Jesus was very clear in communicating some of the things that believers will face while in this life, especially as we draw closer to His return.
In the Matthew 24, Jesus said the signs of the time would consist of, wars, rumours of wars, nations will rise against nations, and kingdoms against kingdoms, there will be famines, pestilences (epidemic, sickness, pandemics) and earthquakes in various places. However, despite all this Jesus still tells us, “See that you are NOT TROUBLED!”
In other words not to be afraid. The things listed above are evident all around us at the moment and this is why I’m reminding you to stay in faith and encouraged that God has you in the palm of His hand. He will never leave you nor forsake you.
More so the world around us is relying on the Church, knowingly or unknowingly to be a lighthouse of hope in this time. We have the answer, JESUS! The way, the truth and the life! We are told that we need endurance though.
Matthew 24:13, “But he who endures to the end shall be saved.”
To endure means to hold one’s ground, to bear up against adversity or to hold out under stress. I think we all need some endurance in this life right now more than ever before.
We have hope, not only by the fact that we have a place in eternity and Jesus is coming back to fetch His Church, but by the fact that Jesus resides in us, and He has overcome the world. So, we have world overcoming power and presence residing inside of us.
John 16:33 NKJV “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
We need to remain steadfast in the Word of God, steadfast in relationship with the Holy Spirit as well as steadfast in faith. This is how we stay in a place of victory. Yes, that’s right, stay in a place of victory. Jesus paid the price, you and I are seated with Christ in heavenly places. So, we are not praying to a place of victory, but rather from a place of victory.
1 John 5:4-5 NKJV “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Our faith needs to be in the finished work of Jesus Christ, the faithfulness of God as well as the Word of God which is the very nature and character of God which cannot fail. It’s important for us to remember that faith has a voice, corresponding action from a place of rest and peace.
Revelation 12:11 AMP “And they overcame and conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony,…….”
What are the predominant voices you are allowing in your life currently. The news, negativity, strife or is it the promises of God, His faithfulness? What is your testimony? What has God done for you? What is He doing for you? Or what the enemy is doing?
Remember according to Romans 1:16-17, “The just shall live by Faith.”
Keep standing, keep believing and keep expecting and watch and see the delivering mighty hand of God in your life.
We are praying for you continually!