Recognizing the Signs of Change

steps2successwithspiritualsolutions

Sep 7

Recognizing the Signs of Change Devotional Reading September 7, 2023

Since 2020, an unstable economy has forced many retail companies to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Despite their best efforts and the help of the most influential financial strategists, the desires of consumers change like the weather. "Record profits mean a business is strong and its jobs secure. Meager profits indicate a weak business and insecure jobs. No profits ultimately mean bankruptcy and no jobs." informationstation.org

Future projections are based on anticipated performance. Although companies project with confidence, there are no guarantees. Expert or not, the human mind cannot anticipate the unforeseen drastic change from having a successful business with a large customer base and rising profits to one of failure in a very short time. Customer loyalty is an unpredictable behavior that most companies have to rely on. To remain competitive, companies must remain innovative and competitive by including consumer whims and current trends.

Once a company recognizes declining profits, it must use a quick-fix method. Remaining solvent involves cutting your losses. The strategy of identifying low-performing stores always results in permanent closures. Financial decline in a company's operating budget always leads to extensive job loss. Massive layoffs are something that we have a strong distaste for, but downsizing employees is always the first option in saving a business. The options used to keep a business solvent are few and drastic measures must be taken to prevent further financial loss.

The question that most consumers ask is, Didn't they recognize the problem of a decline in sales before hundreds of employees had to lose their jobs?

Yes, but they have no control over the lifestyles of Minimalists and Homesteaders who value need over greed. These populations have the mindset of buying only the things they need for practical use and utilizing repurposing for zero waste. The Baby Boomer generation who comprises 21% of the total population already have everything they need and usually have excessive tangible goods stored in a spare bedroom, closets, and the garage.

Bed, Bath, Beyond, The Christmas Store, Tuesday Morning, and many other retail stores have filed for bankruptcy. Macy's and CVS Pharmacy are two businesses that were restructured by massive store closures and decreased hours of operation. Yet, some companies made strategic moves that were highly successful. Last year, the new CEO of Amazon improved poor shipping practices and laid off excessive staff which resulted in record profits.

As I thought about the expert financial strategies necessary for a business to maintain its profit margin in 2023 and meet future projections, I reflected on the downward spiral of Christianity. Spiritual bankruptcy is at an all-time high. The average Christian believer is too preoccupied with the busyness of daily life and personal pursuits to consider the status of their relationship with God or to notice that Bible prophecies are being fulfilled.

Reflection: What spiritual strategies are you practicing every day to ensure your preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus?

Perilous Times: "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people." —2 Timothy 3:1-5, NIV

Without spiritual discernment, we will not recognize the spiritual significance of climate change. An unstable economy, a virus that will never be eradicated, the increase in global natural disasters, open corruption, and the pursuit of greed are signs of the perilous times of the last days. We should not surmise that these events are coincidental. "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places" (Matthew 24:7).

What is preventing us from not living as if Jesus is coming soon?

We have become desensitized to receiving the reward of eternal life because our desires, plans, and agendas are based on self-worship. Satan is deceiving believers with two distractions; pursue your personal goals and we have plenty of time to live our best lives--just do it!

Studying the Bible and dedicating oneself to God has been replaced by the pursuit of personal dreams and goals, and purchasing homes and vehicles. Seeking a lifestyle of pleasure through world travel has enticed believers to invest their money into themselves. Trip Advisor now offers memberships to assist consumers in fulfilling their desire to make travel a permanent part of their lifestyle.

The era when Christians put God first by fasting and praying for spiritual strength, wisdom, and guidance from the Holy Spirit has passed. Weekly Prayer services have decreased because members are too busy or too tired to attend. Our lifestyles reveal ritualistic worship practices--attending weekly church services and hearing the Word of God but not praying, meditating, and studying the Scriptures. Nor do we acknowledge that the spiritual transformation of our hearts requires the power of the Holy Spirit.

Reflection: When was the last time you listened to a sermon on preparing for Jesus' Coming?

Sermons are no longer Bible-based and Christ-centered. Yes, our character must change, but there is a serious issue when an entire sermon focuses on the emotional needs of the members. Still, the most popular, well-accepted sermons are those that teach the false prosperity theory. The Christ-centered teachings that emphasize the faith and obedience required to have a steadfast relationship with Christ are rarely preached.

