Is Jesus Coming … Soon?
When I began seriously walking with the Lord in 1973, there was much talk about Jesus coming back. Hal Lindsey’s The Late, Great Planet Earth had been out for a few years by that time, and had created quite a stir among many Bible believing Christians. The signs seemed to be everywhere. Matthew 24 prophecies (generalized signs) were being fulfilled. Israel was back in the land (miraculously) and was an independent state. The nations of Ezekiel 38 and 39 were being identified as current countries with a common agenda: wipe out Israel. At Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, Pastor Chuck Smith would sometimes bring newspaper clippings into the pulpit as a commentary on the prophetic passage that we were studying that day. On the back wall of the Calvary Chapel bookstore was the statement, Jesus Is Coming … Soon!
I remember clearly the Yom Kippur war (October, 1973). Egypt and Syria opened a coordinated surprise attack against Israel on Israel’s holiest day of the year. On the Golan Heights, approximately 180 Israeli tanks faced an onslaught of 1,400 Syrian tanks. Along the Suez Canal, 436 Israeli defenders were attacked by 80,000 Egyptians. At least nine Arab states were involved in the attack in one form or another. Somehow, in spite of direct assistance from the Soviet Union, Israel fought back and survived the onslaught, but not without major losses (www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/73_War.html). So much was happening on a global scale that confirmed the prophetic word (Daniel 12:4, 6-10). But obviously it wasn’t God’s time for the rapture and the eventual tribulation period to begin.
Every day I lifted my eyes and looked up (Luke 21:28)—certain that I and millions of others would be snatched up into the clouds to meet the Lord Jesus in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18). In my mind, the Lord’s coming was imminent. There was no way that I would live to be as old as I am now. Jesus was coming back—soon and very soon we were going to see the King. Yet here it is … almost 40 years later … and we’re still here.
Has my belief in the 2nd coming of Christ left me? Not a chance. Have I altered my eschatology to adjust for the delay? No way. I’m as convinced as ever. Jesus is coming … soon!
What I have learned over the years is that I/we must be patient, and wait for the Lord’s perfect timing. This is not only true of the 2nd coming, but also of all of life. Patience is a requisite virtue. “Wait” is an important command. Difficult to obey, but vital to observe. God possesses unsurpassed wisdom. He knows what He is doing. Always.
The N.T. book of James speaks directly to this issue of the 2nd coming and our need to wait. (I love this passage.)
“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. {8} You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” (James 5:7-8, NKJV)
The following is taken from my devotional on the book of James. I hope its application will be a blessing to you today.
With the anticipation of God’s righteous judgment (James 5:1-6), there is also the hope of Jesus’ return. We want the Lord to set the record straight and end all the pain and oppression of man, but we also know, as Bob Dylan once sang, that “He’ll replace wrong with right when He returns.” We view the Second Coming as our blessed hope (Titus 2:13; John 14:1-3). All will be well when King Jesus shows up!
But we must be patient. Jesus will come in the exact proper time.
How do we prepare for the return of Christ? We watch, we pray, we stay busy with His work, we abide in Him, and we also wait patiently. It’s not always easy to do this, as we so deeply long to see our Savior’s face (Psalm 17:15; 1 John 3:1-3).
The farmer is a perfect example for this. He waits patiently and is entirely dependent upon the seed, the land, and water from heaven. He doesn’t waiver in his hope that a rich crop will result. So we are to consider the farmer as we learn to wait for our Lord!
James Application Questions
1. How would you describe the intensity of your hope in Christ’s Second Coming? Rate it on a scale of 1 to 10. If it’s a low number, why is that so in your life?
2. In what ways will waiting patiently for the Lord’s return help us in relating to people, especially difficult people? Perhaps John 3:16-18, Matthew 7:1-2, and 1 Corinthians 4:5 will help you with your response.
3. Find, discover the meaning of, and pray the last prayer of the Bible to conclude today’s devotional.
What Is a Wonderful Life?
Two of my favorite Christmas time movies (or plays) are It’s a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol. You’re probably familiar with both productions … I watch them every year for entertainment and inspirational purposes.
The message of each is similar. A man’s life is evaluated by its effect on others. George Bailey (It’s a Wonderful Life) sees that his life IS worth living, though it seems to him like he’s made a royal mess of it. Ebenezer Scrooge (A Christmas Carol) sees the end that his calloused, hardhearted ways produce. His “bah humbug” attitude about generosity, Christmas, and all things good has got to change, or else.
