Several members and friends of Bethany Baptist Church went out to the Corder Farm for a hayride and picnic. The weather was near perfect, the fall colors were beautiful, and the food was delicious as was expected since even ordinary food tastes better eaten outside around a campfire. Pastor Bob Sorensen brought a devotion to the folks as they sat around the fire waiting for the fire to burn down so that the wieners and marshmallows could be roasted to a turn or burnt, as some preferred.
Darlene Sorensen sang a special song in the morning service. Pastor Bob Sorensen brought another message on the Second Coming of Christ, “Just Before His Return.”
Jesus taught his disciples that they should be ready “for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” Paul warned Timothy that in the last days there would be men of corrupt minds. Today we see human minds corrupted in many ways. One of these is with the filth of pornography, which is readily available. Pornography has become a billion-dollar industry and has wrecked countless homes and lives.
Actions that were once called “sin” are now excused by new “moral standards” based according to the preference of an individual. The Bible is still true and those actions that God has condemned are still “sin.”
People are not faithful in marriage, the Bible is not respected, the church is not seen as important, homes are not a refuge, cheating, stealing, bullying, and shootings plague schools, and government and industry operate on greed.
Other signs of the soon return of Jesus is the increase in devastating natural disasters such as floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, and manmade disasters such as nation-wide financial collapse, oil spills, wars, terrorism and violence.
At a time when churches and preachers need to stand up and warn people about the dangers of this age, churches are becoming more powerless. Churches have abandoned scripture and taken on many activities for social change. Churches have lost the power of the Holy Spirit. God has not changed his requirements. God’s truth does not change, but the preaching has. Many churches are turning away from plain Bible preaching, seeking to accommodate modern culture.
The return of Jesus may be at any time. For unbelievers there will be devastation, but for believers deliverance. That will be a time of victory, but not due to the outcome of an election, or an improving economy. It will not be because of a peace settlement, but in the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Be ready for his coming, it could be today.
