"Teacher,"
they asked, "when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these
things are about to take place?" He replied, "Don't let anyone
mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah,' and
saying, 'The time has come!' But don't believe them. And when you hear of wars
and insurrections, don't panic. Yes, these things must take place first, but
the end won't follow immediately." Then he added, "Nation will go to
war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great
earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands, and there
will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven. But before
all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged
into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and
governors because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to
tell them about me. So don't worry in advance about how to answer the charges
against you, for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of
your opponents will be able to reply or refute you! Luke
21:7-15
 |
| The Holy Spirit - like a dove -will give us the words to say. |
War and rumors of war. That has been
happening forever…since the disciples asked Jesus, “When will all this happen?” There have been books written and
YouTube videos posted that describe this current age as the Last Days, but it
will happen in God’s time…not ours. As Jesus said…Don’t let anyone mislead you…don’t panic…the end won’t follow
immediately….and don’t worry in
advance. My favorite promise from Jesus is that He will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6 and Hebrews
13:5). What a great promise! As times may get tough even during our lifetime…we
can be assured that Jesus is still always with us.
But when you are arrested and stand trial,
don't worry in advance about what to say. Just say what God tells you at that
time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit. Mark
13:11
Do you feel like you just don’t know what
to say sometimes? Well, imagine how you’ll feel when you are imprisoned and
having to stand before a court charging you with being a Christian. This will
be a scary time for whoever is still living during this turbulent time. I’m not
exactly a confident public speaker—but I do love my Lord, Jesus. Remember Jesus
expects His followers to stand up for Him—publicly.
Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here
on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who
denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven. Matthew
10:32-33
Don’t
worry. The Holy Spirit will give you the words to say—to acknowledge that
Jesus is your Savior. Can you do it? Remember… I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians
4:13. Is He your Savior? If not…seek Him today…and know that you’ll never be alone again. And when the times comes He
will do all that He has promised. We can trust Him.
Prayer
~ Lord Jesus—fill us with Your Holy Spirit and give us just the right words to
say…even now. Not just if we are imprisoned—but always—that we can confidently
speak up for you. You are worthy.
Daily
Bible Reading: Matthew 23; Luke 20-21
©
2017 Text and Photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All
scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
Biblical
search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm
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