I was told once that is not a bad idea to watch the news with the remote in one hand and the bible in the other. It isn’t a bad idea. in fact when done in the spirit (with our eyes on Jesus) it can be a powerful tool in the prayer life of a believer.  As Christians watch world events unfold, it is easy to become discouraged and even disinterested. There is so much wrong with the world today that it often is overwhelming to see it played out in our living rooms on the nightly news. But I am dating myself. No one watches the nightly news any longer now, with the advent of the twenty-four hour news cycle, the news is delivered up to the minute. It is delivered on every device imaginable. In short, we can’t get away from the flow of information.  This has been prophesied by the Lord.

God had just put before Daniel a vision of the end times. He  then tells Daniel to seal the book; to seal what he has just been told because people of His time could not understand what God had imparted to Daniel. God then tells Daniel that in the end, many shall run to and fro and knowledge will increase. Does that sound familiar? As the old saying goes, “I meet myself coming and going.” Knowledge and the speed with which we live our lives has increased one hundred fold and is increasing by the minute.

Please don’t misunderstand me. I am in no  way attempting to predict the end. i will leave that to the prognosticators. Scripture tells us that is not for us to know the day or the hour.

It is clear by the words of Jesus that no one knows when the end will come. God has not told us period. What He has done is given us signs, markers if you will. he has told us to be ready and watchful. If you wish to dive more deeply into the signs of the times, here are some scripture references to get you started: Matthew 16. Matthew 24, Matthew 25, and Daniel 9-12.

The question is, what do we do with that which we know? In my bible Revelation 10 is titled: The Mighty Angel With The Little Book. The Apostle John is told to eat the book held by the angel. He is told that the book will make his stomach bitter but taste as sweet as honey in his mouth. I believe the little book is the word of God and as we christians eat it ( read it, study it, pray through it) It should have two distinct effects on us. First it should thrill us. The truth that the God of all creation loves us sinners so much that He sent His Son to die so that we who believe may live and that our savior is coming back to rule and reign with us in His millennial kingdom should make our heart beat forth from our chest! That truth should give us hope and joy. It tastes like honey in our mouths. Second, it should bring about an urgency to reach the lost.

I speak often about the lost. Who exactly are the lost? The lost are anyone who has not come to a redeeming faith in Jesus Christ. The lost are non-believers. As believers eat the word of God if you will, we understand that there will come a time of judgment for those people who have rejected Jesus Christ. This is not popular today. but it is true. The knowledge that we as believers have of what is to come for those who do not believe should turn our stomach.

As I write this I am acutely aware that it is hard to read. When I tell you that it is hard for me to write, believe that. I know that there are many of you out there that have loved ones who do not know the Lord or they know Him but time and time again reject the gift of salvation. I know how painful this is and pray for all lost souls regularly and specifically for those loved ones in my own life.

For those of you who live through this daily; let me encourage you. God is with you. He knows your heart and the hearts of those you love. His word reminds us that it is not His heart that anyone should perish but that all should have everlasting life. Remember that God hears our prayers so PRAY!!

Prayer is an amazing weapon against the evils of this world, use it! Pray for those you love to come into a right relationship with the Father and ask for Him to use you to that end. God bless you all!

Grace and Peace.

LD