What Is Your Future?

What does the future hold for all of us? Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:1, “...in the last days perilous times shall come.” He describes a time of mass corruption and a breakdown of law and tradition, times of danger, of persecution and of trial. Truly these are desperate times but the party continues in the world as they appear to be oblivious to the judgment coming upon us. The Bible tells us that as it was in Noah's time so shall it be at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Matt. 24:38, “For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,”

In spite of Noah's warning, this verse describes the reckless way that the people went on their usual course, pursuing their pleasures with doom hanging over them. Life continued as though nothing was amiss. The world was on a collision course with the judgment of God because of sin and disobedience. God gave them warning and opportunity to repent but they laughed at the message and mocked the messenger. For 120 years God left the door of redemption open but when time (God's time) was up, He closed the door to salvation.

Matt. 24:39, “And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”

The people of Noah's day “knew not until the flood came.” They did not recognize the signs of the coming judgment. Their attention was upon their own carnal pleasures. Flesh was the driving force in their lives rather than care of the soul.

The Lord Jesus assures us that similar recklessness and unbelief will be found at his coming. We are living in the day that Jesus talked about. The conditions in our world parallel those of Noah's time. The general attitude toward the last days message is that of disbelief and a false security that refuses to heed any warning. Life continues as though nothing is amiss. Mankind continues to seek his way of living which is focused on selfish, carnal desires. He lives in pursuit of another enticement that will thrill the senses. All he sees is the momentary pleasure, the temporary highs. He doesn't see that he is sowing carnal seeds that will be brought into judgment. Our world is on a collision course with the judgment of God. The whole of mankind is reaping the seeds of sin.

Just as God brought judgment in Noah's generation, He is in the process of doing the same in our world. The greatest failure of a man is to exclude God from his life. You can allow what is to come to do the work of conviction and repentance to accepting Jesus in salvation. Or, you can continue in your own way, failing to heed God's warning, and suffer the same destruction of Noah's day. Judgment is upon us. We will reap what we have sown. Hear Jesus' voice today, repent and be saved!!! 

God Knows The Best Way! by Myra Boozer

A few years ago our two granddaughters were playing so sweetly together. All of a sudden, I heard a cry that shouldn't have been part of their playtime. Then I heard the youngest say to her sister, “You're being rude because you won't let me do what I WANT to do.” This really got my attention. How childish but then again she was only 6 years old.

Even as adults we sometimes feel this way toward God. We may even say, "God, this is just not fair." We think He is not being a good Father when He doesn't give us what we WANT. Well, we are wrong! He knows what is best for His Children and He will do what is best. But, there may come a time when we refuse to do what is right and He will let us go our own way and do what we want to do.

Now, that is a scary place to be and we don't want to stay there very long. When we choose to walk away then we must choose to go back where we left God, repent with tears, and do things His way. He is not going to come and say, "Child I was wrong, do what you want and everything is okay."

God will help us any time. He loves us but we must go His way, not ours. "Can two walk together except they be agreed?" Amos 3:3. Are you asking God to go your way, or are you going His way?

When we walk with the Lord we learn so much about His character. We learn about His loving patience and His unending mercy. But, we also learn about His boundaries and His laws. He is not a pushover and He is not one to allow us to live reckless and ungodly lives. He is strict with His requirements of righteous living. He will discipline us and sometimes correct us with a strong hand. But, walking hand in hand with Jesus will lead us right into Heaven. That is the place we all want to live when this life is over. God Knows The Best Way to get there! 

What Am I Doing Here?

Sometimes we are challenged to ask ourselves this question. Why am I here? Why am I doing what I am doing? The correct answer would be, “I am here because God placed me here. I am doing this because God instructed me to do it.” Although we may have begun this journey with a firm conviction that God has placed us in our current role, we must be firmly established in our calling. We are compelled by the opposition to the message of Jesus Christ to declare, “God sent me and this is His Message.” It is imperative that we experience a Divine encounter with the Lord of the Message.

There are many such encounters recorded in the Bible where followers of God came face to face with the God of their faith. And He empowered them to successfully complete the mission He had given to them. Elijah is one such example!

