One question I’m often asked is, “What is the most important thing we can do to prepare for the end of our lives or the return of Jesus?”
I believe we are living in the last days. Jesus repeatedly warned His disciples about one danger above all others: deception. In the Gospels, He told us, “Take heed that no one deceives you” (Matthew 24:4). If that warning was important then, it is even more important today.
The truth is, every one of us can be deceived in some area of life. That is why we desperately need the daily guidance and power of the Holy Spirit.
Let me make something clear. There’s nothing more important then making sure that you are born again. Jesus said unless you are born again you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Being born again requires that we repent of sin. Repent means to turn and go the other direction. We also need to invite Jesus to take control of our life.
I often use the illustration of a pilot who turns the controls of an aircraft over to another pilot so they can fly a portion of the journey, by saying: “The aircraft is yours.” Then I take my hands off the controls and allow the other pilot to take control. In the same way, when we insist on maintaining control of our own lives rather than allowing God to take control, we are headed toward failure and, ultimately, catastrophe. We were designed to follow God and trust His direction. So, first and foremost, the most important thing is to make sure you are saved—born again—and that Jesus Christ is truly in control of your life.
Secondly, use the word of God as your guide. Make sure your Bible translation is a well-established version. I particularly like the earliest versions of the King James and the New King James.
With that said, let me lead you into the next most important thing—Power. This is what the enemy is trying very hard to remove from God’s people. And he is succeeding. Powerless Christianity is no threat to the enemy. Christians without power make good citizens, they pay their taxes, and they follow their government. But Jesus said, “behold I give you authority over scorpions and serpents and over all the power of the enemy and nothing by any means will hurt you;”
So let’s talk about the Holy Spirit, the Source of power in believers. The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is omnipotent—all-powerful. He is not an impersonal force or influence. The Holy Spirit is a Person. He is God—the Spirit of Jesus Christ..
He is also omnipresent. There is nowhere we can go where He is not there. When the Holy Spirit lovingly convicts us of sin, we cannot outrun Him. We may try to distract ourselves, ignore His voice, or even run to the other side of the world, but His conviction remains because He loves us too much to leave us where we are.
The Holy Spirit always points us to Jesus Christ. The Bible says He leads us into truth. He exposes deception. He convicts us of sin. He gives us supernatural gifts for service in God’s Kingdom. And He draws us into a deeper relationship with our Savior.
The Holy Spirit is where the believer’s power comes from.
Before Jesus sent His disciples into the world, He instructed them to wait in Jerusalem until they were clothed with power from on high (Luke 24:49). Acts, Chapter 2, records the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples, and then upon other followers of Jesus. Their lives—and the world—were never the same.
Perhaps as you read these words, you sense God speaking to your own heart. That is not an accident. The Holy Spirit may be gently calling you into a deeper walk with Jesus Christ.
If you have never trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior, today can be the day that changes your eternal destination and transforms your life. Turn from your sin. Open your heart to Jesus. Place your faith in Him, who died on the cross and rose again for you. Then choose to follow Him with your whole life.
I can tell you from personal experience: there is no greater life. There is no greater purpose. There is no greater joy than walking with Jesus and living in the power of the Holy Spirit.
For those who already know Christ, remember that dealing with sin is not a one-time event. Don’t let sin rule your life, and don’t hide from God because of it. We are called to continually confess our sins, thank Him for loving and forgiving us. And daily we choose to pick up our cross and follow Him.
Here’s a wonderful truth to remember: when you confess your sin to God, you’re not informing Him of something He didn’t already know. You’re agreeing with Him regarding your need to change your direction, you’re receiving His forgiveness, and restoring your fellowship with Him.
When you confess your sin to God, that isn’t when He finds out about it. That’s when you get rid of it.
The Bible assures us that when God forgives, He removes our sins “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12). What amazing grace!
