Soon
If the coming of the Lord was near when I was a boy, imagine how much closer it is today.
The songwriter of long ago seems to be talking about our times. Listen.
Years of time have come and gone
Since I first heard it told
How Jesus would come again some day
If back then it seemed so real
Then I just can't help but feel
How much closer His coming is today
Signs of the times are everywhere
There's a brand new feeling in the air
Keep your eyes upon the eastern sky
Lift up your head, redemption draweth nigh
Wars and strife on every hand
And violence fills the land
Still some people doubt He'll ever come again
Oh, but the Word of God is true
He'll redeem His chosen few
So don't lose hope for soon Christ Jesus will descend
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Gordon Jensen
Redemption Draweth Nigh lyrics © Wb Music Corp., Warner Olive Music Llc.
The other songwriter spoke to the matter also.
Troublesome times are here, filling men's hearts with fear
Freedom we all hold dear now is at stake
Humbling your hearts to God saves from the
chastening rod
Seek the way pilgrims trod, Christians awake
Jesus is coming soon, morning or night or noon
Many will meet their doom, trumpets will sound
All of the dead shall rise, righteous meet in the skies
Going where no one dies, heavenward bound
Troubles will soon be o'er, happy forevermore
When we meet on that shore, free from all care
Rising up in the sky, telling this world goodbye
Homeward we then shall fly, glory to share
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: R. E. Winsett
Jesus Is Coming Soon lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc
And we have a third witness.
Soon and very soon,
We are going to see the King,
Soon and very soon,
We are going to see the King.
Soon and very soon,
We are going to see the King,
Hallelujah, hallelujah,
We are going to see the King.
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Andrae Crouch
Soon and Very Soon lyrics © Crouch Music Corp., Bud-john Songs Inc.
And, the Bible tells us what to do concerning the matter.
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:25. -PJF-
And now a word from our Pastor…
Avoid & Do Not Strive
But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
2 Timothy 2:23-26
Avoid: (1) to keep away from; keep clear of; shun (2)to prevent from happening
Law. (3) to make void or of no effect
Strive: (1) to exert oneself vigorously; try hard: (2) to make strenuous efforts toward any goal: (3) to contend in opposition, battle, or any conflict; compete. (4) to struggle vigorously, as in opposition or resistance: (5) to rival; vie.
Source: Dictionary.com
When coming across those who are hardened to the gospel, the answer isn’t to “try harder” or strive. No, the solution is much simpler. Avoid their tactics. The foolish and unlearned questions are the tactics of the hard hearted and stiff necked people who are not interested in hearing anything about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Questions like, “If there was a God, then why would he allow so much suffering and poverty?” “If God heals, then why didn’t he heal my daughter? Why did she have to die?” “How can you believe in a God who is always angry and wants to destroy people?” These questions, as “harmless” as they might sound coming out of their mouths, are tactics used to trap you. Avoid them.
Usually these questions will lead to a heated debate and could cause you to get out of control. In the end, you are the one looking foolish. Prevent this from happening. Keep away from those questions and the nonsense. Verse 24 says the servant of the Lord must not strive. Jesus has already done the hard part. The finished work of Jesus Christ paved the way for the Holy Spirit to come upon God’s people. It’s our job to present the gospel in a way that people will understand and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to the hearts of those listening. Mark 13:11 says, “… take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.”
If they do not receive the truth, move on. Matthew 7:6, Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
A relationship with Jesus Christ is worth much more than all the precious metals in the world. To be able to serve the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lord is a wonderful privilege. The fact that the creator of the universe made us in His image; and has provided a way for US to be joint heirs with His only begotten Son Jesus, is unfathomable. It almost doesn’t make sense to most people. It cannot be understood without knowing the love of God which can only be found in Christ Jesus.
The Holy Ghost will continue to send others their way in hopes that they will acknowledge the truth that will set them free from the snare of the devil.
Do your part in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Holy Ghost will do the rest. -SAF-
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Psalm 123 – God Person
1 Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.
2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us.
3 Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.
4 Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.
Being a God person can be a little disconcerting at times.
Verses 3 & 4 explain the reason for verses 1 & 2.
There is a great sense of persecution in the heart of these worshipers of God. They confess, we are exceedingly filled, our soul is exceedingly filled. The contempt and scorn heaped upon us for our commitment to God causes us to come to our God and plead our case before his throne.
Those at ease in their Godless ways and those proud of their flaunting of Christless lifestyles, mock us unremittingly. Their disdain works against our mind. They would make us feel beneath consideration and worthless. Our head lowers and our eyes close.
Today our downward consideration must become an upward expectation.
In verse one the intercessor declares his aim:
Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.
Ahh, I must look up. There is someone above this earth that I can look to. I have seen enough at my level. I must reach beyond myself and touch the omnipotent one. He can help. I must bring my complaint before him.
As the servants look to their masters, and the maiden looks to her mistress, we set our gaze on our God and we wait for his mercy.
The merciless glare of the wicked would intimidate the people of God. We turn our eyes upon the Lord. Our eyes will meet and he will be moved. His countenance will shine upon us. His mercy will shelter us from the undeserved hurt. His handiwork will be evident.
God! He is so good. Turn to him today. He will show mercy. -PJF-
2023
I am looking forward to all that is on my life's purpose schedule for 2023.
As I enter the new year I'm not saying good-by to anything. I have been flowing in the presence of God and living out my destiny. Everything we have done this past year has been on time, significant, and part of the plan. Some of it has seemed strange, especially to others, but as we lived it out we found the meaning to it, experienced so many new things, and deepened our trust in God.
We are expecting things that have been shown us but that have not happened will take place in 2023. As we continue walking in the divine way we will be guided to some, others will happen sovereignly and supernaturally, yet others will come to us by those that the Holy Spirit has determined are to be part of the purpose with us.
We will enter other people's life for the same reason. We are to be a part of God's purpose for them. There will be reciprocity and mutual benefit and blessing for those that God has established we are to be in relationship with. Some of these connections will be seasonal and some long term. We will know and see the difference and go forward unquestioning.
Living for Jesus is exciting. Truly being led by Him is an adventure. Trusting Him fully is scary at times. But it is learnable. As you see Him work in so many ways your doubts dissipate and your faith increases to the point where you actually do believe, With God nothing is impossible.
Maybe the Lord wants to take you on this type of a journey in 2023. -PJF-
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