Luke 21:10-11

Then Jesus told them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be violent earthquakes, and in various places famines and (deadly and devastating) pestilence (plagues, epidemics); and there will be terrible sights and great signs from heaven.

Jesus tells us beforehand what the sign of the end times will be.  The Bible itself warns us that an end is coming and to expect it.  However, we are not to fear but prepare ourselves in the word to reach the unsaved and lost.  We are not to let our hearts shrink back but become bold in proclaiming the good news of the Lord.  

Galatians 6:1

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any sin, you who are spiritual (that is you who are responsive to the guidance of the Spirit) are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness (not with a sense of superiority or self-righteousness), keeping watchful eye on yourself that you are not tempted as well.  

We should help each other and build each other up and keep each other from sin.  When we build up our relationships, we build up trust to speak into each other’s lives.  Conviction comes through standing on the Word for guidance and love for one another.  But, do be cautious and not be tempted to sin as well.

2 Corinthians 3:6

He has qualified us (making us sufficient) as ministers of a new covenant (of salvation through Christ), not of the letter (of a written code) but of the Spirit; for the letter (of the Law) kills (by revealing sin and demanding obedience), but the Spirit gives life.  The Holy Spirit will help us reach out to the lost as ministers of the new covenant.  When we rely on Him for guidance, He will give us the words to speak to make a connection.  Our heads may tell us that finding common ground to communicate with someone is impossible.   But the Spirit knows what to say and how to reach 

1 Corinthians 3:9

For we are God’s fellow workers (His servants working together); you are God’s cultivated field (His garden, His vineyard), God’s building.

We have been created with a purpose and have meaning to God.  Our prayers and intercession for others mean something to God.  Our leadership at church and help with kids and teens means something to God.  We are God’s representative for good here on earth.  It takes a team, and we are on it.

1 Corinthians 1:18

For the message of the cross is foolishness (absurd and illogical) to those who are perishing and spiritually dead (because they reject it), but to us who are being saved (by God’s grace), it is (the manifestation of) the power of God.  

A spiritually dead person does not need to be saved or Jesus because their sin blinds them.  A person saved by Jesus understands that salvation is the greatest gift they can receive. Prayer for the lost is important because God can soften the heart of the unbeliever.  So, don’t give up on the lost and keep interceding for them in prayer.  There is hope for salvation.  

Luke 9:47-48

But Jesus, knowing what they were thinking in their heart, took a child and had him stand beside Him, and He told them, “Whoever welcomes this child in My name welcomes Me; and whoever welcomes Me welcomes Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you he is the one who is great. 

The apostles were arguing among themselves about who would be the greatest.   Their focus was not the same as Jesus in bringing people to salvation.   Jesus came here to serve, not to be served, and to lead people out of sin.  He was calling the disciples to be leaders of men and a servant, and that would make them great.  

Matthew 7:13-14

Enter through the narrow gate.  For wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many who enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow and difficult to travel is the path that leads the way to (everlasting) life, and there are few who find it.  

Sometimes the routes that are harder to take hold the greatest reward.  We choose to take the more challenging way with more significant gain through Jesus Christ or the easier route of the flesh and sin.  The goal is eternal life and not hell and damnation.  It may be a complex concept to bear but an internal reality that we all must face someday. 

Psalm 25:9-10

He leads the humble in justice, and He teaches the humble His way.  All the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and goodness and truth and faithfulness to those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.  

As born-again believers, we obtained Abraham’s covenant when we accepted Jesus as our savior.  However, it takes time to learn that way and trust in the faithfulness of God.  When we humble ourselves and allow God to teach us His ways, we will have a revelation of goodness and truth.  Our increase in this life comes when we learn how big God is and that we have much to learn from Him.  

Micah 6:8

He has told you, O man what is good; and what does the Lord require of you except to be just, and to love (and to diligently practice) kindness (compassion) and to walk humbly with your God (setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness)?

If doing good and being a kind person was easy, God would have never given us the Bible to guide and tell us to practice.  We instruct children and teach them how to behave, and, in a sense, we are the same before God.  We are His children to whom He instructs and tells us to practice being humble and loving because He loves us!

1 Peter 5:6

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God (set aside self-righteousness pride), so that He may exalt you (to the place of honor in His service) at the appropriate time.

Aging is the great equalizer of knowledge and teaches us that there are always new things we need to learn.  When we keep ourselves humble, we keep ourselves open to learning from God.  The more God teaches us, and the more we know, the more God will be able to exalt us to places of honor at the appropriate time.