New Years 2021
2020 - Things that should NOT be…
An empty swing in my front yard because of quarantine. A family Easter meal shared by ZOOM, my grand daughters wearing masks fit for their tiny little faces. Fear being driven from the government through the media with no real solution. Months of do this and you will be safe, wait, no don’t do that, do this… indecision and fear. My sweat mother Inlaw locked in a nursing home with out contact by her family and even the hardiest of introverts is looking for some kind of physical interaction. Church moved to online only. Restaurants and businesses closing. Families losing their homes. Kids doing school from home without personal interaction with peers and face to face help from their teachers. Many lives lost to this virus and the list could go on… Depression, abuse, substance abuse and suicide at all time highs with no sign of lessening. Even at the changing of the calendar. We need hope…
As I scrolled through Facebook I have seen memes and wishes for a happy new year from friends, family and acquaintances. Stating how great it will be to dismiss 2020…and start a New Year. The weight loss companies and gyms are doing their full court press. The government is falling apart and can’t seem to see the great country and people that they are destroying by their inability to work together. What a mess. what really will change?
Wow… thats depressing Pastor Scott! Happy New Year to you too!
But scripture warns us… that, “Difficult Times Will Come”
2 Timothy 3:1-5
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.
Paul was warning Timothy that there would indeed be a struggle against the message of the cross. He knew that his death was coming quickly. Even though he knew this, he believed that the rapture would happen before his death or shortly after. I heard my grandpa talk about it growing up as a kid. He was anticipating the the gathering of the saints. I too believe that it will happen in my life time. I know, “ha ha”, you say, “Scott, if Paul thought the Rapture would happen in his lifetime, and it didn’t—and if men of God throughout the ages have felt as though they were living in the last days and the Rapture would happen in their lifetimes, and it didn’t—doesn’t it seem foolish to think the Rapture will happen in your lifetime?”
I do not believe so. In the history of the church, there have been great men and women of the Lord, the strongest of our leaders, who had a strong and firm faith in God and His word, that lived their lives believing that the Lords return was close. And that strong belief impacted their lives, so much so that they left a mark on history and will indeed receive a great reward in heaven.
2 Timothy 4:8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.
Finney, Moody, Luther, Calvin, Spurgeon and Torrey all perceived that the Lords coming was close. I stand with them. In the midst of the chaos around us, I choose to live my life boldly proclaiming Christ and looking for the Lords return. That gives me hope… And, what if I am wrong? What if he doesn’t come for another one or two hundred years? I prefer to walk out the rest of my days on this planet (Gods creation) anticipating the return of the Lord, the sudden appearance of Jesus Christ! I already know the personal impact He has had on my life and the lives of my immediate family. Add to that the testimonies of countless other men and women God has given me the privilege of knowing, who also are awaiting the return of the Lord. If we can hold on to our faith in God, we will not be rattled so easily. Knowing God is in control. If we truly believe that the Lords return is soon, it will help us seek righteousness and stop getting tangled up in sinful choices.
It really is all about perspective. We cannot get caught up in the hype that the world is selling, we don’t need to wallow in self pity longing for “normal” life… (whatever that means). Keep proper perspective. What if things never get back to normal? If you want to live a zealous, exciting, fulfilling, pure Christian life, live it looking for the Lord’s coming.
1 John 3:3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
So, what is New Years all about? What will change in 2021? Let it be you that changes. Let it be you who strengthens your faith in God. Praying, reading Gods word, seeking to be filled with the Holy Spirit and proclaiming the hope you have in Christ with a holy boldness, like you never have before!
One of the memes that made me laugh as I was scrolling thorough Facebook was a group of people around the corner looking at the door to 2021. One had a broom and was trying to push the door open with the handle from around the corner, fearful of what was on the other side of the door…I get it.
But we have a hope that is greater than the worlds solutions. And what drives away fear? HOPE… HOPE drives away fear! And my hope is in the Lord… God is in control!
Isaiah 55:8-9
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts
If anything is going to change in 2021…it has to be you and I and our faith in God. It must get stronger.
Hold steady! God loves you and has a plan for your life! Run after it!
May your faith be seen and God be glorified in all you do!
Prayed for you all this morning!
Love you all!
Pastor Scott