So That......

When was the last time you thought about us living in the end times, and what exactly did you think? Did you get excited that our time on earth is short, so that we can begin our eternity in heaven with Christ? Were you excited that the pain and trials of this old world would be in the rear view mirror? I've always learned towards the last one, that to think about the end being near, is a time to think about all the garbage of this world being gone, and I'd be living in paradise. In reading 1 Peter 4 the Bible tells me to think something completely different than what I have about the end. Let's take a look:

Scripture

1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.

Observation

The Bible is pretty clear about here; I am not to think about ME getting out of here and enjoying the life in paradise, I am not to think about eternity, I am to pray. Straight up....pray.

Application

So I am to be clear minded and self-controlled, so I can pray. In looking at the scripture before and after this verse, the Bible is very clear how to stay self controlled. Stay away from debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. So whether my mind is on any of these things, or off onto something else, then my mind is not clear to the things of God and not doing the will of God(verse 2). If I am caught up with something, then I will not be able to do what God has asked me to do after verse 7. God tells me to Love, offer hospitality, faithfully use the gift given to me, speak for God, and serve with an ending strength.

So what does this look like in my life, how can I apply this? I need to determine what is clouding my mind? What things are muddling my mind? Then those thoughts are the ones that need to be kicked to the curb. What actions am I doing that are not self controlled? Is there a form of lust in my life? Lust of influence, things of this world(better JOB, PHONE, CAR, HOUSE, BOAT, FILL IN THE BLANK) and what about potential idolatry in my life(self esteem, TV, 22" spinners for the car). As I look at this list, these are, honestly, all things that will be in a land fill within 20-30 years, so why am I so caught up in them? Because the scripture will be true and Satan is not just going to let that happen, because then I will start to pray more and more and more. The Bible says that all of our prayers are as a fragrance in a bowl, and God leans over the bowl to smell the sweet fragrance of his saints praying. Now that is awesome, so let's keep the mind clear and be self controlled and pray until we see the end.

Prayer

Father, Thank you for giving me instructions on what to do. I ask that you would forgive me for not following the instructions given. Help me to keep my mind clear and be in controll of things in my life, so they do not take away from the real and true purpose here and now, and that is so I can pray. Amen