Jesus is calling people to Himself today. He is still drawing men and women to the cross where He shed His blood so that we might be forgiven, and made right with God, receive eternal life and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Until the day we see Him face to face, we have the privilege of walking daily in His forgiveness, His presence, and the power of His Spirit.
If these messages encourage your faith and help you grow in Christ, I invite you to subscribe to our blogs and YouTube videos. Our desire is simple: to lift up Jesus Christ and faithfully proclaim His Word while there is still time.
You’ll find many additional Bible teachings at DaleBlack.org and on our YouTube channel at Capt. Dale Black. Don’t forget to find me on Face Book too.
As many of you know, our reach on social media is usually shadow-banded and blocked, and always limited. Even so, we remain committed to sharing the Gospel through books, videos, blogs, and every platform God provides.
If the Lord leads you, would you prayerfully consider Joining The Mission? Your prayers, encouragement, and financial support enable us to continue reaching people with the hope of Jesus Christ. Learn more how you can become a vital part of the mission: https://daleblack.org/join-the-mission/
Thank you for standing with us, for your trust, and for helping us proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in what I believe are the last of the last days.
To God alone be the glory.
And do remember, Jesus is coming again. And soon!
Thank you for the Book Winning Over Cancer I really appreciate it. I also have the other books life Cancer and GOD and flight To Heaven. My Dad is sick in the Hospital and I know that the Godly Teachings in your book Winning over cancer could help him improve his Healthy over time but I dont think my Dad would be open to The Godly Teachings in your books. My dad follows the Doctors orders and takes the Medicine the doctor prescriptions but medicine only treats symptoms not root causes. What my dad needs is the whole Package of God’s Benefits. The Body, Soul, and Spirit approach. I’ll pray for him that GOD would minister to his heart and that God’s Word would open his heart to truly see. Dale, Paula and Kara thank you for all that you do. I live in a body but I’m a Spirit. It’s important that we always remember that we must make a difference for Eternity so people can go to Heaven with Jesus Christ. The Earth is not our home where just passing through. But while where on the earth GOD expects us to be a Becaon of light for Christ. Let your light Shine not for Applause but to Glorify GOD. GOD Bless you all. I sin and fall short but when I do take a moment to repent and realign with GOD. When nothing stands between you and GOD your confidence will rise not through your own will power but by God’s peace and Holy Spirit. Its not my own Will power that defeats temptations it’s GOD Word.
Brother Manuel, Thank you so much for sharing your heart and for your faithful partnership with us. We are sorry to hear that your dad is in the hospital, and have been praying that the Lord ministers to him — body, soul, and spirit — and especially that his heart will be open to the truth of God’s Word and the love of Jesus Christ. We deeply appreciate your encouragement and your desire to be a light for Christ. You are so right — our confidence is not in our own strength, but in the Lord, His Word, and the power of the Holy Spirit. May God bless you and your dad, and thank you again for standing with us in this work.
Dale, I read your book about your miraculous recovery yesterday, in its entirety. I had bought it as an ebook a few years ago but hadn’t read it. I had been feeling out-of- synch the past while after a threatening experience but God has always guided me to what I need to recover, very often in one of my e-books. This time it was your book. My tears wouldn’t stop flowing as I read of your spiritual experiences after the crash, and I knew that, once again, God was reminding me He is always with me. I needn’t worry or feel I need to control my life to save it. Evil has entered the world, upending lives of innocents everywhere. But God knows, is correcting the path, so we serve God best when we patiently keep our faith strong and never stop trusting His power. Thank you for sharing your amazing experiences, so inspirational for so many.
Mary, Thank you so much for sharing this with me. It means more than you know to hear how the Lord used my story at just the right time to remind you of His presence and faithfulness. One of the greatest lessons I learned through the crash and everything that followed is that God is always with us, even when circumstances around us seem uncertain or beyond our control. We don’t have to understand everything to trust the One who does. Keep your eyes on Jesus and continue resting in His faithfulness. He will never leave you nor forsake you. God bless you!