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Ready to Meet Jesus

Ready to Meet Jesus

Yesterday I had a talk with a lady who was wondering how God could ever bring an end to sin on this planet. She reflected on the fact that there are over six billion people on the planet and more being born every day and how most have never really heard the gospel of Jesus.

She described how people are so busy, likes rats on a wheel, up early each day, off to work, activities with kids, home chores and then to bed exhausted, only to get up and do it all again the next day. She considered how most people seem too busy to think about eternal realities. How, she wondered, will God get people ready to meet Him? And then she asked what was perhaps her most troubling concern: in such a world, what will determine who goes to heaven and who doesn’t?

What do you think? How might you have answered? As I contemplated her questions my mind turned to God’s word and I remembered the words of Jesus in Matthew 24. He said that before His coming there would be troublesome times, wars and rumors of wars, famine, pestilence, false christs, natural disasters and perilous events. Revelation adds to the picture describing economic collapse and governmental abuse. I thought of the two antagonistic principles at war on this planet, those two principles battling for supremacy in each of our hearts. God’s principle of selfless love, the love that is “not self-seeking (1 Cor 13), the love that gives all, even ones life for another (1John 3:16), which is at war with Satan’s principle of selfishness a.k.a. survival of the fittest – the principle which seeks to promote self even to the point of killing others to protect self.

As I considered these two principles I realized that the true character of a person is not determined in easy times, but in hard times. It is easy to demonstrate “kindness and love” when times are good, but true selfless service, genuine Godly giving, real love for others is revealed most clearly when times are hard. Will we still give for others when our own life is on the line?

In 1Kings 17 we read the story of the widow of Zarephath. Elijah had confronted Ahab and no rain had moistened the earth, the streams had dried up and food was scarce, a real time of trouble and trial. When Elijah arrived at Zaraphath, he met a widow who had one son. He asked her for water and a piece of bread. She only had enough flour and oil for one loaf of bread – what should she do? Keep it for herself and her son or make a loaf for Elijah? Should she give in harmony with God’s law of love or protect self and keep back what little she had?

She chose to give and in so doing she entered into God’s circle of love and received from God a constant supply of flour and oil which supplied her need through the entire famine. But she received more than this. When her only son became sick and died, Elijah, through God’s grace, raised the boy to life. What a blessing, what a reward for loving others first.

As the future troubles break upon our world – our homes destroyed, our loved ones taken, our health failed, our finances lost, our freedoms threatened – as the things of this earth upon which we stake so much security are removed, which of the two antagonistic principles will rule our hearts? Will we move forward loving others in our poverty, in our loss, in our earthly ruin or will we seek to protect self, to promote self, to exploit others in order to protect our finances, our properties and even our very lives? Which of the two principles – love or selfishness – will be the governing power in our lives?

Those who are ready to meet Jesus are those who feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the imprisoned, and help the sick, those who give even when they have nothing left to give. Those who are like Jesus are not afraid of what happens to themselves and won’t shrink back from loving others, even if it means giving up their own lives (Matthew 25:34-45, Rev 12:11). And just like the widow and her son, those who love others first enter into God’s circle of love and even if they rest in the graves will be raised again! Oh yes, every person will be faced with a choice – a choice to give of themselves to protect, uplift, help and love another or instead protect, uplift and help self at the expense of another. Which power will we choose?

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Testimony 4

I’m a youth leader in South Africa. We as a youth group are currently using a lot of the material on the Come and Reason site. Since we’ve started using the material, our youth group has grown.

R. V. N., South Africa

 

Testimony 18

The Healing the Mind DVD set tarted me on a journey that has changed my relationship with our loving God more significantly than any other study, and brought me to your book and Bible study podcasts, which I now listen to daily, thanks to the availability of archived content on your site and on iTunes.

Anonymous

 

Testimony 41

I have been blessed by your ministry. I have experienced personally, and deeply resonate with, the God of love and the beautiful picture of God’s character that you present. I have seen your seminar series on YouTube, read ‘The Journal of the Watcher’ book, used your mobile app, and also listen/study the bible study lesson with you each week. I concur with many of the thoughts and perspectives that you share. I understand your conclusions on natural laws vs imposed law and the legal/penal substitution (incorrect diagnosis). This makes perfect sense to me.

Bless you for all you do.

Melissa L.

 

Testimony 1

Thank you! I love listening to the Come And Reason Ministries Bible study classes and am using some of your notes to get the lessons together that I will be teaching. You always have such good quotes and Bible texts and pull things together to make good sense.

