Christ's Kingdom and the End Times

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The Big Picture of Your Eternal Life

August 2, 2025 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post # 337 ~

Hope is a major doctrine, a most important subject in God’s word. When a believer studies the New Testament, he will find several long and instructive passages about the end times and his hope, Christ’s coming and his glorious future. He will discover that Matt. 24, Luke 21, 1 Th. 4-5, 2 Th. 1-2, Rev. 6-7, 20-21, and other passages go into great detail about these encouraging, relevant, and eternal truths.  

Then he will come across several verses and short passages that not only confirm, but further describe what God has planned for him, the big picture of his life. He will see God succinctly summarizing the totality of his life. In these verses it’s crystal clear that God wants a Christian to continually have the entirety of his eternal life in his heart. There are many of these verses and it’s going to take three weeks to look at them all. So let’s get started.

* Romans 5:1-3 – “Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ… and we also exult in hope of the glory of God.” You were saved by faith resulting in peace with God. And you are to have hope, you are to be excited about seeing God’s glory in Jesus Christ, believers, His works, and on this earth. Ps. 72:9, Ps. 98:7-8, Is. 6:3, Hab. 2:14

* Romans 8:30 – “These whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.” God is giving you an overview of your salvation, that you were predestined in eternity past, justified in the recent past, and will be glorified in the future, which occurs at Christ’s coming. In the present, He is sanctifying you in that “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God.” Rom. 8:28

* 1 Corinthians 1:7-9 – “… so that you…, awaiting eagerly the revelation of Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son.” You were given a relationship with Jesus at the moment of your salvation, and you are now being confirmed, being kept until the day of our Lord Jesus Christ, the day when He is revealed and you are glorified. Phil. 3:20-21

* 1 Corinthians 11:26 – “As often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” Taking communion is a present celebration of a past event, the death of Christ, and you’re to keep doing it until He comes. You are to remember and proclaim that Christ spiritually saved you by His death at His 1st coming, and will physically save you, will glorify you, at His 2nd coming.  

* 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 – “Christ has been raised from the dead… since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in His own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming.” Christ became alive, He was raised from the dead, and through Christ you were spiritually made alive – and when He comes back, you will physically be made alive, you will be resurrected.

* Ephesians 1:7-12 – “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses… with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.” When we were saved, we were redeemed and forgiven – and God gave us hope, and so we believe that Christ will be Lord of all, the King over all the earth, and we will reign with Him. Phil. 1:9-11

* Ephesians 1:13-14 – “You also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation – having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of your inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.” This is another overview of your life, that God spiritually saves you and then physically saves you, that God spiritually redeems you (vs. 7) and then physically redeems you. And the indwelling Holy Spirit is your guarantee that this will happen, and that you will receive a glorious and unbelievable inheritance. Eph. 4:30

* Philippians 1:6 – “I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” God began His work in you, He justified you, and will finish His work, He will glorify you on the day of Christ, which is at His coming. 1 Thess. 4:15-17

* Colossians 1:4-5 – “We heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel…” God wants you to have His perspective of your entire eternal life: you had faith in Jesus Christ and He saved you, and now you have hope, you believe that God has a great and glorious future in store for you. You know that you will worship Christ and have fellowship with believers, and you will be in heaven with a powerful new body. Heb. 12:22-24

* Colossians 3:3-4 – “You have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.” In the past, you died, you were crucified with Christ with the result that you were spiritually saved from sin. In the present, your life is hidden with Christ – it is not you who live but Christ who lives in you. In the future, when Christ is revealed, when He appears, you will be glorified and be seen with Him.  

* 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 – “You turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.” So what do we learn? 1) By God’s grace, you turned to God from idols and were saved. 2) Now you are serving God and waiting for Christ’s return. 3) In a very little while, Christ will come back to rescue you from the coming wrath and take you home to heaven to be with Him. Indeed, this is a wonderful way to summarize a key part of your Christian life.

We understand the gospel, that Christ suffered, died, and rose again, and that a person needs to repent of his sins and believe in Christ to be justified and forgiven. We know that a believer must be sanctified, must spiritually grow as a Christian. He must also have hope, he must look forward to being glorified, and to a perfect future that God has planned for him. These verses we have looked at today keep repeating and reminding us of the entirety of our salvation, and of our eternal life, from the moment we were saved to the end of this age to being glorified to being with Christ to the millennial kingdom to the eternal kingdom. “Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Ps. 23:6

P.S. God gives us a big picture of our eternal life, and that’s because He wants us to know our past, present, and future – He wants us to understand God’s purpose and plans for our life, now and forever. Please read “An Overview of Your Christian Life” and look at these charts – “The Kingdom of God” and “Your Kingdom Come”.

Why It’s Important to Preach on Prophecy

July 19, 2025 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #336 ~

We live in a world where true churches teach the gospel, the good news that Jesus Christ died to pay for our sins and rose again from the dead, and all who repent of their sins and believe that He died and rose again for them receive eternal life, are forgiven, are God’s children – and this is most important. But some of these churches don’t adequately and accurately teach about the end-times, Christ’s 2nd coming, and the kingdom ages. A pastor’s message is often lacking for it does not match the width and depth of God’s prophetic word, and therefore, is imbalanced, is not strong in hope. (2 Tim. 4:1-2). Not only that, errors are often taught or are allowed to be taught.

It’s not good, it’s not right for Christians to inadequately know or be mistaken about the incredible future God has in store for them. So why is there a lack of solid teaching on this essential subject? Why are believers uninformed? Why is there naivety, confusion, and a lack of interest? It’s the devil, the flesh, pride, unbelief, worldliness, and laziness, not diligently studying these significant portions of Scripture (1 Tim. 4:1-2; 2 Tim. 2:15, 3:16-17, 4:1-2). Christians, especially the pastors, ought to be excited and hungry to know the truth about Christ’s return to rapture the church, judge the sinners, and reign over this world.

Today I want to share some specific reasons why it’s necessary to teach these prophetic truths.
* Christ taught extensively on prophecy, and if He taught it, then we must teach what He taught, just what He taught, and what He commands us to teach. “See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name… you will be hearing of wars… just as the light comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man be.” Matt. 24:4-27, 28:19-20

* Prophecy consists of major doctrines and these must be taught. Being with Jesus Christ and being glorified are major doctrines. The millennial kingdom, reigning with Christ, and the future of the Jews are major doctrines. Eternal life, having a personal relationship with Christ for an infinite number of years, is also a major doctrine. “… we shall always be with the Lord.” 1 Thess. 4:17b, Heb. 12:22-24

* Thousands of prophecy verses in God’s word demand that it be taught. The sheer volume of unfulfilled prophecy found in Genesis, the law of Moses, the Psalms, the major and minor Prophets, the four gospels, Romans, 1-2 Thessalonians, 1-2 Peter, Revelation, and other books, makes it crystal clear that it’s a major, major subject in God’s word, and must be taught, is waiting to be taught, and needs to be understood and believed by the church. Luke 24:44

* Only by understanding prophecy can you see the big picture, can you have an eternal perspective, can you know the beginning from the end, can you see that the past and the present is leading to a God-glorious future. “I am God and there is no one like Me, declaring the end form the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.’” Isaiah 46:9b-10

* Prophecy needs to be taught because we live in the end-times. More than ever before, now is the time to teach on prophecy. God wants us to be knowledgeable, grown-up Christians at this time in history and have a clear understanding about what will be taking place in these last years leading up to Christ’s coming and the kingdom ages to follow. “These words are concealed and sealed up until the end time” (Dan. 12:9), and now in these end-times they are unsealed. “Take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance.” Mark 13:23; Eph. 1:20-21, 2:7

* Prophecy must be taught because the Old Testament talks extensively and primarily about the Jewish people and God’s eternal plans for them. And His purposes and promises for the Jews, His chosen people, have not and, I repeat, have not been changed or canceled. In these end-times and in the coming ages, God will surely carry out His plans for them with regards to their land, their King, and their salvation (Ezek. 37:21-23). “The Lord will be the King over all the earth.” Zech. 14:9

* Knowing prophetic truth about the Jews is necessary to knowing prophetic truth about the church. We now know that many Old Testament prophecies about the Jews include God’s plans for Christians, specifically those referring to the kingdom ages. Ps. 37:11, speaking of Jews, says, “the humble will inherit the earth”, and Matt. 5:5, speaking of Christians, states, “Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth.” These verses about Jews and Christians are related, and they refer to the earth during the millennial kingdom, a time when believers will “reign upon the earth.” Rev. 5:10

