In making disciples of all nations as Jesus commanded in Matthew 28: 19 Jesus expects us to share our experiences with him to the world in truth. Paul’s experience was in love so he said in Romans 8:35, 38; who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Our testimonies can be expressed in many ways, by our lives, words, thoughts, relationship with God and with our fellow men. Our lives speak more than we can ever know and it is by our thoughts that we shall be judged. What responses do we have for perishing souls? Let us prepare our hearts in Christ Jesus to receive his words and to answer some questions about scripture.
In what times are we?
We are in the end times so we must all prepare to meet the heavenly King and Judge any time soon. 2 Timothy 4:4 says for the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths, as for you, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. We must not regard the position of men but the truth of God. Only the truth can overcome the world and its intelligence.
In these times, many in the spirit of the antichrist reject Jesus and his miracles. However, in John 9: 25 the blind man at the pool of Siloam testified and said, whether he (Jesus) is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I know, that though I was blind, now I see. John 3:35 says the Father love the Son, and has given all things into his hand. Matthew 28:18 says all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. As God in flesh and by his divinity, Jesus is not limited in anything but above all powers and authorities.
Jesus has not left us alone but enables us by the Holy Spirit in his church. 1 Corinthians 12: 28 says and God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then healers, helpers, administrators, speakers in various kinds of tongues. Hebrews 13: 8 says Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever. In Exodus 3: 14 his name is, I AM WHO I AM. Psalms 110: 4 says the Lord has sworn and will not change his mind. Malachi 3: 6 says for the Lord do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed. Psalms 46: 10 says be still, and know that I am God. I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.
Who is the Holy Spirit?
He is the power of the Most High, Luke 1: 35; revealer of truth, Luke 2: 26; the teacher, Luke 12: 12; the Counselor, John 14: 26; the vision of God, Acts 7: 55; the witness of God, Acts 20: 23; Hebrews 10: 15; the appointer of leaders, Acts 20: 28; Conscience of God, Romans 9: 1; the giver of hope, Romans 15: 13; the Sanctifier, Romans 15: 16; the worker of miracles, signs and wonders, Romans 15: 18-20; the power of conviction, 1 Thessalonians 1: 5; the power for regeneration and renewal, Titus 3: 3; he cautions us, Hebrews 3: 7-8; speaks from God, 2 Peter 1: 21; enables prayer, Jude 1: 20; gives utterance, Acts 2:4; gives wisdom, knowledge and other gifts, 1 Corinthians 12: 8-10.
God through Christ Jesus wants us to wait upon him on our mission so we may be filled and led by the Holy Spirit. Isaiah 40:31 says they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. So, God is never slow but we are in avoidable haste. Isaiah 55: 8-9 say, for my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
In reckoning of time, 2 Peter 3:8 says but do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. Ecclesiastes 3:6 also says for everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. Exodus 34:6; Psalms 86:15; 103:8; 145:8 say God is slow to anger but abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. We must always engage with the Holy Spirit so we can fit into his scheme for God’s will to be done. We reiterate that Jeremiah 29 :11 says for I know the plans I have for you, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
What is Satan’s character?
Knowledge of our enemy enables us to better prepare for battle. Jesus said in John 10:10, the thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy but he come that we might have life, and have it more abundantly.
Satan’s ambition is stated in Isaiah 14: 12-17 saying how you have fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will make myself like the Most High. But you are brought down to Sheol, to the depths of the Pit. Those who see you will stare at you, and ponder over you: Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms, who made the world like a desert and overthrew its cities, who did not let his prisoners go home?
What must we do now?
Philippians 4:6 says do not be anxious about anything but in prayer and supplication make you request known to God. We must accept Jesus and believe in him as God’s Son who was sent to save us. Jesus said in Matthew 28: 18, all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Romans 14:11 says as I live says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God. Philippians 2:10 also says that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Our situation will bow to Jesus Christ at the mention of his name. This is the acceptable hour to call him.
Prayer
Our Lord Jesus Christ, we return to you in our anxious moments. Help us with answers to questions from perishing souls. You are the true and only Son of the Father to save us. You only know the way to life to eternity so separate us from the ambitions of the world as the enemy has planned for us. Prepare us by the Holy Spirit to show humility and righteousness in working for you. In your name we pray, Amen!!
