Popular Post Last Daze Posted September 3, 2017 Group: Royal Member Followers: 9 Topic Count: 84 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 4,011 Content Per Day: 1.12 Reputation: 2,519 Days Won: 4 Joined: 07/17/2014 Status: Offline Popular Post Share Posted September 3, 2017 I think it would be beneficial to have a topic where we can encourage each other to be ready for the return of Christ. We know that iniquity will abound in the last days and that consequently, the love of many will grow cold. This is why the writer of Hebrews encourages us to stir up one another to love and good works and all the more as we see the day drawing near. We are cautioned numerous times to stay awake and be vigilant so its reasonable to assume that their will be an increasing tendency for us to be lulled into complacency. I'd like for this thread to be a countermeasure against that. The posts can range anywhere from what it means to be ready, to practical guidance in our daily walk with the Lord, to scriptures that encourage us, to knowing and understanding the events around us, to what actions we should take. In as much as it's possible, I'd like to stay away from debating eschatological differences in this thread and focus on the one thing that we all can (I think) agree on, being ready. I think that our being ready primarily depends on being doers of the word. This is what Jesus said makes one wise, and we know that the virgins that were ready were called wise. So, I think a good place to start is an honest look at our lives, at the activities we are engaged in. Some revealing questions to ask ourselves could be: How much time do we spend in prayer and in renewing our minds in the truth? How are we using our spiritual gifts for the edification of the body of Christ? What kinds of things do we treasure? Or put another way, what topics seem to dominate our conversations? Maybe there are activities in our lives that we need to repent of, not necessarily things that are unlawful, but things that aren't exactly expedient. Jesus cautioned against becoming entangled in the cares of this life and just generally wasting time. I find it beneficial on occasion to engage in a perspective check by asking myself these kinds of questions. 2 3 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keras Posted September 3, 2017 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 2 Topic Count: 56 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 1,686 Content Per Day: 0.63 Reputation: 301 Days Won: 0 Joined: 12/31/2016 Status: Offline Birthday: 08/07/1941 Share Posted September 3, 2017 What we need to be ready for is what must happen before the glorious Return of Jesus. And many prophesies tell us that for those who stand firm in their faith on the Day that things get real bad, then God promises He will pour out His blessings upon all His faithful people. Isaiah 30:18, Ezekiel 34:11-16, Isaiah 32:15-20, Romans 8:18 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psalms37:4 Posted September 3, 2017 Group: Senior Member Followers: 2 Topic Count: 20 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 569 Content Per Day: 0.23 Reputation: 75 Days Won: 0 Joined: 07/30/2017 Status: Offline Share Posted September 3, 2017 Hebrews 10:24-25 New King James Version (NKJV) 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25 Good News Translation (GNT) 24 Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to do good. 25 Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more, since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer. 1 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Last Daze Posted September 4, 2017 Group: Royal Member Followers: 9 Topic Count: 84 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 4,011 Content Per Day: 1.12 Reputation: 2,519 Days Won: 4 Joined: 07/17/2014 Status: Offline Author Popular Post Share Posted September 4, 2017 15 hours ago, Keras said: What we need to be ready for is what must happen before the glorious Return of Jesus. And many prophesies tell us that for those who stand firm in their faith on the Day that things get real bad, then God promises He will pour out His blessings upon all His faithful people. Isaiah 30:18, Ezekiel 34:11-16, Isaiah 32:15-20, Romans 8:18 I agree that things will get worse before they get better. In Matthew 24 Jesus' initial response was for us to take heed that we are not deceived. Truth will be flung to the ground and lies will be prevalent. This increase in deception leads to immorality and lawlessness, causing the love of many to grow cold. I don't think any of us knows exactly what to expect which is why it is critical that we gain spiritual wisdom through acting on the teachings of Jesus (Matthew 7:24-27). When we walk in the Spirit we acquire the discernment needed to make wise decisions and persevere through whatever might come our way. 