* Prophecy warns you about the calamitous last years of this church age, about lawlessness, birth pains, the Antichrist, great persecution, the most difficult time on earth for Christians – and God wants you to hear and heed His warnings so that you are not surprised or confused when there’s danger and great tribulation. You must be awake and alert, and understand what God wants you to know and do. “Let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.” 1 Thess. 5:6

* Prophecy makes it clear that the Christian life is not boring, directionless, or meaningless. Prophecy helps you see where you are and where you are going in these end-times, and that you are always moving ahead and going in the path God planned for you. Knowing that your life is being directed by God and is making progress is invigorating and motivating for it helps you see that you are an integral part of His divine purpose on earth. Every day is a new day, an exciting day, one day closer to completing God’s plans, one day closer to home. “I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus… I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 3:12-14

* Prophecy needs to be understood so you can teach, warn, and encourage others, whether that’s your wife, children, grand-children, friends, those in the church, or those out in the street. “He… appointed a law in Israel which He commanded our fathers that they should teach them to their children.” Ps. 78:5

* Prophecy must be taught because it tells you about the completion of your salvation. The gospel speaks of Christ’s death and resurrection which is the basis, the foundation of your salvation. And salvation is explained in 3 parts: justification (past – freed from the penalty of sin), sanctification (present – being freed from the power of sin), and glorification (future – freed from the presence of sin). A Christian’s salvation is continuing in the present and will be completed in the future, not at his death, but at Christ’s coming. Matt. 24:27, 31; 1 John 3:2-3

You can’t separate what God did in the past from what He will do in the future. God began His work in you and will finish His work in you. “I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6). God justified you and will glorify you. “These whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified” (Rom. 8:30). God spiritually united you with Christ and will physically unite you with Christ. The gospel is foundational to the completion of your salvation, to being physically resurrected, to receiving a new body, one that is powerful, immortal, spiritual, and glorious. 1 Cor. 15:20-23, 1 Thess. 4:15-17

* The book of Revelation, 22 chapters long, the last book in God’s word, focuses on prophecy, and must be understood. It’s not optional. You don’t skip the last chapter when you read a book, so why would you skip the final book in the Bible? Revelation is a needed book, one that ties everything together, that bridges the end of this church age to the coming kingdom age – and it must be clearly and rightly taught in conjunction with all of prophecy. It communicates God’s plans for believers, unbelievers, and the whole world, and you need to know it, believe it, and teach it. And by God’s illuminating Spirit, you can know what it says – it makes sense, it’s not too hard to understand. “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place… Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it for the time is near.” Rev. 1:1, 3, John 14:26

It’s sad that many Christians know little about God’s plans for their future and therefore, aren’t looking forward to being with Jesus. In these end-times, let’s pray that God gives more and more Christians the desire to study this critically important subject. Let’s ask God to revolutionize the thinking and understanding of churches with regards to their hope, Christ’s coming, and the glorious years we will have with Him in heaven and on earth. “Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matt. 6:9-10

P.S. I am encouraging all Christians, especially the leaders, to be teaching on prophecy. Now is the time to move full speed ahead in telling the church about the glorious future God has for us, most importantly being with Jesus our Lord. Here are two good posts that relate to this: “For Pastors and Preachers in the End-Times”, and “For Pastors, Preachers, and Teachers.”

He Went Home to Heaven

July 16, 2025 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #335 ~

As many of you may have heard, John MacArthur, a humble and faithful servant of God, and a gifted Bible teacher, was taken home to heaven this past Monday (7/14/2025). John “fought the good fight”, “finished the course”, and “kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7-8). He is now experiencing the second half of Phil. 1:21 – “To live is Christ, and to die is gain“, and of Ps. 23:6 – “Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

I believe that John, by God’s grace, was the most well known and most effective teacher of God’s word these past 50+ years. Through his Sunday messages, books, commentaries, and conferences, John was used by God to reach and teach millions of people in this country and all over the world – and that includes my wife and I.

We first started listening to his teaching tapes in 1996, and then began reading his books. I also attended a number of Shepherd Conferences, in 1997, 1998, and several in the early 2000’s. There is no doubt that these helped me become a better pastor and a more effective teacher of God’s word. My wife and I met him on a number of occasions, and he was very kind and gracious to us, even writing many encouraging letters to us. More than anyone else, John helped me in my ministry, and personally helped my wife and I as well. We are very grateful to God for his love, his life, and his ministry. 

Throughout the years, most of his teaching was from the New Testament, his primary purpose being to preach the gospel and build up the church. He taught on all kinds of subjects, including our hope. An excellent message on being with Jesus is linked here – The Lord’s Greatest Prayer, Part 8. It is from John 17:24-26. It is also written out in the article’s section on this blog site so you can read it, and there is a link to where you can listen to it. I believe you will find it to be a real spiritual blessing to your life. I would also encourage you to check out this link to Grace to You, where you can download and listen to all his taped messages, a treasure trove of truth, from the past 50+ years. 

I want to suggest something else for you to consider – purchasing the entire set of John’s commentaries of the New Testament. This NT library will be a great help to you in having a clear understanding of all the NT’s book. It is my favorite, most helpful resource, and I believe would be incredibly beneficial to you as well. Having a good grasp of the truth of God is well worth your money. Psalm 119:72

Below is a note my wife wrote to some of her friends about John – I believe you will find it most encouraging. 

_____________________________________

From Marsha ~

Dear Ones ~

We are so very grateful to God for John MacArthur!  What a wonderful man of God!  God took him home to heaven yesterday, July 14, 2025.  We first began to listen to his teaching in 1996, and then started reading his books, and also became members of his tape library in order to listen to many, many sermons over all these years since.  He has been like a spiritual father to me since he was such a gifted Bible teacher and a kind friend.  We have listened to/watched hundreds of his thousands of sermons!  At the GTY.org website you can find all of them there!  We not only learned from him but also had the blessing of knowing him personally over the years.  He encouraged us when we ended up leaving the Maryland area so Steve could preach/teach the Bible properly, which he did for 26 years here in Florida.  John was always very kind to us and our whole family in many ways since we first met him in 1997, with letters and notes and kind greetings when we saw him at conferences!  Truly, he was God’s servant as he loved God, His Word, and His people very, very much! 

To honor God and give thanks for John, here below is a link to just one sermon (of many) that I thought you might like.  The Gospel of John chapter 17 has always been a favorite of mine, especially verse 24.  I thought it would be appropriate today and a special encouragement, knowing that John is now THERE!!  He is with Jesus in heaven, indeed his faith has now been made sight!  So, dear ones, please try to take some time to watch and listen to this sermon, and others of John’s as well, as the Lord leads you.  God’s Word is so precious and nourishing to our souls, and there is no better Bible teacher than John MacArthur to help us understand what God means by what He says!  

May God the Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit, bless you as you “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” ~ 2 Peter 3:18

“Father, I desire that they also,
whom Thou hast given Me,
be with Me where I am,
in order that they may behold My glory,
which Thou hast given Me;
for Thou didst love Me
before the foundation of the world.”
Jesus’ Words in The Gospel of John 17:24

The Lord’s Greatest Prayer, Part 8
John 17:24–26
Sermon 43-100 – February 14, 2016

_____________________________________

“Teach me, O Lord, the way of Thy statutes,
and I shall observe it to the end.”
Psalm 119:33.

“To Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
and to make you stand in the presence of His glory 
blameless with great joy,
to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord,
be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority,
before all time and now and forever. Amen.”
Jude 24-25 

Prophecy Tells Us God’s Plans for the Future

July 5, 2025 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #334 ~

Most believers don’t know, understand, or are in error with regards to prophecy, and that’s sad. The flesh is lazy and worldly, and the devil lies and deceives, wanting people to think prophecy isn’t true or important. But we must believe and be excited about prophetic truth, and it’s for our good and God’s glory. (I am talking about prophecy as it relates to what God says in His word about the future of this world and His people.) So let’s talk about the importance of prophecy.

* Prophecy is God’s word, not man’s, and every word of God is wholly and eternally true. God gave His word to His people, and we are to know and teach it, and that means every word, verse, subject, and passage, including prophecy. 2 Tim. 2:15, 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 2:19-21
* The sum of God’s word is truth. If we leave out part of God’s word, like prophecy, then we miss out on what God wants us to know. If we don’t believe and teach all His word, we won’t learn all His truth and will succumb to false teaching. Knowing God’s word is the key to discerning His will and living in the way He planned for us. Ps. 119:160, Mk. 13:23, 2 Tim. 4:1-2

* Prophecy gives light. “We have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place…” (2 Pet. 1:19). We live in a dark, devilish, evil world, and prophecy gives us light, helping us to see and love God, helping us to know where we are at and where we are going, helping us to be a good witness, and to persevere.
* Prophecy gives hope. Having hope means we believe and are looking forward to a great, God-given future. We must have hope to live in a sin-prone body in a sinful world – we must believe that we will be with Jesus, be in heaven, be with believers, be perfect, receive an inheritance, have a glorious body, a wonderful purpose, and be loved by God like never before.

