solution, in His salvation, by repenting of our rebellion and sins, by believing in Jesus Christ, and by trusting Him and no other to save us.
5. A Christian is one who turns away from his sin and trusts in the Lord Jesus Christ—and nothing else—to save him from sin and the coming judgment.

Have you repented of your sins? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, died for your sins, and rose from the dead? Have you received Him as Savior and Lord? If not, take care of that today.

You can pray something like this:

“Father, I confess I have sinned against You and repent before You. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son, that He died for my sins, and that You raised Him from the dead. I ask to receive Christ as my Lord and Savior. Take control of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.”

HOW to Have Peace

Peace is an ardent desire for many (most?) of us. Biblically, peace is a tranquil attitude, an overwhelming sense of well-being. It is peace beyond comprehension. No matter the circumstances. But how?

Have peace with God

This supernatural peace is only possible IF you have peace with God, only IF you have been reconciled with God.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)

If a person has not received Christ, they are God’s enemies. (Romans 5:10; Ephesians 2:3)

“There is no peace for the wicked,” says the Lord.  (Isaiah 48:22)

Peace from God

After we have received Christ as Lord and Savior, He is in us, and He gives us HIS peace.

Peace I [Jesus] leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. (John 14:27)

Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

Apply it

You have peace with God and peace from God. You have received peace. Now we need to learn how to apply God’s peace (lay hold of it; have God’s peace rule in our lives).

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. (Colossians 3:15)

This is a call to spiritual growth. Strive to increasingly know God—Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Study and meditate on God’s Word. Strive to stay connected (John 15:1-7).

Focus your eyes on Jesus, not the problem. Let Him rule.

Trust

God is almighty: Sovereign over everything and everybody all the time. (And, at the same time, we are responsible.) Trust Him.

He promised peace and never lies. Trust Him.

The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You. (Isaiah 26:3)

He will not fear evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. (Psalm 112:7)

These things I [Jesus] have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

Thanksgiving

Develop the attitude of gratitude. God is in control, loves you, and is working His holy plan.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6–7)

Don’t miss that crucial middle step: Anxiety then prayer, then thanksgiving for however your loving sovereign God answers, and then peace.

Live Righteously

Believe what He says. Do what He says.

The great enemy of peace is sin.

And the work of righteousness will be peace, And the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever. (Isaiah 32:17)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22–23)

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Father, Son, Holy Spirit, thank You for saving us, giving us Your peace, and making peace active in our lives. Help us know You better and better, and live in newness of the life You have given us. Remind us of all this when we are not living in Your peace.

Christ in you,* the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27) (See The Trinity in You)

AND!

You* are in Christ! (Ephesians 1:3-4)

This is our new identity: We* are in Christ! We are new creatures. (2 Corinthians 5:17) We are united with Him. Like branches on His vine.

Because we* are in Christ:

We have received every spiritual blessing. All spiritual blessings are found in Him. (Ephesians 1:3)

In Him, our sins have been paid; there is now no condemnation. (Romans 8:1)

We have been justified and redeemed. (Romans 3:24; Ephesians 1:7)

We have been given the grace of God. (1 Corinthians 1:4)

We will never be separated from the love of God. (Romans 8:39)

We have been reconciled with the Father. (2 Corinthians 5:19)

We have been made alive. (Ephesians 2:5)

We have been adopted by the Father, placing us in the household of God. (Ephesians 1:5)

We have God’s peace. (Philippians 4:7)

We have eternal life (Romans 6:23)

We are co-heirs with Christ. (Ephesians 1:11; Romans 8:17)

Everything that is in Him is ours as well.

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So who are you?  You are a man or woman in Christ.

We “just” need to learn how to yield to Him, how to appropriate all His blessings and riches, and how to walk in newness of life.

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“You” and “we” are those who have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. If you haven’t, please read Becoming a Child of God.