T. C., IN, USA

 

Testimony 46

Over the past couple of years God has been expanding my view of Himself and His character. Along my approximately 40-year journey, I have often had questions, but was hesitant to voice these and step outside the traditionally accepted thinking, for fear of admitting that I may in fact be eternally lost. In the recesses of my thinking has been the thought – if one blindly accepts (which is widely regarded as “real faith”) and does not question, is this really ‘truth?’ I often find it challenging to grapple with very theological ‘speak,’ but Dr. Jennings has a real gift of explaining spiritual concepts with clear practical examples. The weekly discussions are growing my Christian experience and slowly changing my view of how to live as a child of God in today’s complex world. Finally the whole Old Testament sanctuary teaching moved in my mind from fantasy to reality!

Beverly S., South Africa

 

Testimony 29

Thank you for all of your work to correct misconceptions about God’s character. So many people that my husband and I have talked to seem to be against the natural law construct and view it as “errant” and “dangerous.” Having learned more about it through your blogs and lessons, I don’t really understand why they view it that way, except that it means they have to relearn theology they have known for their entire lives. But I’m so excited to relearn this. For the past few years I have been questioning how I could trust a God who punishes arbitrarily and is full of wrath for those who don’t obey His commands. That view made me afraid to “mess up” or “not be good enough,” even within my relationship with God. I really appreciated the point you bring out about God not wanting us to serve Him because we are afraid, but because we love Him.

Melissa H., IN, USA

 

Testimony 21

I am absolutly on fire with the message at Come and Reason! I can’t get enough! I’ve read your book, blog, and articles. I’ve listened to your Bible study podcasts, your radio show, and your series – all excellent! It wasn’t until the past couple of years that I have I like I’m becoming “healthy,” with more to share with others than just beasts and commandments! I used to be a Bible worker and preached when the pastors were gone until I had had enough. I didnt realize at the time what the problem was, but i know now… the message wasn’t properly focused. Now my flame is rekindled. All of your little examples are so perfect in explaining something “complicated” and making it easily understood! Now I’m trying to shape it into a life changing evangelistic series! Thank you!

M.T., USA

 

Testimony 16

Your seminars are still inspiring and changing our lives and we continue to share the principles we have learned from you. Your ministry has changed our lives!

E.W.

 

Testimony 15

I have been sharing Come And Reason Ministries Bible study lessons with several folk. You have such a beautiful view of the plan of salvation. If we had this message preached when I was young, my generation would still all be in church.

H. R., New Zealand

Testimony 19

I truly believe that to know who God really is the first step to understand ourselves in a balanced and kind way, so the healing can take place. Your approach really makes sense – Thank you for your ministry!

A.M., Pittsburg, PA, USA

Testimony 48

I just want to tell you how blessed I have been reading “The Remedy!” It has become a daily part of my devotional relationship with God. In it I have found a God of love and a God that loves me! The bible has come alive for me! It is the first time that I can say that I have felt hope fill my heart as I have read God’s word. This is good news I can share! Thank you, Dr Jennings! Thank you for your heart for others. I can’t put into words how this has set me free! It has strengthened my trust and love for God.

Jason H.

 

Testimony 24

I wanted to thank you very much for presenting your understanding of God. I’ve always been troubled by this question: Why did Jesus have to die? Since my conversion I understood that The Father & Jesus are one, I did not have issues with that. But was there not any other way to save us than for Jesus to die? I guess I actually had a question about God – if He is so wise, how come He did not find another way? I did not see the real ‘beauty’  in the cross. Only when you explained the picture in the medical context, Jesus providing medicine for my selfishness, have I started to finally ‘see the light’. Thank you so much. Your seminar, “Healing the Mind,” are absolutely marvelous & have shared them with my family and many other people, including colleagues at work. Thanks, thanks, thanks. May God bless you abundantly in your ministry.

M. W., Australia

 

Testimony 56

I cannot thank you enough for opening my understanding to the beautiful truth of God’s Law of Love and how it applies to everything. I have been a Christian for over forty years, but I feel like I am only now seeing with my eyes open. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!

Tammy Cinzio, Australia

 

Testimony 8

Thank you for the ministry you are sharing with us, it is a real blessing to us and especially to my husband and myself! You are encouraging us to think for ourselves and not just to except everything, without thinking it through, with God’s word!

M.K., USA

 

Testimony 17

The blessings of clarity and understanding you and your class inspire me to take from the word of God have impressed upon me so greatly the true, loving character of our Creator. I have found amazing freedom and joy through building a stronger, more intentional relationship with Him. What is new is that this is now a relationship built on love, reverence and respect rather than fear and obligation, and as such my eyes have been slammed OPEN as I am continually impressed by the manifestations of God’s true character in His provisions for fallen man.

T.E.H., Salt Lake City, UT, USA