“There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:42 (NLT) The heart of this ministry is to inspire a love for God’s Word and encourage the discipline of daily Bible reading and SOAP journaling. These are a few of our SOAP notes from today’s reading. We encourage you to read and journal on your own first, then join us in conversation about what God revealed to YOU today. Click HERE to go directly to the daily reading if you wish.
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Remain | Angela Kansou, guest post
S~ Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:9-14 (NIV)
O~ Jesus’ disciples have just asked about the end times. Jesus responds by letting them know what the future holds for many who follow him. Near the end times, many Christians will be hated and will turn away from the faith and hate each other. Many false prophets will trick people into believing their lies. The love of most people will grow cold. BUT, the one who remains true and continues to believe will be saved. AND the gospel will be preached to the whole world and then the end will come.
A~ The end times can be scary. Jesus is pretty clear they will not be easy or comfortable. They will separate and divide Christians. Those who are willing to lay down their lives for Christ will be separated from those who seek Christ only for the blessing and power He brings to them. It will be a time of division and a time of deception. As I think of this, it makes it even more clear to me how important it is to spend time with God and in His word. If I don’t know his voice, I might be easily deceived. If I don’t understand the depths of His love for me and the grace He offers me, I may turn away from him when things in my life get tough…when he does not meet my earthly “needs.” It also presses on my heart how important it is to teach my children and those I love about God and these practices of spending time in the word and with God. I will not always be there for my children, but God will, if I teach them how to seek him. They must be rooted in God so they are not easily deceived by the latest fad. They must know HIS voice. They must know His word so they know when the world “truths” don’t align to God’s truths. While it is important for me to teach them about the blessings God offers I must also teach them about the battle that is ahead so that one day we can together stand before Christ in Heaven seeing him Face to face…knowing we were not deceived, that we stood firm, that we shared the gospel no matter what was against us. Then our reward will be great and we will finally get to experience the true, unending, all powerful love of our God and Father.
P~ Lord, as I think about the end times, help me not to fear. Instead, let the end times be a motivation to me to spend more time with you and in your word. Let it encourage me to know you better, to understand you and to understand the depths of your love for me. Let the end times affect the way I interact with my family and others so that I seek, in whatever ways I can, to teach them about you and and encourage them in their walk with you. Show me how to re-prioritize my time so that I make time for learning and sharing about you with my family and others. Help me to put you first and clear away anything in my life that keeps you from that place in my heart. I want you to be my final goal…my one true love. I want to be willing to give up anything and everything for you and I want to teach my children and those I love to do the same. I look forward to the day when I will stand before you in Heaven singing your praises…when all nations bow down to you and call out your name. You are an amazing God and You are worthy of our praise!! In Jesus’ precious name. Amen.
No Loafing or Lollygagging | Robin Laney
S~ It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so (feeding his fellow servants) when he returns. Matthew 24:46 (NIV)
O~ Jesus is urging his followers to be watchful and always ready for his return.
A~ Life is precious and fleeting. Every day is a gift with a purpose. Each morning, we wake up with a mission to love God, love people and shine His light in a way that shows people who God is and how much He loves them.
None of us knows when our time will be up here on earth, whether it be because he returns or he takes us home. He gives us our missions and urges us to be diligent each day while watching for his return.
It’s easy to take our time for granted, always expecting to have another day. I am not tempted with the distractions listed in the text but I can waste an entire day on social media or piddling about or sleeping. I can retreat inside myself and be very self-focused. I need a reminder, each day, to focus and prepare for the work he has for me. I need to approach each day as a mission field, opening my eyes and heart to all He has for me and those around me.
P~ Lord, I want to begin each day by opening my eyes, thanking you for another day and asking you to prepare me fully for whomever you send my way. Open my eyes and heart so that I can see the world as you see it and equip me to fulfill the purposes you have planned for me as long as you have me here on earth.
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Thanks Angela and Robin, I very much enjoyed your posts today. So much truth!!! Angela’s comment about teaching her children to be prepared for the battle is so good, I think I missed that with my kids. I taught them about God and Jesus and “right living” but I think, for some reason, that i thought we lived in a Christian bubble and that they were protected by my imaginary boundaries. It is so true that when difficult times set in, our true alignment will be shown. I think that is true with little annoyances in our day as well as big life adversity.
Robin is so right!!! It is so very easy to waste our days on unimportant stuff. It doesn’t have to be bad stuff, like she pointed out. God has given each believer important assignments and we should “show up for work” each day with open eyes and an open heart to build His kingdom.
Have a beautiful Sunday worshipping our King!!!