2020 is not just another new year.<\/p>\n
I don’t know how much time I have left.<\/p>\n
So I’m going to make the next minutes count, for me writing this, and for you reading this.<\/p>\n
After I wrote this, I realized this is very much what Daddy would have shared if he was here today.\u00a0 (He would have been 115 years old February 1.)<\/p>\n
– – –<\/p>\n
First, bringing Thanksgiving and Christmas together:<\/p>\n
Give thanks with a grateful heart,<\/p>\n
Give thanks to the Holy One.<\/p>\n
Give thanks because He’s given<\/p>\n
Jesus Christ His Son.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
And now let the weak say, “I am strong.”<\/p>\n
Let the poor say, “I am rich,<\/p>\n
Because of what the Lord has done for us.”<\/p>\n
Give thanks.<\/p>\n
– – –<\/p>\n
We may not think of ourselves as weak.<\/p>\n
We may not think of ourselves as poor.<\/p>\n
But Jesus said we must come as little children, to enter His Kingdom.<\/p>\n
So I thank God for sending Jesus, so we can come to Him weak and poor, and have our name written in heaven because of what the Lord has done for us.<\/p>\n
Give Thanks.<\/p>\n
– – –<\/p>\n
2020—CLEAR, SPIRITUAL VISION<\/p>\n
“In the last days perilous times will come.”<\/p>\n
Hard times are not limited to the last days, but the Bible says it’s going to get really, really bad closer to the end of the world.<\/p>\n
In the meantime, a few more promises to live by—guaranteed to all Jesus followers.<\/p>\n
– – –<\/p>\n
“We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”<\/p>\n
That verse is engraved on my brother’s tombstone at The Grove, Texas for good reason.<\/p>\n
He was a total invalid for 37 years, from polio at 6 months—and my parents cared for him in our home the entire time—major impact.<\/p>\n
– – –<\/p>\n
“You will be hated by all people because of my name.”—–Jesus said that.<\/p>\n
– – –<\/p>\n
“Beware when people speak well of you.”—–Jesus said that.<\/p>\n
– – –<\/p>\n
After a list of two dozen sins at the end of Romans 1, the Bible says, “Knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but consent with them who do<\/u>.”<\/p>\n
Read Romans 1, to the end of the chapter.<\/p>\n
– – –<\/p>\n
Back to the starting verse on perilous times—the most dangerous, most perilous place for Christians is comfortable—getting along, fitting in, included, and inclusive.<\/p>\n
Ask yourself, “Am I living ‘called by Jesus’ daily—or—Am I fitting Jesus into the life I have chosen?”<\/p>\n
– – –<\/p>\n
We cannot go along with what’s happening in America—and happening fast.<\/p>\n
It will sneak up on every one of us, soon.<\/p>\n
I pray for a sense of urgency for each of us to be aware of the evil forces waging war against Christians in America, now, and be bold to stand for Jesus, counting the cost now, and not be surprised when persecution hits close to home.<\/p>\n
– – –<\/p>\n
Anyone God chooses to use mightily, He first tests severely.<\/p>\n
Anyone God uses, will face persecution.<\/p>\n
Do you want to be used by God?<\/p>\n
– – –<\/p>\n
Each of us ask ourselves, “What will I say, now, and on ‘that day’?”<\/p>\n
Either:<\/p>\n
I was faithful, I ‘fought the good fight,’ I lived for Jesus, and people knew it.<\/p>\n
Or:<\/p>\n
I went along to get along in America, and I was respected for that, like Lot—<\/p>\n
—he first “pitched his tent toward Sodom<\/u>—<\/p>\n
—then he moved into Sodom—<\/p>\n
—he became a civic leader in Sodom—<\/p>\n
—he was “vexed with the filthy conversation of Sodom”—<\/p>\n
—Uncle Abraham prayed to save Sodom if there were ten righteous people in Sodom—<\/p>\n
—not found—<\/p>\n
—Lot lost everything.<\/p>\n
– – –<\/p>\n
America is Sodom now—we may lose everything—may it be because we live for Jesus now, and don’t compromise.<\/p>\n
Christian compatibility with the culture in America is now history.<\/p>\n
Welcome a return to authentic, historical, Biblical Christianity, like our brothers and sisters who are sacrificing everything, around the world today.<\/p>\n
– – –<\/p>\n
I close with this:<\/p>\n
In 2020—It will become harder to be a Christian, but it will be easier to tell who is a Christian.<\/p>\n
– – –<\/p>\n
Missionaries ?<\/p>\n
or<\/p>\n
Mission Field ?<\/p>\n
– – –<\/p>\n
MERRY CHRISTMAS, AND A CLEAR 2020—A BLESSED NEW YEAR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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