Top Ten Predictions for 2013

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Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” — John 11:25

I have several friends who email me “forwards.”  Perhaps you do, too.  I received this one back a couple years ago–and I like to return to it, this time for 2013.  The ten predictions are from the forwarded email (author unknown). . . . .and the additional comments are from Scripture, and my heart.

Top 10 Predictions for 2013:

1. “The Bible will still have all the answers.”

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. — 2 Timothy 3:16

2. “Prayer will still be the most powerful thing on Earth.”

The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. — James 5:16b

I heard a quote from John Piper recently that went something like this: “if Twitter and Facebook are good for anything they will prove on the Last Day that our prayerlessness was not for lack of time.”

This is very convicting—if we really believe that prayer is powerful, why do we not pray more?

3. “The Holy Spirit will still move.”

. . . For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. — Romans 8:13,14

4. “God will still honor the praises of His people.”

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess His name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. — Hebrews 13:15

5. “There will still be God-anointed preaching.”

Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. — 2 Timothy 4:2

We recently heard an influential chaplain challenge a group of church pastors that the best thing they could do for the military members in their fellowships was to preach the whole truth of God’s word—including the sovereignty of God. If we believe prediction #1, then prediction #5 will follow in answer to prediction #2 and the Spirit’s calling in #3. And we will praise Him (#4) for the way only He can answer prayer.

6. “There will still be singing of praise to God.”

Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth; sing to Him a psalm of praise. — Psalm 47:6,7

When I encounter someone struggling in their faith, I typically ask two questions—how is your devotional time with the Lord? and what music are you listening to? There is such power in singing praises to God. It can soothe a tired, frustrated soul in ways that only God can accomplish. When we want to express our love of God, we will include singing in our methods of praise.

7. “God will still pour out blessings upon His people.”

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. — 1 Peter 2:9,10

8. “There will still be room at the Cross.”

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. — John 3:16

9. “Jesus will still love you.”

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation (even deployment) will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. — Romans 8:38,39

10. “Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.”

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost. — Luke 19:10

Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! — Romans 7:24,25

One word which I believe pictures what Jesus did for us in our sinful state is the word “rescue.” When I see what our military has done in foreign countries to help governments and individuals—it is rescue. When we saw on TV what was happening with helpless folks in Haiti as our military reached out to provide resources and expertise—it was for rescue. Jesus came to earth on a rescue mission to save us from the penalty of our sin. It is because of His rescue that we live—eternally with Him, if we believe. (John 3:16)

This email of the “Top 10 Predictions” ends with a great proclamation of truth: “Isn’t it great to remember who is really in control, and that ‘the Word of the Lord endures forever.’” (1 Peter 1:25)

I’m going to email the person who sent me this “forward” and thank them. . . . . it’s been a great reminder of what really matters—not just in 2013, but always.  “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”  — Hebrews 13:8

Questions to Share:

1. Which, if any, of the ten predictions surprised you?  Why?

2. Are there some promises of God which you could add to this list—ways in which God was faithful in 2012 and in which you know He will still be faithful in 2013?