Today Is The End?

Scripture:
Matthew 24:1-8 (NASB)

Jesus came out from the temple and was going away when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him. And He said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.”

As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.

Devotional:

It seems that over the years people have been predicting the end of it all.  We have had wars and natural disasters all over the world through the centuries.  There have been dictators who have nearly conquered the world over and over.  Yet none of them have led to the end of the world.  I have heard people tell that the end is near even today.  Recently it was predicted the end would happen and Christ would come.  That appointed day came and went.  Still here we are.  People gave away fortunes and walked away from families and careers because they were misled.

Jesus himself tells us that no one knows except the father, God.  We are given signs to watch for.  We are told to expect Him at anytime.  However, we cannot just pine away our lives because we believe the end is here.  I know several people who believe we are in the beginning of the “end-times.”  I myself do not necessarily believe it.  I see signs that we could be.  I will not say we are not in them.  However, I choose to live my life as if Christ’s return is still yet to come, many years from now.  A part of me wishes He would return now, and a part of me doesn’t want to see the end of the world.

But is it really the end of the world?  Or, is it just a new beginning?  Our bodies will die and our life in this world will end.  Then a new life will begin either in heaven or elsewhere.  This world will someday end.  Then a new earth will be born.  The bottom line is that none of us knows when the end will come.  We cannot live as if it is here tomorrow doing nothing.  We must live as if it is coming soon and prepare as best we can.  When it does come we must be ready.  We must reach as many lives as we can.  Let us work as if there is no tomorrow but live as if today will never end…

Are You An Acts 1:8 Christian?

Scripture:
Acts 1:8 (NASB)

but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

Devotional:

In our church the mission team’s theme is Acts 1:8.  It is a theme throughout the church.  I remember attending a class held for newcomers at church.  The sr. pastor made a comment on programs the church does and does not do.  What he said has stuck with me ever since and has become a building block for what I want to do and be like.  He commented on any program that the church does has to fit into one criterion.  Does it build discipleship?  Basically any program the church does, needs to in some way build up or make disciples for Christ.  If you have an idea for a program great, but if it doesn’t build discipleship the church will not implement it.  

It is important to build up disciples for Christ.  Once we are built up it is just as important to go forth into the world.  We are to make disciples of all nations not just at home.  What is important to remember is that when we go forth we wait for the Holy Spirit.  For it is when the Holy Spirit comes upon us and fills us we will have power.  God promises to give us the power and strength to do His will.  If you are asking what is God’s will for my life I suggest you read Matthew 26:16-20 (NIV):

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

It is the mission of all Christians to make disciples.  We are not to just work at home, in the house and neighborhood.  We are told to go to the ends of the earth.  We are to reach out to all the lost.  That is first and foremost duty in God’s will for our lives.  Everything else will stem from that.  I ask, what is God’s will for my life?  My next question, does what I think it is include making disciples?  What is your answer?  I will end with this one question, one that our mission’s pastor always asks, or some variation.  Are you an Acts 1:8 person?  Are you an Acts 1:8 Christian?  What does an Acts 1:8 Christian look like?  The best example I can think of is Paul.  I can see my oldest daughter shaping into a wonderful Acts 1:8 Christian, maybe I can be like her when I grow up…

Don't Expire In Waste

Scripture:
Ephesians 5:8-21 (NASB)

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.

Devotional:

Have you ever bought something only to find that once you got it home it had expired?  Once or twice Nancy or I have come home with expired ranch dressing.  Unfortunately sometimes we didn’t notice the expiration date until we went to use it sometime later.  There were times when we would purchase strawberries.  The day we purchased them they looked perfect.  After sitting in the fridge for just a couple of days there were times you could see them going bad.  

Everything has a shelf life.  Its good today and gone bad tomorrow, batteries lose their charge, milk spoils, meat goes bad, and fruit will rot.  Our lives are the same.  We only have a limited time here on earth in this life.  Are you making the most of it?  Are we being fruitful with our time?  It is important to make good use of our time.  Evil and discouragement is all around us.  Let us encourage one another lifting each other up.  Together we can stand firm and faithful.  Use your time wisely.  Give praise to others.  Be careful in what you say or do.  You never know who is listening and whose life you might touch.

Crippled By Fear

Scripture:
Psalm 49:5 (NASB)

Why should I fear in days of adversity,
When the iniquity of my foes surrounds me,

Isaiah 41:10 (NASB)

‘Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

Devotional:

When you are faced with a life changing event it can be hard not to be afraid.  We tend to fear the unknown.  Sometimes when I start thinking about spending eternity in heaven, something that never ends, I can feel fear seep in.  There is no basis or grounds for it.  I also know heaven is a great and wonderful place.  There are events such as job loss, or loss of a loved one, death in a family that can bring about fear.  We have enemies who try to destroy us.  Satan will throw anything and everything at us to cause us to stumble.  One of the greatest stumbling blocks is fear.  

Fear can cripple us and prevent us from being effective for God.  However, who do we have to fear?  Isn’t God who is in us greater than all things?  If nothing can overcome God and God is with and in us then nothing can overcome us.  Some people might say that death pretty much concurs all.  Well that is true.  Someone can kill us or we can die from any number of reasons.  But death isn’t defeat for those who are saved.  Through death comes life.  A better life in a better place, so there should be no fear.  God is our provider and protector.  God is with us through it all.  So I ask, what do you really have to fear?  As I struggle with my own uncertainties and fears in days ahead I will keep my focus on Christ and overcome.  It is my prayer and hope that Christ is glorified in what I say and do in the days ahead.  When fear starts to build up in you, change your focus.  By keeping your focus on Christ your fears are relieved…

Shepherds Of The Flock...

Scripture:
Acts 20:28-32 (NASB)

Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

Devotional:

It is with great joy and some sadness that I learned that a youth pastor I know is moving.  If I understood everything right he will have the honor and privilege of pasturing a new church.  The joy comes in knowing he will be doing great things for God.  He is being given his own “flock” to shepherd for Jesus.  The sadness is he will be moving out of the area.

As I ponder the new adventure he and his family will be having I think of our own flocks.  Who is a part of your flock?  Who are we to shepherd?  At some point we are all given tasks to mentor, teach, and lead other Christians, and in some cases nonbelievers.  These can be fellow workers, our families, our friends just to name a few.  It is vital that we are teaching God’s word and not stray to the right or left in the slightest bit.  Not only are we to teach the truth but we must also guard against any who would miss lead.  We are warned that there will be some, even in the flock, who would lead believers astray.  These wolves in sheep’s clothing can be hard to spot.  They blend in with the crowd.  They are our friends and sometimes our own families.  Their task of drawing people away from Christ becomes easier as churches and Christians slip closer and closer to being of the world instead of the body of Christ.  It is our job to keep our flock on the straight and narrow path.  A shepherd’s job is to protect and guide the flock.  Jesus is the good shepherd.  He has anointed us to tend His flock.