Watch

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
But of that day and hour no one knows...Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.
It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch.
Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming--in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning--
lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping.
And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!"Mark 13:31-37

As I am watching this election, and watching the news, and watching the electoral votes, and watching every move of the candidates, I was challenged by... if I am watching for Him.

A group of us spent the coolest time in prayer last night praying for our country. We prayed for God to have mercy on us and not give us what we deserve and to protect our children. We prayed specifically about Prop 8 and Prop 4 in California. We prayed for THE Church to be strengthened and we all confessed sins and asked forgiveness starting in our own hearts. We prayed for Christians to have discernment in such confusing times. Our nation has come so far from a country seeking God and obeying His Word. It is very frightening. I have woken up gripped in fear during the last couple of weeks and I believe it is because of the spiritual battle that is happening on the other side of this matrix that we are living in. If we could only see the 'real' war-The war for souls.

But, last night we got our weapons out and started praying as a group on our back porch. We had the fire going and the sound of the flames made me think of God being a consuming fire as we prayed. His love, His power and His strength like a fire to consume us, His people. It is interesting to me how so many claim to be Christian, even Obama. I am not judging his soul (and please don't write me tons of comments telling me I am self-righteous). This is not self-righteousness. I know I am a sinner that was rescued by Jesus Christ. I am no better than anyone... just very thankful for forgiveness and a changed heart given to me as a free gift by the God who loves me and every other person in the world. I am examining Obama's statement in light of scripture (This is God's word- not mine)...

"The man who says, 'I know him', but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys His word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did."

In other words, if you know Christ... there should be evidence of that. There should be a changed life that loves the things that God loves and hates the things He hates....There are six things the Lord hates...#3 hands that shed innocent blood! (Prov. 6:17)

If Obama knows Christ, he sure isn't afraid of shedding the innocent blood of the unborn in the most brutal ways possible. That is why I seriously question his claim to know Christ. And remember, the Bible does say to Judge. You who are spiritual- JUDGE ALL THINGS. I made this judgement when deciding who to vote for just as everyone else made their judgements. It is called discernment.

I am fearful (like most of you) if he is elected. I rest in the knowledge that God is at work and in control. You know what is comforting to me if he is elected?? that the Kingdom of God is getting closer. Because we pray... "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." I believe His Kingdom is coming quickly and we need to be ready.
The verses at the top repeatedly say, "Watch". What does that mean, to "watch"? I think it means being ready when He comes for us. Not being caught off guard in sin or ignorance but having our lamps burning and full of oil... waiting on our groom to come for us, His bride. I believe it means KNOWING HIS WORD and believing it. I have been so convicted lately of how little I know of this precious Book that He has left for me. You never know what will happen in our lifetimes... what if your Bible was taken from you? How much is stored in your heart? It is sobering to think about, isn't it? I have learned more scripture since homeschooling the boys than in my entire lifetime. It is really hard for me to sit still long enough to memorize but I have had to because of teaching the boys. I have SO far to go. We have been left as doorkeepers in charge of His house, given authority to take care of His people and His Word and we are to WATCH, to BE ALERT, to be READY, and to PRAY.

The passage about watching for Him to come if for His children. The ones who have chosen to believe in Him. If you have not chosen to follow Christ and receive His death on the cross as payment for your sins, that is where it all starts. That is your covering- like the passover blood sprinkled across the doorposts in the Old Testament as a covering to show judgement for sin had already been served by the death of the lamb. When I stand before God, I will be RECEIVED not because of anything I have done but because of Christ's life and death. When God looks at me, He sees righteousness. Not mine- but His one and only Son's. There is rest found there. There is nothing we can do to earn a right standing before God. We will never be good enough. It is all God. I am so unworthy but WORTHY IS THE LAMB. Why do you say that you are a Christian? Is it because you grew up in Church? I ask this because this is the most important issue of your whole life. Nothing else compares to the importance of this issue... not even this election. I write these words out of love not criticism because I believe the gospel is true, His Word is true and that there is only one way to God and that is through His Son..

"I am the way and the truth and the life. NO one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12

"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you–unless, of course, you fail the test?
And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test." 2 Cor 13:5

Heavenly Father, You are good. You are King of Kings and Lord of Lords. You are not worried about this election because YOU appoint rulers for YOUR purposes- it really has nothing to do with electoral votes. I pray for your mercy to fall on our country. Please do not give us what we deserve.

May we be watching and praying and READY for your return. Give us discernment in these confusing times. Purify us, Your Bride, so that we are pure and spotless and give us hearts to know and meditate on Your Word. Thank you that you give freely, that you love freely and that you desire to forgive us. I pray for anyone who does not know You, that they would fall on their knees immediately and begin a relationship with You. May Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Be blessed~ Steph