Matthew 7:21-23, Mark 7:6, Mark 8:34-38, Titus 1:6, James 3:14,1 John 2:9,1 John 3:18

Summary: Following Jesus is an all-or-nothing proposal, and far too many so-called “believers” are riding the fence, playing a game, or trying to look devout when their character shows otherwise. Either follow and obey Him or be honest in your unbelief and leave.

In today’s social setup, especially here in America, the prevailing philosophy seems to be, “I want it, and I want it NOW!” Young people are crying out for this at a pace that is bordering on the ridiculous, petty, and unrealistic. I do not see even the slightest awareness in most of them of a desire to work hard, establish sound and rational goals, and persevere through the rough waters of life to make something of themselves rather than letting some grunion in the political or media spectrum tell them what they have to do or pound into their heads the idea that they are somehow “oppressed,” “violated,” underprivileged” or that they have to take things by force and usher in some kind of national chaos to get their way, casualties notwithstanding.

Commitment and responsibility are becoming, like religious belief in this nation, less admirable and desirable as the days progress. People do not want to take the time and effort to think through and establish an independent frame of mind that just might be more worthwhile than being content with mediocrity and indifference towards life and purpose. People want “stuff,” not substance. To even consider someone else’s needs or feelings seems to be a lost cause. When someone, regardless of age, income, nationality, or other factor, starts to declare that “it’s all about them,” it is really about the sin nature that we all possess and love to coddle. And God hates it, regardless of what you think, feel, or say.

If you are offended by this bluntness on my part, I say with all kindness, “I don’t care.” The truth of human nature has to be presented in one way or another, and I will not sugarcoat or try to explain away the blatant evil nature we have that loves wickedness, deceit, cheating, selfishness, vanity, and self-love at the expense of your soul.

Self-centeredness and egotism have crept into the modern church like a cancer, where the desire to “plant a seed of blessing and prosperity” on one’s part takes precedence over a hunger for holiness and a desire to imitate and follow Jesus no matter the cost or hardship. The late Keith Green produced a song entitled “Asleep in the Light,” where he admonished his fellow Christians for crying out for constant blessings on their behalf while the world is spiraling down into eternal darkness. We play a game of “Sanctification” on Sundays, but we act like the world the rest of the week.

A.W. Tozer called out for Christians to be holy in conduct and be examples of what Jesus wants from those who claim to follow Him. Playing a part where one looks “blessed and highly favored” but is just as spiritually poor as the garden variety pagan neighbor is doing nothing but driving people away from the open arms of a loving Savior who offers comfort and rest for their weary souls (Matthew 11:28-30). If we are honest in our relationship with Jesus, we are all guilty of two-faced behavior and speech one or more times in our lives, and it must be dealt with in prayer, repentance, and renewal of our hearts towards Him. Our fallow ground needs to be broken up every so often for the seeds of God’s Word and direction to take root and grow in us (Jeremiah 4:3).

We cannot allow ourselves to be led by the world or our flesh as the days draw nearer for the LORD’S return. We who are spiritual (Galatians 6:1-5) need to take our eyes off of ourselves, our desires, our wants, and to instead re-engage in intercessory prayer, self-denial, godly behavior, and renew our reverence and worship of the Sovereign LORD God Almighty.

Look at Mark 8:34-38, the main verses of this message, and see that the Lord Jesus makes demands of everyone who is sick and tired of their sins, who no longer want to bear wounded hearts that have endured varied levels of emotional, physical, and mental hell, who now want to be free, forgiven, and made new. He demands that we die to self-centeredness, to get our minds and eyes off of our own little world and our “I” disease. We are to focus on Him and take up the instrument of death to the flesh, namely the cross (Romans 6:6).

We are not our own when we give our lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 6:20). He owns us from that moment on and can do with us as He wishes for His glory. If we are serious about being a real Christian, then get this point into your system – He is on the throne of your life from now on. You need to abdicate and hand over the crown to Him. He made you (Genesis 1:26; John 1:1-4; Colossians 1:16-18). Don’t you think He knows what is best for you?