As a result, both men gain a new and strong motivation to live and think differently about the true purpose and goal of life. They will never be the same again.
I love this stuff. I’m motivated by it. I want to live a life that matters, I want a wonderful life, and I want these things on God’s terms. In other words, in whatever ways God defines a wonderful life that matters, that’s the kind of life I want to live. I’m quite sure that almost every pastor feels the same way.
Certainly, our Lord Jesus lived in view of these things.
John 8:29 “And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.”
John 17:4 “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.”
Paul the apostle sought the same sort of life.
Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
Thankfully, each and every true believer has the same opportunity to discover the essence of his/her life.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
In my own life, this passion or goal is challenged constantly … challenged by my flesh which is lazy, incorrigible, and wholly unreliable; it’s challenged by the enemy of our souls: who becomes alarmed when we start to center in on God’s purposes for us; it’s challenged by the world which wants a tame sort of pastor, one which it can control.
Yesterday (December 11) would have been my 35th wedding anniversary, had not my first wife ended the marriage in 2006 to do her own thing. Of course I was struck down by that chain of events (I wouldn’t wish divorce upon anyone … it’s a horrible experience).
But I was also desperate … desperate to know if God’s purposes for my life had been derailed. Even though the divorce was based upon Biblical grounds, it was still a faith test for me, for I’d always thought that the whole of my life would be consumed with the ministry of God’s Word.
Please allow me to regress a bit. It all started back in 1976, when I attended the communion service of a charismatic Lutheran church in another city (no one knew me there, and I knew no one). As I knelt and received the bread and cup from two of the church elders, one of them told me he was having a vision concerning my life. He then went on to share about a tree, a tree with no foliage, bare branches, and no visible fruit. But underneath the ground, he saw a large and extensive root system developing. The interpretation was that the Lord was doing a work in my life, establishing me, rooting and grounding me in the faith (Colossians 2:7).
To this my spirit bore witness. I was at that very time in my life involved in an extensive study of the book of Romans—a book I somehow knew would be foundational for me as I grew in the Lord. I could feel happening in me what the vision was picturing.
Well, a year went by, and I decided to go back to that same service. Again, communion was served as I knelt before two elders. Once again, one of them had a vision of my life. This time, there was large tree with full branches and lots of fruit; in the branches were many birds and small animals, and under its shade were many people and larger animals. The interpretation of the vision was that the Lord was making me into a pastor, and that He would bear fruit through my life. As a result, many would find nourishment and protection under the ministry He was giving me.
My spirit once more bore witness. I had already begun pastoring a vigorous and lively home group of 40-60 people, and was sensing the Lord’s hand upon my life. So this vision was confirming to me. Freshly sensing God’s call, we boldly stepped out in faith, moved to another part of the state with $125, some furniture, clothes, and two VW bugs—to start our first church. That happened, and after 27 years of fruitful ministry, my marriage ended.
So back to the question: had God’s purposes for my life been derailed? The Lord Jesus was very gracious as He answered me. “No, they are not,” I heard Him saying to me. “Human choices cannot stop My purposes for your life.” Not only did He remind me of my original calling, He also continued to use me … and each time He did so, I felt like He was kissing me on the cheek. If I love Him, I’m to tend and feed His flock. I’m so thankful for that.
Soon after my divorce the Lord was mega-gracious to bring to me a woman (Sheri), a former missionary who not only loves and serves the Lord but who also loves me. Like me, her previous marriage ended on Biblical grounds. And like me, she believed that God’s purposes for her life could not be thwarted by human choices. As a result, we came up with the following conclusion:
When God’s Plan A for our lives didn’t work out (an ongoing, long-lasting marriage until death do us part), He didn’t create a Plan B; He just made another Plan A!
We’re living in God’s Plan A right now. Because of God’s grace, we have the chance to live lives that are worth living, that will bring glory to the Father, and that will be abundant and wonderful.
I share these thoughts with the hope that others may be empowered by grace and God’s Spirit to move beyond their pasts, and to experience a truly God inspired wonderful life.
Thanks for reading.
Is Wisdom the Principle Thing?
(2 Chronicles 1:7-10) On that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, “Ask! What shall I give you?” {8} And Solomon said to God: “You have shown great mercy to David my father, and have made me king in his place. {9} Now, O LORD God, let Your promise to David my father be established, for You have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. {10} Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?”
