The warning given by Jesus was clear and to the point: “But be on guard, so that your hearts are not weighed down and depressed with (among other things)... the worldly worries and cares of life, and then that day [when the Messiah returns] will not come on you suddenly like a trap.” (Luke 21:34- AMP)

Did you catch yesterday’s message, by chance?

We are reminded often, in scripture, to be watchful, to be vigilant and alert... as we look for the return of our Lord. The parable of the Ten Virgins, found in Matt. 25 seems to suggest the condition of the ‘church’ world at the time of His coming will be that of a ‘sleeping church’ ... in need of being woken up. How can one tell if they are even asleep, spiritually? Well, for starters...if you were taught a gospel that left you with the impression that because you ‘prayed a prayer’ and... ‘accepted Christ as Savior’...that for the most part...’faith’ will be your vehicle that allows you to coast into heaven...then you might have been sold ‘another gospel’ that Paul warns about in 2 Cor. 11:3-4 and Gal. 1:6-9.

If that was indeed true, then why would we read of the need to “strive (make every effort) to enter through the narrow gate, for many I say to you will seek to enter and will not be able.” (Luke 14:24). Those were the words of Jesus.

And why are we admonished by Paul to ‘set our minds on things above, not on things of the earth’ in Col. 3:2 as we ‘bring into captivity EVERY THOUGHT...to the obedience of Christ’ in 2 Cor. 10:5? What did he know that we seem to be unaware of? Have you ever jumped back into reading a book or novel and starting wondering if you skipped some chapters because some of what you are reading doesn’t add up or make sense?

I closed out yesterday’s message suggesting that the reason many sincere yet discouraged believers have found themselves ‘adrift’ in their walk of faith...had to do with the possibility that just maybe...they have been drawn in to being overly pre-occupied...with the ‘wrong kingdom’. Jesus taught us that if we wanted to be free of many of the common cares and fears and anxieties that so many people succumb to these days...that they could be alleviated if we simply purposed in our hearts to “seek first the kingdom of God...and HIS righteousness” (Matt. 6:33). And friends...this is where I sense many are getting sidetracked.

I have used the comparison in the past where too many sincere, yet misguided Christians have become overly pre-occupied with trying to ‘save the Titanic’ and have yet to fully ‘enter the Ark’. You can’t be a passenger of both ships; nor can you walk in two separate kingdoms. Allow me to elaborate...

A simple scroll through much of what I see on ‘social media’, for example...is the preoccupation so many people have today with what is going on in this world, and in our country especially. Most of what people are feeding on comes from the ‘airwaves’ of TV, Internet, and whatever other source one gets their news/information from. May I remind you who the ‘prince of the air’ is? (Eph. 2:1-3; 1 John 5:19).

And my goodness, have not church pulpits become dispensers of all forms of political & ‘current event’ rhetoric in recent years (decades actually) where much focus and attention is given to all the drama and division and discourse that is happening in the world today. How many of you have succumbed to that little voice that whispers to you how important it is that you ‘stay informed’...as to what is happening in your country and world?

Look at all the ‘fountains’ that so many ‘believers’ are drinking from these days...be it news stations, podcasts, internet news sources, YouTube channels dominated... by ‘people in the know’ wanting to fill you in on all the ‘dark secrets’ that are unfolding and being exposed everywhere. Friends...there is no shortage of ‘news’ feeds and tips laying in front of you that can easily consume your heart and mind, work you up into frenzies as you want to scream and holler at all the ‘deception’ taking place in our government agencies and news outlets. And even if...you are one of those people who like to do the ‘deep dive of research’ before sharing and passing on all these ‘conspiracy’ theories that abound...let me ask you this: Have you forgotten who the real ‘enemy’ is?

“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 6:12-NLT)

You are not at ‘war’ with the ‘Deep State’, or the liberal media. The AOC’s and Bernie Sanders and Nancy Pelosi’s of the world are not your enemy, and the ‘Pride’ flag is not a threat to the kingdom of God. And yet...what seems to have much of the ‘body of Christ’ so worked up these days? Would you take a moment and look at Rev. 12. You can skim over vs. 7-12 for a refresher, underlining vs. 9, but I need you to note vs.15. We see where the serpent is at ‘war’ with the saints (17) and what does he ‘spew out of his mouth’, according to vs 15? What usually comes out of our mouths? “words”, maybe? And what is the purpose of this ‘water’ coming out of his mouth...so he can cause the ‘woman’ (church) to be ...’carried away by the flood’? And what did Jesus say the final days would be like prior to His return...and what would ‘carry people away’? (Matt. 24:38-39) Words ...words ... words...24/7. I am here to tell you that the only words we should be ‘consumed’ with these days...is the Word of God.

There is a ‘preacher’ who I had much respect for years ago who had a solid message for the body of Christ. The past few years, I have dropped in on his channel from time to time to listen to him, and he has become quite derailed as I hear more talk about what is happening in this country on the political scene. The last time I saw him...he was wearing a MAGA hat. Friends...I know this will offend some of you...but God did not send DJT to ‘save America’. There was One who was already sent...to ‘save the world’, and His name is Jesus (John 3:17-18). And if your heart and mind is more wrapped up in ‘saving the Titanic’...then you are in danger of ‘going down’ with the Titanic. You better make sure you have both feet in the Ark!