* Prophecy takes away fear. Seeing sin and evil, and hearing about earthquakes, wars, and famines could be unsettling and fear producing. But knowing that God is our loving, powerful, wise, and sovereign Father, and knowing His general plan for these end-times and the coming age should calm our souls and give us peace and confidence. Is. 46:9-10, Jer. 29:11-12
* Prophecy warns us about the future. Dangerous and difficult times are coming upon this world. God’s prophetic word tells us these things, and that it’s part of His overall plans for the end-times. When there’s birth pains, lawlessness, great persecution, and Antichrist is ruling, don’t be surprised or fearful. God is in complete control, and these things must happen before God brings about the return of His Son. Matt. 24:3-31, Mark 13:5-23, 2 Thess. 2:1-4

* Prophecy is no small subject in the end-times. In these end times, prophecy is becoming an increasingly, important subject, and God wants us to understand it and teach it. A church’s work must be framed by prophecy, and be done in light of Christ’s return and the coming kingdom. “By His appearing and kingdom, preach the word.” 2 Tim. 4:1-2, Matt. 24:10
* Many Christians are ignorant, naïve, or in error about prophecy. The work of the church, the pastors, and the parents is to passionately, completely, and clearly teach prophetic truth. Just think – your Savior, Lord, Lover, and King will soon come back to earth, and it could be in your lifetime. 2 Thess. 2:1-3, Heb. 10:37

* Prophecy is to wake us up, to excite us about Christ’s coming, and alert us to the dangers we will be facing. Many Christians are sleeping, fleshly, and worldly, and must awake from their slumber, and must “behave properly,” “put on the Lord Jesus Christ,” and “put on the breastplate of faith and love.” Rom. 13:11-14, 1 Thess. 5:4-11
* Prophecy helps you understand God’s plans for the Jews. The Old Testament describes God’s work with the Jews, and the New Testament focuses on His work with the church and His renewed work with the Jews. Many passages about God’s future for the Jews sit next to passages about His future for the church. Knowing these side-by-side passages helps you see how God works with both Jews and Christians in these last days. Matt. 24:9-14 – 24:15-26; Luke 21:12-19 – 20-24; 2 Thess. 2:1-2 – 2:3-9; Rev. 7:4-9 – 7:9-15; Rev. 12:1-16 – 12:17, 13:1-18

* Prophecy helps you learn God’s character, that He is holy in His ways, sovereign in His work, wise in His dealings, just in His actions, powerful in His deeds, faithful to His word, merciful to His people, compassionate to His children. Is. 6:3, Is. 46:9-11, Jer. 9:23-24, Rom. 8:28, Rev. 15:3
* Prophecy helps you know God’s purposes. God is actively carrying out His purposes. Reading His prophetic word enables you to see the big picture, His plans from beginning to end, His purposes for all the people on this planet. There are many prophecies about Christ’s 1st coming and 2nd coming, and about His plans for the Jews and the church. Isaiah 60, John 14:1-3, Rev. 7

* Prophecy tells us that this evil age is coming to an end, followed by a righteous age that lasts for 1000 years. It’s imperative that you understand God’s overall plans about the past, present, and future. Not long from now, Christ will return to rapture the church, judge the world, save a remnant of Jews, and begin His reign on earth. Matt. 28:19-20, Gal. 1:4, Eph. 1:21, Rev. 21:1-7
* Prophecy helps you be ready for the future. God’s prophetic word has much to say about what you are to do in the end-times, that you are to use your gifts, work for God, witness to the lost, and disciple the saved. And in the context of prophecy, much is said about the character God wants you to have, that you are to have faith (Lk. 18:8), be sober (1 Th. 5:8), be loving (1 Pet. 4:8), be holy (2 Pet. 3:11), be fearless (Rev. 2:10), and be persevering (Rev. 13:10).

* Prophecy motivates you to serve the Lord. God has special work for you, a part for you to play in the end-times. What a privilege it is to live for Him at this time in history. “It is like a man away (Christ) on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves (believers) in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper (the watchman) to stay on the alert” (Mk. 13:34). “He (Christ) called ten of his slaves, and gave them ten talents and said to them, ‘Do business with this until I come back.’” Lk. 19:13, 1 Th. 1:9-10
* Prophecy speaks about the hope of Christ’s return, and this is to help you grow in holiness. “Fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ… be holy…” (1 Pet. 1:13-15). “When He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. Everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” 1 John 3:2-3

* Prophecy is a present and relevant truth, and should change and charge your life. “Do this, knowing the time… salvation is nearer to us than we first believed” (Rom. 13:11).It won’t be long before Christ returns to rapture the church and set up His kingdom on earth. Now is the time to be spiritually awake and alert; now is the time to use your money, time, and talents to do God’s work; now is the time to preach the gospel and make disciples; now is the time, like never before in history, to be looking for Christ, to be expecting His return. Heb. 10:37

* Prophecy gives us a timeline of the future. At the beginning of Daniel’s 70th week, a 7-year period described in Dan. 9:27, there’s an agreement between the Antichrist and the Jews. At this week’s midpoint the Antichrist is revealed; at its end a remnant of Jews are saved; and sometime during the last 3½ years of this week Christians are raptured, are suddenly taken to join all believers from all time and meet Jesus Christ in the air. 1 Thess. 4:16-17
* Prophecy gives much information about the millennial kingdom. You need to study prophecy for it tells you about your future and that of all believers. Some key books describing this glorious, soon-coming, 1000-year age are Psalms, Isaiah, Daniel, Matt., 1 Thess., 2 Thess., and Revelation. “The Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before the nations” (Is. 61:11). “The Most High is to be feared, a great King over all the earth… Sing praises to our King.” Ps. 47:2, 6

* Prophecy truly understood corrects errors with regards to the end times and Christ’s return. This is the truth: Christ is coming again; His coming is not imminent; tribulation is not wrath; Christians are on earth during the Antichrist’s rule; Christians go through great tribulation but not God’s wrath; Christ’s coming is pre-millennial; Christ is not coming at the start of Daniel’s 70th week but sometime during its 2nd half; the rapture occurs at the beginning of Christ’s coming; we will know the general time of the rapture but not the specific time (Matt. 24:32-36); Iran (Persia), though recently defeated, will again be strong and attack Israel (Ez. 38); God’s promises for the Jews have not been reneged or canceled but will be fulfilled in the future. Ps. 105:8-11

* Prophecy tells us the need for watchmen, people who see God’s prophetic word being fulfilled in the world and then alert others. Christians are to be like the sons of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what they should do. 1 Chr. 12:32, Ez. 3:1-11, Mark 13:33-35
* Prophecy is forward looking. God wants you to thank Him for the past but not focus on it. Prophecy helps you to look ahead to the future, to press ahead, to be excited about your God-given future, and do the work He wants you to do. God’s work is to result in fruitful labor, and the fruit He gives you will be an eternal blessing to Him, others, and yourself. “I press on toward the goal for the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 3:12-14

* Prophecy describes your brand new body. It says that your new body will be like Jesus Christ’s (1 Jn. 3:2) and the angels (Luke 20:36). It will be perfect, powerful, glorious, immortal, and spiritual (1 Cor. 15:42-44). “We eagerly wait the Lord Jesus Christ who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory by the exertion of His power.” Phil. 3:21
* Prophecy focuses on Jesus Christ, that He will visibly, lovingly, and powerfully be your Lord, Savior, Redeemer, and King, that you will be with Him forever, and experience eternal life like never before. Eternal life is an eternal, everlasting relationship with Christ. (Jn. 17:3). “To live is Christ and to die is gain”(Ph. 1:21). When you die or when Christ returns, your relationship with Him will take on a new dimension, a glorious, wonderful, unbelievable change from what it is now. “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand on the earth. And after my skin is destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes – I and not another. How my heart yearns within me.” Job 19:25-27

Isn’t it encouraging to know that God tells us the future. Here are two other posts that will help you understand prophecy: “Prophecy Is Predicting the Future” and “What You Need to Know About Prophecy.”

Location, Location, Location!!!

June 21, 2025 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #333 ~

In real estate, it is often said that location is the number one selling point. You want to live in a climate you like, an attractive area, a clean neighborhood, a location close to family, work, stores, church, etc. This was true in our recent move to our new home. But as a Christian, you must understand the truth about your location not just in a physical way, but as it relates to living for the Lord. Phil. 1 speaks a lot about this.

