# 678 Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 13:33 "Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.
Three things Jesus calls His followers to do until He comes again. (1) Take heed. (2) Watch. (3) Pray. The first is self-explanatory, yet it seems we must repeat it often. Take heed! Listen to what Jesus is saying here! Don't get sidetracked into day-dreaming about different end time scenarios. Because as much as you daydream about it, you will never know the hour of His return.
That being the case, it is vital that we (2) “watch.” The idea of being watchful is that of being on guard. In the matter of your personal faith, don't fall asleep, don't be lulled into apathy and neglect. Your very eternal soul is at stake. Please understand this. We have been and continue to be on the brink of the end for a long time. No need to point to this earthquake, that tsunami, this plague, that political scene. The need is, watch your faith! And the best way to watch your faith is to keep in contact with the One who gave you your faith.
(3) Pray! The enemy of your soul also knows we are on the brink and it would give him great pleasure to shipwreck your faith. So pray! Lu 21:36 "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man." Take heed, watch, and pray.
Don't miss the importance of this last one! Jesus point blanks tells us to pray how often? ALWAYS!
And what are we to ALWAYS pray for? That we may be counted worthy to escape the Final Judgment! There is only one way to be counted worthy. You and I must be found in Christ on that Day!
Father God, I know how easy it is to slide into apathy. In fact my flesh yearns for it. I beg You Father, guard my heart against lukewarmness. Help me to keep my God-given passion for Christ alive until You call me home.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
But Only the Father and the Mayans
# 677 Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 13:32 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
I was watching a documentary the other day. It was a slick piece of production using natural catastrophe's to stir up feelings of impending doom, and then the implication that all this would occur on December 21, 2012 because that's the date the Mayan calender ends.
Of course I immediately ran to the store and bought my third gas generator since the year 2000. Then I restocked the backyard fallout shelter my Dad dug out in the 50's.
Not!
What's crazy about this, is that many Christians will be taken in by these emotional programs and get worked up into a tizzy and fearfully await the end!
Fearfully?
First of all, shouldn't we be anticipating the end joyfully? Should we not join in with John at the end of the Book of Revelation when he says, “ Even so, come Lord Jesus?”
But wait a minute. Before we get all worked up shouldn't we re-read this passage? Let's look at it again: Does it say, "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father and the MAYANS?”
Are we suppose to think that the Mayans or anyone else were more privileged than the angels? More privileged than the Son of God! I think not. Remember, slick production is not the source of truth......Jesus is.
Father, let the fear-mongers live in fear, help me to live in the peace that passes all understanding.
I was watching a documentary the other day. It was a slick piece of production using natural catastrophe's to stir up feelings of impending doom, and then the implication that all this would occur on December 21, 2012 because that's the date the Mayan calender ends.
Of course I immediately ran to the store and bought my third gas generator since the year 2000. Then I restocked the backyard fallout shelter my Dad dug out in the 50's.
Not!
What's crazy about this, is that many Christians will be taken in by these emotional programs and get worked up into a tizzy and fearfully await the end!
Fearfully?
First of all, shouldn't we be anticipating the end joyfully? Should we not join in with John at the end of the Book of Revelation when he says, “ Even so, come Lord Jesus?”
But wait a minute. Before we get all worked up shouldn't we re-read this passage? Let's look at it again: Does it say, "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father and the MAYANS?”
Are we suppose to think that the Mayans or anyone else were more privileged than the angels? More privileged than the Son of God! I think not. Remember, slick production is not the source of truth......Jesus is.
Father, let the fear-mongers live in fear, help me to live in the peace that passes all understanding.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Don't Park Your Soul On A Metered Street
# 676 Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 13:30 "Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 31 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
Three times we catch the phrase, “pass away.” The phrase means “to perish.” We could say it means to expire. Let's consider these three “expirations.” The first expiration is the hard-hearted. The hard-hearted will always be with us, right up to the very end. And when the Lord returns, THEN the hard-hearted will expire, their time for repentance will have expired like the time on a parking meter.
The second perishing is that of Creation as we know it. Mind boggling, but inevitable. Both of these perishings are on the meter even as we speak. And when the meter goes off, will there be anything left?
Yes! The Word of God!
Don't blow this off! Don't park your soul on a metered street of that which is temporary! Stop resisting God's Word! Stop relying on the temporary things of this world. Park your soul on the street of God's Word! No meter maid will chalk your tires, no ticket will be placed on your windshield.
When you park your soul on the words of Jesus. (All of them!) You can live your life in perfect peace, knowing that while others may be towed away into the fires of hell, you will be safe forever, because you parked on the words of Jesus!
Father, in this fleeting world, thank You for giving us Your unchangeable, everlasting Word.
