It was 1979 and somehow, I had come to be, not only in a church service, but standing at an altar with a bunch of other people who had responded to a very specific challenge. “If God were to tap you on the shoulder and say, “Follow Me”’, who would go and not make any excuses?” The preacher came up to me and asked, “Have you ever asked Jesus to forgive your sins, come into your heart, and be your Lord?” and I told him that yes, I had, about ten years previously and nothing had happened. He looked puzzled and asked, “Did you commit yourself to Him?”.
That was an interesting question, because I had just recently had a conversation with my father about commitment and how he didn’t care what I did, so long as I committed 100% to do my best.
So I told the preacher, “No I didn’t commit anything. I don’t even know if He’s real!” and the preacher said, “Oh, you’ve got to commit to Him. It makes all the difference.”
I ended up leaving the altar and going home unchanged, but that night before I went to sleep, I prayed a prayer that went, “God, if you will show me that you’re real, then I will commit my life to you 100%”. And the next instant I was born again, totally persuaded that God was, that it had been my sin that had blinded me to Him, that my sin had been forgiven, my eyes opened, my offer accepted! As soon as I caught my breath, I realized that now it was my turn. I committed my life to God. Within two months I was in Bible college preparing for the ministry.
Have I ever failed to give God His full 100%? Sadly, many times, but that doesn’t mean I’ve given up the goal. And even though giving my 100% to God is like a four-year-old giving his crayon drawing to his dad, I still want to give him my crayon drawings, just because He made Himself so real to me.
I say all that because we are living in extraordinary times. There are things going on today that very few of my generation, and none of my children’s generation have seen the likes of. And, there is a very real possibility that things are going to get much worse. There is Scriptural warning of this that I figured was meant for some time in the future, but each day seems to bring the coming storm into sharper and more immediate focus. The passage of Scripture I’m referring to is found in Matthew 24:1-14
As Jesus was leaving the Temple grounds, his disciples pointed out to him the various Temple buildings. But he responded, “Do you see all these buildings? I tell you the truth, they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!”
Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen?
What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?” Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. “Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.”
I look at this preview of coming attractions and I think that maybe things are not so bad. I see that there are several key ingredients missing from this recipe for Armageddon. We’ve got lots of time to prepare. But then I look at how quickly things have changed in the last twelve months, and I think that perhaps there may be less time to prepare than first thought.
We are just now beginning to feel real anti-Christian sentiment here in the United States. Are you ready for more? Are you ready to be not just ignored, but to be reviled, mocked, arrested, and killed?
I don’t like to rain on anybody’s picnic, but I do feel compelled to sound the wake-up bell. There is a storm coming! Batten down the windows, tie down the furniture, brush off your testimony and strengthen your faith while there is still time to do it!”
It's been a tough year. Isolation, fear, hatred, anger, all of these things have already caused the love of some to grow cold. I have seen people give up and leave their faith and it breaks my heart.
Don’t give up. Renew your commitment. Remember your first love for “He has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
and finally
“Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”
Ephesians 6:10-18
You’ve got this.
You’ve just got to have yourself committed!
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