Recognizing Changes in Your Relationship with Christ

For many Christians, their relationship with Christ is in Spiritual Bankruptcy and sadly, they never even recognized the change. Recently I listened to a pastor who lives by this creed, "Not my will, O God, but your will be done." This faithful prayer of daily surrender along with praying for strength and guidance several times a day, studying the Bible, and asking for the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to reveal the unrighteousness in your character is the lifestyle we must embrace to prepare for eternal life.

Our Spiritual Assignment: God has called us to witness to those who are lost in sin. For us to witness, we must have an active relationship with Christ based on the power of the Holy Spirit, a life of much prayer, and knowledge of the Scriptures. Our testimony of Jesus Saves encourages others to accept Jesus as their personal Savior.

Preparing for eternity requires morning and evening worship which invites the presence of God into our hearts, minds, and souls.

Listening to sermons cannot replace the need for daily Bible Study. The lack of Scriptural knowledge makes us an easy target for Satan's deceptions. "My people perish for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6). The Bible is the greatest Book of all times! In Matthew chapter 24 and the book of Revelation, Jesus forewarns us of the prophetic signs of living in the last days and the end times right before His Second Coming.

2 Peter 3 Scoffers [Mockers]

"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." —2 Peter 3:9

Sadly, many believers have Scoffer's Mentality—not with spoken words, but our pursuits reveal that we lack the spiritual insight to recognize the signs of the last days. Spiritual bankruptcy is not easily recognized by the person—because we cannot judge our shortcomings. We are unaware of the decline in our relationship with Christ because we measure ourselves against self-made standards. In fact, we think that all is well with our soul and are prepared to receive our reward of Eternal life.

"The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?" —Jeremiah 17:9

"For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do." —Romans 7:15

Focusing on ourselves is a powerful distraction and is driven by our natural, carnal hearts. Not only do we have external battles from Satan's fiery darts of spiritual warfare, but our minds are an internal battlefield. We do not have the power to overcome our sinful inclinations without praying for the Divine Intervention of the Holy Spirit.

How can we determine if we are in spiritual bankruptcy?

Reflect on your lifestyle. Where does God fit into your daily agenda? Is He first?
Our prayers reveal the status of our hearts. The daily prayer of surrender is one in which we commit to do God's will.
Studying the Bible requires time and effort. Through prayer, we invite the Holy Spirit who gives us discernment of the Scriptures in our times of worship with God.
Love and faith in God are the catalysts for obedience. To obey God is a steadfast decision to actively follow the commandments and precepts of God.
Every believer has received a spiritual calling from God. We fulfill our calling by using our gifts and innate talents to glorify God by serving others.

Change is inevitable! Yet, not all change is negative. Spiritual change is necessary in our earthly journey with Christ.

"And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work." —Revelation 22:12

From our willingness to have spiritual growth and transformation, the Holy Spirit uses our love for God, our faith, obedience, and His power to change us into the likeness of Christ. Our perception of God begins to change—we perceive Him as Righteous and Holy—and we pursue righteousness.

Yes, our desires change and we make choices that align with the will of God. Spiritual growth is demonstrated by a lifestyle of modesty and self-control which shows reverence and honor to the Holy God we esteem above all others. We glorify God through our kind demeanor, gentle spoken words, and godly actions.

The Holy Spirit gives us wisdom and discernment of God's Truth as we seek knowledge from the Scriptures. One of the most exciting changes is when we can recognize the Holy Spirit speaking to us through our thoughts. To be close to God by abiding in Christ has its benefits and blessings.

To prevent spiritual bankruptcy, we desperately need help from the Holy Spirit to establish and maintain our relationship with Christ. Through our commitment and surrender, we will experience spiritual growth which exceeds all possible human projections. "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?" —Jeremiah 32:27

Bible Study: 2 Peter 3

Prayer: God, we pray for the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. We acknowledge that we cannot recognize the signs of spiritual decline. We pray for the strength to restructure our lives so that we can live righteously every day as we prepare for Jesus' Coming. We love You. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.