3/27/23

Dear Email Subscribers,

2021 was one of the most stressful years of my life. I felt like everyone I loved despised me and thought I was crazy. The harshest voices said my choices might lead to the death of those I loved the most. I lost friendships that I thought were too close to ever sever.

I went to the Lord repeatedly, begging for wisdom and relief. I had a mental picture of myself standing on top of a mountain, wind whipping violently around me. I’d planted a flag at the top of that mountain though. Unless God told me otherwise, I wouldn’t give up until I had no strength left.

The issue that caused the challenges was the medication which shall not be named except as “protection.” I’m not against all protection, and I’m thankful we have access it. However, I prayerfully refused this one. I kept my opinion to myself, only sharing it with my most trusted people. With the exception of my husband, I didn’t ask them not to get it, but I was still held in contempt and misunderstood. I’ve never experienced that kind of opposition. I'd explain it all here, but in my experience, NO amount of explanation changes anyone's mind.

I know God holds our future in the palm of His hand, and His plan for our lives gives us hope. Even if our immediate future is in heaven with Him, we will be with Him. What astounds me is the amount of fear of death and discomfort so many Christians have. I have to remind myself that most haven’t had the comfort of the Holy Spirit through the shadow of death and extreme discomfort the way I have. It changes a person.

I grieved my losses for nearly two years. Finally, I got away to hear from God without distractions. I asked Him, “What was this about? How could you allow such devastation in my life?”

His answer came with compassion and love. God needed to rearrange some things that were essential for the next season. It had also been a test. Would I stand strong when everyone was against me? God already knew, but I needed to build that muscle while I stood alone in the storm.

On the heels of that situation, a bold reminder that Jesus could return in my lifetime shook me. There are Bible translation projects going on now that, if they continue, will have the Bible translated into every known language within my lifetime. We are zooming toward a time when every nation on earth will have the opportunity to hear the message of salvation through Jesus Christ and accept or reject it.

Technology is racing forward, and a paperless/cardless financial tracking system has already been developed. Think about what could be accomplished if our bodies were equipped with a way to track our children, pay for everything, access our medical information, etc. Imagine the end to human trafficking, theft, kidnapping, and medical errors! We could walk out of a store without checking out, our purchases automatically deducted from our account. Doesn’t it sound good?

But… the Bible specifically prohibits us from allowing anyone to put a “mark” that’s required for everyone on our forehead or right hand. We’ll know it’s the mark of the beast because we’ll be unable to buy or sell if we don’t have it. The Bible warns us plainly that we cannot enter heaven if we receive it. We can’t accidentally get it, and it isn’t the forbidden mark if it’s anywhere else on the body.

No matter how good it looks or how much more comfortable it promises to make our lives, refuse it, we MUST. There is no hope for those who accept it. In the end, it will only bring destruction.

Jesus may return before this happens, and I hope He does. In my study of Scripture, I don’t find that to be a clear message, though. The Church has been persecuted since the beginning, and God hasn’t prevented it. I’ve linked a few Scriptures below, but they are far from the only things the Bible has to say about what's to come.

Scripture says that God’s people will be persecuted and must refuse the mark of the beast.

The beast will do miraculous things that will deceive people into worshipping him and getting the mark. He’ll be healed from a fatal head wound. His image will come to life and speak to people.

It will be hard to know what’s true.

“Enlightened” Christians who’ve been compromising biblical standards for years will lead the way. They’ll try to convince us that we’ve been interpreting the Bible all wrong. They’ll say that John’s message was philosophical/symbolic, not literal. They’ll mock us so severely that we’ll be tempted to give in because we feel foolish.

The campaign to convince us will sound good and give us an out to keep our comfortable lives. They’ll claim that God wouldn’t want us to endanger our families or let our children starve. But that’s exactly what the Bible says will happen.

Families will turn against one another. Husbands against wives. There will be no sacred relationships left. No matter what side you took in 2021, the roiling emotions around that issue were just a taste of what’s to come.

We haven’t been living in a way that expects Jesus to return quickly. We’re distracted, busy, indebted, and consumed with comfort. We want to be fed the best foods, sleep in the most comfortable beds, be entertained, look forever young, and remain in the most optimal state of health.

We aren’t living as if those we love will go to hell if we don’t speak up. We don’t want to upset anyone. They can believe what they believe and we’ll believe what we believe. Would a loving God even allow hell to exist? Comfort, comfort, comfort.

Is that really love?

I’ve used the word WE here intentionally. Give me Netflix, comfort foods, and my Lay-Z-Boy. Put my smartphone in my hand, and I’ll scroll Instagram and shop while I binge watch the latest series. I’ll take Melatonin and sleep in my big bed with a fan and heavy blankets. I’ll wake up and write blogs about how to trust God, then wonder why He isn’t using me more.

God is sick of it. We must stop worshipping the idol of comfort and people-pleasing and start worshipping Him in Spirit and in truth. I’ve had to repent and make some changes.

Even if Jesus doesn’t return for 10,000 years, the Bible tells us to be ready at all times. Keep extra oil for our lamps in case we have to wait longer than expected, but look up in expectation always. We must obediently stay alert to the immanent return of Jesus!

We must grow up, reduce distractions, face our fears, and take the return of Christ seriously. This isn’t the time to concern ourselves with frivolous things, but to focus on our Savior and draw everyone we can into His Kingdom.

One thing we know from history is that when the church is persecuted, it grows and thrives. Push us underground and we become stronger and more resilient. Threaten us and we find a way to survive. We don’t need to be afraid; we need to be prepared!

It's time to prioritize. We can’t stop what’s coming, but we can keep as many people as possible from receiving the mark of the beast and eternal damnation. We can prepare for the possibility that we have to go through very hard things. My friends, it’s time.

If you're thinking right now, I have no courage for this, you aren't alone. But courage is available to us. Read The Acts of the Apostles. It explains how God has given us courage and boldness if we'll receive it. He'll also send TRUE comfort. It’s not the temporary comfort we’ve been seeking that numbs our senses for a while, but the comfort of the Holy Spirit who never leaves.

John 14:16-17 says, “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever— the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive [and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in you.”

This Comforter is the One who allows us to feel peace in the middle of storms. This Comforter is the One who gives us strength to stand firm when everything around is us shaking and we’re utterly alone.

Acts 1:8 says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The Holy Spirit not only provides us with true comfort, but also gives us power like Jesus had when He walked the earth. He gives us boldness to speak up about Him.

Thank you for reading to the end. If I can pray for you specifically this week, I’d be honored to do so. I’ve been praying for each of you as I get ready to send out this message. May you have ears to hear and a heart to receive.

With all my love,

Kimberly