Exodus 23:14-25:40
Matthew 24:29-51
Psalm 30:1-12
Proverbs 7:24-27
Matthew 24:44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
Even though there are all these signs of the end times we can only expect that Jesus will return when we don't expect it. It is important for us to live as though He may return today but if we are so consumed with looking for signs of the end times then we will not be living as He would have us live. There is a balance that is needed. We need to be aware that the world is progressively and continuously showing us signs of the end times, but we are not to try to figure out when that time will be. That recognition should only be a motivation to us to live like Jesus and share the gospel as often as we can. If we are so focused on the second coming then we can be sure that it won't be now.
Matthew 24:45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time?
Our focus should be outward to fulfill the 2 greatest commandments. Love God and love people. We have been put here to serve others and that should be our focus. If we live to serve and please God then we will be ready for Jesus' return no matter when that time is.
Matthew 24:46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.
Every person has been created to be able to listen and respond to God's call. Those who do and respond in obedience are faithful servants. The more obedient we are to His call the more we will experience Him in our lives and the more He will allow us to be part of the work He is doing in this world. He is going to accomplish all that He has ordained to accomplish before Jesus returns and He gives us opportunity to join Him. The more we respond with "Yes, Lord, here I am. Send me." The more opportunities we will be given.
Matthew 24:48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ 49 and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards.
Those whom He created that ignore the call of God on their lives and doubt what He says will live by the worlds standard and will not love and serve God. Without God they will have selfish motives which will influence how they treat others.
Matthew 24:50 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51 He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
When Jesus returns all those who have rejected God's call will be surprised because they are not expecting it. They will no longer have an opportunity to turn to Him and serve Him and will be eternally separated from God.
Psalm 30:3 You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead; you spared me from going down to the pit.
As believers in Jesus we can respond with praise and thanksgiving for what He has done for us but we must also respond as good and faithful servants to share the good news at every opportunity that we are given. Because we have no way of knowing how and when He may be using that to spare someone from the pit so that they are not spending eternity where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. And when we do we can look forward to hearing those wonderful words "Well done good and faithful servant..."
This song for me today was a song of consecration. May it bless you.
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