At the beginning of each year many of us will set goals, or plan our course for the new year. As in the case of our Scripture, some will devote a lot of time and effort trying to determine when Christ will return. I believe that Jesus told us that since this is something only known to the Father, we should instead spend our time on a very important command – tell others about Him. I believe that we all do this, but let’s consider if our effort fulfills the command of Jesus.

 

DATE POSTED Sunday, 2022-01-02
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

BY: Ed Algreen

 

SCRIPTURE FROM: Acts 1:7-8
TRANSLATION: The New Living Translation (NLT)

 

BIBLE TEXT: 7 He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know.  8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

 

APPLICATION: You are probably stumped on what I alluded to in the introduction. Not everyone we know, or meet, tells others about Jesus? Well, consider the man who is constantly cursing and sharing evil thoughts about everyone. What’s your take on his belief about Jesus? Perhaps that Jesus is a myth and only necessary for mankind when we die, or when when faced with serious issues? What about the lady who refuses to attend church, or associate with friends who frequent the church? Perhaps she got burnt at one time by a Christian, and now she is of the false impression that every believer is just out to ‘get’ the unbeliever and hurt them in every way possible. But what does her attitude tell you about her belief in God? So how would you honor the command of Jesus to witness and tell people everywhere about Him? I’m of the impression that Jesus wanted those Bible teachers and scholars, plus our folk today, that they/we needn’t spend so much time on writing books, or traveling the world over showing off your self designed date charts about the return of Christ, for no man knows the day or the hour – not even the Son of Man. Jesus said don’t worry your head over that, only the Master Himself knows that date. Instead, since we all know from the Word of God that Jesus will return to take His bride, the church, home to glory, then we are to spend our days sharing that news with all that we come into contact with. If we had news of an oncoming hurricane, we would warn everyone that their life might be in jeopardy. Furthermore, many of us would be willing to sit down with our friends and help them map out their evacuation strategy and how they would buy certain life supporting food and safety items. Would you consider yourself a professional at that? Probably not, yet many Christians are afraid to warn the unsaved because they are afraid they wouldn’t be a professional, like a pastor, in knowing all of the answers to their questions. Friends, one main ingredient available to the child of God, is that Jesus said He would send His Holy Spirit to be upon us, teaching us and guiding us to all truth. What more do we need? We are now inside the boundaries of 2022. I believe that God is reminding believers today that we should put behind us all that occurred in 2021. Yes, many of those things may have been about as much as we could handle, but we are to rest assured that He will send the Holy Spirit to help us carry out His primary command – go and tell everyone that Jesus is available to them, so that they would be ready for whatever date God has planned for His official return to earth for His church. Furthermore, He has sent His Holy Spirit to empower us with all we need to accomplish His work. Nothing to be afraid of, and no need to worry about what you would say. God’s got this, all He wants is our availability! Will you consider making this a priority my friend?

 

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Just as we gain confidence to do challenging things when a friend comes along with us, Jesus assures us that the Holy Spirit was sent to guide us, teach us and be our comfort in our evangelizing. Praise God for His Helper!

 

PRAYER: Thank You Lord Jesus for not only creating us in Your own image, but also for looking out for our inadequacies, failures and ignorance. In sending Your Holy Spirit to be our guide and our helper, You have given us extra assurance and confidence to freely obey Your commands and confidently share You with everyone that we come into contact with. Please embolden us to do Your will, so that none would be lost, or left out, on Judgment Day. Work powerfully through us, and give us a mind like that of Jesus Christ. AMEN!

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