"So you also, when you see all these things, know that He is near--- at the doors!" (Matthew 24:33
Hype the "spiritual life" all they want; this age will not end well for too many. The Words of Matthew 24 are Words which will keep you and me in, "the faith of Jesus," Words which will enable us to recognize that, "when you see all these things," we will, "know that He is near."
I was particularly struck today by the "doomsday" Words of our Lord Jesus, "Not one stone here will be left on another....Watch out that no one deceives you....You will be handed over to be persecuted....Many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other....Many false prophets will appear....The love of most will grow cold....If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive....Immediately after the distress of those days 'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'" (NIV)
Today's text comes from a regularly reading of the, "God-Breathed," Words. When you are given to a regularly reading of all, "the Words of God," you must read them all, not just what has been popularized for agendas. When you and I give ourselves to, i.e., read and obey ALL of the, "Words of God," then we can be prepared to fulfill the Words of Jesus which are also in Mt. 24, "Blessed is that servant whom his master, when He comes, will find so doing." As we watch and read of world events, we can watch the Words of, "The Word of God," Himself, our Lord Jesus Christ, being fulfilled before our very eyes. Religious hype meetings will not prepare people for these days. Only the Words of Jesus can do that.
While the Words of Matthew 24 are scary to those who know not Jesus, they are indeed, "Wonderful Words of Life." I say with the song writer, "Sing them over again to me...." If one's "regular diet" is anything other than Jesus' Words, that one will not be ready for, "That Day." No personages, nor teachings which do not center in Jesus Christ will prepare us for the close of this age other than Jesus Christ. I challenge you to read the Gospels as though you have never read them. Read, listen, meditate, consider. Only submission to Jesus' Words can enable, "Blessed is that servant whom his master...will find so doing." We have to "know" Jesus' Words to be of them whom He, "will find so doing."
Father, in Jesus' Name, Help me, in the Holy Spirit, to be able to live in these Words of Yours. Amen.
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The latest news on Joe is encouraging. He is home and the bleeding seems to be under control. Please continue to say any prayers which come to you.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
