Perfectly Imperfect – A Travel Guide for Life, Relationships, and Faith!
So, this might sound weird (weirder than usual), but for some time, I’ve wrestled with a sense that something dark and enormously difficult is on the near horizon. I am not a big fan of doom and gloom “words” that tend to foster a spirit of fear, but I can’t seem to ignore this one.
I’m also very willing to acknowledge, as the Apostle Paul wrote, that we only see in part.
For now, we can only see a dim and blurry picture of things, as when we stare into polished metal. I realize that everything I know is only part of the big picture. But one day, when Jesus arrives, we will see clearly, face-to-face. In that day, I will fully know just as I have been wholly known by God. 1 Corinthians 13:12 (VOICE)
In my gut, I believe that something big is coming. It could be this year or a few years from now, but I can’t shake the feeling that something catastrophic is just around the corner. Admittedly, at times I wax pathetic rather than prophetic, and I hope I’m wrong, but I don’t think I am.
Over and over I’ve prayed, “Is this just for my church or the Church worldwide? Is this a reaction to the tragic and divisive state of politics and affairs in our country? Is this about North Korea, China, Russia, or the maybe the Middle East? Does this mean another financial “great recession” is about to happen—or worse?”
We can’t know everything or always see clearly, but I do believe that God typically speaks before He acts, and Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would “show us what is yet to come.”
Certainly, I have far more questions than answers. However, despite what I don’t know, here are a few things I do know for certain:
- We are not to live in fear. One of the most frequent commands in the Bible is “do not be afraid.” God knows the world we live in is often scary, but the Father challenges us to live above our fears and to trust in Him.
- We have God’s promise never to abandon or forsake us. No matter what comes or what we face, we will never face it alone if we are in a relationship with Christ.
- Historically, seasons of struggle have often led to times of revival. Throughout the Word, when people were in distress, and they turned to the Lord, He responded by restoring and renewing an entire nation. (See the Book of Judges.)
- It’s not pessimism to expect things to get worse; it’s biblical realism. This world’s future is not some yet-to-come utopia, but rather a dark world eventually to be overrun by evil. That, however, is not the end of the story! (See the Book of Revelation.)
Please read this next part very carefully: No matter what, you can live in hope. If you are a Christ-follower, you do not need to worry. If you lose everything you own, and the world around you falls into utter chaos and despair, you can hold on to the truth that this world is not your home.
Years ago, I had a rather intense conversation with a non-Christian friend. He considered himself an optimist and believed utopia to be coming. One of his biggest beefs with Christians was his belief that we are escapists.
With a red face and contempt in his voice, he once screamed at me, “Rather than trying to make the best of our world and improve its unpleasant realities, you Christians fantasize about heaven in the sweet by-and-by!”
I tried to remind him that throughout history Christians have been the ones who started more universities and hospitals than any others. We were the ones who started the fight to free slaves. We were the ones who gave hundreds of billions of dollars to care for the poor. (And I could go on.)
He wouldn’t hear any of it.
Then I gently told him, “Christians are not escapists; we are realists. We believe the battle rages and darkness is desperate to consume this planet. However, we also know that a true utopia will only be found when there is a new heaven and a new earth after Jesus returns. That is not pessimism or escapism, that’s Jesus-based optimism!”
Sadly, he shook his head in frustration and walked away. His worldview led him to believe our culture is getting better. My perspective acknowledges our vast technological and medical advances but recognizes that hate and evil are much more prevalent in today’s world than ever before.
So here’s where I stand: We can walk in hope because of Who is with us. However, evil is growing, and something dark and ominous is probably on the horizon. But again, that’s not the end of our story.
Not yet.
Not for those who trust in God.
Not for those who hope in the promise of a day when Jesus will wipe away every tear.
And oh, how I long for that day. Let it be so, come, Lord Jesus.
For this world is not our permanent home;
we are looking forward to a home yet to come.
I urge all people to read Revelations 9:13-15. A great war will emanate from the Euphrates river killing a third of mankind. The Euphrates river runs through Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran. That’s enough evidence in today’s world happenings to convince me that it will happen, besides the fact that all of the predictions in the bible have or will come true. Yes, there are storm clouds on the horizon and people need to know we need to bring as many people to salvation before this horrific event happens….and it will happen because God says it will.
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Thank you Kurt,
In the middle of the darkness of our country and the world right now, we need the reminder that God is with us until the end of the age. I believe,as Revelation tells us, that we are being given signs as to what is to come and it is time to return, or turn to the Father and the Son.