This vignette gives each of us pause to ask this question: if God appeared to me and gave me a blank check in prayer, what would I ask for? Would I ask for myself, or for the greater glory of God?
Solomon answered well. The account in 1 Kings 3 tells us that he was deeply aware of his need; in his words, he was but a child, without even the knowledge to go out or come in. Yet, he was put in charge of God’s own special people, the children of Israel. A daunting task for such a young and inexperienced king.
I love Solomon’s response. I relate to it. Pastoral ministry is like that for me. I know I’m in way over my head. And, by the way, these are God’s people—Jesus’ own sheep—that I am called to shepherd. They must be treated exactly as Jesus would treat them, because after all, He is the Chief Shepherd. Therefore, many times over the years I have prayed for wisdom and Divine enablement. I want to do this job well. Only God knows my heart for sure, but I think that I want this for His glory.
I taught from this same passage last Wednesday night. Up until that morning, I’d never even thought to criticize Solomon’s prayer, or to think it somehow deficient. That is, until I found these words in David Guzik’s commentary by the great commentator Alexander McLaren:
“Was this the highest gift that he could have asked or received? Surely the deep longings of his father for communion with God were yet better.”
Wow. McLaren’s comment slapped me in the face, and shook me to the core. Could it be that Solomon asked for the wrong thing? Could it be that Solomon would have been far better off to have prayed as his father David would most likely have prayed? David was a man after God’s own heart. His soul searched for God, yearned for God, sought hard after God (Psalm 42:1-3; 63:1-2). He wanted wisdom, yes … but even more than wisdom, David wanted the Lord Himself. Perhaps if Solomon had had the same heart for God that his father had, he would not have fallen into the pattern of sin and eventual idolatry that signaled his backsliding.
My Biblical memory was immediately challenged. Isn’t it true that wisdom is the principle thing, as stated in Proverbs 4:7? Isn’t it also true that if we cry out for wisdom and search for her as for hidden treasures, that we will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God? With that line of thinking, wisdom isthe most important thing.
On the other hand, we also know that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37-38). The great confession of the Jews (the “Shema”) includes a similar command:
“Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is one! {5} You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)
Putting the Biblical references together, it appears that love and devotion for God is primary. Wisdom, when sought after, becomes a pathway to that greater goal. Therefore, the greater prayer is to seek after God, and search for the Lord Himself.
All of this speaks to me. My prayers have largely been focused on wisdom, that my life and ministry might be lived wisely. But have I been missing something? Has my desire to be effective eclipsed my love and pursuit of God? Have I been like the church of Ephesus—doctrinally and practically solid, but lacking devotion and the first love experience?
I don’t know the answers to my own questions, at least not fully. I refuse to engage in unhealthy introspection, following the example of Paul the apostle in 1 Corinthians 4:1-5. But I know I must be open to a new and fresh work of the Spirit of God in my heart.
Communion with God is the better part, according to Jesus’ comment to Martha with regard to her sister Mary (Luke 10:39-42). I will look to the Lord for the grace to pursue that which is best. At least that’s my plan. I hope the same for you.
Thanks for reading.
October in Uganda!
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
It’s travel time again!
This time, I’m headed to Uganda at the request of Pastor Dan Finfrock of Intensive Care Ministries (www.icmbible.org).
As you know, Dan has been used mightily of God by training national pastors in inductive Bible study methods. With this tool in their tool box, these pastors are able to learn how to effectively teach the Word of God to their congregations, chapter by chapter, verse by verse. It’s a huge need in the Body of Christ—all over the world. I would even say that it’s the single greatest need in the church today, world-wide, that believers learn the Word!
In East Africa, there have been many seminars and training opportunities for Intensive Care Ministries in recent years. Out of the many pastors that have been trained, 16 have been handpicked to go even deeper. These 16 will complete four intensive two-week sessions, studying specific areas of scripture and specific books of the Bible. This will broaden their Bible knowledge immensely. In fact, it’s already been happening, as they’ve already completed two of these study blocks.
In October these men (from Uganda and the Congo) will be studying the Minor Prophets with Pastor Tim Anderson (Calvary Chapel Burbank) and the book of Revelation with me. It will be ten days of intense, Spirit directed study of God’s Word. It’s Dan’s vision that these 16 men not only become much more effective in their congregations, but also that they pass it on to many other pastors in their regions.
I’ll be flying to Uganda out of San Francisco on Sunday, October 9 and returning Saturday, October 22. It will be a 14½ hour flight to Dubai, and then another 7½ hours to Entebbe/Kampala in Uganda, with a stop en route in Ethiopia.
