Welcome back, my battle-ready friends!  We’ve identified the first objective of our study: Exhort the Body of Christ to be ready!  Today we’ll turn our eyes toward the second of the three objectives:

• Exhort the Body of Christ to action

It’s not enough that we simply be ready…we must also take action.  So let’s tackle that objective now.  True, very few have been granted authority or opportunity to sit at the negotiation table and work out peace plans, or to travel around the world to deliver much needed supplies to those in need.  I think of the horrible conditions in Nepal following Saturday’s earthquake, and I feel helpless!  But we’re not helpless.  Read Matthew 25:35-40.  Can we supply food, water, clothing and other needs to those in Nepal?  Of course we can!  There are very trusted organizations, such as Samaritan’s Purse, who are providing those things.  Why not contribute to the effort!

The Bible speaks of dozens of other ways the Body of Christ can take action.  One is found in 2 Timothy 4:1-5.  Let’s ask ourselves, “When is the last time I told someone about Jesus?”  When is the last time I did something that “had Jesus written all over it!”  When is the last time that I gave credit and honor to the Lord when someone praised me for doing something only the Lord could have orchestrated?  When is the last time I exhorted someone to follow the Lord’s leading?

Then, specifically regarding Israel, here are two other ways to take action: bless Israel (Genesis 12:3) and pray for peace (Psalm 122:6).  We can bless Israel by standing up for her when all around seem to want to tear her down.  We can bless Israel by telling others about the wonders of God’s grace there.  We can learn all we can about Israel and tout the land as God’s trophy of mercy and grace!  Finally, we can all pray for the peace of Jerusalem and the surrounding nations.

Hey gang, if you’re not in the game, why not jump in there!  None of us are perfect, and you are not expected to be either.  But we must be active…we must take action in these last days.  We don’t know when the final whistle will blow and the game will be over.  For those we could have reached and didn’t, it will be a brutal eternity.

Tomorrow we’ll talk about the framework through which to view current events, so let me leave you with these passages of Scripture.  Read and meditate on Jeremiah 33:3 and Amos 3:7.  Indeed, God will reveal special things to His servants who seek to know His ways!  Let’s be those servants!

See you tomorrow!

(PS: Yesterday I promised to share a very interesting interview regarding ISIS, Iran, and America’s place in the world.  I haven’t forgotten…that is coming this afternoon!  Check back because you will be blessed!)