Last time we talked about your spiritual location, about being “in Christ” (Phil. 1:1). The phrase “in Christ” is a loaded, power-packed phrase that has much to say about your relationship with Christ and your Christian life. We learned that being “in Christ” is spiritual, constant, and glorious. And it results in being loved, blessed, protected, purposeful, seated with God, eternal security, and a perfect future.

Then we talked about your physical location. Paul wrote to believers “in Philippi”. So too God has located you, positioned you in a particular place for His purposes. Your physical location – your home, neighborhood, city, or church – is your base of operation, your physical and spiritual headquarters. It’s the place where you love and serve God and others, the place from which you witness to the lost and disciple the saved.

God has always had His people in physical places. That’s the way it has been and will be for the Jews. That’s the way it has been and will be for the Christians – we live in our physical home and, in the future, we will live in an eternal home, a place Christ is preparing for us (Jn. 14:1-3). And God is sovereign over our physical location – where we live in these final years before Christ’s return has already been determined by God. Acts 17:26

Then we briefly talked about your relational location, that you have relationships with believers, and you are to be spiritually connected and close to them. These relationships, especially in our day, aren’t limited to a physical location, but can happen with anyone anyplace on earth. It can be with your spouse, a church member, or a missionary, someone in your home, half way down the street, or half way around the world.

Phil. 1 talks extensively about Paul’s relational location, how he was spiritually and intimately connected to other believers. Paul had relationships with believers who were physically located with him in a jail, but he was also relationally located with the believers in Philippi and, as we know, with those in other churches and cities. Let’s learn more about Paul’s relational location with believers and apply this to our lives. 

Phil. 1:3-5. “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you” (vs. 3). The Christians in Philippi were on Paul’s mind – he had not forgotten them, he remembered them, he was thinking about them. But Paul was not just thinking about them, he loved them and was thanking God for them. More than that, he was praying for them, and it was a joyful, emotional prayer. The reason Paul gladly prayed for them was because he knew they loved Christ, and they loved him, and were united with him in this most important work, preaching the gospel of Christ. But there’s much more:

Phil. 1:6. “… He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Paul understood God’s overall purpose and plan for these believers. He saw the big picture, that God Himself had begun His divine work in them, and would keep working in them until the day of Christ, that day when their salvation would be complete, when they would be physically saved. Paul’s love for them and his knowledge of salvation motivated him to express to them his confidence – he wanted them to be convinced of God’s glorious and eternal work in their lives.

Phil. 1:7-11. “God is my witness how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus” (vs. 8). Paul continues to talk about the reason for his relational connection with these Christians. It says he felt for them, he thought deeply of them, they were in his heart. Paul and these Philippians truly loved God and loved each other. Though physically apart, they had the same spiritual Father, Savior, and Spirit. They were supernaturally related, were sharing in God’s grace, and were united in the work of the church.

Paul loved these believers with affection and feeling, the compassion of Christ. The love he had for these saints moved him to pray for them, specifically that their love for God would be shown by their holy lives and wise decisions with the result that they would do His will, be fruitful, and be God-glorifying.

Phil. 1:12-20. “Christ will now, as always, be exalted in my body” (vs. 20). Paul was spiritually connected to many believers, some physically nearby and others faraway. And their relationship was for Christ, motivated by Christ, and centered on Christ. It was Christ being preached, believers growing and becoming mature in Christ, and Christ being exalted. No matter his physical location, whether he was at home, in a jail, in a synagogue, or out in public, Paul’s message and life was always Jesus Christ.

What were some of the keys to Paul’s close relationship with Christians?
* Paul greatly loved the believers in both words and actions.
* He was open with them – he told them how he was doing and what he was doing.
* He told them the works of God, and that God was sovereignly working all things together for good, and even though he was in jail, he was still preaching the gospel.
* He told them they were part of his life, for God would answer their prayers for him.  
* He reminded these believers that they were on the same team, had the same goal, and were united in their work for Christ and His glory.

Phil. 1:21-26. “To me, to live is Christ and to die is gain… (vs. 21). Paul was summing up life in the simplest, most powerful way possible. And for Paul, “to live is Christ” meant living for Christ which meant living for people. Paul knew it would be better for him to be in heaven, but knew God wanted him to stay on earth and sacrifice his life for others. Paul was humble and put the interests of others first (Ph. 2:3-4), seen in that he loved them, served them, prayed for them, and shared Christ with them, which resulted in them experiencing real “progress and joy in the faith.”

No matter where you live (physical location), you are in Christ (spiritual location), and you are to love and live for others (relational location). In this post, we have focused on your relational location, that you are to be relationally connected to and close to other Christians, whether they live near or far. As you are in Christ and active in your relationship with Christ, then you will be active in your relationships with others. You will be praying for them, loving them, spending time with them, worshiping God with them, serving them, serving with them, and sharing God’s word with them.

I often wonder what our relationships will look like in the last years of the end-times. What I do know is that God is sovereign over all our relationships – He chooses who we are with, when we will be living, where we will live, and why. And Christ is in charge of the church, its relational configuration and the purpose of its members. “God has placed the members of the body, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired” (1 Cor. 12:18; Eph. 2:19-22, 4:12-16). What I also know is that your relationship with others is essential, is critically important for the end-times’ work and glory of Christ.

Jesus Christ is building the church, and the gates of hell, the work of the devil, and the demons, and the Antichrist will not stop it. The church will continue to grow and will complete all the work Christ has for her in these last years leading up to His return to rapture the church and judge the world (Matt. 24:9-14, 24:31, 28:19-20). “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” Eph. 3:19-20

P.S. I want to remind you of Matthew 24, what I believe is the most important prophecy chapter in the Bible. I would encourage you to read Matt. 24, along with this article, “Matthew 24 – The Most Important Prophecy Chapter in the Bible,” which is being read by more people than anything else this past week on this blog site.

Your Location in the Last Years of this Age

June 7, 2025 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #332 ~

My wife and I recently moved to a new home in another city. This got me thinking about my location in life, and I’m not just talking about my physical location, but my spiritual location and my relational location. Phil. 1 talks about all these: it says the believers are spiritually located “in Christ” (vs. 1), physically located “in Philippi” (vs. 1), and relationally located with Paul (vss. 3-11). What does this mean, and how does it relate to your relationship with Christ and for Christ in the end-times, the last years of this church age?

First, let’s talk about our spiritual location, that we are “in Christ.” We are spiritually blessed because we are “in Christ” (Eph. 1:3); we were chosen to be “in Him” (Eph. 1:4); we have redemption because we are “in Christ” (Eph. 1:7); we are sealed “in Him” (Eph. 1:13); and we are seated with God in the heavenly places “in Christ Jesus.” Eph. 2:6

Rom. 6:3, 6:11, 23 and Col. 2:10-11 also speak of spiritually being “in Christ”. At the moment we were saved, the Spirit caused us to be placed in Jesus Christ. Because we are in Christ, we have protection, a relationship with Christ, a purpose, and a glorious future. And being “in Christ” is constant, unchanging, eternal, and glorious. Each of these truths is extremely important for our Christian life.

Second, let’s talk about our physical location. People are physical beings living on a physical earth and in a physical place (Ph. 1:20, 22). “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth… ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it’” (Gen. 1:1, 28). God wants us to worship and serve Him while we are living on this earth – and in the coming kingdom age, we will join Christ in ruling over it. Rev. 20:6

Here are several thoughts about our physical location:
* Each of us have our own Philippi, our own physical place where we live, and this may change during our stay on this earth.
* We are to love God in our physical location. One way we do this is by worshiping God with other believers, whether that’s in a home, a church building, or outside. Acts 13:1-2a, Acts 16:13, 1 Cor. 14:26
* We are to love and serve others in our physical location. God places us with others so we can hug and shake hands, so we can see their face and hear their voice, and so we can listen and talk to them. Evangelism, discipleship, and fellowship usually occur when we are with people in a physical place.

* The Bible gives examples of worshiping and serving God in physical places. The Jews worshiped God in the temple. Daniel prayed when he was in his home in Babylon. Jesus ministered in Israel. Paul preached about Christ when was in a city, synagogue, jail, and his rental place. Paul established churches in Philippi, Ephesus, Corinth, etc. A church was meeting in the home of Aquila and Priscilla.
* God’s word is the same in every place. Our physical location can change, but God’s word never changes.  “Your statutes are the theme of my song wherever I live” (Ps. 119:54). Having relocated to a new city and new home, this truth about God’s unchanging word is reassuring, stabilizing, comforting, and very encouraging.