Three times we catch the phrase, “pass away.” The phrase means “to perish.” We could say it means to expire. Let's consider these three “expirations.” The first expiration is the hard-hearted. The hard-hearted will always be with us, right up to the very end. And when the Lord returns, THEN the hard-hearted will expire, their time for repentance will have expired like the time on a parking meter.
The second perishing is that of Creation as we know it. Mind boggling, but inevitable. Both of these perishings are on the meter even as we speak. And when the meter goes off, will there be anything left?
Yes! The Word of God!
Don't blow this off! Don't park your soul on a metered street of that which is temporary! Stop resisting God's Word! Stop relying on the temporary things of this world. Park your soul on the street of God's Word! No meter maid will chalk your tires, no ticket will be placed on your windshield.
When you park your soul on the words of Jesus. (All of them!) You can live your life in perfect peace, knowing that while others may be towed away into the fires of hell, you will be safe forever, because you parked on the words of Jesus!
Father, in this fleeting world, thank You for giving us Your unchangeable, everlasting Word.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Generation = Kind of Men
# 674 Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 13:30 "Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.
The word “generation” needs to be closely examined here. Sometimes the word can be used to indicate a period of time (typically 20 years) but it is more accurately used in the Bible to categorize a KIND of men.
Even today, we categorize up and coming generations as Generation X or Y or whatever. So Jesus is not referring to a specific time frame here but rather to a specific KIND of men.
These MEN or KIND OF MEN will be with us until the second coming of Christ. They will by no means “pass away.” Who then is “this generation” that Jesus is speaking of? What kind of men are they?
In context, He is speaking of the Jew with the hardened heart. Now in one sense, that's good news, it means that the Jewish people will never be wiped out. Oh how the devil and men have tried to do this through the ages, but no one will ever succeed. There will always be a remnant of Jews.
But in another sense it is sad because there will be those Jews who will reject Jesus as the Messiah all the way to the end. Bottom line is it's not a question of whether or not the Jews will be around, the question is, “will we be around the Jews” preaching the Good News to them and praying that they will be open to receive it.
Father, hardened hearts will always be with us. Keep my heart soft for them, and let me always be ready to share the Good News.
The word “generation” needs to be closely examined here. Sometimes the word can be used to indicate a period of time (typically 20 years) but it is more accurately used in the Bible to categorize a KIND of men.
Even today, we categorize up and coming generations as Generation X or Y or whatever. So Jesus is not referring to a specific time frame here but rather to a specific KIND of men.
These MEN or KIND OF MEN will be with us until the second coming of Christ. They will by no means “pass away.” Who then is “this generation” that Jesus is speaking of? What kind of men are they?
In context, He is speaking of the Jew with the hardened heart. Now in one sense, that's good news, it means that the Jewish people will never be wiped out. Oh how the devil and men have tried to do this through the ages, but no one will ever succeed. There will always be a remnant of Jews.
But in another sense it is sad because there will be those Jews who will reject Jesus as the Messiah all the way to the end. Bottom line is it's not a question of whether or not the Jews will be around, the question is, “will we be around the Jews” preaching the Good News to them and praying that they will be open to receive it.
Father, hardened hearts will always be with us. Keep my heart soft for them, and let me always be ready to share the Good News.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Summer's Coming!
# 674 Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 13:28,29 "Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 "So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near--at the doors!
The parable of the fig tree is so simple, a child can understand it. I don't have a fig tree in my yard, but I do have a couple of apple trees, and in spring, the tender new leaves start to show up, and even though there may be some cold, wet, stormy spring weather, these new leaves tell me that summer is on the way!
Remember too, that parables are understood best when we look for Jesus in them. In this parable then we see the promise of the second coming of Jesus, and all the pleasantries of an eternal summer that He will bring with Him for those who endure to the end. Summer is coming! And that Summer is Jesus!
This would and should be a great source of encouragement for His church then and today. Take the time to re-read this chapter in Mark. Wars, earthquakes, famines, persecution, false teachers, the destruction of Jerusalem. All of these things a part of the weather that we will have endured and will have to endure until He comes again.
All of these things tell us that summer is “at the door” and ready to arrive at any moment. Be ready! Endure! Jesus is at the door!
Come Lord Jesus.
The parable of the fig tree is so simple, a child can understand it. I don't have a fig tree in my yard, but I do have a couple of apple trees, and in spring, the tender new leaves start to show up, and even though there may be some cold, wet, stormy spring weather, these new leaves tell me that summer is on the way!
Remember too, that parables are understood best when we look for Jesus in them. In this parable then we see the promise of the second coming of Jesus, and all the pleasantries of an eternal summer that He will bring with Him for those who endure to the end. Summer is coming! And that Summer is Jesus!
