We are living not only in perilous times but also deceiving times, and this will require that we guard our hearts closely.
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” II Timothy 3:1-5 NKJV
Does this not sound like the times we are living in?
All throughout the scriptures we are admonished and exhorted to watch our souls-guard our hearts, and I encourage you today to take this seriously. Whether we are in the end times or just another age of trials we must not be slack in our faith. We must not be lazy in any way. We must be prayerful, watchful and awake. We do this by paying attention to what is coming out of our mouths and by what we are drawn to most. What or who has your attention right now? What or whom do you treasure most? Where our affections are found is a sure sign of our hearts devotion.
Often times it’s a slow fade, where we don’t even recognize that something has changed in our hearts towards God versus acts of all out sinfulness. We are warned in the scriptures about being lukewarm.
Nevertheless, when we are convicted and reminded by the Holy Spirit we must respond, asking him to reveal the true condition of our hearts. He is the revealer of all things-especially our wayward hearts.
A few months ago I was prompted by the Spirit of God to revisit the passages in Revelations where the angels were sent to the seven churches. I encourage to go there as well and honestly ask the Lord where you too may need to repent. Have you lost your first love as those in Ephesus had?
““To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’” Revelation 2:1-7 NKJV
Each of the seven churches were doing good things …. pause for a second….but God was gracious in revealing what also needed change.
Are you opened to God showing you some things? We know he’s for us and not against us, but even our good things don’t measure up sometimes and we need him to course correct us right?
Each of us are doing good things but are possibly falling short in areas that require another look, repentance and humility right now.
These messages to the seven churches are warnings for us now, so I encourage you to visit them often.
As we look at the overarching narrative of scripture we see the warnings to guard our hearts against idolatry throughout every time and age. Israel was always going wayward in their hearts. We are reminded by the prophet Isaiah that we are like sheep:
“All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:6 NKJV
We all need mercy, because we sin in ways we do not even realize. Forget about the ways that you know you sin. We sin in ways we do not know every day. And that doesn’t mean that you live a lifestyle of sin -that just means that we are humble enough to say to God, ourselves, and others that we are totally dependent upon him and not we ourselves.
Personally and nationally we must ask God to show us where we fall short in the greatest commandment of all: “Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.”
In this time of political uncertainty and divisiveness, we must ask God to put a guard over our mouths and ask for the empowerment of Holy Spirit. We must seek the kingdom of God and it’s righteousness above all else-especially the kingdoms of this world, and may we put on the full armor of God daily, so as to not be deceived by the schemes of the devil.
Prayer must be a priority for all of us right now. God grants us insight and strength in prayer and we will need his strength in the days months and years to come.
Worshiping God in a community of believers is important right now, as we are safer in community than by ourselves. It is in community where we hear from God together.
Tithing also stands out to me as important right now. Many of you reading this already give to your local churches but for those who do not, I feel responsible to share this with you. I’ve never been one to talk much about money as I believe it has been a place of manipulation and abuse in many churches, but I must obey the Lord today as I write this.
““Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21 NKJV
Churches will be storehouses for many in the days to come. More on that later.
And finally we must be people grounded in the scriptures.
“How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:14-17 NKJV
We must be ready and instant in this season to share our faith in Jesus Christ. Proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom. People will need us in the months and years to come. Be prepared by keeping your lamps full and lit as the parable in scripture reminds us. Make your times of communion with God the Holy Spirit a top priority for the kingdom of God is within you.
We live at a juncture of time that is requiring more from us friends, so we must make the necessary changes to meet the challenges of our day.
Love and prayers,
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