* God is sovereign over our physical location – He determines where and when we live. “He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation” (Acts 17:26). “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places.” Ps. 16:6
* Believers will be raptured from a specific place. “He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth…” (Mk. 13:27). “There will be two men in the field, one will be taken…” Matt. 24:40

* God gave the Jewish people a place to live, the land of Israel, and this was their home, their country. Now we are in the end-times and we are seeing God’s continued work with the Jews and again, Israel is their home. From Jerusalem, Christ will reign with them over the world in the age to come. Ps. 48, Ez. 36-37, Matt. 24:15-26, Rev. 11
* Believers will reign over a place, over this earth. “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth” (Rev. 5:10). We will reign with Christ for 1,000 glorious years (Rev. 20:6). And God has planned out the exact place of our ministry. For example, “You are to be in charge of ten cities.” Luke 19:17

* Jesus Christ has prepared a home, a place for His people to live – “In my Father’s house are many dwelling places… I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:1-3
* In the kingdom ages, we will spend time with believers in eternal dwellings. “Make friends for yourselves by means of the wealth of unrighteousness, so that when it fails, they will receive you into the eternal dwellings.” Luke 16:9
* Our home in the eternal kingdom will be a physical place, an earthly and heavenly city, the holy city, the new Jerusalem. Rev. 21:1-2

* God is sovereign over the end-times’ location of all people. This world is a massive “chess board”, and God is putting every person in the perfect place and at the perfect time so He can fulfill all His purposes. He knows exactly what He wants to do, the person He wants to do it, and the place it is to happen. Is. 46:9-11, Eph. 1:9-11, Jms. 4:13-15

As I said, my wife and I recently moved – and our new physical location directly and strategically impacts our lives. Most affected are our relationships, not with God, but with people. Our new home is our headquarters, our base of operations, a place of peace, safety, and rest, a place from which we can spend time with God, serve, evangelize, make disciples, and pray. Our new church is a place of worship, Bible study, fellowship, and new friends. And we are meeting people in our neighborhood, in stores, at restaurants, and in the town square, specifically, the preaching place.

Third, let’s talk about our relational location. This refers to our relationships with Christians, and though these relationships usually happen in our physical location, they can be with anyone anyplace on earth. It can be with your spouse, family, church members, someone half way down the street or half way around the world.

Phil. 1-2 speaks in great detail about Paul’s relational location. Paul was in jail in Rome but he had relationships with believers in Philippi. He was spiritually connected and close to these believers – he loved them and they loved him, and they were united for the purposes and glory of God. Much more needs to be said about our relational location with believers, but we will save that for the next post.

This subject of our spiritual location, physical location, and relational location is of utmost importance, and must be understood if we are to faithfully and fruitfully live for the Lord in the last years of this age. We need to know where we are at in our relationship with Christ and with Christians. As life gets more difficult, as we encounter tribulation and great tribulation, we must know what it means to be spiritually located, to be in Christ, and to be physically located “until the day of Christ” (Phil. 1:10), and to be relationally located, to be spiritually and emotionally connected and close to other believers.

“The saints in Christ Jesus (spiritual)… God is my witness, how I long for you all (relational)… my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment (physical) for the cause of Christ…” Phil. 1:1, 8, 12-13

Life Lessons, What Keeps Me Going for God – Part 3

May 24, 2025 /

By Steven J. Hogan

A Saturday Morning Post #331

I recently retired from my work as a pastor / teacher. It is at this time in my life that I want to share a number of lessons God has taught me these past 50 plus years. And personally, I will continue to apply these lessons, for I have not yet retired from serving God on this earth – that only happens when I die or am raptured. In my last two posts, I looked at 17 different truths, but there’s more to be said. So let’s continue:

18. “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent” (Jn. 17:3). This speaks of my relationship with God, and it’s most important, for it’s foundational to my entire life, this age and the ages to come. At the heart of this relationship is believing the truth about God: knowing who He is, that He’s Creator, Lord, King, Savior, and Judge; knowing what He’s like, that He’s holy, powerful, loving, forgiving, sovereign, and good; and knowing His purpose, that He wants to raise up a people for Himself, ones who will worship and serve Him forever and ever.

Here are the key components of my relationship with God:
* Getting time alone with God on a regular basis – Luke 10:38-42
* Worshiping God – loving, praising, exalting, and thanking Him – Ps. 100
* Meditating on God’s word, thinking about what it means and how it applies to my life – Ps. 1:2
* Trusting God, having faith in Him, believing Him and His word – Ps. 62:8
* Being humble, knowing God is my Lord and that I am His servant, recognizing my need for Him, calling out to Him, and thanking Him – 1 Pet. 5:5-6
* Obeying God – knowing and keeping His commands – John 14:21, 23
* Serving God – obeying God, working and fighting for Him. 2 Tim. 4:7
* Being aware of the spiritual battle and the devil’s schemes – Eph. 6:10-13

19. “David, after he had served the purpose of God in his generation, fell asleep” (Acts 13:36). God has had a purpose He wanted me to fulfill, a reason why He created and saved me. This is seen in His plans for my life, the work He has wanted me to do. His purpose, His plans, His work hasn’t been what the world, the devil, or my flesh has wanted, but what God wanted. His plans are seen in His truths, commands, and promises. For example, there’s: Ps. 23:6 – God loves me; Mark 12:30-31 – love God and love people; Matt. 6:33 – seek God’s kingdom; Matt. 24:14 – proclaim the gospel; Matt. 28:19-20 – make disciples; John 15:16 – be fruitful; Matt. 24:31 – Christ is coming back.

20. “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving Him”(1 Pet. 4:10). God is my Master, my Lord, and I am to serve Him, to work for Him. He has wanted me to serve Him in a unique way, a way unlike anyone else, and my work is part of His overall purpose for the church and overall plan for the world. What a joy to be able to serve the Creator of the Universe, the Almighty God, the Lord of lords, the King of Kings, the Savior of sinners!

How has God wanted me to serve Him? How has He wanted to use me? What part of the wall has He wanted me to build? (Neh. 3)? It has related to my relationships, my family, the church, circumstances, my talents, and my spiritual gift. And we must know our gift(s), whether it’s faith, serving, teaching, exhorting, leading, giving, mercy, etc. “God has arranged the members in the body, each one of them, just as He desired” (1 Cor. 12:18). How have I known what God wanted me to do, and how can you know? By knowing God’s word, knowing His purposes, being holy, praying, getting counsel, being led by the Spirit, knowing the plans of my church, and thinking about the needs of others. Serving God and doing what He wanted me to do has been truly satisfying, motivating, and God-glorifying.

21. “I recount all the laws that come from Your mouth” (Ps. 119:13). I have learned the importance of knowing and remembering God’s word. So what have I done?
* I have learned God’s word from God Himself, and He speaks through the Holy Spirit, good Bible teachers, my wife, my friends, and good books.
* My morning routine is reading the Psalms, and an OT and NT passage.
* I keep memorizing verses, which has proved to be a great benefit to my life and God’s work.
* I regularly review my favorite verses, my life verses, which will soon be written up in the articles’ section on this blogsite.
* Most nights, I think of a verse as I go off to sleep.

22. “… though he is dead, he still speaks”(Heb. 11:4). Learning from other Christians has inspired me to be godly – and their sermons and biographies are most instructive. I find that they loved God and loved His word, and wholeheartedly served Him, and persevered in the tough times – that is, they trusted God in their trials. And God used them to preach the gospel, teach His word, and meet needs in the church. I think of Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Knox, Edwards, Whitfield, Wesley, Spurgeon, Ryle, Taylor, Elliot, Lloyd-Jones, and many others. My favorite author is Iain Murray – his books are accurate, biographical, historical, and theological.

