Pastor’s Garage November 19th, 2020
November 20, 2020
Garage!
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*Pastor Mike’s Garage-Nov 19/2020*
Over the last few months I have received or seen quite a few messages,
posts, or heard many opinions on recent world events and how we should
respond as Christians. Many warn of hidden agendas surrounding the erosion
of our freedoms and rights, one world governments, and end times prophecy.
I hear comments like we need to wake up, we need to take action, we need to
fight against these things. And make no mistake, it’s not that I believe
there are no sinister elements in what we see transpiring before our eyes.
The reality is we live in a broken, fallen world, and as if that isn’t
enough, we have a spiritual enemy who is roaming like a roaring lion
looking for whom he may devour! So yes, I think there are hidden agendas,
guess what, there always is, always have been! Covid just happens to be the
latest venue though which they are seeking to manipulate, control, and
destroy! We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities
and power of a spiritual realm! Guess what, Justin Trudeau is not our
biggest enemy! Covid regulations are not the enemy we must fight against!
Masks(and make no mistake, it matters not whether you are pro or anti mask)
in light of eternity and the fact that our whole existence is but a
momentary affliction are not a hill worth dying on! The bible describes the
end times not so that we would live in fear or even fight against the
coming one world government or Anti-Christ. The bible describes what
*will* transpire
so that we will be aware and redeem the time!
So what should our response be as followers of Jesus. What does it
mean to be a follower of Jesus? Even when he came to earth the vast
majority of those who followed him expected him to take control, fight
back, set things straight, bring order to the chaos. What did he do? He was
led like a lamb to the slaughter, didn’t start a fight nor did he fight
back when unjustly accused, tried, convicted, sentenced and crucified! What
should our response be as we see the time approaching? The bible is full of
suggestions of how we should carry ourselves as followers of Jesus. I don’t
see a lot of verses commanding us to be diligent not to let our rights and
freedoms erode, in fact there are many promising us they will! I don’t see
a lot of verses telling us to demand that we are treated fairly and justly,
there are quite a few that say we shouldn’t be surprised when we’re not? I
don’t see many verses telling us to make sure to stick up and fight for our
rights. There are quite a number that suggest to turn the other cheek! We
have a fight to fight before us, but it is not over our personal rights and
freedoms as followers of Christ! It is for the lost, the marginalized, the
down trodden, the deceived, the distracted, the hurting, the lonely.
In closing I would like to share just a few verses that came to mind
as I pondered how we should carry ourselves in this day and age. “So we do
not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is
being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing
for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to
the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things
that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2
Corinthians 4:16-18
“Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless
and innocent, children of God, without blemish, in the midst of a crooked
and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be
proud that I did not run in vain or labour in vain.” Philippians 2:14-16
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my
Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not, would have told you that I
go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to
myself, that where I am you may be also.” John 14:1-3
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do
I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be
afraid.” John 14:27
“Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he
who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to
love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of
some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day
drawing near.:” Hebrews 10:23-25
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap,
if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to
everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
Galatians 6:9-10
“Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought
you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the
coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire
and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But
according to his promise we are all waiting for new heavens and a new earth
in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting
for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at
peace.”2 Peter 3:11-14
The times they are a changing, and strange, at times scary they may be, but
our heavenly Father is still on the throne. He is still faithful! He has
not forgotten us! We are still in His hands! He still hold tomorrow!
Pastor Mike