2 Corinthians 4:8 “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair.”

I want to share with you what is in my heart. This world is going crazy. It seems to me evil is spreading all over the world every moment of every day. It seems the whole world is against the Nation of Israel and all Jews from around the world. (Jesus is able to take care of Israel.) It seems every nation on the earth is going to go to war with each other or has already started, and the wars are going to spread to other nations. It seems there will be no elections in November. It seems every state in our nation is getting ready for riots and the breakdown of our society. It seems that many states are calling up their National Guard before April 8, 2024. The officials are asking us to stock up on food and water and be prepared.

Many of us Americans believe something big is going to happen here in America real soon. What a fitting verse 2 Corinthians 4:8 is for all that I have written in this article. That list is so much longer than what I have written. But those of us who know and continue to study the Bible are not surprised; the Bible has much to say about what is going on today.

What I am surprised about is the speed at which everything is going toward the Rapture of the Church and the start of the seven-year Tribulation Period. It is going so fast that it feels like my head is spinning. When you look at all that is going on, it is troubling to us, and it is coming from all four sides. But we, as Christians, do not have to be distressed. The Great Comforter lives inside us. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace – the peace that passeth all understanding. We who are bought and paid for by the blood of Jesus do not have to live in fear and be in distress. The easiest thing to do is to be perplexed, but we don’t have to be in despair. Why is this? Because our hope is in Christ Jesus. We live in the truth. When we keep our eyes on Jesus, we will not feel in distress or in despair.

John 14:1 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.”

John 14:2 “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”

John 14:3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

Jesus is saying this to you and me today, “Let not your heart be troubled.” When we are praying, reading our Bible, spending alone time with the Lord, and singing to the Lord, our heart is not troubled. When we dwell on what is going on, our hearts will be troubled. Let us quit dwelling on the waves that are coming at us, and let us get our eyes back on Jesus, who is waking on the waves.

What is the key to all of this? Jesus said it, “Believe in God, believe also in me.” If your heart is troubled, distressed, or in despair, then you are not trusting in the Lord to bring you through what you are facing. What are we facing? It is really big; are you ready for the answer? WE ARE LOSING OUR BELOVED COUNTRY, AND IT HURTS SO MUCH.

I AM REMINDED OF WHAT THE APOSTLE PAUL SAID: HIS CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN. THIS WORLD IS NOT MY HOME; I’M JUST PASSING THROUGH. It is so easy to forget.

If your heart is in trouble, and you are feeling fear, distress, or despair, stop and go to your Bible and start reading it. Start praying and singing to the Lord. Spend more alone time with the Lord every day.

On April 14, 2021, I started this Worldwide Prayer Movement. The first Nation was Kenya. The Holy Spirit moved upon my heart to do this, and I said yes to the leading of the Holy Spirit. On March 26, 2024, we will have prayed, fasted, and repented for every nation for 24 hours. Prayer warriors have joined with us from around the world. On April 2, 2024, we will start back with the continent of Africa. Here are some facts about the continent of Africa.

1. As of Sunday, March 25, 2024, there are over 1,485,434,775 precious souls on the continent of Africa.
2. As of March 15, 2024, 39,112 churches are on the continent of Africa. (Nearly in total darkness.)

I ask the question: have you shed a tear, prayed, or fasted for these precious Africans? How many pastors’ church members in Africa have fasted, prayed, and shed tears for the continent of Africa? So many churches, so why is it in total darkness? Most of these churches do not preach and teach the truth. In the last four years, I have dealt with hundreds of pastors across Africa. Many churches are all about healing the body, worshiping the Holy Spirit, and receiving money. Very few churches preach and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Very few churches preach and teach that it takes the blood of Jesus to save you. Very few churches preach and teach that if you die today, you will enter into hell forever. Very few churches preach and teach THE TRUTH. (The Bible says, “The truth shall set you free.”)

Jesus is the Light of the world, so that is why Africa is in darkness. It breaks my heart. I LOVE THE PEOPLE OF AFRICA, BUT THEY LOVE THEIR SIN MORE THAN JESUS.

I ask all prayer warriors from around the world to join us for a day of prayer, fasting, and repentance on April 2, 2024, for these 7 nations.

1. Angola and on behalf of over 37,502,811 precious souls.
2. Benin and on behalf of over 13,981,276 precious souls.
3. Botswana and on behalf of over 2,707,809 precious souls.
4. Burkina Faso and on behalf of over 23,681,942 precious souls.
5. Burundi and on behalf of over 13,496,671 precious souls.
6. USA, and be on behalf of over 341,344,771 precious souls.
7. Israel and all Jews around the world and on behalf of over 16.7 million precious Jews.