23. “Keep yourself in the love of God” (Jude 21).One of the main ways I’ve been able to keep going for God through the years is that He has helped me to abide in His love. God knows that I needed to continually feed on and be satisfied by His love, and He commanded me to do it. Here is how I have learned to do this:
* I keep reminding myself of the gospel, that God loved me, chose me, redeemed me, justified me, forgave me, reconciled me, and saved me from sin, death, and hell. The greatest demonstration of God’s love is that Christ died to pay for my sins even though I was an unworthy sinner. Rom. 5:8
* I have communion with Christians. This helps me to remember Him and His great love, and motivates me to thank Him for all He has done for me. 1 Cor. 11:23-26
* I have believed the different aspects of God’s love, that He has been good, kind, righteous, patient, forgiving, gentle, compassionate, merciful, and faithful. Col. 3:13-14
* I confess my sins to God and freshly experience His love. Ps. 51:1-13, 1 Jn. 5:5-10

* I have been satisfied by God’s love (Ps. 90:14). I have often started my day by thinking of His love for me “… proclaiming Your love in the morning.” Ps. 91:2
* I go over Bible verses on God’s love. “The Eternal Love of God” lists out over 100 verses from the Psalms on the love that God has for me and all His children.
* I take the time to meditate, to think about the love that God has for me. “We meditate on Your unfailing love.” Psalm 48:9
* I praise God for His character and for His works, for who He is and for what He has done. Ps. 9:1-2
* I have had consistent fellowship with Christians, which has given me opportunity to love them and for them to love me. Eph. 4:15-16, Heb. 10:24-25

24. “Do not grow weary of doing good, for in due time, you will reap if you do not grow weary” (Gal. 6:9). I’ve gotten weary and tired, and at times have wanted to give up. But God has helped me to persevere, to not quit. How has this happened, and how can I keep living for Him until the end of my life or the end of this age?
* I have looked to God for strength, the strength He wants to give me so I can keep doing His work. “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak” (Is. 40:28-31). “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Phil. 4:13
* I have looked to Jesus’ example and how He suffered at the hands of sinners, He was in extreme pain and under great pressure but He didn’t give up – He persevered. Heb. 12:3
* God’s promises motivated me to keep going, for they told me it’s worth it to endure, that He will greatly and eternally bless me if I continue living for Him. Ps. 31:19, 2 Pet. 1:2-4

* God has work for me to do, a race to run, and to finish it requires endurance. I don’t stop running in the middle of a race – I keep going until I hit the tape. As Jesus said, “I brought You glory on earth by completing the work You gave me to do.” Jn. 17:4
* God’s word gives examples of people who persevered, who kept going until their work was done, until God’s promise was fulfilled. There’s Noah, Abraham, Job, Moses, Hannah, David, Jeremiah, Nehemiah, Peter, Paul, etc. “Whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, you might have hope.” Rom. 15:4-5
* I have learned to take one day at a time. Thinking about all that I need to do in the days ahead is usually overwhelming, and it wears me out, and it makes me feel like giving up. You see, God designed 24-hour days for a reason and I have learned to focus on the work for that day. “This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Ps. 118:24, Matt. 6:34

* A good runner paces himself, and if he doesn’t, he won’t win the race, and he may not even finish it. I’ve learned to pace himself, to not go too fast or too slow. (1 Cor. 9:24-27). Not only that, but I don’t have the strength and stamina I had in earlier years, and I need more rest. “Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31
* I have fellowship with other Christians. And there are important benefits from spending time with them. There is love, prayer, comfort, wisdom, compassion, and encouragement, and these help me and motivate me to keep going. “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.” Rom. 12:10
* I try to stay healthy, to eat good food, exercise, and get the sleep I need. Ps. 127:2

25. I have learned the importance of hope. Having hope means knowing that God has excellent plans for me after my life on earth. It means knowing that it’s worth it to love God, and that working for God results in a fantastic future, in receiving eternal benefits and blessings. Let me sum up some of the key aspects of having hope. It means you are excited about being with Jesus, and about having no more sin, sorrow, weakness, or pain. It means you are looking forward to being perfect in every way, and being with people and in a place where there’s amazing love, wonderful worship, and perfect fellowship. It means you are expecting to be in heaven with other believers, and being rewarded, receiving a brand-new body, and reigning with Christ during the 1000-year kingdom age. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Rom. 15:13

We have looked at 25 lessons that I believe are vitally important for you to learn if you are you to live rightly for God during your stay on earth. I’ve not learned these in a day or a week or a year, but over the course of many years, in a lifetime of being with Jesus and being in God’s word and being in good churches and being with godly believers. Might God help you to listen to Him and to learn from Him and to love Him and to live for Him in the way that He desires. “Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I shall observe it to the end.” Psalm 119:33

P.S. Learning from God is what you must do to live the life that He has planned out for you. I am so thankful that God has been my Teacher, the best Teacher in the world. If you have not done so already, then I encourage you to read Life Lessons 1 and Life Lessons 2.

Life Lessons, What Keeps Me Going for God – Part 2

May 8, 2025 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #330 ~

The most important thing in the world is knowing God and His love and then loving Him and living for Him. But what does this look like? Why is this so important? How does this happen? This post is Part 2 of “Life Lessons”, the lessons and principles God has been teaching me over the past 52 years about how I can know Him and keep living for Him. Last time we looked at these lessons: 1. God is first and foremost, 2. Getting with God, 3. Knowing God, 4. The church, 5. My wife, 6. Close friends, 7. Learning from others, 8. Humility, 9. God’s sovereignty, 10. Knowing God’s love. Let’s continue —

11. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 119:105). God’s word has been foundational – I wouldn’t have successfully made it in the Christian life without it. Every day, I look forward to getting time with God and learning from His word (Ps. 42:1-2, 119:92-94). God’s word has told me who I am in Christ. It has told me how to love God and love people. It has given me direction. It has encouraged me when I am discouraged. It has helped me stay away from bad people. It has given me hope – it tells me what will happen in these end-times and in the kingdom age to come. Matt. 4:4

Three words sum up the nature, the essence of God’s word. There are truths I’ve believed, like “God is holy”, “God is good”, and the “Gospel, that Jesus alone takes away my sins”. There are commands that must be obeyed, that tell me what God wants me to do, commands like “love God”, “trust in the Lord”, and “pray for one another”. God’s commands have been absolutely essential, for they have helped me do what’s right, and to stay on track for God (Ps. 119:47-48a). There are promises based on God’s truths, and they must be believed. Here are some of my favorites: Ps. 23:6, Ps. 32:8, Ps. 85:12, Matt. 6:33, Heb. 10:37

12. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength” (Mk. 12:30). This is the great commandment, the most important commandment. God is my Creator, Lord, Savior, and King, and He alone deserves to be worshiped, to be greatly and wholeheartedly loved. Loving God is what I should do, and what I have done, but not by any means perfectly. And it’s by God’s grace that I have learned to love Him more and more.

How have I loved God? By praising Him, thanking Him, singing to Him, and rejoicing in Him (Ps. 18:1). I have loved God by not loving idols, by not loving worldly things (1 Jn. 2:15). I have loved God by loving people (Jn. 15:12). I have loved God by obeying Him – and if I’m not obeying God, then I’m not loving Him (Jn. 14:21). And His perfect and continual love has motivated me to love Him. 1 John 4:19

13. “This is my commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (Jn. 15:13). I’ve loved God by loving people. And I’ve learned that I can have a “good time with God” in the morning, but if I don’t love people, I’m a noisy gong or a clanging symbol (1 Cor. 13:1-3). I’m not talking about phileo love, which can be a component of our love, but agape love, a giving and sacrificial love (Eph. 5:1-2). To love people has meant being humble, thinking of others as more important than myself, thinking about what others are going through, of listening to them as they talk about their concerns, relationships, trials, work, etc. Phil. 2:3-4

Loving people has meant loving them with humility, compassion, kindness, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and devotion (1 Cor. 13:4-8, Col. 3:13-14). It has meant loving those who don’t love me and those who are hard to love. It has meant having fellowship with believers and encouraging them. It has meant sharing God’s word with people and praying for them, two important ways to love them (Eph. 4:14). It has meant initiating with the saved and the lost – I don’t wait for them to call me, I reach out to them.

14. “Brethren, pray for us” (1 Thess. 5:25). One of the best things a person can do for others is to pray for them, and I’ve learned to ask people to pray for me. Ex. 17:8-13 talks of Joshua defeating the Amalekites, and it’s because Moses was asking God for the victory, and because Aaron and Hur lifted up Moses’ tiring arms. Marsha and my children have faithfully prayed for me, and a few others have also consistently been praying for me, specifically at key times and in teaching God’s word. Eph. 6:19-20

15. “Trust in Him at all times.” Ps. 62:8. Before God saved me, I was fearful and anxious. But God has helped me to trust Him, to depend on Him, to have faith in Him – and it’s knowing His character that has helped me to trust Him and then experience His peace. “Those who know Your name will put their trust in You” (Ps. 9:10). Eph. 2:8-9 says it was by faith that I was saved. Heb. 11:6 says by faith I have believed God wants to bless me and therefore seek Him. John 11:40 says that by faith I have seen God’s glory. Mark 11:22-24

Having faith means I’m not living the Christian life by how I feel, by my emotions. “Walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7). There are times when I don’t feel like doing what God wants me to do, but I’ve learned to obey Him whether I feel like it or not. Jesus didn’t feel like dying for our sins, but He trusted His Father and did what He wanted Him to do. Luke 22:42

“For a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Christ” (1 Pet. 1:6-7). Like all of us, I’ve had trials – family, relational, church, health, financial, etc. They have been difficult, and some extremely so. But they are necessary for God’s purposes, and for my faith, which is more “precious than gold.” And faith is necessary to have hope, to believe that trials are worth it, to know that I’ll be glorified at the “revelation of Christ,” that I’ll see and be with Christ, and praise Him like never before. Rev. 7:9-12