Discipleship, the real and authentic act of following Jesus wholeheartedly, also means that you will have rough days ahead because of your faith in Him (2 Timothy 3:12). You will be hassled, harassed, treated unfairly, and fired from your job for being a Christian. Millions of your brethren over the centuries have gone to their deaths for following Jesus. Even today, Christians are being isolated, forced out of their churches, imprisoned, fined by the local authorities, slandered, and that is here in America. It is far worse in other nations, and it will not get better as the time for Jesus’ return approaches. Jesus promised that to the apostles (Matthew 24:9; Mark 13:9; Luke 21:12), and if the Rapture is later than we expect, you, my friend, will not be exempt. You had better be ready. If the Lord Jesus had to endure hardship, then we will have it as well.

In this late hour, you dare not keep playing some pious game or pretending to be a Christian when you know otherwise. If you feel that following Jesus is not worth the trouble and you are ready to walk away and deny Him, you never knew Him in the first place and are subject to eternal doom (2 Timothy 4:10; Hebrews 6:4-6; 1 John 2:19). Just like Judas, you are a devil (John 6:70-71). If this makes you angry, then I strongly suggest you evaluate where you really stand with the Lord Jesus right here and now. Examine yourself to see whether you are really in the faith (Philippians 2:12) before the Spirit gives you over to your sins (Romans 1:28-32) and you will not care about it.

As the days pass, it will be more dangerous to admit that you are a follower of Jesus Christ, and we might have to pay a severe price. However, it is persecution that grows the church (just read the book of Acts) and separates the wheat from the weeds (Matthew 3:12, 13:26). Even now, we are seeing people whom we once thought were solid in their faith embrace causes and ideologies that clearly go against Scripture and the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. We read of more and more pastors and Christian “celebrities” openly denying their faith and declaring themselves atheists, agnostics, or leaving the ministry altogether and becoming bitter critics of Christianity.

The LORD is beginning to separate the sheep from the goats (Matthew 25:31-46), and there will be, unfortunately, many so-called “believers” who will be cast aside by the Lord Jesus at the Final Judgment (Matthew 7:21-23) and condemned for being frauds and pretenders.

I urge you today that if you have not truly placed your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone for salvation (Acts 4:12, 16:31), do so TODAY. Confess your sins, repent, and turn to Him. He awaits you with open arms and a love that no one in this world can ever imitate or surpass. Let your faith in Jesus be real and authentic, and be that disciple who walks the walk and talks the talk. Bow before Him and let Him make you a new creation.

“When Jesus calls a man, He bids him to come and die.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) from his book The Cost of Discipleship. He was a German pastor who stood against Hitler, and for it, ended his life as a prisoner in a concentration camp. He walked the walk.

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Join me for “The Reality City Daily Review” weekday mornings at 10:00 CST on YouTube (USA). It will then be posted on Facebook and on my website. My main area of discussion will be on the basics of the Christian faith but will also deal with prophetic issues and other topics as the Lord impresses upon me to handle.

Referring once again to the immortal Alfred E. Newman; “What, Me Worry?” Matthew 6:31-34; “Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, what shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or what shall we wear? For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (ESV – any emphasis mine).

We have more going on today that is very disruptive, and it’s a real effort to put on a happy face and appear content. Even true believers that regularly talk to the Father can sometimes be overwhelmed. Some reports being posted on social media are showing that certain people are being persecuted every day.

Take, for example, the controversy of taking the “jab” or not. It has reached the point that employers are making it mandatory for their workers to be vaccinated. Those who refuse are told they have a certain amount of time to comply or they will be fired. This is especially being forced on teachers and people in the medical fields.

The company I work for has a different approach. While they strongly encourage us to take the jab, they will not make it mandatory. For anyone who does get vaccinated, the company has stated that if any adverse reactions occur, they will not cover any medical expenses that the employee may be charged; and they stated they will not pay for sick time for any work that is missed.

My wife and I decided very early on that we will not allow the serum into our bodies. There have been many reports from both sides of the issue, but manufacturers have listed what some of the ingredients are, and they have admitted there has been little to no testing as is usually required for any new medicine, vaccine or whatever. What we do know is that there are serious side effects, even to the point of causing death.