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Marilyn C Posted September 5, 2017 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 30 Topic Count: 266 Topics Per Day: 0.07 Content Count: 13,200 Content Per Day: 3.49 Reputation: 8,497 Days Won: 12 Joined: 12/21/2013 Status: Offline Birthday: 10/06/1947 Popular Post Share Posted September 5, 2017 12 hours ago, Last Daze said: When we walk in the Spirit we acquire the discernment needed to make wise decisions and persevere through whatever might come our way. Hi Last Daze, That is so true and all the more as the days grow darker. Now remember I said that I thought that ` a door was opening...` Well when I came home from helping my friend who had been in hospital, my hubby, Trevor, had this scripture he had just been reading - ` For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.` (1 Cor. 16: 9) Amazing how the Lord confirms with each other. So looking forward to these wonderful opportunities that the Lord is `opening` for all of us. Especially as the days grow darker, I believe that people will be drawn to the `light` of God in our lives, the hope, the joy, the thankfulness, when all around is despair, negativeness, fear and doubt. all the best bro, in His service, Marilyn. 2 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post frienduff thaylorde Posted September 5, 2017 Group: Mars Hill Followers: 17 Topic Count: 18 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 13,256 Content Per Day: 5.34 Reputation: 1 Days Won: 62 Joined: 07/07/2017 Status: Offline Birthday: 03/25/1972 Popular Post Share Posted September 5, 2017 12 hours ago, Last Daze said: I agree that things will get worse before they get better. In Matthew 24 Jesus' initial response was for us to take heed that we are not deceived. Truth will be flung to the ground and lies will be prevalent. This increase in deception leads to immorality and lawlessness, causing the love of many to grow cold. I don't think any of us knows exactly what to expect which is why it is critical that we gain spiritual wisdom through acting on the teachings of Jesus (Matthew 7:24-27). When we walk in the Spirit we acquire the discernment needed to make wise decisions and persevere through whatever might come our way. Amen. Dig in people dig in. A great door from which a great FLOOD of adversaries comes forth soon. its building in the minds of many even now as we speak. Let us have no fear of what is coming. Just embrace the LORD and know the REWARD is great. eternal life is something none of us deserved, but by grace have received. Jesus bled for all, soon many of us will bleed for him. Just remember pray forgiveness for them. But understand truly a great massive persecution against us is building . It had to end in someones generation. And the signs show us very clear what days these be. Just be blessed and praise the LORD. 4 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Last Daze Posted September 9, 2017 Group: Royal Member Followers: 9 Topic Count: 84 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 4,011 Content Per Day: 1.12 Reputation: 2,519 Days Won: 4 Joined: 07/17/2014 Status: Offline Author Share Posted September 9, 2017 I posted this in a different topic which expresses something that I wanted to share here: Just because someone sees something differently than you do doesn't mean that they are deep in deceit. People rationalize things emotionally as well as intellectually. This is why there's such a disconnect between pretribbers and posttribbers, because we don't all process information the same way. They wind up talking past each other and wonder why the "other side" doesn't get it. Everyone, to varying degrees, is emotional and intellectual, believers and unbelievers alike. What separates believers from unbelievers is the indwelling Holy Spirit and the spiritual discernment that He gives us when we walk in the truth. Those of the world are incapable of this discernment and it is this discernment that will be the extra oil that we need to be prepared for whatever might come our way. It doesn't matter if our eschatology is derived primarily from emotion or intellect so long as we don't allow it to affect our spiritual worship of God, our obedience to His will. Emotion and intellect are human traits that will fail us if we trust in them, but the godly wisdom we obtain through obedience is the rock we need for our house to stand. Maybe its time that we focus more on what matters, on building up the body of Christ and encouraging each other since the days are evil and the time is short. I've put together a little booklet on being ready that applies to all believers without regard for a specific rapture viewpoint. If you're interested, you can download it here: Essential Oil. 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghtan Posted September 11, 2017 Group: Advanced Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 0 Topics Per Day: 0 Content Count: 422 Content Per Day: 0.12 Reputation: 216 Days Won: 0 Joined: 10/21/2014 Status: Offline Share Posted September 11, 2017 I think learning to lead a simple life is crucial to being prepared. Then we have less to hold us back if we have to run. And if we will more likely resist taking the mark if we have fewer assets to lose by doing so. