"And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." {Rev 18:4}
As I lay in bed with just a few hours sleep between last night and tonight (it's currently 2:12 AM) I am thinking about my brethren in Christ and the hardships some of you may be going through. This post, I hope, will bring you to some stark realizations that I have already come to discover in my walk with the Lord.
As you all know, we are born and raised into this world, and thus it's ways. The world's ways are NOT God's ways as we are taught here "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD."
God allows hardships & testing (or tribulation) to come into our lives when we are rooted in this world's ways and not relying solely on Him. He will take away the things that mean the most in your life if you don't get a grasp on this truth ... "But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows." {Luk 12:7} He also allows troubles as a means of building your testimony to Him and how wondrously He works in your life. Remember Job.
Now, although this scripture is addressed to "Babylon", there is truth to it for every individual believer: "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." {Jer 29:11-13}
We must learn to seek the Lord, all the more passionately during times of hardship. So, here's my advice on how to "come out of her" - "her" being the world system:
1) Work to pay off any debts you owe. The way to do this is to pay the minimum due on all bills except one. That one go after with every spare penny you can give. For instance, rather than going out for dinner put that money towards that one bill besides the minimum, always pay the minimum on all bills but that one you are going after in pit-bull fashion. Debt is an addiction of sorts, and it's one thing God does not want His people enslaved to. Like all addictions, it's easy to get into but not so easy to get out of. You have to work hard at it, with the Lord's help. Most importantly, CUT UP all credit cards, they are a trap to enslave you. Do not charge any more to a future payment you cannot even guarantee you can pay. If you can't afford to pay cash then you don't need it. Concentrate on paying off your debt, your regular monthly bills such as power, phone, etc, and feeding yourself ... ALL spending should go towards these necessities and paying off your debts. Don't be enslaved into this society, remember: "The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender." {Pro 22:7} Once you have that one paid off, go to the next one and put all you were putting from the first and all you can spare for that second one and pay it off, then move on to the next.
2) Cut down on all non-essentials. For instance, cancel your cable TV or internet for a short time. Be willing to give up things that you don't really need. For news, listen to the radio, it's free and most places get some sort of signal. For internet access (to get your emails at least) go to the local library. Take yourself, willingly, out of your comfort zone. Do without the non-essentials for a time, especially where you can save money and put those savings towards 1) above. Trust in this: "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." {Phl 4:19} Notice, it says NEEDS, not *wants*.
3) Downsize! If you don't need it as a matter of life & death, consider getting rid of it. It may be that the value in dollars will help you more toward getting out of debt than having it hang in your closet or being otherwise there in your life but unused. If you aren't actually using it then you can afford to get rid of it. For instance, if you have two vehicles and can do with one then sell the other to help get some money to put towards 1). Remember, the less you have in this world the less you will be attached to. Think on this: "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." {Rom 12:2}
4) Don't look to other people to solve your problems: "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man." {Psa 118:8} Earnestly seek the Lord in all matters of your life from your finances to the food on your table and the roof over your head. Allow Him to BE God, He will work miracles in your life IF you submit to Him and trust Him 100%. This may including giving up those things in the world that you love the most ... willingly ... should He ask it of you. Remember Abraham's willingness to give up his beloved only son. You may loose everything, but if this happens it will be for your good, even though it doesn't seem so at the time.
5) Trust in the Lord and lean not to your own understanding. As this scripture says, "Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed." {Psa 37:3} Ask of the Lord, He will provide in ways you can't even fathom! "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." {Pro 3:5-6}
6) Give of yourself to others without expectation of reward. God loves a cheerful giver. "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." {2Co 9:7} He also expects us, when we are able, to take care of the widows and orphans. The Lord instructed us: "But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just." {Luk 14:13-14} Look for ways to bless the needy and God will richly bless you. When you help others less fortunate than yourself God promises to bless you more than you can imagine. "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." {Mal 3:10}
7) Don't worry about tomorrow and it's troubles, sufficient the day the trouble therein. "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." {Mat 6:34} And besides that, you can't add a day to your life by worrying anyway. "Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? {Mat 6:26-27} Worry is not of God, but is of satan. The devil is trying to shake your very foundations so that, as Eve did in the garden of Eden, you will loose trust in God and turn to the world's ways to solve your problems. If you are fearful consider that the bible tells us that fear is NOT of the Lord. Trials and tribulations come to believers so that the Lord can get you to this place: "The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe." {Pro 29:25} I remind you also of these scriptures, if fear is not of God then there's only one other option - the devil. "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." {1Jo 4:18} And, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." {2Ti 1:7}
I am not just blowing smoke, I know full well what hardship is ... but more importantly I understand WHY it happens ... and that is to prepare you to rely on Him alone. A time of severe testing is coming upon this world, and if you aren't looking solely to Him for your sustenance, you will be sorely affected. "Come out of her my people" ... be prepared to walk away from it ALL and not look back. Remember Lot's wife.
Paul's testimony puts it like this: "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." {Phl 4:11} Do whatever you have to do, give up whatever you have to give up to get to this place of peace in the Lord, and trust Him alone to provide all your needs.
Here is truth for those walking with the Lord on the narrow way ... "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." {Psa 37:25}
Thanks for reading. God bless you in Jesus ;o}
{All scripture quotes are KJV unless otherwise noted, curly bracket comments, if any, are mine.}
