02/08/2024
Prepping For His Coming
Jesus made it clear that He is returning one day. And every generation has had reason to believe that it might be in their lifetime.
Today, the signs and fulfilled prophecies about the days of His return are ever-increasing, so there is understandably much talk and interest in the timeline of Jesus’ return. Though no one knows when that will be, we certainly know that every day that passes is another day closer to His return!
Without doubt, Jesus is coming back – and I believe it may be soon! But for what/whom is He coming back? Is Jesus returning for anyone and everyone that has walked through church doors? Or who says they are a Christian? Or for prominent church “leaders,” or those who faithfully follow them?

A Wrong Focus
Unfortunately, many look to well-known “leaders” for guidance and spirituality, especially the popular speakers and influencers. Recent publicized moral failures of many celebrity church leaders has revealed that they are mere people, with the same weaknesses, temptations and limitations as the rest of us. Many are compromising God’s Word and watering down the biblical requirements of a true disciple of Jesus Christ, leading multitudes astray.
The problems revealed are two-fold. First, the “celebrity-value” can often attract individuals to the pulpits who are drawn to fame, power and position, rather than servanthood. Add to this their pursuit of wealth (prosperity doctrines), big crowds, book deals – turning the sanctuaries of God into money-changing market places that extort funds from the gullible with false promises of “blessings” and are used to fulfill a leader’s self-serving ambitions.
Second, people often encourage this celebrity approach by choosing to watch, follow and support the online or TV “stars,” instead of being part of a nearby group of believers where they can grow spiritually and become disciples who are taught to use their God-given gifts and abilities to minister to the saints and bless others (even those outside the church), according to the scriptural pattern.

Responding to Failures
The recent downfall of many notable leaders in the Body of Christ has brought sorrow and discouragement to many. Sadly, it has also brought gloating from some who know the Lord, and from those who do not. And they use that as an excuse to continue in their rebellion against God and the Gospel (Ro 2:21-24; 1Pe 2:11-16, 3:15,16).
As believers, to rejoice in the failures or weaknesses of others (especially those we do not like) is not only un-Christlike, it is warned against in the Bible (Pr. 24:17,18). Jesus taught that to condemn others when we ourselves are sinners exposes us as hypocrites (Mt 7:1-5).
I do not believe that our King takes pleasure in the uncovering of sin and human weakness in church leadership (Ez. 18:23; 33:11), and our understanding of our Father’s ways needs to adjust our minds to “Kingdom thinking.”

Are We Being Prepared?
But could it be that these recent exposures are actually the hand of God preparing His Church for His return?
We are told that Jesus is returning for a “glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish” (Ep 5:25b-27). We are warned, “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the Gospel of God?” (1Pe 4:17).
When God exposes sin, He does so as an act of mercy! By bringing failures into the light, it is always for the purpose of leading people to repentance and transformation. Through our heartfelt repentance, He begins the process of redemption, healing, deliverance and a restoration to right relationship with Himself and others (2Co 7:9,10).
God’s judgment upon sin exposes what is blocking and hindering both individuals and thus, His Body, from reaching its full potential. His divine design is that the Church would glorify Christ, and be the instrument through which His Kingdom is made manifest on earth, thus becoming a powerful testimony and blessing to the world.
As the Lord’s judgments begin in the House of God, so do His blessings – and His genuine blessings always follow a repentant heart.

What We Can Do
Jesus came, “preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel’” (Mk 1:14,15). So let our hearts, minds and actions be shaped by what Jesus preached as the essential steps we must take if we are to be Kingdom disciples who are ready for His appearing.
1. Repent – For the believer, repentance from sin is not a one-time thing. It is necessary every time we fail. Repentance is more than sorrow over sin. It literally means to turn away from sinful behavior, and turn toward God. And every time we do, God will forgive and cleanse us (1Jn 1:9).
2. Believe – Though we can intellectually acknowledge the truth, we must be so convinced of Who Jesus is that we daily take action upon what we believe about the Gospel. Read the Word of God daily and feed on its unchanging truths, in order to not be deceived by the rampant evil and confusion of our day.
3. Walk – Take steps to live out what you believe and know to be true; the more you rise and live to the standards of Scripture, the further your life will be from sin and compromise (Gal 5:1).
4. Be filled with the Spirit! – Not one of us can live a godly life without help, and we have the Holy Spirit to do just that. God gives liberally fresh fillings of His Spirit to any who ask (Lk 11:9-13; Ep 5:18), and that includes His power, discernment and wisdom.
5. Be Humble – Live humbly before God and others. We are all in dire need of His grace and mercy, so live, talk, pray and act with humility (Ps 130:3,4; Micah 6:8).
6. Worship – As we worship the King of the universe, everything will be put in right perspective. He seeks those who will worship Him in “spirit and truth” (Jn 4:23,24) and His presence will inhabit the place where He is welcomed in worship (Ps 22:3).
7. Pray – The nations desperately need the Lord. Pray for His Spirit to be poured out on all people, and that the Lord of the Harvest would send forth laborers (Mt 9:37,38) to gather a great harvest in these days. Also pray:
a. For the Church to be cleansed of all compromise, wickedness and demonic doctrines, and to be prepared for the coming of the Lord.
b. That leaders in the Body of Christ will strive for holiness for the sake of the Gospel, and come to understand that fruitfulness in ministry is people being transformed into the image of Jesus and fully reflecting the presence and character of Christ in their lives (2Ti 4:1-5).
The principles above are not new ideas. Jesus expects us to obey and do that which He has already revealed in His Word (see the parables in Matthew chapter 25, and Luke 12:35-48).
He asks the question, “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” (Lk 18:8). This faith is not about nominal church membership, but is an active, vital and living personal relationship with Jesus that is full of trust, obedience and faithfulness to Him. Faith in Him for everything is what He desires from us, and when He returns these are the ones He will be seeking.