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Last Daze Posted September 12, 2017 Group: Royal Member Followers: 9 Topic Count: 84 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 4,011 Content Per Day: 1.12 Reputation: 2,519 Days Won: 4 Joined: 07/17/2014 Status: Offline Author Share Posted September 12, 2017 On 9/11/2017 at 1:11 AM, ghtan said: I think learning to lead a simple life is crucial to being prepared. Then we have less to hold us back if we have to run. And if we will more likely resist taking the mark if we have fewer assets to lose by doing so. I agree. Jesus cautioned against becoming entangled with the things of this world, with the worries of this life. Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap. Luke 21:34 Our perspective should be to count everything as loss, and Christ as gain. The things of this world will pass away. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serving Posted September 12, 2017 Group: Senior Member Followers: 4 Topic Count: 22 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 934 Content Per Day: 0.27 Reputation: 905 Days Won: 2 Joined: 09/05/2014 Status: Offline Birthday: 10/14/1969 Share Posted September 12, 2017 On 04/09/2017 at 2:34 AM, Last Daze said: I think it would be beneficial to have a topic where we can encourage each other to be ready for the return of Christ. We know that iniquity will abound in the last days and that consequently, the love of many will grow cold. This is why the writer of Hebrews encourages us to stir up one another to love and good works and all the more as we see the day drawing near. We are cautioned numerous times to stay awake and be vigilant so its reasonable to assume that their will be an increasing tendency for us to be lulled into complacency. I'd like for this thread to be a countermeasure against that. The posts can range anywhere from what it means to be ready, to practical guidance in our daily walk with the Lord, to scriptures that encourage us, to knowing and understanding the events around us, to what actions we should take. In as much as it's possible, I'd like to stay away from debating eschatological differences in this thread and focus on the one thing that we all can (I think) agree on, being ready. I think that our being ready primarily depends on being doers of the word. This is what Jesus said makes one wise, and we know that the virgins that were ready were called wise. So, I think a good place to start is an honest look at our lives, at the activities we are engaged in. Some revealing questions to ask ourselves could be: How much time do we spend in prayer and in renewing our minds in the truth? How are we using our spiritual gifts for the edification of the body of Christ? What kinds of things do we treasure? Or put another way, what topics seem to dominate our conversations? Maybe there are activities in our lives that we need to repent of, not necessarily things that are unlawful, but things that aren't exactly expedient. Jesus cautioned against becoming entangled in the cares of this life and just generally wasting time. I find it beneficial on occasion to engage in a perspective check by asking myself these kinds of questions. Hi Daze, Good points. To be "Lovers of God rather than lovers of pleasure" is a big one I try everyday to uphold. It is so easy in this modern world with nearly every temptation at our fingertips to either slip into our old ways or simply give in to temptation now and then, that one must constantly be on guard not to give in to the cravings of the flesh which constantly wars against the spirit. Those single Christians like myself must make it a top priority to stay chaste for the Lord, this is of utmost importance, for "no fornicator/adulterer will enter into the kingdom of heaven", and this I think is one of the hardest things for a human to do, deny him/herself of those feelings/wants/desires especially when loneliness has taken up residence like some unwelcome housemate. Yet is possible to achieve, and though it can get frustrating at times, the thoughts that constantly uphold me when temptation calls from the "fairer sex", are these simple thoughts, "I don't want to disappoint the Lord any more than I must already do, Oh Lord, give me strength I pray".. other words, even in times of temptation, if we keep the Lord foremost in our thoughts, we have a very good chance of resisting temptation .. and even when our flesh does it's best to make excuses to block those thoughts out, especially "in the moment" where it is in our hands to take the bait "hook, line and sinker" as it were, just keeping the door of our thoughts ajar in mindfulness to the Lord is usually enough for us to overcome temptation and resist what we otherwise might not have if that door was slammed shut for the sake of our "pleasure". Suppose all I am saying is this, keep the Lord in our thoughts in every situation (even when our flesh is screaming at us NOT TO) and we will always have a way out of temptation .. because if we don't do this EVERY single day, we will fall. God bless. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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