Studying the return of Jesus should never be reduced to trying to figure out a timeline. Prophecy is meant to affect how we live. This video takes a deeper look at the Rapture, the Tribulation, and the biblical pattern of God rescuing His people before judgment. There are sincere believers who have heard very different teachings about these subjects, which makes it important that what we believe comes from Scripture rather than simply repeating what we have always been taught. But underneath all of those questions is a much more personal one. Are we ready for Jesus? We can know the terminology, have an opinion about the timing of the Rapture, and understand portions of Revelation while allowing the reality of His return to have very little effect on our everyday lives. That shouldn’t be true of us. The expectation of Jesus’ return should produce something in His people. It should make eternity more real, give urgency to sharing the Gospel, and cause us to examine whether we’re living completely surrendered to Him. Watch THIS VIDEO when you have time to really sit with your Bible. As the Scriptures are shared, pause the video when necessary and look them up for yourself. Don’t begin by asking whether you agree. Begin by asking, “What does the Word actually say?” Then come back here and tell the family one Scripture from the teaching that stood out to you most and why. Keep looking up. Jesus is coming. ❤️

We’ve had some time to look back on everything God did during the Great Awakening Tent Revival in Van Wert, and there was such a clear progression throughout the week: Foundation. Purification. Activation. We spent much of the week teaching through the foundational truths found in Hebrews 6. As the Word went forth night after night, we watched people begin to soften. Some who seemed guarded at the beginning of the week began responding to Jesus. Multiple people came forward for salvation or rededication, several received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and we watched a fresh hunger for God begin to grow. One of the nights was centered on the baptism of fire and allowing God to refine the areas of our lives that need to change. Around 15 to 20 people responded that night, asking Jesus to remove anything that did not belong. Then it was time to put everything into action. On the final night, we taught very practically about worship, knowing the Word, speaking to our mountains, believing when we pray, acting on what we believe, and continuing to give thanks to Jesus. We never want people to leave our meetings dependent upon us. We want them to know how to stand on the Word of God and live by faith for themselves. We also saw several people healed throughout the week. One man had to be driven to the tent because of the physical difficulties he was having. After receiving prayer, he came back the next night riding his bicycle and telling us how great he felt! We love that! Then on Sunday morning, around 10 people were baptized in water. It was such a beautiful way to see what God had been doing throughout the week continue into Sunday. When we look back on Van Wert, we don’t just see a collection of great services. We see God building something in people. Foundation. Purification. Activation. That is what we want for every one of us. To know the truth. To allow Jesus to remove what doesn’t belong. And then to actually live what we believe. Some of these revival services are now available HERE inside ITC. Take some time this month to go back through them, especially if you weren’t able to be with us in Van Wert. And when you watch, don’t just watch what God was doing in the tent. Ask Him what He wants to continue doing in you.

Obedience is where faith becomes visible. It’s one thing to believe what God says. It’s another thing to actually do it. Throughout Scripture, God worked through ordinary people who simply chose to obey His voice. They weren’t perfect people. They were willing people. Sometimes obedience looks dramatic. Other times it looks very ordinary. It may be forgiving someone, sharing your faith, serving faithfully, giving generously, or taking one step God has been asking you to take for a long time. Those seemingly small acts of obedience often become turning points that shape the rest of our lives. As you complete THIS CHAPTER of Am I a Christian?, don’t just ask yourself what you learned. Ask yourself what you’ll do differently because of what you’ve learned and drop it into the comments. The Christian life is never meant to stop at knowledge. It always moves us toward action.

This reminder is something we all need! Listen, DO NOT think small in the presence of God! When God has called you to something, He has already given you the tools to do it (Exodus 4:10-12). When God gives you a vision, don’t shrink, because He’s already planning more than he’s shown you (Ephesians 3:20). All of those past things that have dragged you down in the past… they do not belong to you as a child of God (Micah 7:19). Any temptation that may come, any trial… it’s already won with Him (1 Corinthians 10:13). With God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26)!!!! THINK BIG!!!! God has big plans for you! https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DEPn33Rbc/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27) What an incredible promise. We were created to know the voice of God. But there’s a difference between knowing God speaks and actually positioning our hearts to hear Him. That’s at the center of this week’s devotional. Jesus repeatedly said things like, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear,” and “Take care then how you hear.” There is an intentionality to listening. Our hearts can be crowded by worry, distraction, our own desires, or even the voices around us until God's voice becomes one among many. The answer isn't striving harder to hear Him. It's learning to stand in His presence with a soft, humble heart, ready not only to hear what He says, but to cling to it and obey it. As you read THIS WEEK’S DEVOTIONAL, take some time to consider what has had your ear lately. What voice has been shaping your thoughts, expectations, and decisions? And then we'd love to hear from you: What has God been speaking to your heart lately? It can be something from Scripture, something He has been correcting, something He has been reminding you of, or simply a truth He keeps bringing back to your attention. Share it below. There’s something powerful about hearing what the Lord is teaching each of us as we grow together.