Meditate.
Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead. 1Timothy 4:1-2
Have you been
listening to the news lately? It is almost like the Bible is coming alive—it is
happening right before our eyes. Wars. Rumors of wars. Earthquakes. Floods.
Pestilence. It is time us all to listen closely to the word of God. Although
this passage below was written to Israel, it is worthwhile message to which everyone
should note. Return to the Lord…while there is still time.
"Come, let us return to the LORD.
He has torn us to pieces; now he will heal us. He has injured us; now he will
bandage our wounds. In just a short time he will restore us, so that we may live
in his presence. Oh, that we might know the LORD! Let us press on to know him.
He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains
in early spring."
Are you
listening to the Holy Spirit? Paul was writing to Timothy that the Holy Spirit
was speaking about the end times…the last times. The times that we may very
likely be in NOW. He is foretelling that some people are going to be deceived
and thus reject Jesus and their Christian faith. Are you secure in your faith?
Don’t be deceived. Don’t let your guard down. Don’t let anyone lead you astray
with teachings that are not in keeping with God’s word. How do you know? Know
God’s word. Know the Truth.
Jesus said to the people who believed
in him, "You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my
teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John
8:31-32
The Truth will
set you free. Jesus IS the Truth. He assured His disciples of that. Actually,
He was giving them some last teaching right before He was arrested, tried and
crucified.
Jesus told him, "I am the way, the
truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John
14:6
Going to the
Father? Jesus was reminding them that they should know the Father, because they
know Him. Read…and reread John 14-17 for yourself to get more insight into
Jesus’ teaching. He begins this section of His last teaching telling them that
there will be a place for them in His Father’s house—all Christians—all
believers are assured of that, too.
Don't let your hearts be troubled.
Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my
Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to
prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so
that you will always be with me where I am. John 14:1-3
Jewish families
at the time of Jesus had a great custom of the groom adding an additional room
to his parents’ home when he was getting married. So this “enough room” that
Jesus was referring to is the “room” that He is preparing for us—His bride…the
believers—when He calls us home to Heaven. Haven’t you always wanted a mansion—or
at least a fancy or totally comfortable space of your own. A peaceful place.
Jesus closed His teaching time with His disciples that evening…
Sit and rest--find peace in the Lord...
as you wait for His return.
I have told you all this so that you
may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But
take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16:33
Jesus knows we
will have trials…but He offers His peace and an assurance that He’s got our
backs. He is greater than anything that the world can throw at us. I’d say that
is love. Love is greater than anything…and God, the Heavenly Father of Jesus,
loves the world so much….
For God loved the world so much that he
gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish
but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world,
but to save the world through him. There is no judgment against anyone
who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been
judged for not believing in God's one and only Son. John 3:16-18
The penalty for
sin is death. God gave His Son as a sacrifice for our sins…we merely have to
accept what was done for us. We can’t take care of—pay for our sins—ourselves. What
do you think about that? Don’t be deceived that there is any other way to deal
with sin. There is more to consider…while there is still time. Believing in
Jesus. Confession of sin. Forgiveness.
Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the LORD." And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment. For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. Psalm 32:5-7 (Underlined for emphasis.)
Prayer ~ Lord God, I sing praise to You—for You are my hiding place, protecting me from trials and troubles. Open my eyes to Your Truth—that I would grow in my faith and never be deceived.
Verses of
Salvation ~ And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until
you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last
day for all to see. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though
you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that
your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though
your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains
strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor
on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 1 Peter 1:5-7
(Underlined for emphasis.)
He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon!" Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! Revelation 22:20
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Are you striving to be more like Jesus, day by day?
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