Please pray for this trip as the Holy Spirit leads you. It will be much appreciated, and much needed. Apart from Christ we can do nothing!
Also, I’m not receiving any funding from my church (Calvary Chapel Santa Cruz), so there’s a financial need as well. The round trip airfare is over $1,800, and with other costs, the total trip will probably end up at somewhere around $2,300. If you would like to financially support me in this mission, please send a check directly to Poimen Ministries and attach a post-it note indicating your contribution toward Uganda Training.
Poimen Ministries 3285 Ashwood Way Soquel, CA 95073Or, you pay donate using PayPal by clicking on the Donate tab on the following web page: http://poimenministries.com/?page_id=3.
Thanks for reading, and thanks for your support, however the Lord may direct you!
In Christ, Bill HoldridgeOn Obtaining a Good Reputation
”A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold” (Proverbs 22:1).
This proverb raises the question, what is the most important thing in life?
Is a good name, a good reputation, other’s healthy opinion of us — is this sort of thing more important than gold, silver, riches, or possessions?
The Bible says that it is! ”A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.”
So the question is, how can we get a good name? And the answer is, the only way we can obtain a good name is to take care of our own personal character. Someone once made the comment (I don’t know who): “If I take care of my character, God will take care of my reputation.”
It’s all a matter of taking heed to my inner life … making sure my motives are pure, making sure that my focus is right—making sure that my eyes have been set clearly on the things of heaven and the things of the kingdom of God. Setting my affections on things above, not on the things of this earth. Making sure that I’m bringing myself before the Lord every single day, that He might wash me, cleanse me, strengthen me, and empower me by the Holy Spirit.
These things are very important to do because our flesh can quickly take over, and the enemy that opposes us is much too strong for us.
What is our great motivation in all of this? Our motivation springs from God’s amazing grace toward us. The one who has been forgiven and loved by God loves much. We want to return our very lives to Him, to give back because He’s given so much to us. We want a good reputation because we are His reflections here on earth, and we love Him so much that we want our reflection of Him to be an accurate one.
We need to choose a good reputation rather than great riches, and do what’s necessary to get it.
Fixing the Fix I’m In
Yesterday, in the teaching from Ephesians 3:14-21 (http://www.calvarychapelsantacruz.org/media.php?pageID=35), I was sharing concerning the nature of Paul’s prayer for the Ephesian church. I was pointing out the fact that Paul doesn’t zero in on particular needs and pray that God will remove them, but rather he focuses on their realization and experience of God’s power and love in their lives. In other words, the Lord’s focus is on the believer, and what He wants to do in their lives.
In the middle of that explanation, I found the following words pouring forth from my lips.
I don’t know if I’ve heard someone say these words before, or if I’ve read them somewhere, or if they’re original with me (I kind of doubt it). But they seemed profound at the time.
“The Lord wants to minister to the person that’s in the fix. If He can fix the person who is in the fix, then the fix that the person is in will one day get fixed.
“If He can fix the person who is in the fix, then He will be able to fix the fix that the person is in.”
I think it’s true, don’t you?
For example, so often in relationships we want the Lord to “fix” the other person. Yet His focus is mainly on us! His goal is to conform us into the image of Jesus, to make us more like Him … to grow us up.
This points to the fact that we all have choices to make about the kind of person we’re going to be. Am I going to let the Lord fix me so He can work in the fix I’m in? Am I going to be the kind of husband, father, pastor, leader, son that I should be, regardless of the responses I receive, or the way I’m treated? Am I going to be all I can be no matter what? Will I allow the Lord to work in me in the midst of my “fixes”?
Points to ponder… thanks for reading.
Bill Holdridge
Sheri’s Vineyard
One of the things I love about being married to Sheri is her love and passion for God and His truth. We’ve always got something to talk about!
I’m so glad she’s writing her thoughts. They are edifying to many women.
Here’s her blog. You can subscribe if you’d like. Enjoy.
…
http://sheriholdridge.wordpress.com/
In Christ,
Bill Holdridge
How to Fix Congress
Of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven (7) took 1 year or less to become the law of the land … all because of public pressure.
I’m asking each addressee to forward this email to a minimum of twenty people on their address list; in turn ask each of those to do likewise.
In three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message. This is one idea that really should be passed around.