PRAYER THIS MONTH
1. GLOBAL PRAYER
You are well aware of the current global unrest, conflict and confusion that is occurring around the world in these days. Would you please focus your prayers on the following three particular points of intercession this month.
Please pray about:
The horrific sexualization and growing perversion of Western culture. What occurred at the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France, only accentuates the onslaught of demonic twisting and preying upon people in attempts to defile and destroy God’s most basic created order for humanity (Gen 1:27). The only answer to this is the salvation and power of Jesus Christ! Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring revelation, repentance leading to salvation, and total transformation.
Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, Iran. Please pray for a cessation of hostilities, return of hostages, and change of governments where needed. Pray for the salvation of terrorists – turning from Saul’s to Paul’s – and for the Jewish people to recognize their Messiah!
U.S.A. Elections. The world watches and is influenced by what happens in America. Much is at stake in the elections in November, and also in the months leading up to them. Please pray for peace; for the demonic spirits of lawlessness and violence to be bound; for the entire truth on many issues to become visible to all, with nothing hidden in shadow; against nefarious and evil global agendas and those who want to impose them; and for righteousness to rule in the actual voting of the elections.
2. WORLD MAP
Nepal Seminars – In September, World MAP will be conducting pastoral training seminars in Nepal. In conjunction with the seminars, we have just completed a newly-translated version of The Shepherd’s Staff in Nepalese! Thousands of these books are printed and on their way to Nepal, so please pray for their swift and safe arrival. Pray as well for the seminar and travel preparations; for protection against the worsening persecution against Nepali Christians; as well as for pastors’ hearts to be prepared to receive all that the Lord has for them!

CONCLUSION
The Lord Jesus is coming back for us, and He will fulfill all that He has promised! He is preparing His Church – which includes you and me – for that great Day of the Lord when we will stand with Him unashamed and rejoicing in our God and King!

Maranatha!
Dr. Frank and Wendy Parrish,
World MAP
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Prepping For His Coming
Jesus made it clear that He is returning one day. And every generation has had reason to believe that it might be in their lifetime.
Today, the signs and fulfilled prophecies about the days of His return are ever-increasing, so there is understandably much talk and interest in the timeline of Jesus’ return. Though no one knows when that will be, we certainly know that every day that passes is another day closer to His return!
Without doubt, Jesus is coming back – and I believe it may be soon! But for what/whom is He coming back? Is Jesus returning for anyone and everyone that has walked through church doors? Or who says they are a Christian? Or for prominent church “leaders,” or those who faithfully follow them?

A Wrong Focus
Unfortunately, many look to well-known “leaders” for guidance and spirituality, especially the popular speakers and influencers. Recent publicized moral failures of many celebrity church leaders has revealed that they are mere people, with the same weaknesses, temptations and limitations as the rest of us. Many are compromising God’s Word and watering down the biblical requirements of a true disciple of Jesus Christ, leading multitudes astray.
The problems revealed are two-fold. First, the “celebrity-value” can often attract individuals to the pulpits who are drawn to fame, power and position, rather than servanthood. Add to this their pursuit of wealth (prosperity doctrines), big crowds, book deals – turning the sanctuaries of God into money-changing market places that extort funds from the gullible with false promises of “blessings” and are used to fulfill a leader’s self-serving ambitions.
Second, people often encourage this celebrity approach by choosing to watch, follow and support the online or TV “stars,” instead of being part of a nearby group of believers where they can grow spiritually and become disciples who are taught to use their God-given gifts and abilities to minister to the saints and bless others (even those outside the church), according to the scriptural pattern.

