Are you waiting for “a more convenient time”?

Many people know they are being called. They can understand the word of God, and we now spiritual things can only be seen by those whose understanding has been opened by Abba’s spirit (1 Corinthians 2:10, 14).  But then we begin to realize that learning the Way of our Father means changing our way of life.

The biggest thing is to repent of what we are and what we have done and still do, change direction and accept Yeshua (Jesus) as our Savior and Lord of our lives. But is He your Lord in all parts of your life?  Or are we waiting to make changes in some areas of our lives until it’s “more convenient”?

Let me get specific to something very current, for example. Right now we’re coming up to Halloween and then Christmas (but this blog is SO much more than just being about those 2 holidays).  If you’ve looked into the history of these two celebrated days, you will quickly find out both have their roots firmly in paganism.  Halloween is obviously so, on its face.  Why would the children of God be playing around with darkness, evil, ghosts, and death?  WHY?  Or is it not convenient enough yet to make the decision to stop being part of a very demonic holiday? 

There was a leader who used to listen to the Apostle Paul. He came close to committing to the true living God – but it was not a convenient time for him to do so. Let’s read it.

We are speaking of Felix, the Roman Procurator of Judea 2000 years ago, who was intrigued by the word of God but sought a more convenient time.  The text we’re about to read centers on the time when Paul was arrested and bound – and now having to give a defense for his beliefs and actions to the governor Felix.  You might do well to review the story in Acts 24, maybe even reading a chapter or two before and after so you get the flow and context.

Acts 24:24-27

“And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 25 Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, "Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you." 26 Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him.

27 But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.”

Admittedly, it must have been particularly difficult for those in governmental positions to step out in faith. But Felix was showing some interest in the truth and in Yeshua – but then procrastinated. He wanted a “more convenient time”.  It even says he “was afraid”. Paul’s words spoke to his heart initially.  He decided he would act on what he had learned – but not right now. In his delay, his heart began to change and he even began hoping Paul would give him money, a bribe, in exchange for release (v. 26). Delay changes our hearts.

Click “Continue reading” to the right if you want to know how this story applies to you. Where is each of us waiting for a “more convenient time” to fully commit to the true God?

That more convenient time never came for Felix. 

Waiting for “a convenient time” is going to be like that for most of us. It’s never going get easier or become more convenient to follow God – to speak as he does, to live as he does, to dress and act and behave and believe as He does. It just doesn’t get easier. In fact, in the years ahead, it’s going to get much, much harder to be a TRUE believer. Your very life could be on the line in the years ahead of us.

Felix should have acted, repented and been baptized – regardless of any consequences. But he gave up what God was offering him. It wasn’t convenient. 

A couple chapters later something similar happens, but this time it’s young “King” Agrippa II, about 32 years of age.  In Acts 26:28, King Agrippa II admits to Paul, “You ALMOST persuade me to become a Christian.”   But for Agrippa, it apparently wasn’t very convenient either. What crowns and eternal glory could he have spurned with those words, compared to the minimal temporary glory he had at the time?  But the lesson is for US. I’m not writing this about Felix or Agrippa. I’m writing this about you and about me. I’m preaching at and to myself, very much, in this blog.  We all need the reminder. Even I do. 

Even if we are a Christian in name, we are only “almost-a-Christian”, almost persuaded, if we don’t DO what Yeshua is calling each of us to be and to do. 

When God calls us and opens certain doors for us to walk through, don’t be like Felix waiting for a more convenient time.  Remember our Master’s words:  “Many are called, few are chosen”. But what glory awaits those who are chosen, who step out and commit to being a Christian, a believer, not just nominally – but in reality.  They DO this Way of life. They live and act this Way of life.

If more of those who are being called would ACT on their calling, there would be more of them “chosen”. 

What about you?  Have you accepted Yeshua – in your own spoken words – as your Master and Savior?  But are we sometimes just nominal Christians – a Christian in name only – while we hold back from totally committing to obeying Him and His words.  His words are the words of Scripture. That’s why He is called the Word (John 1:1-3, 14).  He is our Lord IF we ae following him and doing what He says, by His Spirit, His power.

Now, where are we holding back, waiting for a more convenient time?

--- is anyone waiting for a more convenient time to pray, to repent, to speak words of life to someone who has hurt you?  Or to accept Yeshua as your king, master and Lord? 

--- Halloween is coming up. Are you going to give up trick-or-treating with your kids, this year -- or next year?  Are you going to explain why you no longer ‘decorate’ your home with ghoulish ungodly things – this year, or are you waiting for a more convenient time? 

--- How about Christmas? Do a Search on this website with the word “Christmas”  and study what we have on here. Or just Google “origins of Christmas” or even “Pagan origins of Christmas”.  And then read Deuteronomy 12 again. We are NOT to worship the true God with pagan celebrations or doing things. So don’t buy the Christmas tree. Get rid of the Christmas lights. Don’t wait for a more convenient time! But don’t just take my word for it; search it out yourself. Do some research. And you’ll be blown away.  Worship Yahweh the way He wants to be worshiped, as revealed in his word – and not by pagan customs that have been dressed in Christian names. Christmas celebration is simply this: trying to honor the true God with pagan customs, which HE says He hates. He hates it even MORE when we put HIS name on to pagan rites and customs.  What does a Santa and flying reindeer have to with Christ? And was Christ even born on Dec 25?  Absolutely not. But someone was. It wasn’t Jesus. Search it out and find out. Then tell me what you find out. And don’t wait for a more convenient time!  God is calling you TODAY. 

Don’t spurn he Son of God’s invitation for you to be at His Wedding supper (See Matthew 22:1-14). 

Deuteronomy 12:29-32

"When YHWH your God cuts off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their land, take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, 'How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.' You shall NOT worship YHWH your God in that way; for every abomination to YHWH which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods.

"Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.

True Christianity is NOT a combination plate of what we like about what is truth – and what we “like” from paganism and what we individually decide to pick and choose to accept. And this blog is far more than being about Halloween and Christmas. It’s for all of us, me included. Where are we holding off from 100% following our heavenly Abba? Why are we waiting?  Yes, I have a long list for myself where I must commit now in ALL areas of my life – and stop waiting for a more convenient time. Would you join me in making a commitment to quit putting things off? 

1 Corinthians 10:21-22

“You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's table and of the table of demons. Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?

Have you decided you will ACT on your knowledge of the true Sabbath – or are you waiting for when it’s more convenient?  Will you act on your knowledge about the true origins of Christmas, Halloween and Easter – or are you waiting for a more convenient time?  Will you act on your marriage – doing what it takes to make it a godly marriage, or is it not convenient right now? Are you waiting until it’s more convenient to spend more time in prayer and Bible study?

You be one of the men or women God has called who does respond. Now. Today is the day YHWH has made.  Rejoice in it. Act in it. 

If you would like to speak with me about any of this, I’d be honored to help someone our heavenly father is calling. Just open the link “Contact us” and let me know – and I will call you or email.  May you be blessed as you decide to quit waiting for when you hope it might be easier.  Commit to accept, follow and obey Yeshua now. You will be blessed for it. 

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