Sometimes, I hear the statement “the next best thing”. Before, I thought it to be something a little less than the best thing. However, I interpret it differently now. To me it says, when you get the opportunity the next time, do the best thing. Our best thing is to follow Divine Elohim, the Father in Heaven and His Son our Messiah, in all that we do.
Evil in Every Direction
As I watch the news, the evil is displayed in every direction. Big tech and government bureaucracies that were not elected by us are destroying our beautiful nation from the inside. Lies are dispersed that damage good individuals and institutions. This is not about physical problems but about wars within the spirit. The Apostle Paul said,
“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12
Yes, we are being hit by these spiritual powers from the dark world at every turn. Worried tremendously about the above, I began to seek answers. Knowing that you cannot solve spiritual problems with physical solutions, I began to specifically seek answers as to what I should do next. After speaking with a fellow minister, it became clear. Next time you have the opportunity, do the best thing you can do to perform Divine Elohim’s will.
What is the Next Best Thing?
One of my personal next best things is to put my very heart into my communications with others. There are three levels of fighting spiritual battles, and being a retired Army person, I can place them into military lingo easily:
Strategic- This is like bombing the enemy strongholds. It depletes the enemy’s strength from afar. Ministers, to include myself, should write good quality sermons that go out over the internet and spread the gospel (good news) of our Messiah to the ends of the earth. If we ask the Holy Spirit to guide these bombs of divine inspiration, it places the learning on target better than any bomb sight mankind ever made.
Tactical- Fighting the enemy up close. In war, this includes rifles, pistols, grenades, and even hand to hand combat. This is taking Satan and his demons on in the name of our Messiah to defeat them up close and personal. It is also a personal war within ourselves.
Operational- In war this is beans, bullets, and preserving the fighting strength through medical and surgical care. We are to support those who are fighting both strategically and tactically.
Remember the enemy is strong and always on the prowl:
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8.
The Importance of Each Member:
2 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts forms one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by[c] one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 1 Corinthians 12: 2-19
There are members who give their tithes and offerings to God’s work. There are members who take care of the church building and security systems. There are those who cook wonderful dishes and bring them into church so we can have fellowship and joy while we eat those great foods. There are those who serve as officers to include the president of the board, the vice president, secretary, and treasurer. We have those who preach and teach the gospel, take care of the sound room, and so on. Many, in our church, have multiple roles. Break one link in the chain and the whole process is weakened.
Supporting the Body of Christ:
24 The parts that can be shown don’t need special care. But God has put together all the parts of the body. And he has given more honor to the parts that didn’t have any. 25 In that way, the parts of the body will not take sides. All of them will take care of one another. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it. If one part is honored, every part shares in its joy. 1 Corinthians 12:24-26
The Apostle Paul makes it clear that we are to care for one another. All of what we do should be to support each other in our church and to help the Ecclesia, the called out ones or the Universal Church of God.
Conclusion:
Would it not be wonderful that after the first resurrection we meet somebody who stated: I heard your broadcast and found my way to the Body of Christ after what you said. Remember, all of us placed those words there. All of us fought personal battles to continue to support the works of Yahweh, and all of us supported each other and people we will never meet until after the resurrection.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14.
We may be close to the end and evil may abound, but we must remember- we are to teach all nations:
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 28:19.
Disciples means students, and we are to be students, followers, and teachers for the rest of our lives. In this time of troubles, we are those who work on many very important levels to do the next best things. To pray, witness, take care of others, and place the teachings of God around the world.
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