WHAT CAN I DO ?
This is a common question when Believers recognize that this world has gone past the patience of the Lord, and judgment worldwide is around the corner.
WE DON’T LIVE IN HOPELESSNESS.
There is always something to do for the Lord until He comes.
He didn’t leave us on earth to watch the news and get depressed. He left us here to finish up the work He assigned to His Bride.
This week there was a record breaking 165 degree heat wave in Iran. An unknown number of people died. The government issued a mandatory 4 day heat wave holiday, where people were NOT to come to work.
In the fringes of this heat wave, in Pakistan, 600 people died. In India, over 230 died.
When will see similar things hitting where we live ? What we are seeing on earth down is simply a small amount that is leading up to God’s judgment during the Tribulation.
REVELATION 16:8-9 And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.
(THERE WILL ALSO BE TIMES OF FREEZING COLD JUST AS DEVASTATING AS THE HEATWAVES).
What about the people who see it coming, and wonder, what can we do in the time we have left ?
WE NEED TO FINISH THE WORK GOD GAVE TO EACH OF US TO DO.
JESUS COMPARES OUR WORK TO THAT OF A PERSON BUILDING A TOWER.
Luke 14:28-30 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
JESUS SET HIMSELF AS OUR EXAMPLE IN FINISHING THE WORK OF THE FATHER.
John 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
John 5:36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
PAUL WAS CONCERNED ABOUT FINISHING ALL THAT GOD ASSIGNED TO HIM.
Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
HOW DO I KNOW WHEN I AM FINISHED ?
Answer: “When God calls you to your reward in Heaven.”
1. BE A LIGHT TO THE LOST.
A. A STRONG LIGHT IS MOST VALUABLE IN THE DARKEST HOURS, NOT AT NOONTIME.
YOU WON’T CONVERT THEIR SINFUL HEARTS TO RIGHT THINKING UNTIL YOU SEE THEIR SOUL CONVERTED TO CHRIST.).
Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
–SHOW THAT YOU KNOW THE TRUTH AND IT IS VALUABLE TO YOU.
–SHOW THAT YOU HAVE A LIVING SAVIOR WHO HELPS YOU DAILY.
Luke 8:16 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.
Luke 11:33 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.
Luke 11:35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.
B. THE LIGHT IS OBVIOUSLY DISTINCT FROM THE DARKNESS, YET THE TESTIMONIES OF SOME PEOPLE IS NOT SO DISTINCT FROM THE LIFE OF THE LOST.
C. BE AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE BRETHREN. HOW ?
–BE WITH THEM FOR WORSHIP. SHOW THAT GETTING TOGETHER IS IMPORTANT TO YOU.
–SUPPORT EACH OTHER BY ENCOURAGING WORDS, AND YOUR PRAYERS.
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
–SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER BY WORDS THAT BRING THEM TO REALITY BEFORE GOD.
Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
–BE AN EXAMPLE THAT THEY WANT TO BECOME, TOO.
1 Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
2. BE FAITHFUL TO GOD’S PEOPLE AND HIS WORK.
A. WHEN UNDER TRIALS FAMILY IS IMPORTANT.
YOUR SPIRITUAL FAMILY SHOULD BE IMPORTANT TO YOU ! (THAT’S WHY WE ARE CALLED ‘BROTHERS AND SISTERS’).
B. WARN THOSE THAT YOU CARE ABOUT.
THE BIBLE MENTIONS TWO ROLES, THE PORTER AND THE WATCHMAN. BOTH WARN OF DANGER, BOTH ARE IMPORTANT, BUT HOW ARE THEY DIFFERENT ?
—PORTER IS THE PERSON WHO GUARDS THE GATES.
—WATCHMAN IS THE PERSON WHO OBSERVES WHAT IS GOING ON OUTSIDE THE GATES.
–IT DOESN’T MATTER IF THEY WILL LISTEN, OR NOT. YOU HAVE TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT REGARDLESS OF SOMEONE ELSE’S LACK OF CONCERN.
Mark 13:34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left His house, and gave authority to His servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
Ezekiel 3:17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at My mouth, and give them warning from Me.
Ezekiel 33:6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.
3. KEEP THE LOVE FLOWING.
“CHARITY” – Literal translation “LOVE”
1 Corinthians 13:2-4 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
1 Corinthians 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
1 Corinthians 14:1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
1 Corinthians 16:14 Let all your things be done with charity.
Colossians 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
–KNOW THAT THE TEMPTATIONS ON EARTH WILL INCREASE. You need to be more solid in your commitment to the Lord.
–KNOW THAT OTHERS WILL HAVE TO BE STRENGTHENED. You will benefit if you help others to be strong.
–KNOW THAT MANY WILL NOT DO THEIR WORK FOR GOD, AND SOMEONE MUST PICK UP THE SLACK. Don’t be afraid to try something you may never have done before. God is able to empower you and give you strength.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Matthew 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
”What Can We Do ?”
A Bible Study with Dr. Ed J. MacWilliams
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