Thursday, June 11, 2009

KEEP WATCH, BE READY

When is the Lord coming? I don't have the answer to this question and Jesus told his disciples "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (Matthew 24:36) One thing the Lord does admonish all of us to do is "to keep watch." He even gave us clues as to what would be taking place during this time. "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man (Jesus Christ). For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away." (v.38)

Let's thing for a moment about what is going on in this world, specifically in our nation. There is increase of corruption and a lot of it has filtered right into the hightest office of the land. The increase in violence is such that people are guarding themselves with guns and rifles. What shocks me is when I hear of parents approving of their children's involvement in seductions or pornography. Also, the growing apathy towards the Judeo-Christian belief is disconcerting.
Remember, there is hope even in the chaos of things-our heavenly Father has not abandoned us.

The apostle Peter tells us "therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed." We are to be living holy lives "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do"...(1Peter 1:13, 15) and finally, the Lord tells us to trust Him: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. (Jesus) For he has given us a promise "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." (John 14:3)

What Can I Do? Besides helping others - "Keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." (Matthew 24:42) We must stay alert to the events that are happening in our nation and in the world. Pray, Worship, and Study God's word everyday. Also be ready, because Jesus is coming at an hour when we do not expect him-that is the Bible truth! (See Matthew 24:44)

God Bless.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

A CHANGED LIFE TRULY THANKFUL

It didn’t take long to answer the questions on the test since I had studied every day and night preparing for the college entrance test. It sounds familiar this phrase, especially when we hear it from our kids or friends who are contemplating new careers. In a rapidly changing world it seems prevalent that people do want to change, but sometimes that change comes with a price. The word change means just that substituting something for something else. But when it comes to change in our lives we need to pause and ask: Where do I need to change? I see it as the vehicle that comes to a stop sign. The sign is there for a reason, that is, to look in all directions and see what’s ahead in our path. God wants us to grow and be successful, but at the same time he wants us to recognize Him as being in control of all things. Part of the change in our lives as Christians is to be grateful for all things even if things have not gone “our way” or the way we expected.

I remember reading in Psalm 23: 2, 3 “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters…” When we allow God our shepherd to guide us, we have contentment. When we choose to sin, however, we go our own way and cannot blame God for the environment we create for ourselves. It is easy to blame God for the unwanted pregnancy, the failed exam, the divorce of parents, or the mounting of bills at no end. But if we stop and pause about things we know it is not God’s fault, but our own mistakes – taking the wrong path and having a mindset that from the beginning of time have led mankind into sin, one that says “my way is better.”

Our Father wants us to give him acknowledgement for the things he does for us. In
1 Chronicles 16:7-36 king David is worshipping God with song. We find here an example of four elements of true thanksgiving we should remember: (1) what God has done, (2) tell others about it, (3) showing God’s glory to others, and (4) offering gifts of self, time, and resources. Remember, if you are truly thankful your life will show it.

God Bless.