Living in the Last Hour

Fellow believers, brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus I surely pray that all are doing well, secured in the peace of God knowing that He has us in the palm of His hand – comforting us as only He can. It surely feels like the Lord has taken this world, this country of ours by its corners, shaken us forward to shake us free from the deception that is in this world – in the church. We are front and center of God’s plan and the Pharisees are everywhere. Christian leaders are urging fellow believers to pray for America. Why? For healing? For revival? For more of the same?

This world is not our home. Believers should never feel too comfortable here. We are to live in this world in peace as much as is within our control. Having been born in a country where citizens are free to worship – come and go without fear – if we believe the Scriptures – clearly it won’t always be that way. And if we believe in the Scriptures – can we change one iota of what God has ordained for man? Not for this world, but for man.

Will we always have a land of milk and honey, freedoms and such? Not according to Matthew 24. If you recall the words of Jesus “For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law… Matthew 10:35

Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division; for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. Luke 12:51-52

Jesus said He would be with us through it all.

I want to know why so many Christian leaders pursue and promote a leadership that causes dissension and division. Scripture says there will be division, but it will not be political divisions, or will it be? What does it mean that church leaders, mostly prosperity teachers, have been so involved with the current leadership? The only thing that will keep anyone out of heaven – is a matter of faith, a matter of the heart – one for God and one opposed to God. Choosing to vote Republican, or democrat will not keep anyone out of heaven Being a conservative, or a proud conservative does not speak to matters faith, or God, but to traditions of men. There are only two types of humans on this earth – the saved and the lost. And unless there is someone bold enough to admit they can see into the heart of any man, no one knows the heart of any man, but God.

For me, if God is the giver and taker of life, if God knows how many hairs are on my head, if His eyes saw my unformed substance; and in His book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them, doesn’t it make sense that God would know how long I would live? No one knows how, or when they will take their last breath.

As the 2020 Election nears, October 25, is being set apart for a day of prayer and fasting. I read an urgent request for Christians to pray like Jehoshaphat, who asked the people to pray to God for help and God saved him. Interesting, how Christian leaders forget to mention that Jehoshaphat walked in the former ways of his father David; he did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father. Who in this great land of ours is truly seeking God? Seems to me Christians are seeking satisfaction for their worldly desires.

As believers our mission is to share the gospel. And what did Jesus command His followers to do?

As a Christian, an American, a believer in God the Father of heaven and earth, a follower of Jesus Christ – are you honestly feeling persecuted? Are you feeling religious persecution because churches along with other businesses were asked to temporarily close their doors to slow the spread of Covid? Conspiracy theories, prophecies, are running amok. Does anyone know the mind of God? There are somethings only God the Father knows. He did provide us a lot of clues in the Bible – but interpretation is very subjective.

If you are feeling persecuted today for not being able to go to church or meet in person with fellow believers, you will be in a world of hurt when you are denied basic needs for refusing to denounce your faith in Jesus Christ. Will you be so quick to take a mark so you can buy and sell?

“But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.” Titus 3:9-11

“Then love and pray for your enemies so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.

“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:44–46”

As for God being with leaders…

Now the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded. And he went out to meet Asa, and said to him: “Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. 2 Chronicles 15:1-2

Who is God?

Psalm 46 – God is our refuge and our strength.

Are we to fear losing our American freedoms? If God, being all sovereign, signs of on our leaders why should we fear who is elected? Yes, we do our civic duty in voting. We vote for the candidate most fitting the attributes we want in a leader. Yes, but our desires may not be God’s desires. We are to pray for everyone.

2 Chronicles 17:3-6

Now the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the former ways of his father David; he did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father, and walked in His commandments and not according to the acts of Israel. Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat, and he had riches and honor in abundance. And his heart took delight in the ways of the Lord; moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah.

2 Chronicles 19:1-3

Then Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned safely to his house in Jerusalem. And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Therefore the wrath of the Lord is upon you. Nevertheless good things are found in you, in that you have removed the wooden images from the land, and have prepared your heart to seek God.”

2 Chronicles 20:31-33

So Jehoshaphat was king over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. And he walked in the way of his father Asa, and did not turn aside from it, doing what was right in the sight of the Lord. Nevertheless the high places were not taken away, for as yet the people had not directed their hearts to the God of their fathers.

If we pray, we should pray giving thanks for all that God has done, is doing and will do in our lifetime. We should pray for the wicked man to repent of his sins. We should pray for God to keep our families safe as we endure these challenging times. We should pray asking God to search our heart, to show us if there is any wickedness in us. We should pray for our leaders, present and future. We should pray for God to have mercy on us. Because even if we cast our vote for our favorite candidate does not mean that he or she will win. Revival and healing is good, but that alone does not as in the days of direct the hearts of the people back to God. Emotions like the heart are deceiving.

Blessing and peace to the children of God.