Elijah had his moment when he thought all was lost, he was all alone, and he thought there was no hope to proceed further. But God had a plan and all power in His hands to pull down and to destroy, to build and to plant, to cast away and to gather. (see 1 Kings 19:11-13)

Elijah had just witnessed a mighty intervention of God at Mount Carmel. He was God’s man of the hour and God used him to make the declaration that there is no other God but Jehovah! Although God knew why Elijah was hiding in the cave, cowering in the darkness, He wanted Elijah to see for himself the absurdness of his actions. What are you doing here Elijah? He ran because he was afraid that Jezebel would take his life. He needed to know that Jezebel could only do what God would allow! He needed to know her reign of idolatry was over and he needed to finish his mission. God told him so!

We need to have our own face-to-face encounter with the God of our faith! We must hear what God is saying! Although Elijah was in the final phase of his life, this encounter with God changed his future. Here he was thinking that his cause was lost, everyone had deserted him and the battle was over but God was not finished with him.

We are in the final season of time and the hour of our deliverance is at hand but the climax, the crescendo, the grand finale is still to come. By faith in the revelation God has given to us and by being obedient to His directive, we can “go” and be successful in His mission. He has already given us the VICTORY in Jesus Christ. We will inherit our promised end! And by obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit, we can give ourselves wholly to What We Are Doing Here! 

Where Are You? by Myra Boozer

Many times during the day when our little grandson is here, we hear the words, “Where are you, Papa?” Or, “Where are you, Nana?” This is an important question for a young child. When this question is asked, we don't hesitate. We respond quickly!

I want to ask you that question today. Where are you? You may say I am at home, or I am on the job. Maybe you are in school or in the Military. You could even be on vacation, seeing the many beautiful sights in our world. This is what we think of when the question is asked. We respond as to where we are physically.

In Genesis 3, God asked Adam that question, "And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?" This is the response that Adam gave, "And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?" The answer Adam gives has stuck with us down thru the ages. "And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, SHE gave me of the tree, and I did eat." It is the transfer of accountability to someone other than ourselves. We have a very hard time accepting responsibility for our actions. So, we blame someone else for where we actually are in our lives.

I truly understand about disappointment, heartbreak, broken homes, verbal abuse, lack of security, and unworthy condemnation. But with all of that, we are still responsible for our reaction to life and all it brings. We alone are responsible for the choices we make. Adam could have answered, “NO” to Eve. He could have reminded her of the command that God gave them about not eating of that one tree. Only one tree was forbidden. Of course in the next verse, God asked Eve, "What is this thou has done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I DID eat."

I do not read any more of God communing with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day. However, I did read that "...God sent them forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken, So he drove out the man;" Genesis chapter 3. There are definitely consequences to all our decisions!

My question is Where Are You? Are you living in the garden with constant communion and fellowship with the LORD your God? Or, do you feel you're across the tracks just struggling on your own? Are you in a place of no hope, no relief from the push and shove of this sinful world? Are you always feeling blame or giving blame to someone you love because of the pressure that is increasing in your life? Are you living a life of defeat in the midst of constant confusion as to the choices you are making? Do you stumble at the simple things in life because you don't know the direction to take? Are you feeling helpless and hopeless with every decision you need to make for your very survival? Where Are You?

Some may feel they are making it just fine. Jesus said in Revelation 3:17, "Because thou sayest, I am rich and increased with goods and need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." The good news is found in the fact that SOMEONE has the answer. Someone knows just where you are and He can rescue you. He can pull you out of the darkness, the confusion, the helpless situation. You don't have to remain where you are. The choice is yours and yours alone. No one can make you look up! Or reach up! Or call out to God but YOU!

When the loud, wailing, sound of disaster strikes, even those who have pushed God aside, those who have tried to hide their "nakedness" from him, will cry out. Come and save me, Jesus! He knows just where you are and will come immediately. He will cover your nakedness with His robe of righteousness. Where Are You? 

What Are Your Priorities?

Matthew 6:19, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

If you were to make a list of what is most important to you, what would that list look like? What is the driving force for your goals and accomplishments? It is very important that we can answer this question clearly and precisely. Our future and the future of those we influence is depending upon our response.