Responding to Failures
The recent downfall of many notable leaders in the Body of Christ has brought sorrow and discouragement to many. Sadly, it has also brought gloating from some who know the Lord, and from those who do not. And they use that as an excuse to continue in their rebellion against God and the Gospel (Ro 2:21-24; 1Pe 2:11-16, 3:15,16).
As believers, to rejoice in the failures or weaknesses of others (especially those we do not like) is not only un-Christlike, it is warned against in the Bible (Pr. 24:17,18). Jesus taught that to condemn others when we ourselves are sinners exposes us as hypocrites (Mt 7:1-5).
I do not believe that our King takes pleasure in the uncovering of sin and human weakness in church leadership (Ez. 18:23; 33:11), and our understanding of our Father’s ways needs to adjust our minds to “Kingdom thinking.”

Are We Being Prepared?
But could it be that these recent exposures are actually the hand of God preparing His Church for His return?
We are told that Jesus is returning for a “glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish” (Ep 5:25b-27). We are warned, “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the Gospel of God?” (1Pe 4:17).
When God exposes sin, He does so as an act of mercy! By bringing failures into the light, it is always for the purpose of leading people to repentance and transformation. Through our heartfelt repentance, He begins the process of redemption, healing, deliverance and a restoration to right relationship with Himself and others (2Co 7:9,10).
God’s judgment upon sin exposes what is blocking and hindering both individuals and thus, His Body, from reaching its full potential. His divine design is that the Church would glorify Christ, and be the instrument through which His Kingdom is made manifest on earth, thus becoming a powerful testimony and blessing to the world.
As the Lord’s judgments begin in the House of God, so do His blessings – and His genuine blessings always follow a repentant heart.

What We Can Do
Jesus came, “preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel’” (Mk 1:14,15). So let our hearts, minds and actions be shaped by what Jesus preached as the essential steps we must take if we are to be Kingdom disciples who are ready for His appearing.
1. Repent – For the believer, repentance from sin is not a one-time thing. It is necessary every time we fail. Repentance is more than sorrow over sin. It literally means to turn away from sinful behavior, and turn toward God. And every time we do, God will forgive and cleanse us (1Jn 1:9).
2. Believe – Though we can intellectually acknowledge the truth, we must be so convinced of Who Jesus is that we daily take action upon what we believe about the Gospel. Read the Word of God daily and feed on its unchanging truths, in order to not be deceived by the rampant evil and confusion of our day.
3. Walk – Take steps to live out what you believe and know to be true; the more you rise and live to the standards of Scripture, the further your life will be from sin and compromise (Gal 5:1).
4. Be filled with the Spirit! – Not one of us can live a godly life without help, and we have the Holy Spirit to do just that. God gives liberally fresh fillings of His Spirit to any who ask (Lk 11:9-13; Ep 5:18), and that includes His power, discernment and wisdom.
5. Be Humble – Live humbly before God and others. We are all in dire need of His grace and mercy, so live, talk, pray and act with humility (Ps 130:3,4; Micah 6:8).
6. Worship – As we worship the King of the universe, everything will be put in right perspective. He seeks those who will worship Him in “spirit and truth” (Jn 4:23,24) and His presence will inhabit the place where He is welcomed in worship (Ps 22:3).
7. Pray – The nations desperately need the Lord. Pray for His Spirit to be poured out on all people, and that the Lord of the Harvest would send forth laborers (Mt 9:37,38) to gather a great harvest in these days. Also pray:
a. For the Church to be cleansed of all compromise, wickedness and demonic doctrines, and to be prepared for the coming of the Lord.
b. That leaders in the Body of Christ will strive for holiness for the sake of the Gospel, and come to understand that fruitfulness in ministry is people being transformed into the image of Jesus and fully reflecting the presence and character of Christ in their lives (2Ti 4:1-5).
The principles above are not new ideas. Jesus expects us to obey and do that which He has already revealed in His Word (see the parables in Matthew chapter 25, and Luke 12:35-48).
He asks the question, “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” (Lk 18:8). This faith is not about nominal church membership, but is an active, vital and living personal relationship with Jesus that is full of trust, obedience and faithfulness to Him. Faith in Him for everything is what He desires from us, and when He returns these are the ones He will be seeking.
CONCLUSION
The Lord Jesus is coming back for us, and He will fulfill all that He has promised! He is preparing His Church – which includes you and me – for that great Day of the Lord when we will stand with Him unashamed and rejoicing in our God and King!
Maranatha!
Dr. Frank and Wendy Parrish,
World MAP