We believe that we will move the heart of our Heavenly Father. I ask you pastors to ask your prayer warriors to join us on this day. Post this on all media.

We are praying for the harvest of precious souls to the kingdom of Jesus Christ.

Facebook page: Prayer Warriors 4HIM Online Ministries

Email: bkwatts64@yahoo.com

Keith Watts

Associate Pastor
Grace Baptist Church
Online Missionary to the world

The four gospels tell us of several people who were at the cross with Jesus during those final agonizing hours. While we may tend to think of the many who abandoned the Lord during his time of suffering, there are several who were nearby that day. Each of them is unique and provides us with many valuable lessons. In this article, we will look at those who were near the cross of Jesus that day.

Remaining Faithful to the End

First, several women were present at Jesus’ crucifixion. In John 19:25, we learn that Jesus’ mother; his mother’s sister; Mary, the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene were there. In Luke’s gospel, many unnamed women were present (see Luke 23:27, 49). Some of the women were those who had faithfully followed Jesus for quite some time (see Mark 15:40-41).

“Let us be faithful to an absent Lord. Let us live for Him who died for us.” ^[1]

“Considerations of personal safety drove the men into hiding. The devotion of the women put love to Christ above their own welfare. They were last at the cross and first at the tomb.” ^[2]

One lesson learned from these women is that they remained faithful to Jesus until the end. Unlike many others, they were faithful even when it was not easy. Following the Lord is not always easy, but we need to endeavor to remain faithful to Him until the end. ^[3]

Willing to Suffer Yet Innocent

Next, while all four gospels mention the soldiers at the cross, the synoptic gospels ^[4] each mention the centurion. In Matthew 27:54 and Mark 15:39, the centurion claims that Jesus was “the Son of God.” In Luke 23:47, it is worth noting that the centurion refers to Jesus as innocent. Innocent (dikaios) gives the meaning of righteous and just. Luke refers to the fact of Jesus’ innocence just as many others do, too. ^[5]

“The centurion’s declaration joins the chorus of voices like Pilate (ver. 14-15), Herod (ver. 11), and the thief (ver. 41).” ^[6]

One lesson learned from the centurion is that Jesus was truly innocent when suffering on the cross. When Jesus was crucified, he was taking our place as he died for your sins and mine. Like the centurion, we should praise God in response.

Saving Others Instead of Himself

Finally, another group of people that were near the cross were the Jewish religious leaders. In Matthew 27:41, the chief priests, scribes, and elders are described as mocking Jesus. Luke 23:35 indicates that they sneered at the Lord during his suffering. Additionally, in Mark 15:31, the leaders also mock Jesus, stating that “He saved others; He cannot save Himself.”

“This was true. He could not save others and at the same time save Himself. He gave Himself for others – this is the great principle of redemption.” ^[7]

This should remind us that the Lord needed to go to the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. Had he saved himself instead, we would still be dead in our trespasses in sins.

Enduring With Joy

As we conclude, it is good to remember that despite all that he endured, Jesus joyfully endured the cross for you and me. The author of Hebrews exhorts us to fix “our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Joy would follow the great suffering of the Lord Jesus, so let us rejoice in Him today. Let us also take the lessons from those who were near the cross that day to heart.

Near the cross! O lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day
With its shadow o’er me.
Near the cross! I’ll watch and wait,
Hoping, trusting ever;
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river. ^[8]

Blessings,

Dr. Steven F. Pace
Senior Pastor
Decatur Bible Church

https://www.decaturbible.org/
https://www.decaturbible.org/pages/pastors-page
https://www.youtube.com/@decaturbiblechurch1879

Sources:

[1] C.H. Mackintosh. Christian Trust, Vol. 32.
[2] The Believer’s Bible Commentary, pg. 1297.
[3] See verses on rewards of faithfulness; Ps 31:23; 101:6; Pr 12:22; 13:17; 28:20; Lu 19:17; Re 2:10.
[4] Synoptic means together or seen with a common view or same.
[5] See Isaiah 53:9, John 8:46, Hebrews 4:15, and 1 Peter 1:22 for examples.
[6] C. Marvin Pate. Moody Gospel Commentary, Luke, pg. 459.
[7] Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee, pg. 231-232.
[8] Fanny Crosby (1869).