A PARALLEL UNIVERSE

    Often we hear about the end of time. Jesus being the fulfilment of the word started this period when He was born. He brought a new teaching, He brought grace, He focused on relationship with God and He started the ministry for Gentiles. Quite a lot for His 32 years! It was a turning point for mankind so much so that the dating changed (BC and AD) from the birth of Christ. Not even His worst critics cannot deny His birth.

For all of time He will be remembered just by marking the date. As believers we get caught up with time. It is never enough. We get distracted from God and forget that our priority is first to work out our salvation. It is taken from Phillippians 2:12-13;

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

In working out our salvation I have a concept that I want to flush out and present to you. I will like hearing from you on it. 

Concept

We are commissioned to do a few things while we live. For our personal relationship with God we; multiply, pray without ceasing, and show love. For our ministry we can wrap it up with; preach the gospel, be our brother's keeper, make disciples, baptise,  and witness. 

The fear and trembling is of course, what happens when we do not continue the walk. Fear to go forward and trembling when our legs are shaky lacking confidence or on shaky ground. 

The personal relationship is built in parallel with our ministry but the space between is where we bind on earth and we loose on earth. That is the point where we exercise authority not fear of the world. 

In a sense this is our effort 😂. Luke 10:19 says; I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. Through your faith walk you accomplish your purpose in life despite all the forces around you.

During our Christian walk there are many things that collide and separate and impacts on us either directly or indirectly. Your authority pushes one leg forward then the other. Your legs being the parallel aspects of your faith life. This is your parallel universe. 

Examples

The steps your Father in Heaven orders for you can only be taken if you follow His directions and accept His commissioning. I am inspired by people who are able to stay focused on their walk in Christ. People like Lydia and Noah come easily to mind. 

Noah endured derision and the presence of God must have been with Him to shield Him. Genesis 6:8 says; But Noah found favour in the eyes of The Lord. But boy was he rewarded. To be able to save his family, all of mankind and the animals. We started over because of Noah's obedience and perseverance. Even with a 40 day period of rain and limited land space after landing he continued to survive.

St. Lydia, The Woman of Purple
responds to Paul's message

Lydia was a woman who fled from the Romans and established a business (Acts 16:12-15). She had a fervour for God and wanted to do what she could for Him. Because of this she went by the riverside for prayer meeting and met Paul and Silas. Having heard the testimony she gave her life to Christ and invited them home. 

She was hospitable to them, two weary men who needed to be refreshed after imprisonment. Her household got saved. Her reward? She was the first convert in Europe. She will always be remembered as such because she was also given sainthood. She was a modern woman because she did what many to this day cannot, balance her life.   

Application

As seasons come and go there will be family situations, personal issues, national and international events. Sometimes we can be overwhelmed and sometimes we can be discouraged or distracted. Be like Noah.

Despite everything your life in Christ comes first. Be fervent like Lydia and fixed like Noah. You are an ambassador for Christ. Your walk is your relationship with God. Like me guard your walk jealously! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path Psalm 119:104. God returns with being a jealous God for you. See? It takes two in a relationship.

Reborn into the Kingdom of God. The things of this world no longer hold you. Even if you have to scale down your commitments, conversion is the most critical part of your citizenship in heaven. Build the kingdom in anyway you can. That comes with living as a witness of Christ, the glory of God. Your great commission or ministry centres on this;

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:18-20

I pray that you are renewed in strength and have opportunities to speak a scripture into someone's life today. I pray that the things of this world are overcome by your faith. God is able to handle anything that comes your way. Believe this in Jesus name.

If you do not know Jesus as your Saviour, you can pray this prayer of conversion:

Dear Heavenly Father,

I ask you to forgive my sins in knowledge or ignorance. Please forgive me. I accept Jesus as my Saviour. I ask that Jesus comes into my life as I live to be a witness for Him. Please change my life and make me into the person you want me to be, in Jesus name I pray. Thank you.