They Sense It.

It is interesting to listen to different pastors and speakers on the radio and how often there is this commonality in their subject matter. I will be brought a topic by God to share with the group and often that topic will also be shared in some scope or dimension on the radio and even our Pastor on Sunday morning.

The theme that God has been sharing lately has been Jesus’ return and living and trusting in God. Which for many may see broad in scope but is it really when you just narrow it down to our personal lives and our relationship with Jesus. God has been reminding his messengers to tell his people of His Son’s return.

Along with this encouraging and urgent message there has been, at least in my life, this lack of luster of the things of this world. This understanding that the material things are very temporary in usage and satisfaction.

Christmas has come and gone and it seems the world has gone back to business as usual.

For some however it hasn’t been business as usual. Some have lost family and friends over the Christmas break. Some even though they have been careful and good stewards of their money have found extra expenses they had not foreseen do to medical, home, and car repairs. I believe these people might be the most fortunate for they will have to look to God to help them fulfill their needs as they continue to tithe. These families won’t take for granted the simple pleasures such as water, electricity, and a roof over their head and food to fill their stomachs. They will cling to God and through this relationship of dependence will see the workings of God more clearly then those who don’t have any extra circumstances in their life to deal with. To others they are may seem unlucky, unfortunate, and tried to extremes but when there is nothing to cling I found there is always God who helps me see and live past my circumstances even though they may difficult.

“God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.” MATTHEW 5:3

Luke 17:26-37"When the Son of Man returns, the world will be like the people were in Noah's day. In those days before the flood, the people enjoyed banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat and the flood came to destroy them all. "And the world will be as it was in the days of Lot. People went about their daily business--eating and drinking, buying and selling, farming and building-- until the morning Lot left Sodom. Then fire and burning sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. Yes, it will be `business as usual' right up to the hour when the Son of Man returns. On that day a person outside the house must not go into the house to pack. A person in the field must not return to town. Remember what happened to Lot's wife! Whoever clings to this life will lose it, and whoever loses this life will save it. That night two people will be asleep in one bed; one will be taken away, and the other will be left. Two women will be grinding flour together at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.”

"Lord, where will this happen?" the disciples asked.

Jesus replied, "Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near."

The values we live by either will make us die spiritually or be uplifted and encouraged spiritually. Even the smallest gift of kindness isn’t ignored when someone is in need.

Our words and actions can nourish those around us or be tools for the enemy to bring down those around us.

What we embrace will affect our life. Is it the world ideals or God and Jesus? There one brings death and one brings life.

God does not share these messages to scare his people but to prepare his people because he loves them. And if we are scared, think why we are fearful of this message.

1 John 4:18 “Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of judgment, and this shows that his love has not been perfected in us.”

1 John 2:28 “And now, dear children, continue to live in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.”

It is hard to keep up a meaningful relationship with someone when there is no communication.

I am finding it is difficult to depend on anything in this life except God. People though how lovely will misunderstand you and presume things of you. Things will breakdown and need repairs. The places that you thought you could depend on for permanence or being trustworthy will leave you stranded or take advantage of you. Nothing stays the same and sometimes that is a good thing and sometimes is a bad thing if you put prominence in that thing or place. Your body will even fail you.

Things will become just things. They are here today and quickly replaced tomorrow.

Sometimes it seems like people are running on a hamster wheel running to get nowhere.

Before I let the mind do what it wants let us ask where is the accountability? Where is the self-control?

Where do we stand at the end of day with God? Where to we put our trust? Where do we put our security and rest? Tangibles or intangibles? If it is tangibles, what happens when those tangibles fail us? Value is in what? What we can or not take with us after this life (that is but a breath and a passing shadow) is over?

I guess what we ought to ask ourselves is what are lasting values that really matter in the end and do they parallel to what God thinks is important.

Matthew 24:12-14 "Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But those who endure to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then, finally, the end will come."

2 Peter 3:9-11 The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and everything in them will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be exposed to judgment. Since everything around us is going to melt away, what holy, godly lives you should be living!

May God help us live as if Christ were coming back tomorrow and knowing there are no guarantees for tomorrow.