Yesterday was a great day at BSF....
here is a recap.
Are you afraid or fearful of death?
Do you fear the end of the world?
Knowing the signs of the approaching end... read Matthew 24
As believers we have nothing to fear at the end of the world. We know the end of the story as we keep in God's word and continue to follow the current events. I don't like to get to wrapped up in current events though. To be honest I RARELY watch the news. It is so depressing and I would rather spend my time other ways then watching the news. I figure if it is that important I will find out somehow. Like that pregnant man... what the heck is that all about... actually as I sit here and remember what I read in my BSF notes last night some scripture comes to mind...
Matt 24:12
12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.
Loose morals and degeneration of family life and ethics.
2 Timothy 3
Perilous Times and Perilous Men
1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; 9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.
2 Peter 3
God’s Promise Is Not Slack
1 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us,[a] the apostles of the Lord and Savior, 3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward us,[b] not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
This degeneration will increase toward the end of the world until even Christians become so absorbed in seeking creature comforts, and so ignorant of God's Word and of the power of God's Spirit within them, that they are deceived by false doctrine and their love of God grows cold. It is so sad to me... but what I do have peace in is that in Matt 24:14 the Word says that...
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.
EVERYONE will have a chance to hear that Jesus is the only way. I don't know how close that is to happening or if there is billions of people yet to get a chance to hear. But as I sit here today I know that there are people out there who have heard and think..."I've got time" or "Jesus isn't coming back"... well, He is coming back and when He does judgement comes too and just being a "good" person ain't gonna get you anywhere but somewhere I wouldn't want to be for eternity...
Luke 13:28
There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out.
As in Noah's day, people today marry, go to Costco, wash their car...etc. (Well nobody went to Costco in Noah's day but you know what I mean)... Then knew nothing until judgement came. Christ's return will take our generation by surprise. Judgement will strike all who refuse to receive Him as their Savior and Lord (read 2 Peter 3 again). If Christ came today, would you be like the unbelievers of Noah's day, absorbed in ordinary human activities, unaware of how near Christ's return is or where you will be for eternity? If you belong to Christ, you need not fear His coming. Really I would rather be with Jesus in Heaven than here on Earth wondering all my earthly concerns...
I do however look forward to His coming as a bride looks for her husband's return or as a child looks for the return of a beloved father. Christ Himself makes everyone cleansed by faith and committed to His cross worthy and ready for is coming.
Read Matthew 24:36-44
No One Knows the Day or Hour
36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven,[e] but My Father only. 37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. 42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour[f] your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Now read 1 John 1 :9
Don't worry about mistakes, past sins and past failures. God is faithful to forive us our sins. All we have to do is ask.
I'll end with some statements and questions....
Keep watch and remember God's word!
To be ready is to know Christ and be doing His work.
How can we change lives just by being who God wants us to be?
All of life is moving toward Jesus' return to Earth.
Only God knows all the answers!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
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2 thoughts about this post:
Thank you soooo much for that refreshing post! This very topic has been fresh on my mind this past month or so. Really trying to be introspective and ask myself 'when the Lord returns will he say to me "depart, I never knew you" or will HE say "Well done, good and faithful servant" ?' It's not something to dwell on in guilt but the Scriptures say to examine ourselves to see if our hearts are in line with His. That was his message to the Corinthians and I don't want to overlook how they had begun to somewhat fall away from what they had previously been tough by Paul himself. Anyhow...thanks.
Okay..have my bible here. I just went ahead and used this as my devotion this morning.. ;)
I would say at times, I do fear death or am afraid of the end. Not fearing His coming, but fearing what I, or more so, my children would have to endure. It's then when I find myself drawing back to Him and His strength.
As a Mommy of little ones, I struggle at times with what my children might have to face. I know as they grow up in Him, God will give them what they need to endure. I'm always asking God to show me what to do. How to raise them to be ready and used, praying daily for their lives in Christ.
I was shocked too when I saw that pregnant man! I am just so amazed how rapid things are progressing now. We're witnessing changes in society today that would have been beyond comprehension 30 years ago.
That list in Timothy 3 is sooo accurate to today. And then when it says.. "having a form of godliness, but denying it's power. I=Don't you think it has seeped into our congregations.
Going back to Matthew 24, it's such a wake up call. Even at times as believers, we can get so caught up in our ministries or "to do's." Reading 24, I am quickly reminded of the urgency to be near to Him, strong in His Word. It's such a battle at times to find those around me that just want to dig into those black and white letters, to get strong and prepared. The waves are crashing right now, and so many of us, like it says, are being tossed back and forth. This doesn't have to be if we would just stick to His Word and not waiver.
How many of us ARE keeping watch? And what does that look like? Everyday is a day, I need to remember, that I can be used by Him. I must make the most of every opportunity. It's the little things, the conversations, the faithfulness. I've got to shine my light to those around me.
How can I change lives... I think of the example we are given by Christ. How He lived and walked here on earth. His conversations, attributes, demeanor, boldness, LOVE.. I can learn just how to live, by going back and studying they way He did.... follow His example in my life.
I like what it says at the end of Matthew 24.. "Who then is faithful and wise servant, who the master has put in chare of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servan whose master finds him doing so when he returns." ..This is a way we prepare for Christ .. to get ready. I must get busy, doing His work!
I'm stirred up...thx
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