There is no doubt that we are in
the end times: these are definitely very troubling times. The activities we see
around us are a strong reminder that the end is near. Whilst some saints
rejoice about this truth, others wish it away and some others even argue that a
God so good will not allow any of these “evil events” listed as part of all
that will be unveiled in the last days.
It really does not matter what we prefer to or actually believe, God’s
truth stands forever. The present times call for prudence on our path. A
prudent man sees what is ahead and makes arrangement to hide from the evil
thereof. We cannot over prepare for what is imminent – we are in the last days.
It will be sad to have all the information that we have and yet pretend like
these things will not happen for very selfish reasons because they will happen.
We all wish we could live forever but we know also that we won’t; at least here
on this earth, so it is wise to act accordingly.
Psalm 119: 89 “Your eternal word, O Lord stands firm in heaven.”
Isaiah 14: 27 “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies has spoken – who can change
his plans? When his hand is raised, who can stop him?”
In the normal course of my day, I
counsel with people very frequently; almost every day. Even if I did not hear
from God directly, all of the counselling has confirmed to me that believers
are definitely under very serious attack from our enemy – satan. Pressures are
mounted against us from all sides - our marriages, finances, health, businesses,
relationships etc. Meanwhile minds are greatly troubled; such great turmoil in
the minds of many even to the point of them losing their peace. The number of
believers with mental health issues that stem from lack of peace or troubled
mind today is mind boggling especially when we have a Saviour who is Himself, The
Prince of peace. The plan is for us to lose faith in our Saviour. Do you know
that some even trust themselves now more than they trust God? No wonder, Jesus
wondered if He would find faith on the earth when He returns. Our individual faith
is seriously under attack; but people have experienced such things before and
have come through, so we must not fail God. If you prepare yourself, you will
be better equipped to deal successfully.
2 Corinthians 4: 8 – 10 “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but
we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not given to despair. We are hunted
down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not
destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of
Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodied.”
Much as I enjoy going to church
and fellowshipping with believers, I have found that I need to ask myself some
hard questions daily so that I do not unwittingly align with satan’s plans to
ruin us. One has to be very deliberate to survive. In these present times, one
cannot afford to assume that they are believers just because they confess that
they are and have told themselves so. We need to test our own selves. Look at
your works daily and ask yourself if they line up with the works expected of
believers. The fruits tell who we are hence we are told that we shall be known
by them. It is not just the works/fruits but also the reason you do that good
work that you do. For it to be a “God work” it must be inspired by the Holy
Spirit. Dead works, no matter how good will count for nothing. You have to
think again on your works and see if it evidences the faith you claim to
profess. Dead works do not spring from the Fountain of Living Waters and as
such do not bring joy or satisfaction but drain them, also making the
believer’s life dreary and burdensome which eventually leads to loss of faith.
It may please you to know that Jesus came that we may have joy and the fullness
thereof. Joy is indeed a necessary ingredient for our survival so that stealing
it is an attempt by the enemy, to choke one to death.
2 Corinthians 13: 5 “Test and evaluate yourselves to see whether you
are in the faith and living your lives as committed believers. Examine
yourselves not me! Or do you recognize his about yourselves by an ongoing
experience that Jesus Christ is in you – unless indeed you fail the test and
are rejected as counterfeit.”
James 2: 17 “So you see, faith by itself isn’t good enough. Unless it
produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.”
Armed with all these truth, we
cannot afford to let satan stop us from enjoying the benefits of the victory we
have in Christ. We must guard our hearts, living like pilgrims that we are,
always prepared for the return of our Saviour, inspite of all that the enemy
throws and will continue to throw at us. We must deploy all the instruments of
war we know to ensure that we successfully enforce the victory Jesus won for us
so that we do not live defeated lives here on earth. You cannot be passive
about your faith anymore if you are a believer. It is time to contend earnestly
for our faith. It is time to make up your mind what you want to do about your
faith. We must do all we know to do to resist the enemy that he may flee from
us. It is time to put on your strength “o Zion.”
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