Wars and Trumpets

It seems that the world around us feels, unsettled. People are feeling angry, stressed, worried, and scared. As I watch social media posts, breaking news, and text message threads it makes me wonder… Are we seeing scripture lived out? Are we watching the beginning of the end; are we already almost to the end? I remember when I was 15 years old and people saying over and over that 1/1/2000 was going to be the end of the world. At that time I thought to myself…”it can’t be now! I can’t even drive yet, I want to get married and have a family! It’s too soon!” Fast Forward to 1/1/2000 and it was just another day. No trumpet…no change at all. It seems sporadically, over time, we would have the same “doomsday” prediction, and once again it became just another day.

But now… with wars looming, people hating people, children being kidnapped and sold into sex slavery, babies being murdered before they’ve had a chance to live, and so many other terrible things… could it be close? Two days after the USA bombed the nuclear sites in Iran, there are planes circling above our community. Families are making plans if things start to go badly. People are genuinely afraid of the possible retaliation and what that will look like. Unlike the 15 year old me, I’m not at all worried about tomorrow but I do feel an urgency to show people a hope beyond what happens here. A promise that no matter what today looks like, eternity will be different. That promise changes everything.

There is a new song that just came out by Phil Whickham which plays on loop in my mind. It’s called “Homesick for Heaven.” I fully believe it was released at this particular time for specifically this particular time. I have many favorite parts of the song, but the line that gets me every time is talking about one day when we are reunited with those we love; it says, ” Where death is a memory and tears are no more, to hear the angels praise, can you even imagine?” Can you? Can you imagine what it will be like when we are in eternity, watching the angels praise, and being in the tangible presence of the Lord? No more fear, no more war, no more death, no more tears, no more pain, no more cancer, no more loss, no more taxes :), the only thing that will remain is peace, worship, freedom, health, and so many other things the father promised to His children.

What’s the catch? Not everyone will be there. THAT is where my mind and heart is right now with so many unknowns. There’s absolutely nothing I can do about what is going on around me, but I CAN point others to Him. I can share my testimony with others; I can be an example of what walking in closeness with the Lord looks like. The ONLY way to experience eternity of peace, worship, freedom, health, etc… is to KNOW the Savior of the world. The Father to the fatherless, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Beginning and the End, the Redeemer, the only one who is truly Victorious over death. What are you doing to point your family to Him?

We spend a lot of time and money acquiring things and status… but when that Trumpet sounds, the only thing going with you are other believers. I think for much of the time we don’t really grasp that. It’s not that we don’t care, but we just don’t think about it. I truly believe it’s time to change that. It’s time to fight for your families, fight for your friends, fight for your coworkers, fight for your neighbors, and even fight for your enemies. Eternity IS coming one day, either now or later… but it’s coming and everyone will be somewhere.

I know I’ve mentioned the “Roman Road” Previously and maybe it clicked for some, but maybe some read right over it, but I want to post again but please take the time to read it and do an inventory of your life. Where will you spend eternity? Once you KNOW that for yourself, make your life, your family, your world your mission field. Win souls to HIM, don’t let one person pass you without them knowing who the Lord is and that He has GREAT plans for them.

1. Acknowledge that you’re a sinner – Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
   • Sin is what separates us from God, we cannot be in His presence in this life or in eternity as sinners. It is impossible.
2. Recognize that JESUS came to die in order for our sinfulness to be forgiven in the eyes of the Lord – Romans 5:8 – But God showed HIS love toward us in that while we were STILL sinners, Christ died for us.
   • Because God wants us to spend eternity with Him, He sent the perfect sacrifice in His son.
3. Understand that because we are sinners, on our own we deserve death – Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death BUT the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
   • We deserve death, we do not on our own deserve an eternity in the presence of the Lord BUT again, God doesn’t want that for us, so He provided a way.
4. BELIEVE that Jesus died for YOU and declare that you will make Him the Lord of your life. – Romans 10:9 – If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you WILL be saved.
   • It really is that simple. We add a lot of “buts” and additional steps, but it truly is only believing, and acknowledging who HE is that opens that door to salvation.
5. Accept the Promise – Romans 10:13 – For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved!
   • Believe it, acknowledge it, and accept it.

Pray, right now for the Lord to come into your life, confess to Him that you are a sinner, and that you want forgiveness for the things you’ve said, done, and will say/do in the future as you are a human. Acknowledge that He sent his son to die for you so that in that you are able to be forgiven and accept HIS free gift of eternal life. Ask Him to take control of your life, to lead you, to guide you, and to show you HIS way in everything you do! And then follow him.

After this, tell everyone you know and encourage them to come to know the Lord too!

If you don’t have a church home or church family, I would encourage you to find one. Learn more about Him, read the bible (if you’re reading this you can access a bible), find out who He is and what all He wants for you and your family. If you don’t know where to start, come to my Church!!! I’ll save you a seat 🙂 wrcchurch.com.

Rest easy… know that the Lord told us we would face trouble, we would see wars, there would be weather events, and there would be an end. He also said, Take Heart and be of great courage because HE has overcome the world.

If you are a believer I would love to hear your story!

If you are still on the fence, I’d love to chat about it with you!

If you are a hard no, I’d still love to chat about it with you!