Keep a Positive Mindset Before Jesus Returns (Part 2):

Don’t Compromise Your Faith!

8.17.2025

Review

Jesus’ return could be sooner than we think!

Now is the time to prepare.

Daniel 7:9-10 (NLT)

I watched as thrones were put in place and the Ancient One sat down to judge. His clothing was as white as snow, His hair like purest wool. He sat on a fiery throne with wheels of blazing fire, 10 and a river of fire was pouring out, flowing from His presence. Millions of angels ministered to Him; many millions stood to attend Him. Then the court began its session,

and the books were opened…

Daniel 7:13-14 (NLT)

As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into His presence. 14 He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey Him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.

1 Corinthians 15:20-28 (NKJV)

But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 27 For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. 28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.

Jesus WILL return just as the angels promised and just like the scriptures reveal.

Acts 1:9-11 (NLT)

After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. 10 As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”

Matthew 24:32-35 (AMP)

From the fig tree learn this lesson: as soon as its young shoots become soft and tender and it puts out its leaves, you know of a surety that summer is near. 33 So also when you see these signs,all taken together, coming to pass, you may know of a surety that He is near, at the very doors. 34 Truly I tell you, this generation (the whole multitude of people living at the same time, in a definite, given period) will not pass away till all these things taken together take place. 35 Sky and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.

Here are some things that will keep you as the world changes.

Isaiah 60:1-3 (NKJV)

1 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. 2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. 3 The Gentiles shall come to your light,And kings to the brightness of your rising.

1. Live by Faith

Living by faith is living as though the Word of God is true right now.

2 Corinthians 4:18 (NKJV)

While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Take the Bible at face value!

Isaiah 33:6 (NKJV)

Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times,

And the strength of salvation;

The fear of the LORD is His treasure.

Isaiah 55:11 (NKJV)

So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;

It shall not return to Me void,

But it shall accomplish what I please,

And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

 

Psalms 119:89 (NKJV)

Forever, O LORD,

Your word is settled in heaven.

Set feelings and emotions aside and act and live as though God’s Word is true!

The Word is in me in the measure that I put it into practice!

James 1:22-25 (NLT)

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

Matthew 7:24-27 (NLT)

Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

Live from Fullness!

Don’t live empty!

The darkness outside will fill a spiritual vacuum inside!

John 1:16 (NKJV)

And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.

2 Corinthians 4:16 (NKJV)

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.

2 Corinthians 4:16 (PHILLIPS)

The outward man does indeed suffer wear and tear, but every day the inward man receives fresh strength.

Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV)

Keep your heart with all diligence,

For out of it spring the issues of life.

Proverbs 4:23 (MSG)

Keep vigilant watch over your heart;

that’s where life starts.

As I minister, I deplete my spiritual energy and must recoup.

Last Sunday, I had to recharge after preaching, eating out, going to see my mom, and then visiting my son and his wife. I was empty!

You expend spiritual energy just living in a negative world!

You must recharge your spiritual supply.

You cannot stand against the world, the flesh, and the devil if you are spiritually empty!

Exodus 16 and the story of God feeding Israel with Manna in the wilderness is an excellent example of our need to fill our spiritual tank every day.

Our spirit needs food just the way our bodies need nourishment.

Exodus 16:14-21 (NLT)

When the dew evaporated, a flaky substance as fine as frost blanketed the ground. 15 The Israelites were puzzled when they saw it. “What is it?” they asked each other. They had no idea what it was. And Moses told them, “It is the food the LORD has given you to eat. 16 These are the LORD’s instructions: Each household should gather as much as it needs. Pick up two quarts for each person in your tent.”

17 So the people of Israel did as they were told. Some gathered a lot, some only a little. 18 But when they measured it out, everyone had just enough. Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough. Each family had just what it needed. 19 Then Moses told them, “Do not keep any of it until morning.” 20 But some of them didn’t listen and kept some of it until morning. But by then it was full of maggots and had a terrible smell. Moses was very angry with them. 21 After this the people gathered the food morning by morning, each family according to its need. And as the sun became hot, the flakes they had not picked up melted and disappeared.

Every one of us needs a fresh supply of spiritual manna every single day for our spiritual nourishment. We cannot live on yesterday’s manna!

Job 23:12 (NKJV)

I have not departed from the commandment of His lips;

I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.

The Word is like a huge spiritual protein shake!

Or better yet, like a well-balanced meal after a workout.

Philippians 4:13 (A. S. Way)

No, I have learned, in whatever condition I am, to be independent of circumstances. I am schooled to bear the depths of poverty, I am schooled to bear abundance. In life as a whole, and all its circumstances, I have mastered the secret of living – How to be the same amidst repletion and starvation, a missed abundance and privation. I am equal to every a lot, through the help of him who gives me inward strength.

2. Listen to the Holy Spirit.

We are never alone in life! Jesus has sent to us His personal representative to help us every single day.

He will talk to you about any adjustments that you need to make in life.

Learn to listen to Him inside of you!

John 14:15-18 (NKJV)

If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

The Holy Spirit is Jesus’ personal representative to us! He takes what Jesus has said and makes it real to us!

John 16:13-15 (NKJV)

However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

John 14:26-27 (NKJV)

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

The Holy Spirit first of all magnifies the Word to us.

He is the Spirit of Truth!

Am I in the Word enough to hear Him when He speaks to me?

We need both the Holy Spirit indwelling us in the New Birth.

And we also need the baptism with the Holy Spirit, which provides tremendous spiritual power!

Acts 1:4-5 (NKJV)

And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Acts 1:8 (NKJV)

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Acts 2:1-4 (NKJV)

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 1:8 (NKJV)

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

This experience provides tremendous spiritual power and perception, and increases your personal awareness of spiritual things.

Your love for the Word will increase.

Your spiritual boldness will increase!

Your understanding of the Word will increase.

Your ability to pray will exponentially increase!

1 Corinthians 14:2 (AMP)

For one who speaks in an [unknown] tongue speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning, because in the [Holy] Spirit he utters secret truths and hidden things [not obvious to the understanding].

1 Corinthians 14:4 (NKJV)

He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

1 Corinthians 14:14 (AMP)

For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit [by the Holy Spirit within me] prays, but my mind is unproductive [it bears no fruit and helps nobody].

Jude 1:20 (NKJV)

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,

Isaiah 28:11-12 (NKJV)

For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people, 12 To whom He said, “This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest,” And, “This is the refreshing”; Yet they would not hear.

Praying in the spirit brings spiritual rest and refreshing to your life, and opens a pathway for the Holy Spirit to provide you wisdom on your journey through life.

1 Corinthians 2:11-12 (NKJV)

For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

1 Corinthians 2:11-12 (JB Phillips)

For who could really understand a man’s inmost thoughts except the spirit of the man himself? How much less could anyone understand the thoughts of God except the very Spirit of God?

1 Corinthians 2:14 (NKJV)

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Keep yourself built up in the Word.

Stay full of the Holy Spirit!

Action Points:

1. Do you live from fullness within?

2. Do you take time every single day to feed on God’s Word and build yourself up spiritually?

3. Do you seek to listen to Holy Spirit throughout your day as He reminds you of scripture and as He seeks to give you wisdom for today’s choices?

4. Do you pray in the spirit so that you can be built up spiritually and so that God has an avenue in your life to impart spiritual wisdom?