Keep Your Perspective as Change Comes

But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior (Isaiah 43:1-3 – NLT).

During our men’s meeting this morning we got into a discussion of the challenges of the day and how to keep our perspective in them. Here’s the skinny of it.

Our world is undergoing significant changes with respect to nations, finance, politics and policies. And by in large Christianity is being looked at more and more as a narrow-minded religion for those with little in their cranial cavity! The “educated elite” are just smarter than to bow to some out-dated, Neanderthal religion like Christianity, so they say. Then, there is arising huge conflicts centered around Israel and their allies. Terrorism based on the Jihad philosophies of Islam is today the most significant threat to world peace. This threat will continue to rise.

The bottom line is that we are living in volatile pre-tribulation days. The world is being prepared for the return of the Son of God. Rapid, volatile change will occur with greater frequency. Things trusted in the past will let you down in the future! The world is changing rapidly as God begins to fulfill His word about Israel and the nations. This age of grace is drawing to a close and we are quickly approaching the age of judgment called The Tribulation.

During this predicted period of time (see Revelation 6-19), 2 billion people will die; one third of the vegetation worldwide will be scorched due to weather changes; and one third of the waters worldwide will be polluted. War unparalleled in history will break out; dramatic earthquakes will occur; and what looks like asteroids and debris from space will strike the earth bringing catastrophic weather changes and pollution. A worldwide government is predicted by scripture. One man will have economic, military, and political control of the nations. We call him anti-Christ because he will be against everything Jesus and the Word of God are for! War and violence will be epidemic.

So with the changes at work currently that are necessary for all these things to come about, we feel the daily pressures in our jobs, in our personal finances, in our social climate, and in our nation as a whole.

And this is where our faith comes into play. We have the promise of the rapture of the church before the tribulation actually begins in full force. It may get hotter than we want it to before we leave, but we none-the-less have the promise from the Word of God that He will rescue us from the wrath to come!

We must therefore maintain an attitude of faith and expectancy every day. Circumstances change, but God’s Word is forever settled in heaven! Don’t yield to the pressure to conform to the unbelief around you. Refuse to be swayed by the opinions of others. Keep your faith focused on the Word. Our God is our supply spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physically, socially, and economically! Pray! Believe you receive! Faith calls those things which do not exist as though they did!

Don’t yield your mind, mouth, and emotions to circumstances. Say what God says about your life! Say out loud my God meets all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus! Say out loud in all these things I am more than a conqueror! Say out loud my God is watching over me and fulfilling His plan to bless me and take care of me and my family. Say out loud with God and me, all things are possible! Take sides with the Word of God and not with your circumstances. Expect God to bless you every day. Believe and say that all things work together for good for me because I love God and I’m called according to His purposes!

This hour demands that our faith be strong. Keep your eyes on your Source not on your circumstances! Jesus’ coming is sure and soon!