16. “Like the holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior.” (1 Pet. 1:15). God is perfectly holy, and He wants me to be holy. I’ve learned to recognize specific sins in my thoughts, words, and actions, sins like fear, anger, jealousy, pride, and selfishness. I’ve had to resist the devil, to say no to temptation and sin. I’ve learned that to be holy, I need God’s word and prayer. “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your word” (Ps. 119:9). And if I sin, and I’ve sinned a lot through the years, I’ve learned to confess my sins and freshly receive God’s forgiveness, and quickly get up from my sin and keep on living for God. Ps. 51:10-19, Pr. 24:16

I’ve learned that I must be holy to obey God and do His work. 2 Tim. 2:21 talks of being a “vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.” And actively working for God helps me stay holy, for it’s when I’m lazy and just sitting around that I more easily succumb to temptation and sin. Most importantly, I know that I need to be holy to have a close walk, an intimate relationship with God. Heb. 12:14

17. “Life and death is in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Prov. 18:21). I’ve learned about righteous, fruitful speech. I’ve learned to have good speech, to speak for God, to talk rightly, and to teach His word. A carpenter builds with his hands, and I’ve learned to build people with my speech. By God’s grace I can speak in a godly way and make a real difference in a person’s life. Prov. 10:13, 14, 18, 20, 21, 31, 32

I’ve learned that my speech is not neutral, that I affect people by what I say, and that negative words can really hurt a person. I’ve learned the importance of having positive, kind, patient, and encouraging speech (Eph, 4:15), and of having precise and timely speech – saying the right words at the right time and in the right way (Pr. 25:11). I’ve learned the importance of not saying everything that’s on my mind, of holding my tongue. Pr. 21:23

I’ve learned that I need to listen to people, and then I know what to say (Jms. 1:19). I’ve learned the importance of not talking too much, of not dominating a conversation. Eph. 4:29 has been a challenging and necessary verse – “Let no unwholesome speech come from your mouth but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.”

I am so thankful that God saved me, and has loved me, blessed me, protected me, and been teaching me valuable life lessons. We need them for the entirety of our lives, and especially now that we are in the end-times and can see that Christ is coming soon. “Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I shall observe it to the end” (Ps. 119:33). “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations… teaching them to observe all that I commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:19-20). “He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 1:8

P.S. I am continuing to stress the importance of knowing how we should live for God in these end-times. That is, we must know what God is going to do, but also know what we are to do. Here’s a key article about your conduct and role in these days leading up to Christ’s coming – “The Excellent End-Times’ Worker.”

Life Lessons, What Keeps Me Going for God – Part 1

April 24, 2025 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #329 ~

I just retired from serving as a pastor, something I have done since 1979. What a blessing, what a great privilege and honor to have been able to work for God in this way, especially in the area of teaching God’s word, and specifically with regards to Christ’s 1st coming and 2nd coming. My purpose in the next few posts is to share lessons I have learned that have helped me to keep going for God through all the years. I am passing them on to you because I want you to clearly understand how you can persevere for God in the end-times, in these last years leading up to Christ’s return to rapture the church.

1. “One thing is necessary.” Luke 10:38-42 tells us that Martha was busy doing all these things, but Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet. The lesson is that I must be like Mary – God must be first and foremost in my life (“The Lord is my portion” – Ps. 119:57). And God has helped me to love Him, to live for Him, to seek Him, to trust Him, to be satisfied by Him, and to put Him first, in family, finances, church, work, etc. Ps. 27:4-5, Mark 12:30

2. “Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and went out to a lonely place and prayed” (Mk. 1:35). Ps. 42:2 says, “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God.” This is the practical outworking of the first point. God has motivated me to get up in the morning and spend time with Him, and without question, this is the most important and favorite part of my day, the best thing I’ve done over the years. When I get with God, I read His word, pray to Him, enjoy Him, learn from Him, am strengthened by Him, and I am led by Him. 

3. “Let him who boasts, boast of this, that He understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth” (Jer. 9:23-24).This is about knowing the character of God. Back in the 1970’s I read a life-changing book by A.W. Tozer on God’s character. Knowing His character, that He is holy, just, powerful, loving, forgiving, patient, wise, faithful, sovereign, etc., has been a key ingredient in being a growing, healthy, persevering Christian. My ABC’s

4. “Seek to abound for the edification of the church.” 1 Cor. 14:12. A necessary part of my life has been going to church every Sunday, unless I’m sick or on vacation. For the past 50+ years, God has always, year after year after year, provided a good church for me. When I say church, I mean a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, Christ-glorifying church, one filled with true believers who love God, love Jesus Christ, love God’s word, and love one another. Being with believers, and worshiping together, learning God’s word, and being mutually encouraged, has been absolutely essential to my progress and joy.

5. “Enjoy life with the woman you love all the days of your life.” Eccl. 9:9. I love my wife, and I know she loves me. “He who finds a wife finds what is good…” (Pr. 18:22). In God’s wisdom and goodness, and for His purposes and glory, God has given me a wife who’s perfect for me. She’s a great helper, encourage, counselor, and she supports me and prays for me more than anyone else. Where I’m at today is due in large part to having an incredibly wonderful wife. I’m so thankful that God picked her for me!

6. “There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Prov. 18:24. Over the years, I’ve gotten to know hundreds of Christians, from Iowa to Maryland to Florida. But this is about having a few close, devoted, and faithful friends, ones you can always talk to and who are always there for you. For sure, it’s been my wife and children. Then there’s my physical brother Jeff who is also my spiritual brother. There’s Mike, a very close friend and gifted teacher who I met in Ames, Iowa in the late ’70’s. And there’s Steve and Vickie, good and faithful friends of both my wife and I for close to 40 years. These precious friends, gifts from God, have been an important part of His work in my life!

7. “Join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us” (Phil. 3:17). I have learned from many believers through the years. There was Abe, the faith-filled leader of a Sunday School class, and Wayne, a man with solid, word-based convictions, and Rick who exhorted me, “fulfill your ministry”, and Brent whose example of getting times alone with God motivated me to do the same, and Roger who, when I was facing opposition, encouraged me to teach the whole truth of God, and Marv and John who, by their good example, motivated me to teach God’s word more than anyone else. All these men loved God, loved His word, and loved His people. What I learned from them had a profound, lasting effect on me and my ministry!

8. “Humble yourself in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you” (James 4:10). Being humble means knowing God is my Creator, Lord, and Savior. Being humble means knowing that God is my primary and ultimate authority, and then doing not what I want but what He wants. God has used His word, trials, relationships, being sick, and others’ examples to make and keep me humble. Humility is telling God, “I need You, apart from You I am nothing and can do nothing – You get all the glory” (Ps. 115:1). Humility has been a means to my salvation, my spiritual growth, having faith, receiving grace, loving others, having good friends, and being where I am at today.

9. “Man plans his way and the Lord directs his steps” (Prov. 16:9). God is sovereign, He is in control, He reigns over all things and all people. I began learning the practicality and glories of God’s sovereignty in the 1990’s, and it has had a major and super-positive impact on my life. God saves people, and He determines who is saved. He does what He wants with this world, with the countries, and with the leaders, including our President. He is in charge of the weather, the storms, and even calamities. He leads Israel and the church, and He directs my life, your life, and the life of every person in the world.

Now that I’m older, it’s easier to look back and see God’s sovereign work. God was sovereign over my father’s death in 1961, being saved in 1972, moving to Maryland in 1983, being married in 1986, being blessed with four children, being gifted to teach in 1993, moving to Tampa in 1999 and being here for the past 26 years, and now moving once again. Knowing the truth and the outworking of God’s sovereignty has been most beneficial to my life. Gen. 50:20, Rom. 8:28, Eph. 1:11-12, James 4:13-15

10. A major reason I’ve been able to keep going for God through the years is His love for me. Here are some thoughts about His love:
– God’s love is based on Christ’s death and resurrection, with the result that I have been forgiven, have eternal life, am holy, am a child of God, and have a glorious future.
– God’s love has been personal, powerful, continual, and effective in my life.
– God’s love is multifaceted and is seen in that He’s been forgiving, patient, gentle, compassionate, faithful, and perfectly wise in all His dealings with me.
– God’s love is shown in that He constantly thinks about me, cares for me, talks to me, helps me, protects me, strengthens me, and gives me everything I need.