Each individual must make their own decision; however, I would encourage everyone to look at reports from medical experts as to what they believe about the serums. Some will even list the ingredients, which can be verified by going to the sites of the manufacturers. Yes, COVID is very real, but the shots are not stopping it.

Another issue is the recent Afghanistan disaster. It has become obvious that America has seriously compromised the people in that country, especially all who have helped us through the years. I have no problem that we should have left there a while ago, but to do it in a way that all Americans and supporters would be taken out of there safely before allowing the Taliban to even move. We have shown we have a weak commander in chief and a military that is less than efficient. The weapons and supplies left behind give aid and comfort to a declared enemy. No excuse can cover for the misery of the people that have been left behind. It’s so bad that if a Bible app is found on someone’s cell phone, they are killed on the spot.

Looking at just these two issues and adding all the severe weather patterns, massive fires, extreme heat, pestilences and famines, is it any wonder that we believe Jesus is due to come for us at any moment now? Also, with America showing severe weakness to the rest of the world, is it any wonder our once mighty nation is not mentioned in end-time prophecy?

This is another reason why Israel will stand alone when the coalition tries to invade them in the very near future. It also is proof that the Bible is the true, inerrant word of our Heavenly Father. In Ezekiel 38-39, God tells how He will encourage the invasion by “putting hooks” in their mouths. Also, by the end of Ezekiel 39, God makes it very clear that He is the one who will defeat the coalition, and they will never be any type of power again.

Either just before this, or possibly at the time this gets started, we should be taken out of here to avoid the coming wrath. By the time the Ezekiel war ends, there will be a person introduced to the world that will have the “perfect peace plan.” That will be the ultimate antichrist, and we must be gone before he can appear (2 Thessalonians 2).

So, with all the negativity today, how can we say, “Nothing is Worrying Me?” We have to add the first three words to that song that are, “I’ve Got Jesus.” Please consider the words of a song performed by the Collingsworth Family.

1.) Prices are up, and the market is down. Nothing but bad news all around. But I’m as content as content can be, ’cause I’ve Got Jesus; Nothing’s Worrying Me.

2.) Some fear it’s the start of a steady decline; maybe it is, oh, but I’m doing fine. ‘Cause trouble can’t trouble a heart that is free. I’ve Got Jesus; Nothing’s Worrying Me.

3.) So let the wind blow – let the rain fall; I may get wet, but I won’t fret; I’ll get through it all. See, God’s in control, and He’s got a plan. I am safe and secure, for I’m saved and I’m sure that He’ll never let go of my hand.

4.) So I’m going to sing, and I’m going to smile. I’m not afraid of a little old trial. ‘Cause I’m a believer, and I still believe, ’cause I’ve Got Jesus; Nothing’s Worrying Me.

This world is not perfect, nor will it ever be. Consider that even during the millennial reign of the Savior, there will be people that will turn away from Him. Not until after the White Throne Judgment and the new heaven and earth are created will there be true peace and love forever.

It’s so simple to be a part of this, but humans try to add to or take away from God’s word. First, admit we are all sinners in need of a Savior. (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23) Second, believe in your heart and have faith that Jesus is the only way (John 14:6) and that God raised Him from the dead as our absolute perfect sacrifice that will cover all our sins (Roman 10:9-12). Last but not least, “All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13).

For anyone who may have never read God’s word before, my recommendation would be to read the book of John first, followed by Romans. These will give a picture of who Jesus is and the path to follow to be a part of His flock forever.

The White Throne is given in Revelation 20:11-15. The fate of the antichrist and false prophet are in Revelation 19:20, and Satan’s final judgment is in Revelation 20:10. These are the ones you do not want to be a part of.

Our Heavenly Commander-In-Chief will not leave anyone behind that has received and accepted His Son. Call today, as tomorrow could be too late. Then you will be able to say, “I’ve Got Jesus; Nothing’s Worrying Me”!

Shalom!

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