Aren’t cha glad you read and study God’s word and KNOW FOR A FACT…
THAT ALL HIS PROMISES “WILL BE FULFILLED”… one of the hardest things for believers to grasp, IS,
THAT WE ARE NOT TO CLING TO THIS EARTHLY BODY OR LIFE…
THAT HE IS FORMING HIM SELF IN “US”… OF WHICH WE DONT UNDERSTAND
Our hearts can not withstand what’s coming we all need to draw close to our Father and our dear Savior Jesus Christ… like the word says, their hearts were failing them forfear… Truth is the shortest journey fill up up on His loving kindness and merciful Hope…
Thank you Kurt. I enjoy your blogs.
I don’t think doom and gloom is what you are talking about here. The world is certainly going thru changes. I believe that the only way we (the people) will wake up is if we are shook up enough.
I for one also believe that there is a better place, and that our story on earth is just a drop in the bucket.
Hooray for the next life. Life eternal with God!
Mari
There is definitely a clashing of swords around us. Darkness is pretty upset with a lot of ground they are loosing. I agree with Ellen on how to pray, knowing God is winning and will triumph in the end. My hope and prayer is that your blog gives people who are living in fear hope. Good read friend!
John Paul Jackson would say if you get a word like this to flip it and pray for the opposite to happen and yes we have a great hope
Similar feelings for almost a month. I have been struggling with what it might be. A personal warning or something larger…..or just a little crazy. Helpful to know I’m not alone….and to be reminded that HE is never worried and and has it all in HIS hands.
Kurt, I do not respond to your messages often, I have though, on occasion.
I felt compelled to respond today because I wanted to offer a different perspective than the one you feel in your gut, usually call intuition, and, can sometimes be correct but in this time, it is not!
I don’t usually share my thoughts, I have once or twice with Eastpoint over breakfast and lunch, and, as has been the case over the past 7 years, for me, been wrong on timing, but not on facts.
Maybe not realized by the general public because the media does not publish (instead of report) positive information, we as a world are almost 100% at peace, certainly a time when no one alive can recall, not even in history books. The last holdouts, Israel being one of them, finally sub-combed just this recent month. that in itself should say something, especially to a literate as yourself.
We enter a period of an all new financial system, entirely based on asset backing, assets above and in the ground, a new concept, US being the last to adopt. This has been approved by all countries of the world, ALL! Paris agreement had a lot to do with that but finding some of the golden nuggets in all the legal stuff is an art itself!
I won’t say we will have a one world currency quite yet, I believe it is coming, but we are entering a period when money will almost not exist, the digital world is just about a full reality!
With the adoption of GESARA/NESARA, not an implementation as of this date, but soon, I believe this year, the world enters a more golden period of time. Yes, I know, sounds too much pie in the sky, but revelation does portray this time very clearly and as it will come to pass, why not the present instead of always tomorrow.
I could go on, but this reply space only permits a certain number of characters, and, with my hesitation on disbelief, as always on my thoughts, I stop; although I am barely scratching the surface.
My goal in this response was to help stir a bit of curiosity in you that maybe begins to overcome the feeling of doom on the horizon. I do not mean doom, like doomsday but that the world is headed in the wrong direction, on the contrary, it is headed in a gloriously great direction, just sometimes the timing of such things is not quite on target.
Over this last quarter of this year look for a ton of disclosures from our government that will awaken people to things they have not heard before, at least that is what I am led to believe. Many of which I am somewhat privileged to know ahead of time.
I enjoy your sermons each week and like your friendly greetings. Your brother in Christ, Bob
Excellent post, Kurt. Ditto on the premonition; ditto on NO FEAR… Truly to be drawn closer to God, relying upon Him for our future and remembering to love, live and enjoy to the best of my ability each day is how my heart is motivated by the spiritual/biblical knowledge given. God’s grace carry all His people through what’s coming, and I pray that those who don’t know Him yet in real communion (walking/talking/KNOWING him relationally in heart) may come to receive the revelation of His loving goodness, wise counsel, and secure peace.
Psalm 96 — A Call to Worship the LORD the Righteous Judge.
1Sing to the LORD a new song;
Sing to the LORD, all the earth.
2Sing to the LORD, bless His name;
Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.
3Tell of His glory among the nations,
His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.
4For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised;
He is to be feared above all gods.
5For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
But the LORD made the heavens.
6Splendor and majesty are before Him,
Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.
7Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,
Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
8Ascribe to the LORD the glory of His name;
Bring an offering and come into His courts.
9Worship the LORD in holy attire;
Tremble before Him, all the earth.
10Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns;
Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved;
He will judge the peoples with equity.”
11Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
Let the sea roar, and all it contains;
12Let the field exult, and all that is in it.
Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy
13Before the LORD, for He is coming,
For He is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
And the peoples in His faithfulness.