HEBREWS 10:25 TRANSLATIONS
Let us not neglect our church
meetings as some people do,
but encourage and warn each other…
Do not stay away from the meetings
of our community as some do,
but encourage each other to go…
And let us not hold aloof from our
church meetings, as some do. Let us
do all we can to help one another’s faith…
Let us not give up the habit of meeting
together, as some are doing, instead
let us encourage each other…
Run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto
Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy
that was set before him endured the cross, despising the
shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
A 100-yard dash is much different than a marathon. A dash is quickly over, but a marathon takes a different type of mental training, faith, and endurance. Our lives are like a marathon and running this type of race without patience is hardly considered a marathon. Life can appear overwhelming and the natural response can be to panic, or maybe we become overly concerned about what lies ahead of us! We are reminded in scriptures that the race we are running must be run with patience. And we see the example of our Lord. He patiently endured with faith, looking toward His Father. There were many things that challenged Him. We see throughout scriptures how He handled his challenges. It may be hard for us to understand but the bible teaches us that he was calm during sudden storms. He even patiently endured the events leading up to and occurring on the cross.
When things become so overwhelming, He told us to cast our cares on Him because He cares for us! That helps us to slow the pace and realize that there is One who has gone before us. He knows the way. He has finished the race! Hallelujah! We see the reward that He has received; He currently sits at the right hand of God! Let us endure with patience as well and don’t stop running the race because one day we will eventually reach our destination!
“Where is the promise of his coming? For since
the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as
they were from the beginning of the creation.”
(II Peter 3:4)
OFFICIAL SOUNDING VOICES
Have you been listening lately to all the “official” sounding voices in our world — everyone from neighbors and their opinions, to news, to talking heads, to agencies around the world. We are constantly being bombarded with voices about impending dangers and signs of what a new normal may look like.
THE VOICE OF THE SPIRIT AND OTHER VOICES
If you take a moment to turn off all the chatter and sit in silence, there is another voice that is in the earth, and this voice also has the ability to speak expressively. It is the voice of the Spirit! The Spirit of God can reveal to us signs of things to come, as well! These signs were first spoken of by the Old Testament prophets, and then by the Lord, and followed by New Testament teachers. These all spoke of the coming of the Lord! Those who are caught up in the affairs of this world will pay unnecessary attention to what the world says (I John 4:5). The world speaks in terms of politics and sports, and stocks, bonds, and investments, entertainment and pleasures. The world has little concern for a God and His Savior!
DOING BUSINESS AS USUAL AND THEN THE GREATEST CRISIS
The voices that are in the world just want to get a crisis over and let us return to normal to do business as usual. But…it is written: “The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (I Thessalonians 4:16-18.) This worldwide event will change the course of the world and after that no one will be able to escape the things that will come on the entire world (I Thessalonians 5:3; Luke 21:34-35.) Many, including the majority of the church world, have not stopped to consider this. This great event could be tonight! The world does not fully understand this event and many have even mocked at it, nevertheless, the great resurrection will take place suddenly; faster than any sweeping virus (I Thessalonians 15:52)! Thank God, there is a part of destruction, disease, famine, and death that the church will not experience because those events belong to another day (time or season) (I Thessalonians 5:2-5).
There certainly is a difference between the resurrection of God’s people and Christ’s second coming. (The purpose of this article is not to discuss the two in detail.) Just note that both these events will happen suddenly and without warning (I Corinthians 15:51-52; Revelation 22:12)!
It seems that many think we have time to recover and things might get back to normal; but that is unlikely. What if the events that are currently taking place in our world are just a brief precursor to the great resurrection — which is Christ’s return for His church! Will you be ready?
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not
lean on your own understanding.
(Proverbs 3:5)
3 The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect
peace, Because he trusts in You.
(Isaiah 26:3)
34 So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow
will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
(Matthew 6:34)
13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common
to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted
beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide
the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
(I Corinthians 10:13)
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made
known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which
surpasses all comprehension, will guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:6-7)
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty
hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
(I Peter 5:6-7)
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KAM Night School
Join us on Zoom in celebration of KAM’s 100th anniversary. This week’s night school session focuses on Pastor Lillian Mason and the development of KAM-Indy (formally known as Mt. Zion Apostolic Church). There will be fun facts, games, as well as historical details. Because it is a celebratory class, we invite both ministers and lay members to attend. So, please join us in the Zoom classroom at 7:30 p.m. EST.
Zoom Meeting ID: 81918741506
Passcode: 776516
PCAFI Christian Ed. Aux. (ICEA) Articles 