Journey of hope… (to tell the world)
Written 03/09/2010, by Trevor Francis
We’re on a journey of hope!
Our mission is to tell the world!
Jesus states, this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come (Matthew 24:14). And then Jesus bids us “Go!”
In Matthew 28:18-19 we find the instruction given by Christ to us, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”
We are living in the most solemn period of this world's history. The destiny of earth's teeming multitudes is about to be decided. Our own future well-being, and also the salvation of other souls, depends upon the course which we now pursue. We need to be guided by the Spirit of truth. Every follower of Christ should earnestly inquire, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" We need to humble ourselves before the Lord, with fasting and prayer, and to meditate much upon his Word, especially upon the scenes of the Judgment. We should now seek a deep and living experience in the things of God. We have not a moment to lose. Events of vital importance are taking place around us; we are on Satan's enchanted ground. Sleep not, sentinels of God; the foe is lurking near, ready at any moment, should you become lax and drowsy, to spring upon you and make you his prey (The Great Controversy, p601).
We are living in an enchanted world, Revelation 17:2, says that the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication [Babylon].
Ellen White writes, I saw that God's people are on the enchanted ground, and that some have lost nearly all sense of the shortness of time and the worth of the soul (Early Writings, p.120). Said the angel, "Remember, thou art on the enchanted ground." I saw that we must watch and have on the whole armour and take the shield of faith, and then we shall be able to stand, and the fiery darts of the wicked cannot harm us (Early Writings, p.60).
Our enemy is defined: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12).
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” Here in 1 Peter 5:8, the kind of attitude/mindset we are to have in order to complete our journey and fulfil our mission is defined as being sober and vigilant, and so too is the nature of our enemy defined.
The advise is given to put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians. 6:11). For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God… (2 Corinthians 10:4). So put on every piece of spiritual armour the Lord has given you so you can stand your ground against the devil’s schemes (Clear Word paraphrase, Eph 6:11). And the armour of the Lord can be found in Ephesians 6:14-17 as being the belt of truth, the breastplate of Christ’s righteousness, the shoes of the good news of Christ’s peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit.
We know that God is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9), and so God calls “Come out of her, my people” (Revelation 18:4), because this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent (John 17:3).
Now in order to complete our journey and to fulfil out mission we need to ensure we do two things simultaneously:
[1] develop a systematic understanding of truth; and,
[2] support each other
Ephesians 6:18 says, pray for the power of the Spirit at every encounter because your life depends on it. Be alert to the needs of your brothers and sisters and pray for them too (Clear Word paraphrase).
We’re almost home, Ellen G. White writes “…great changes are soon to take place in our world, the final movements will be rapid ones” (Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 11).
Hebrews 10:25: do not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhort one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Colossians 3:16: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
The bible says the fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16), how much more can this prayer achieve when more than one righteous person is praying!? Great things will happen if we humble and submit our lives to the Lord and obey the Word of God.
Jesus promised… if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them (Matthew 18:19-20). And we are given the assurance that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us: And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him (1 John 5:14-15).
What we find above outlined is the Biblical blueprint for social networking which is designed to ensure that each member of our social network has the opportunity to receive eternal life; and through frequent, regular prayer and fasting together, we can support, comfort, encourage, and strengthen each other to stand firm in the might of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and as time progresses develop real, strong, and lasting/eternal bonds of friendship, despite the distance between. And then, from this unity, share the love and blessing that God has given us with those we come in contact with so that they may see God’s love reflected in our lives and may chose to accept the gift of God’s salvation.
As a closing thought, the Psalmist writes… Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore (Psalm 133).
Let your prayer be that your social network will evolve into the Biblical blueprint and achieve the unity portrayed by the Psalmist above.
Take care and may God bless you richly!! 