This would and should be a great source of encouragement for His church then and today. Take the time to re-read this chapter in Mark. Wars, earthquakes, famines, persecution, false teachers, the destruction of Jerusalem. All of these things a part of the weather that we will have endured and will have to endure until He comes again.
All of these things tell us that summer is “at the door” and ready to arrive at any moment. Be ready! Endure! Jesus is at the door!
Come Lord Jesus.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
The Return of Jesus
# 673 Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 13:26 "Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 "And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.
Jesus is speaking of His return on Judgment Day. Our finite minds cannot fathom the idea that someone in the United States will be able to see Jesus at the same time someone in China will see Him, but when He returns, time and space as we know it will be done away with.
The elect (believers) will be gathered up by angels and meet Jesus and those who have gone on before us in the air. 1Th 4:17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
Not so for those unbelievers left behind, listen to their fate on this Day! Re 6:15,16 “And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!
Did you catch that! The greatest to the least, will all be in the same boat. It's not about what you have or can achieve on earth. It is about being found in Christ on that Day. Shouldn't that be enough to readjust your priorities?
Oh beloved, this Day could come at any moment, return to Jesus today and be spared!
Father, let me live today and every day as if Jesus were returning.
Jesus is speaking of His return on Judgment Day. Our finite minds cannot fathom the idea that someone in the United States will be able to see Jesus at the same time someone in China will see Him, but when He returns, time and space as we know it will be done away with.
The elect (believers) will be gathered up by angels and meet Jesus and those who have gone on before us in the air. 1Th 4:17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
Not so for those unbelievers left behind, listen to their fate on this Day! Re 6:15,16 “And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!
Did you catch that! The greatest to the least, will all be in the same boat. It's not about what you have or can achieve on earth. It is about being found in Christ on that Day. Shouldn't that be enough to readjust your priorities?
Oh beloved, this Day could come at any moment, return to Jesus today and be spared!
Father, let me live today and every day as if Jesus were returning.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
The Sun, Moon, and Stars, Will Be Undone
# 672 Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 13:24-26 "But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light;
25 "the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
26 "Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. (Mr 13:24-26)
What will cause these catastrophic conditions? I think we can get a clue by looking at Is 6:5. In this passage, Isaiah has been brought into the presence of Lord. In the New Testament, this presence of the Lord is referred to by Paul as the third heaven. (2 Cor 12:2)
In order for our finite minds to be able to grasp where Jesus is now (the right hand of the Father) we are given this picture of three heavens, (three skies) The first heaven is the earth's atmosphere, the second heaven is what we call outer space , and the third heaven is where God is pictured to be.
Because all of creation (sun, moon, stars, etc) has been tainted by sin, when the Father gives the green light to the Son to return in His full glory, the moment HE enters the second heaven all that is tainted by sin including the sun, moon, and stars, will become as Isaiah …..undone.
They must in the presence of the Holy, sinless, all glorious Jesus Christ!
What a terrible Day that will be for those who have refused to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior. For they will be judged and begin serving their sentence of the eternal wrath of God.
Knees will be bowing now.....but it will be too late, and they will know it when they look upon the holy gaze of Jesus.
Father, thank You for Your grace and mercy, for I know I deserve Your wrath, but You have granted me the gift of repentance and faith. I pray that many more will come to the saving knowledge of Jesus before that great and terrible Day.
25 "the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
26 "Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. (Mr 13:24-26)
What will cause these catastrophic conditions? I think we can get a clue by looking at Is 6:5. In this passage, Isaiah has been brought into the presence of Lord. In the New Testament, this presence of the Lord is referred to by Paul as the third heaven. (2 Cor 12:2)
In order for our finite minds to be able to grasp where Jesus is now (the right hand of the Father) we are given this picture of three heavens, (three skies) The first heaven is the earth's atmosphere, the second heaven is what we call outer space , and the third heaven is where God is pictured to be.
Because all of creation (sun, moon, stars, etc) has been tainted by sin, when the Father gives the green light to the Son to return in His full glory, the moment HE enters the second heaven all that is tainted by sin including the sun, moon, and stars, will become as Isaiah …..undone.
They must in the presence of the Holy, sinless, all glorious Jesus Christ!
What a terrible Day that will be for those who have refused to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior. For they will be judged and begin serving their sentence of the eternal wrath of God.
Knees will be bowing now.....but it will be too late, and they will know it when they look upon the holy gaze of Jesus.
Father, thank You for Your grace and mercy, for I know I deserve Your wrath, but You have granted me the gift of repentance and faith. I pray that many more will come to the saving knowledge of Jesus before that great and terrible Day.
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