Get Your House in Order

Matthew 24:36

“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”

Although we don’t like to think about it, and most of us surely don’t live like it, we are living in the last days.  The Bible tells us in Matthew 24:37-39, “but as the days of Noah were, so shall the coming of man be.  For as in the days that were before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall the coming of the Son of man be.”

This is so true.  We seem to not take the teachings and prophecies of the Bible very seriously.  We live as we want, and everything that is worldly encourages it.  Television, movies, and music all promote violence, drinking, drugs, homosexuality, pornography, and anything else you can think of that is strictly prohibited and spoken against in God’s word.  People tend to think that if someone “famous” endorses it by living that type of lifestyle, and are prosperous, then it’s okay. Well, it’s not okay, and on that last and final day, we will have to answer for all that we’ve done, all that we’ve said, all that we’ve thought.

The saying “get your house in order” is not referring to our physical dwelling place, but rather our spiritual lives.  We, and that includes me, need to start thinking of the physical and eternal consequences of our actions.  Do you want to be at that “meeting around the throne”, or do you want to be where the fire is not quenched (Mark 9:44), and where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt. 24:51)?  What wrongs have you committed against someone that you need to right? What sins have you committed that you have not repented of? Are you still holding a grudge against someone that hurt you years ago?  That’s one thing I’m guilty of.  Sometimes it’s so hard to let go of that anger.  Do you catch yourself wishing that something bad would happen to that person, or do you catch yourself trying to exact revenge on that person?   Revenge is not ours to take.  “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.”  (Romans 12:19)   I don’t know about you, but I want to be counted among the faithful few that will be able to hear God say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

The time is now.  Tomorrow is not promised to any of us.  Don’t you think God is giving us, and has given us, many warnings?  Look at all the things that are going on in this world today.  These things can’t be taken lightly, nor can we “get religious” only when things like this happen, and drop it when everything seems to return to normal.  It’s going to be in one of those normal times that something could happen to drastically change your life. Why don’t you join me in doing what 2 Peter 1:10 says, “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if you do these things, ye shall never fall.”

Always on Time
Isaiah 55:8; Galatians 4:10

In our fast-paced world, just like the Burger King slogan says, we want everything “our way, right away”. We want instant wealth, and instant solutions to our problems. Forget “good things come to those who wait”. We want everything in an instant. But, sometimes instant doesn’t always mean better.

With God, things are not always instant. He does things His way, and in His own time. There’s nothing we can do to rush Him, either. God is never late, though. He’s always on time. Let me take you back in time to several instances where God was right on time…

In Daniel 3:23-25, God delivered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego from the fiery furnace. While in the midst of the fire, the king noticed them walking around, with nothing wrong with them, and with a being described as being in the form of the son of God.

SHADRACH, MESHACH, AND ABEDNEGO—DELIVERED, AND RIGHT ON TIME!

In Daniel 6:12-22, Daniel was cast into the den of lions for refusing to heed the king’s decree of not praying to any God for 30 days, except the king. Because of the stand he took, God protected Daniel by sending an angel to shut the mouths of the lions, and no harm befell Daniel.

DANIEL—DELIVERED, AND RIGHT ON TIME!

In John 11:43-44, after being dead four days, Jesus raised Daniel from the dead. Yes, Jesus could’ve been there to prevent Lazarus’ death, if He had so chosen. But, He decided to wait two days before He left for Judea, where Lazarus lived. Why, you ask? In order to glorify God, that’s why.

LAZARUS—DELIVERED AND RIGHT ON TIME!

There are many more instances in the Bible where God delivered, and right on time. His time, though, not our time. So, the next time you’re feeling discouraged about your situation, and feel as if God has abandoned you, just remember the deliverance stories mentioned in this newsletter, and others in the Bible. If He did it for them, I know He’ll do it for you.

Just like the Dottie People’s song says, “He may not come when you want Him, but He’s always right on time!”

Life’s Stumbling Blocks
Matthew 11:29-30

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

On my desk at work sits a card that is part of a collection called Recipes for the Soul. It’s entitled “Bumpy Road Ahead” and it reads, “In order to endure, you will need resilience and discipline.” It also includes a phrase from a man named Jack Penn that says, “One of the secrets of life is to make stepping stones out of stumbling blocks.”

That phrase is so true. It’s a given that at sometime in our life, we will come upon many stumbling blocks. They will come at us in the form of heartache, trials, tribulations, and many other forms. But, we shouldn’t let these stumbling blocks hinder us from moving forward in our lives, or from enjoying the many blessings God has bestowed upon us.

If you are in the midst of a time where it seems like there is nothing but stumbling blocks, I urge you to be strong and hold on to God’s unchanging hand. Things will get better. You will fall, but all you have to do is get right back up. God is there waiting for you with outstretched arms. He never intended for us to face the trials of life alone. He wants us to come to Him, lean on Him, and let Him take care of it all.

Let me leave you with some words from some of my favorite gospel songs. First, as James Bignon tells us, “There is a blessing on the other side of through and that what God has in store for you is better than what you are going through.” Secondly, Donnie McClurkin tells us, “When you’ve done all you can do, you just stand.”

Anchored

2 Corinthians 4:8-9, Hebrews 6:19

“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;” (II Cor. 4:8-9) “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that veil within;” (Hebrews 6:19)

Times are tough, and sometimes it seems that every waking moment, we have a new problem to face. And sometimes, it seems like the trials and tribulations we must face come back to back, and are more than we can bear.

I know that there are many times that we feel as if we’re in the middle of a storm-tossed sea, with no hope in sight, but there is hope. Grab hold of The Anchor; the one that will never fail and the one that is always there. Grab hold and don’t let go. Let the anchor become so embedded in your soul that nothing or no one can steer you off course.

Even with Jesus Christ as your anchor, don’t think trials and tribulations won’t come your way. The storms will come, and your faith will be tested. You’ll feel as if you’re the only one having hard times.

But just hold on and don’t let go. You’ll soon realize that your Anchor is steadfast and secure. He will bring you through even the toughest of situations. Not only is Jesus our anchor, He’s the light at the end of the tunnel. He’s our hope, our reassurance. He’s our deliverance and our redeemer. He’s our protection and our savior. He’s all we need to make it through.

The anchor is there, all you need to do is stretch out your hand, grab hold, and never let go!