New year, New problems…
Revelation 12 verse 11
They triumphed over him
by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much
as to shrink from death.
Well folks, that’s a wrap, 2020 is in the books and we can move on into the exciting frontier of 2021. It’s gotta get better right? It has to be. Somebody please tell me that 2021 is going to be a better year!
All kidding aside, I truly am looking forward to this next year. Not because I’m expecting the world to mellow out, in fact the Bible tells us the opposite. I'm almost certain it's going to get much crazier. The scriptures tell us there is a spirit in the world working against Christ and His people. More and more we are going to see lawlessness and self centeredness be promoted as righteousness. In the words of the famous Billy Joel, “We didn't start the fire, It was always burning, since the world's been turning.” Folks this world is fallen and expecting anything more than fallen-ness from a fallen world is kind of delusional. So what do we do? Do we crawl into a hole and make tin foil hats? Do we condemn the world and hide in fancy church buildings until the Rapture? I have a feeling that’s not the direction Jesus is leading His church. No... As revelation 12 states, we win. We have the victory, we overcome because we let go of our lives and receive Jesus’s life. That’s what I’m setting my sights on.
As the world grows darker, I am looking to learn how to let go of my life, and fasten myself to the light of the world, Jesus. I wanna learn to be like the first church disciples who knew that suffering for Christ is always followed by Glory. How do you think that the apostles were able to rejoice after being beat in the temple? I believe they found a secret only obtainable through suffering and forsaking self. The point where the laid down life of a believer and hardship meet is where the glory of God is released on earth.
The apostles knew that the harder it got the more God showed up. I don't believe anyone enjoys suffering. I don’t believe that the first church looked for it or purposely put themselves in positions to suffer. I do believe that when things got hard they embraced it, let go of themselves, and stepped into more of Jesus. So are you ready? Have you made the choice of where to put your focus this year? I know that I'm still learning and I still have a long way to go, but I know who I'm following.
So 2021, bring it on. As the world goes crazy, I'm gonna grow my love for God and for people (even bad people and hard to love people). As the nations rage and persecute believers, I'm going to continue to preach Jesus and be filled with Joy. As men and women declare themselves god I’m going to continue to declare JESUS IS KING!!!!
Love,
Pastor John