Be vigilant
First, I saw thousands of small blue lights glowing. These small candles were closely clustered together but still put off little light. Then a long black shape came out of the darkness and opened its mouth wide to consume all the lights. The candles turned toward the dark shape but did not move against it.
Then I saw a second vision. Movie theater seats were turned inward toward each other, forming a circle. All of the heads of the people were turned to the middle of the circle they did not acknowledge the approaching darkness. The same dark evil consumed them.
Both visions had the same meaning. Christianity is not a spectator sport.
Both the small blue lights with barely a flame and the theatre seats turned inward demonstrated what we the church shouldn’t do.
The little blue lights gave off a minuscule amount of light even though there were thousands of them. They acknowledged the darkness and turned toward the evil but they did not do a thing about it.
The theater seats turned inward represented the gathered church who is more consumed by self than the act of loving others. They did not even flinch as the darkness consumed them.
When I asked for clarification. He responded, “The church should not be gathered just for gathering’s sake, but they must meet for equipping to go out and do the work. The great commission is still in effect today and its purpose has reached an urgent level. Your love for Christ should be an all-consuming fire that draws others in, not a lump of smoldering coal that smokes and hinders the vision of others. Be emboldened, dispersed and joy-filled in your love for others”
***
Be vigilant
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” (1Peter 5:8-9)
Do you believe it’s important for the church to remain vigilant against the enemy?
How important is it for the church to take a stand against the things that contradict the Word of God?
“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
Be vigilant
How much time do we spend when we gather as a church to equip the body to go out into their everyday lives and tell others about the gospel?
Have you ever practiced your testimony?
These are all questions I am asking myself. So far I would grade myself at a D+. Do I talk about Jesus? Yes. Am I taking every opportunity that I am given to lift His name high? No.
I don’t know about you but I’m asking the Lord to help me see where I can improve. Not out of a feeling of duty but out of love for my King.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, reveal to us where we are lacking in wisdom concerning the plans of the enemy. Do not let us be consumed by our selfish desires to gather for our human needs of acceptance and fellowship. Let a burning desire to bring others to Christ burn within us, bright and all-consuming. Let us resist the devil and not fall prey to his evil designs. We desire to fulfill Your design for our lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Comentários