Who can you trust for the future? Do you know what will happen to you in 2015?
If you know Jesus and follow Him, you will be sure that He is there for you tomorrow.
Jesus will be with you in 2015 and beyond (Heb 13:8). Between your reading now and end of next year, many lost souls will come to believe in Jesus Christ. Do you believe that? Do you have a part in this ministry of winning lost souls? Some sow and some water. God has given you time and talent to serve Him at home and in your workplace. He has also given you at least one spiritual gift to serve within the local church.
What do you hope for in 2015? God’s general plans for followers of Jesus Christ are clear. However, God’s specific plans for each disciple are only known to Him. It unfolds day by day as one is led by His Spirit.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil,
to give you a future and a hope” (Jer 29:11 ESV).
What is that future and that hope? It is God’s kingdom that will come in the future. While we can say we live in a spiritual kingdom with Christ as King, we still hope of a millennial kingdom when Christ returns and reigns as King of all the nations on the earth.
Set your sights and your hope in the Kingdom of God. The characteristics of the Kingdom of God with Christ as King of the earth can be found in the Bible (Isa 11:6-9; 65:20-25; Ezek 37:25-26; Micah 4:3; Jer 23:5-6; Zec 8:2-23; 14:16-19). The Old Testament prophecies describe what life in the Kingdom of God on earth would be like. Revelations chapter 20 gives the duration as 1000 years (6 times).
Meanwhile, things will get worse and worse (2 Pet 3:3; 2 Tim 3:1-7, 13). Expect more bad news in the world. Be alert to winds of doctrines that blow across the churches. Some doctrines are sound but some are not. Some come from within our midst, some from outside the local church. Guard, learn and teach sound doctrine.
All those who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2Ti 3:12). Have you lost your old friends, stagnate in your job for practicing Christian ethics? Christians all over world will face tribulation. Christ assures us “Take heart; I have overcome the world.” (Joh 16:33). This tribulation is caused by the wickedness of evil people and the deception of nations by the evil one. The Great Tribulation will come because of God’s wrath (Rev 6-18).
We are to anticipate the imminent appearing of Jesus to receive us in the air. He will deliver us from the wrath of God to come (1 Thess 4:17; 1:10).
Set your priorities right for 2015. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. Be devoted to Jesus Christ. Repent from lethargy, sloth, idolatry and apathy. Return to a sincere love for Christ. He is your Saviour and your God. Pursue holiness and godliness (2 Pe 3:9-12).
Be alert to three threats that can side-track you:
- The desires of sin and self
- The attractions of this present world
- The deception of the evil one and his agents.
What is the victory that overcomes sin, the world and the evil one? – your faith in Jesus Christ. Who is it that overcomes the world? All who believe that Jesus is the Son of God (1Jn 5:4-5). Blessed New Year 2015!
Elder Yoong Yuen Soo