There are many verses about God’s love that feed and fuel my soul. “Surely goodness and love follow me all the days of my life” (Ps. 23:6). “Your love is better than life” (Ps. 63:3). “Your love toward me is great, and You have delivered me from the depths of Sheol” (Ps. 86:13). “Satisfy me in the morning with Your unfailing love that I may sing for joy and be glad all my days” (Ps. 90:14). “In Your unfailing love, preserve my life, that I may keep Your commands” (Ps. 119:88). “Neither height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate me from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, my Lord” (Rom. 8:39). “By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:9-10). Amen.

P.S. My purpose in these posts is two-fold, to help you know what is going to happen, and to help you know how you should live. And the Bible is filled with truths about how you should live, and you must learn and know them in your heart. “How Then Should We Live in the End-times” summarizes the character and the conduct that God wants you to have.

See What GOD Has Done!!!

April 12, 2025 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #328 ~

I couldn’t believe it when I saw the stats for this blogsite! Over 1.2 million people from 214 nations and territories have viewed this post over the past 8 years! I am extremely encouraged to see God working in this way, and I am thankful to Him for it’s been by His grace. Indeed, He gets the credit and the glory. So you can know specifically how God has worked, here are the nations and territories, and the views for each one.

United States (199,668), Mexico (106,322), Columbia (83,558), Venezuela (71,061), Nicaragua (40,020), Argentina (47,172), Peru (44,110), Philippines (42,946), Nigeria (39,130), El Salvador (35,475), Chile (34,455), Kenya (30,588), South Africa (30,311), Paraguay (27,775), Dominican Republic (25,910), Guatemala (24,463), Ecuador (21,999), Honduras (21,527), Trinidad and Tobago (19,376), Brazil (18,331),

Bolivia (18,280), Indonesia (17,977), Malaysia (15,025), Vietnam (13,522), Spain (12,147), Cameroon (10,411), United Kingdom (9,840), Costa Rica (9,513), Guyana (9,369), Belize (8,769), Canada (7,908), Zambia (7,846), Tanzania (6,563), Italy (6,204), Puerto Rico (5,450), Panama (5,397), Ethiopia (4,590), Ghana (4,446), Liberia (4,219), Australia (3,589),

Sierra Leone (3532), Congo – Kinshasha (3,346), Poland (3,261), Uganda (3,167), Lesotho (2,859), Ukraine (2,842), Taiwan (2,658), India (3,652), Ireland (2,388), Botswana (1,907), Germany (1,879), Singapore (1,460), Thailand (1,392), Netherlands (1,216), Uruguay (1,181), European Union (1,159), South Sudan (1,087), Malawi (1,058), Cuba (1,046), France (997),

Romania (846), South Korea (722), China (650), New Zealand (596), Hong Kong SAR China (560), Switzerland (414), Jamaica (391), United Arab Emirates (368), Japan (363), Sri Lanka (314), Isle of Man (292), Finland (289), Sweden (288), Israel (276), Austria (275), Saudi Arabia (264), Zimbabwe (239), Norway (209), Portugal (205), Turkiye (200),

Belgium (199), Papua New Guinea (186), Aruba (183), Pakistan (171), Russia (170), Bahamas (148), Bangladesh (143), Namibia (139), Greece (134), Qatar (123), Barbados (115), Eritrea (104), American Samoa (104), Nepal (98), Denmark (98), Mauritius (93), Czechia (85), Curacao (85), Egypt (83), Bahrain (80),

Equatorial Guinea (79), Fiji (73), Hungary (71), Kuwait (65), Cambodia (65), Serbia (64), Rwanda (63), Lebanon (63), Myanmar (Burma) (62), Bulgaria (59), Morocco (56), Luxembourg (56), Slovakia (54), Haiti (53), Sudan (50), St. Lucia (48), Croatia (48), Eswatini (47), U.S. Virgin Islands (46), Malta (39),

Cyprus (39), St. Vincent and Grenadines (38), Oman (38), Antigua and Barbuda (38), Cayman Islands (37), Guam (36), Suriname (35), Grenada (35), Albania (33), Central African Republic (32), Somalia (30), Caribbean Netherlands (30), Guinea (29), British Virgin Islands (27), Mozambique (27), Lithuania (27), Solomon Islands (26), Latvia (25), Dominica (24), Cote d’Ivoire (24),

Angola (24), Georgia (23), Brunei (23), Moldova (22), Benin (22), Samoa (21), Slovenia (21), St. Kitts and Nevis (20), Bermuda (20), Togo (18), Seychelles (18), Kazakhstan (18), North Macedonia (17), Iraq (17), Estonia (17), Bosnia and Herzegovina (17), Sint Maarten (16), Gambia (16), Reunion (15), Andorra (15),

Jordan (14), Iceland (14), Azerbaijan (14), Mongolia (13), Tunisia (12), Macao SAR China (12), Gabon (12), Algeria (12), Turks & Caicos Islands (11), Senegal (11), Northern Mariana Islands (11), Guinea-Bissau (11), Burundi (11), Chad (10), Martinique (10), Anguilla (10), Yemen (9), Vanuatu (9), Madagascar (9), Libya (9),

French Guiana (9), Burkina Faso (9), Micronesia (8), Afghanistan (7), Timor-Leste (6), Tonga (5), Niger (5), Montenegro (5), Laos (5), Guadeloupe (5), Gibraltar (5), Djibouti (5), Cook Islands (5), Belarus (5), Armenia (5), Syria (4), Kyrgyzstan (4), Jersey (4), Guernsey (4), Faroe Islands (4),

Cape Verde (4), Palau (3), Maldives (3), Kosovo (2), Uzbekistan (2), Palestinian Territories (2), French Polynesia (2), Norfolk Island (2), Montserrat (2), Mali (2), St. Martin (2), Congo – Brazzaville (2), Nauru (1), New Caledonia (1).

It’s amazing, a miracle of God, that people from all these countries and territories have been viewing and / or reading this blogsite, believers and unbelievers wanting to know about the end-times, Christ’s coming, and the kingdom ages. Pray for those who have been and will be reading this. May God speak to their hearts and change their lives. “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations.” Mark 11:17 

As churches, we are to make disciples of all the nations – and every person is to do his work. “It is like a Man away on a journey, who upon leaving His house and putting His slaves in charge, assigning to each one His task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert” (Mk. 13:34). God wants every Christian to do His work but also see the big picture, that he is an instrumental part of God’s plans for this world. The following verses will help you know how you can serve the Lord. 

* Pray for the coming of Christ and His kingdom – “Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:9-10). This well-known, world-changing prayer instructs you to pray for Christ’s coming and the establishment of His kingdom on this earth. Rev. 11:15

* Pray for workers – “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Therefore, beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into the harvest” (Matt. 9:37-38). Workers are Christians who are carrying out God’s commands to reach people and the world for Christ. In these final years of the church age, pray for yourself and others to be active in the harvest field, to be helping bring about Christ’s return and His kingdom on earth.

* Pray for the lost – “My heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation” (Rom. 10:1). Should we not love the lost, and pray for them, and share the good news with them, helping them see their need to repent of their sins and believe that Jesus Christ suffered and died to pay for their sins, and rose again?

* Proclaim the gospel – “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end shall come” (Matt. 24:14:15). Testify for Christ. Share the gospel with them, knowing that your witness is part of God’s plan, and results in getting us closer to the end of the age and the coming of Christ. “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.” Colossians 4:2-6

* Make disciples – “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them… teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:19-20). Be involved in a disciple-making church. Use your spiritual gift and do what you can to influence others for Christ, whether that’s locally or going on a mission trip.

* Give financially – “At the first preaching of the gospel… no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone, for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs” (Phil. 4:15-16). Give financially to those actively involved in evangelism, and to missions, either through your church or personally. 2 Cor. 8-9

* Learn from missionaries – “Being sent on their way by the church, they were passing through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and were bringing great joy to all the brethren… they reported all that God had done for them” (Acts 15:3-4). It’s really motivating to hear Christians share stories of how God is mightily working around the world. “Men shall speak of the power of Your awesome acts, and I will tell of Your greatness.” Psalm 145:5

* Encourage the workers – “Let us consider how to stimulate others to love and good deeds… encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near” (Heb. 10:24-25). We get spiritually weary (Gal. 6:9) and at times are discouraged, and some are suffering for their faith. Be thanking and encouraging those working in the harvest field, whether that’s in your own church or in other cities, states, or countries. 1 Thess. 1:2-8

What a wonderful opportunity to be able to serve the Lord in these days, to do our part in helping finish His work on earth. Jesus told us, “Do you not say, ‘there are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest… I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored and you have entered into their labor.” John 4:35-38

What a privilege to be living for God and working for Him in these end-times. Here are two posts about working for God; “Working for God While Waiting for Christ”, “Laboring for the Lord, Now and Forever.”

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