Congressional Reform Act of 2011:
1. Term Limits. 12 years only, one of the possible options below.
A. Two Six-year Senate terms
B. Six Two-year House terms
C. One Six-year Senate term and three Two-Year House terms
2. No Tenure / No Pension. A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.
3. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security. All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people.
4. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.
5. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.
6. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.
7. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.
8. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/11. The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen. Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves.
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s), then go home and back to work.
Please pass this post on to someone else. Maybe it is time.
THIS IS HOW YOU FIX CONGRESS!!!
Facebook Prayers
Here’s the good side of social media … we can pray for each other!
Before I traveled last summer to minister in a potentially dangerous situation, I told my FB friends about the trip. Here are their responses to me. I found them in a document as I was cleaning out my desktop. I got blessed all over again.
___________________________
Janis D.: Praying.
Chris K.: Any specific requests?
K H G: may the lord protect u and keep u healthy!
R D Mc: Praying for your protection and success.
Amy P.: you got it! The Lord has already gone before you, now all you must do is follow and obey!
Melanie J.: Oh wow, praying!!
Jason W.: praying.
Steve B.: Covered in prayer for you & Dan!
John R.: My squadron is on the way to provide humanitarian assistance. Blessings Pastor Bill!!!
Bill Holdridge: Thank you everyone, for your prayers. I believe a kingdom work will be done on this trip. I’m going with Pastor Dan F. to do inductive Bible study training and sermon preparation training. Hundreds of Pakistani pastors… you folks are wonderful!
Bill Holdridge: John: that’s amazing, John. Wouldn’t it be weird if we saw each other? Blessings to you as well. Say hello to Lisa!
Bill Holdridge: Chris: specific requests? Yes… protection, wisdom, health, anointing. That ought to just about do it. Thanks!
Celeste R.: We will be praying for you Bill! and I will be calling Sheri 
God bless you!
Sandy H.: We will keep you in our prayers Pastor Bill! God Bless =)
Martha C.: okay, on our prayer list!
Mitzi L.: Love and prayers from Robert and Miitzi. Prayers for a successful, safe, trip, and victory for Jesus.
Keith J.: You’ll definitely be in our prayers! Be safe!
Antoniette S.: knee pads are out and ready for use! Will miss you … Pakistan is an ever FURTHER drive!
Lynn E.: please be safe bill. i’m praying for you
Bill Holdridge: Again, thank you all so much for your overwhelming interest and love and prayers! You are all such a blessing to me. Sheri and I are sitting here on our couch with our jaws dropping at your kindness!
Amy L.: Talked with Denny tonight about your trip and he too will be praying. God is good ♥
Isidoro M.: You got it Bill. We will be praying. Aloha from Kona Hawaii.
Kathleen M.: praying for you!
Veronica T.: Got it!
Missy A.: May the Lord be with you in all you do! May your will align with His with every step you take! You are dear to us, but so much dearer to Him. You are in the best of hands!
Joyce W.: Will be praying for your health, safety, wisdom & that the Lord will use you mightily. I know you will be a blessing to them as you are to so many.
Terry P.: Lord God of heaven and earth, be with Bill and any traveling companions. Bless him with your presence and protection. Use Bill to spread your rule and reign over all the earth. Amen
Chris K.: (August 8 at 1:19am) This is something I took away from GLDI (Pastor S.U.)– often people will promise to pray for someone, but not do it, so instead he writes his prayer into the emails when he promises to pray. So this is kind of my way of keeping myself accountable to my own promises:
Father, I lift up Pastor Bill as well as his coworker, Pastor Dan to you right now as they go to Pakistan to equip other pastors to do your work, feeding and taking care of your sheep in such a difficult place. Lord, I pray that You will be with them, guiding them and leading them to what You want them to do; let them constantly be filled with your Word and make them sensitive to your Spirit so that they may know what is Your Good and pleasing and perfect will. Protect them Lord, from anything that might hinder Your work in Pakistan and bring them back home, safe and sound with testimonies to further uplift and encourage those who are back at home. Anoint not only their lips and tongues, but also their hands and feet, let their service to the Pakistani pastors be the living testimony, and a mirror image of Your Words that come flowing from their mouths so that they will see Your Gospel lived out among them. Lord, the harvest is plenty but the workers are few, thank you for sending Pastors Bill and Dan to train and equip more workers for Your Kingdom Work. Bless the harvest and may all the glory be for you and you alone.
In your Son, Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen.
Have a safe trip Pastor Bill! I hope to hear some incredible stories about what God’s doing in Pakistan when you return!
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