“Lord, what about 2023?”
The Soldier
The Athlete
The Farmer
Paul writes to Timothy telling him to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus: Soldier, do not entangle yourself with the affairs of life. Athlete, compete according to the rules to win your race. Farmer, work hard and be first to partake of the crops; after all what the farmer plants he gets to eat first. The Book of Timothy continues on to admonish all those in Christ to present yourself a worker who rightly divides the word of truth, sanctified and useful for the Master’s work. Why? Because of what’s ahead:
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
Why?
Because denying the power of God is to deny the Holy Spirit of God who is at work through the Body to enforce the Kingdom of God on earth to heal the sick, cast out devils, and raise the dead!
“But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (See 2 Timothy Chapter 3)
Paul continues to encourage Timothy and reveal the future:
“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:
Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:1-5)
If there’s one word that keeps coming up to me in these scriptures it’s “separation.” And that’s not always easy to do, but necessary. The bottom line in making decisions as to who you will continue to have close fellowship with when they are no longer on the same page with you is this: just how important is God’s Word in your life? How much are you willing to compromise the Gospel for? How much compromise or silence are you willing to embrace for the sake of remaining quiet? If close bonds with certain others continually leave you feeling a loss of joy after being with them, it may be time to “from such turn away.”
If this seems harsh, think about Jesus. His mother and brothers wanted Him to stop preaching and come outside so they could rebuke Him. What was His response to His family?
“While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. Then one said to Him, ‘Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.
“But He answered and said to the one who told Him, ‘Who is My mother and who are My brothers? And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:46-50)
The Soldier, the Athlete, the Farmer were all “faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2) Each one was one hundred percent committed to fulfilling their assignment. Each one gave it their all without compromise. These are good examples but do not compare with Jesus’ commitment, all the way to the end. If He had been pulled away…where would you and I be today???
Guard your heart, guard your anointing.
The End of the End Days
Matthew Chapter 24 describes times of great tribulation coming upon one generation. Jesus describes these days as being like the days of Noah, which were exceedingly wicked, so much so that God our Father was sorry He had made man. What debauchery! (Genesis 6:6) Are we not seeing this? What are we to do?
Remember who you are in Christ! Pray at least 30 minutes in tongues every morning. Study scripture. Jesus’ return could be any day. That means stay united in Him and let not your heart become weary that you let go of your assignment to intercede for the lost.
The Intercessors have great power and authority to cast devils out as they unite in heavenly places over every city, every county, every state. This is where we are seated together in the power of the Holy Spirit. And frankly, I don’t think we can have that fullness without praying in tongues. We all need to step up our time in the Spirit now. Blessed is the man who Jesus finds doing his job when He returns in the air to remove His Body.
Remember, the soldier had to press through his fear of death to take the land from the enemy. He was driven to accomplish his assignment no matter what the cost! The athlete, as he was running the last lap, was tired, hurting and weary, but he could see and hear his coach cheering him on, “Keep going, you can do this, do not give up, don’t stop now. You will win this race and receive the victor’s crown!” The farmer had great faith through many storms, believing that what he planted, fertilized, and cared for would yield an amazing harvest.
Remember, the soldier had to press through his fear of death to take the land from the enemy. He was driven to accomplish his assignment no matter what the cost! The athlete, as he was running the last lap, was tired, hurting and weary, but he could see and hear his coach cheering him on, “Keep going, you can do this, do not give up, don’t stop now. You will win this race and receive the victor’s crown!” The farmer had great faith through many storms, believing that what he planted, fertilized, and cared for would yield an amazing harvest.
Saints, Jesus is with us. Do not fear. Feed on God’s Word. Continue to intercede and pray more in tongues. The victory line is just ahead...
Jesus is there!