Do you believe end times could be close? Many signs and situations that can’t be explained cause us to wonder what is happening in our world. Discussing the times with pessimistic people ensures depression, while optimistic folks count on a future filled with sunshine even when all is falling apart. The realist observes all that is happening with an attitude of caution and candor. Christians, walking in faith and banking on God’s Word, seek wisdom from the scriptures and rise up to share His Word with all those who will listen. Are you listening…are you sure you’re listening? Yes, Preacher Jones…we are listening!

Writing these stories on end times has caused me to study deeper and believe stronger. Everyone has an opinion, but no one can dispute or change God’s Word. I remember being scared silly when I was a little girl listening to people talk about the end of the world in daddy’s country store. Our neighbor had a basement, the first one built in our community. I told my parents we could hide out there and be okay. Today, I don’t get scared when people talk, for I know what God’s Word promises all who are prepared to meet Him. Death and the end of the world shouldn’t scare God’s children. Billy Graham says, ‘I’m not afraid of dying but I don’t look forward to the process of going through it.” Yet, going through things is something we all must do, and it’s how we go through things in this life that makes a difference in our forever and ever.

May this story inspire you to rise up and reach out in faith, being prepared to meet Jesus any given day and determined to help others enjoy a close relationship with the Lord and loved ones. These times are perilous which makes a personal, precious relationship with Christ our Lord and Savior…priceless!

Tim’s Gift Inc. is sponsoring an all day Christian event for all people to attend with no admission charge, praise and worship, a prayer room, food court, singing and preaching, children’s hour with free lunch, Mrs. Beth and the balloon man, health fair, and shopping paradise with a variety of vendors sharing their goods. The greatest thing to be shared will be messages of knowing and loving a God who created us and is coming back one day to call His children home to heaven.

Preparing for this all day Christian event has taken lots of faith and courage. Rounding up people who believe in the cause and will help sponsor takes time and patience. Remembering last year’s event tenders my heart. Mr. Lindsay was a platinum sponsor. His Piggly Wiggly family proudly worked together, sharing good food and friendly service, and showing how blessed our community is to have them…right down the street. During lunchtime, Mr. Lindsay and his wife, Hilda, sat down at the table with James and me, my niece, Kandi, and Patty Cherry. There was so much to do, but it was like something kept me in place to share time with these precious people in my life. Often, we stay so programmed and on the go, like Martha, that we miss blessings intended for us… put in place right before our eyes by a Savior who loves and looks after us.

I am so thankful I didn’t wolf down my lunch that day and head off in a hurry to do things that were weighing on my shoulders. I was still, knowing God was giving us a special time together. We shared about old times, band days with Mr. Taylor, our grandchildren, enjoying our work, our desire to slow down a bit and let go of the reins, about signs of the time and how we should be prepared to meet our Lord any time. Two weeks later, Mr. Lindsey was called home to heaven. We certainly don’t understand why and how things happen as they do, but I believe God used Mr. Lindsey to strengthen my faith and warm my heart that cold day in February.

Throughout planning and praying for Rise Up- Recount Love, I believed the entire civic Center would be filled with people coming to hear about Jesus and share Christian fellowship and fun. We placed red Piggly Wiggly bags in over 600 chairs before the doors opened. Looking back, there was a message to be discerned from sponsorship and red gift bags given by Mr. Lindsey.

Mrs. Lena, a faithful friend and reader of my column said, “I looked out over that huge room and it looked like a red sea with Mr. Jesse in every seat.”

Mr. Jesse believed that having God first made things right and was faithful in His service to the Lord, his family, church, community, and business. The message he shared with our small lunch group last year is still true today, ‘be prepared to meet the Lord any day, any time.”

This year’s event is named Rise Up – Reach Out for many reasons. We live in a time when end time signs are real and relevant. Rising up with prepared and passionate hearts to meet Jesus at any given moment is wise. Mrs. Eloise Brewington of Clinton and Mr. Tom Beard of Fayetteville testify they are ready to meet Jesus and to share the word of warning and prophetic promise He has laid on their hearts.

Sharing time with both of these precious people and seeing how God is using them in these perilous times to share prophetic messages, that many would rather not hear, has brought me closer to Christ. I believe the same will happen for you when you hear their touching, time appropriate teaching and testimonies. Mrs. Brewington, who turns 96 years old on February 25th, will stand with me by her side at Saturday morning’s session and share what God has revealed to her about end times.

Saturday afternoon, Tom Beard, who sings and plays with his band in prisons and wherever God leads, will rise up and share the message God has given to him about end times. It is not coincidental that God chose these two passionate prayer warriors and faithful believers to rise up and reach out with a message of understanding and urgency to prepare and put our houses in order.

We, at Tim’s Gift Inc., cordially invite you to rise up tomorrow morning and join us at the Sampson Agri-Exposition Center for Rise UP – Reach Out at 9 a.m. If you rise up a little late, come when you can. YOu won’t want to miss hearing the dynamic testimonies of lots of hometown folks singing and sharing their love for the Lord, It will be all God has planned…like Frosted Flakes – it’s gonna’ be GREAT –T – T- T!