Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/1273649
2 waiting on God Spirit to speak to your heart. This is not a time for impulsive, rash decision making. 3. Embrace The Uncertai nty . Jesus said, "Now concerning that day or hour no one knows — neither the angels in heaven nor the Son — but only the Father. Watch! Be alert! For you don't know when the time is coming" (Mark 13:32 - 33). If Jesus was content not to know the day or hour, then let's stop speculating about it. Be content with "no o ne knows … only the Father." The opposite of certainty is uncertainty. We want certainty right now, but we cannot have it during these strange times. W hat we can be certain of is God's unmoving love and of our salvation but much of the in - between is fille d with uncertainty and that is why we are called to walk by faith. (2Cor 5:7) It's rarely easy to walk by faith and so we must be pro - active and purposely embrace this u ncertainty we are living in! It's hard! It's unsettling! If it wasn't , it would n't be walking in faith. 4. Do Not Lose Hope. Paul reminded Titus that Jesus' first coming brought salvation and it instructs us how to live "sensible, righteous, and godly" lives in this present age . It is our "blessed hope" the expectation of Jesus' return , that compels us to do so (Titus 2:11 - 13). When the anxiety sets in , go to your arsenal (for spiritual warfare) and fight back. God's Word gives us hope! Spending time with God on our knees, prayi ng, listening to worship music gives us hope. Staying connected with one another gives us hope and encouragement! 5. Stay Connected – Encourage One Another. • Love one another (John 13:34, 1Peter 1:22) • Meet with one another (Hebrews 10:25) • Fellowship with one another (1John 1:7) • Spur one another on (Hebrews 10:24) • Be devoted to one another (Romans 12:10) • Instruct one another (Romans 15:14) • Serve one another (Galatians 5:13) • Bear with one another (Eph 4:2, Col 3:13) • Be kind and compassionate to one another ( Eph 4:32) • Admonish one another (Col 3:16) • Be sympathetic and compassionate (1Peter 3:8) • Offer hospitality to one another (1Peter 3:8) 6. Live As If Today Was The Day . If we're not careful, the delay in Jesus' return will lead us to complacency – and that is where many Christians are today . The old hymn says we should be STANDING ON THE PROMISES not SITTING ON THE PREMISES! Living in expectation that Christ could return at any time compels us to live every day for what really matters — for eternity. 7. Don't Quit! Keep Doing The Work . Jesus warned of troubling events as we near the end of the age, including persecution of believers (Mark 13:7 - 9). Then He added that nothing — not even persecution — should distract us from the one necessary thing: preach the gospel to all nations (v.10). Before ascending into heaven, Jesus gave the church its marching orders: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the e arth" (Acts 1:8). The very next verses report that the disciples just stood there looking up into the sky. Two angels appeared and spoke the words the church today needs to hear: " Why are you standing there gazing into heaven? Jesus is coming back — so get b usy! " (vv. 9 - 11). Idleness breeds anxiety! Mission gives us purpose and hope! Our mission is "To introduce the world of motorcycle riders to Jesus Christ, for the purpose of making more and better disciples through the ministry of the local church." We have pledged that we are "compelled by the Spirit of God to unite with Black Sheep; Harley - Davidsons for Christ . We " understand this is a MISSION and that [ we] are now missionaries." We have committed to be "invol v ed and active." We have committed to not s top, but " grow daily in [our] walk with Christ and His Word. " We have been very bold to claim " I am a Black Sheep; different and set apart for Christ and His Kingdom. " These are indeed strange and uncertain days, but that is why we have a Savior and the armies of heaven. "In this world you will have touble. But take heart! I have overcome the world! (John 16:23) We are not alone. We will not dispare. I will not quit, stop or even slow down! " This is not yours to fix alone. You act like you're all alone out there in the world, but you're not. You're not alone!" "Joyce" ( STRANGER THNGS)