It is expedient that our focus is on the important things in life. At this late hour, we cannot afford to be distracted by the minor issues. “Keep the main thing, the main thing.” The attention, time, and effort we invest will impact greatly the result we experience.

In Romans 14, Paul wrote to address the significance of the church’s relationship with God as opposed to the external issues. Matters of the heart will rule the day, therefore, we must keep our hearts right with God! The Roman church had failed to keep their relationship with God as the main thing. Subsequently, external matters became divisive in their attempt to serve God as a church. Romans 14:17, “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God...” God’s kingdom is the main thing and is not centered on external matters. The visible testimony of the Church will be pleasing to God only if we are in right relationship with Him.

Matthew 7:21, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

We make mistakes and experience unnecessary heartaches when our priorities are not in sync with God’s will and purpose for our lives. God should always come first. Our relationship with God is a priority over everyone and everything. It is the foundation for everything else! Our relationship will directly affect our obedience to God’s direction in our lives. Our obedience is essential for our deliverance and ultimate victory! What Are Your Priorities?

Matthew 7:24, “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.” 

Time To Stop The Busyness! by Myra Boozer

Satan, the prince of this world has a plan! He is seeking after all those that he can destroy. 1Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” Satan is working and controlling every person who will listen to him. But, God has given a window to the Child of God, an opportunity to PRAY, a time to sound the alarm before GOD releases judgment on Satan and all those who have obeyed the voice of the evil one. God is giving us time to warn people, a time to pray and seek Him, a time to come close to Him and gain strength for the days ahead.

Don't become so busy with plans and programs that you forget the DAY we are living in. Know that after we pray, we will still be living in the scheme (an orderly combination of things on a definite plan) for the last days. We can't change the times and seasons that God has ordained, but we can be filled with strength and hope and know that King Jesus will have the final say in this battle.

The days of Judgment are coming and only those held in Jesus’ hands will be over-comers. Death has no sting for the child of God. Death is not the end but the door to Eternal Life thru Jesus Christ. Seek Him while He may be found!

Let him that has ears to hear, HEAR! Why? "Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof; I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated KNOWLEDGE, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore they shall eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil," Proverbs 1: 24-33. Seek the Lord while He can be found! 

Daniel Did As Before!

The prophet Daniel was not so different from you and me. He lived in a time of displacement and captivity for his people. He struggled to remain at peace with his captors and remain true to the Lord God Jehovah. But, when he was forced to make a choice, he always chose God.

When Daniel knew that the decree was signed forbidding anyone to pray to any other god except King Darius, Daniel made an open show of his allegiance to God (Daniel 6:10). He went into his house, opened his windows toward Jerusalem, knelt down, and prayed. He did so three times each day and gave thanks to God as he had done before. He was persecuted by his captors for his disobedience but God protected Him. It was during this time of intense trial that God revealed prophecies of the future for the nation of Israel. The most relevant to his time was chapter 9:2 revealing the prophecy of Jeremiah that the seventy years of captivity was almost complete. One principle that we can take away from Daniel's experience is that God reveals Himself and our future in Him during times of our intense trials. It is during those times that we seek guidance and rely so heavily upon Him. He uses our faith and dependence to lead us into our future.

Daniel prayed as before! His prayer life was the foundation for his existence both present and future. When the enemy tested his love and loyalty to God, Daniel continued doing what he did every day. The die was cast and the pattern was established. Therefore, Daniel held to his faith in God and God delivered him.

The substance of our life in Christ must be established before the storm comes. We must know that the foundation of our life is built upon Jesus Christ and all other ground is sinking sand. Therefore, when the trials of life test us, we continue doing what we have always done. We pray and trust God as we always have done and God will deliver us once again!

Lord Jesus, help us to pray like Daniel prayed. Help us to trust like Daniel trusted. Help us to be delivered like Daniel was delivered. Thank you Lord for the power of your promises! Direct our steps to walk in your word and experience the power of your promises. Order our steps so that we may walk in your perfect peace. In Jesus' name! Amen