This series of posts is supplemental to this collection on The Open Scroll website: When Cometh That Thief in the Night.
Without a fairly solid grasp of the fundamentals you're just not going to be able to follow along with some of the supplemental material - and some of us need it. We don't want to discourage you from reading here, but rather, we want to encourage you to do whatever it takes to get hold of it, even if a more substantial commitment is required. Maybe a study partner will help?
What difference does it make? All the difference that a wise and disciplined strategy makes when it comes to stewarding God's precious resources. Maybe you already know time is going to be reset before very long at all and that's all you needed to put your focus on serving Him with singleness of purpose. But, perhaps you're not quite there yet. For our part, we have more compelling things to share but hasn't there already been enough brought forth? For many, yes - and for you?
This may be a word for you. Clear your schedule, as soon as you reasonably can. Dedicate that time that is free from distraction to seek the Lord's direction. Consider on one hand the evidence that the world will continue as it has. Consider the trends that are plainly real and all the statistical curves of the threats to life as we know it. Compare the reality of that future to what the holy spirit has been indicating, in ways both obvious and subtle. You've been following the Open Scroll Blog, or our videos, so, what's your impression? Honestly. Are we making stuff up, or soft-peddling or hedging our bets or are we compromised in some way with competing agendas? We're not building a cult and there's there's nothing here to buy, or to join, and nothing to sign. Get settled in your spirit about risk and reward, coming to a steadfast peace.
Are you committed to some path in life that is running at cross-purposes to what the spirit of God is indicating to you? What are your options? This is not an excuse to abandon your family or skip out on real obligations. It's an opportunity to refresh your investment strategy, your race strategy, toward finding yourself a winner where winning counts most. It's not just personal because you are not alone. Your family, the family of God, depends on you as you depend on us.
Here's a few passages of scripture for encouragement, wise counsel, and perhaps also, an admonition.
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. ~ 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; 16 however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. ~ Philippians 3:13-16
1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. ~ Hebrews 12:1-3
Read Matthew 25's very serious revelation about judgment and stewardship.
“For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. ~ Matthew 25:29
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’ 24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. 26 Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.” ~ Matthew 7:21-27
