Well, the world keeps on getting crazier every day! We have found ourselves in a very unique time in history. The Bible would these birth pangs as there are so many alignments to the end times passages—Russia & China, Wars, Famine, Pestilence, and Lawlessness.

Jeremiah 31:10-14 (NLT): “Listen to this message from the LORD, you nations of the world; proclaim it in distant coast lands. The LORD, who scattered his people, will gather them and watch over them as a shepherd does his flock. For the LORD has redeemed Israel from those too strong for them. They will come home and sing songs of joy on the heights of Jerusalem. They will be radiant because of the LORD’s good gifts—The abundant crops of grain, new wine, and olive oil, and their sorrows will be gone. The young women will dance for joy, and the men—old and young—will join in the celebration. I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing. The priests will enjoy abundance, and my people will feast on my good gifts. I, the LORD, have spoken!” 

There is a feast for my future—A Feast of Good Gifts! A season of abundance, joy and redemption. Genesis 8:22 (NKJV): “While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease.” 

How to “Maximize” your future and “Minimize” your failures. Remove the Hindrances:

Complaining. Numbers 11:1 (NKJV)–Moses Gives Warning. “Now when the people complained, it displeased the LORD; for the LORD heard it, and His anger was aroused. So the fire of the LORD burned among them, and consumed some in the outskirts of the camp.” 

Coveting. Ephesians 5:5-7 (NKJV)–Paul Gives a Warning. “For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them.” 

Double Mindedness. James Gives Warning. James 1:5-8 (NLT): “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.” 

Disobedience. 1 Samuel 12:14-15 (NLT)–Samuel Gives Warning. “Now if you fear and worship the LORD and listen to his voice, and if you do not rebel against the LORD’s commands, then both you and your king will show that you recognize the LORD as your God. But if you rebel against the LORD’s commands and refuse to listen to him, then his hand will be as heavy upon you as it was upon your ancestors.”

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Rev. Bryan A. Tomes 

Crossroads Community Church 

www.crossroadsconnects.com