Mark 13:7-8
Jesus began, “Watch out for
doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged
identities claiming, ‘I’m the One.’ They will deceive a lot of people.
When you hear of wars and rumored wars, keep your head and don’t panic.
This is routine history, and no sign of the end. Nation will fight
nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over. Earthquakes will occur in
various places. There will be famines. But these things are nothing
compared to what’s coming."
Scripture
quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002
by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs,
CO. All rights reserved.
My
mother used to say that the wars, crimes and atrocities we face today
are nothing new. And indeed, if you read the Old Testament, you can
learn about everything from the bloodiest, most heinous battle tactics
to racism, sexism, and discrimination of every sort. Babies were killed
to prove a point. There was torture and rape…and entire villages and
tribes were decimated. Centuries ago, “prophets” told of the end of the
world as if it was imminent…and we’re still here.
Today, we are
barraged with lies and/or grossly exaggerated claims at every turn. For
some reason, many people seem to delight in scaring the stuffing out of
others with doomsday reports, while others have such inflated egos that
they cannot seem to help but declare themselves the ultimate savior of
all things that are wrong in the world.
So what are we to do?
Who do we trust? How do we sift through all of the chatter and
determine the truth? We start with prayer…and a long, deep breath. We
“let go and let God”…and give Him our burdens and fears. We delve into
the scriptures and let God’s word soak into our soul. The truth is
there, along with answers to virtually all of the questions we have - if
we will only calm down and pay attention.
We also have to exercise our God-given common sense. We have to ask ourselves…”What is this person really saying…and what does GOD
say about the same issues?” If you will continue reading Mark 13
through at least verse 13, you will see that Jesus assures that the Holy
Spirit will always be with us…and that those who persevere in their
faith will be saved in the end.
Our Timothy has asked me
several times lately, “Why are you and Uncle Greg always so happy?” It
appears that on some level, we are filling our little ones with a “gloom
and doom” impression of the world. Even they don’t understand how
anyone could experience genuine and sustaining joy in light of all that
is happening in the world. My answer to the question of why I am always
happy has become, “Because God blesses us and takes care of us.”
Yes,
bad things happen. Yes…I sometimes have sadness and heartaches, just
like everyone else – even Jesus. But God is still with me…and He always
will be. No matter what, I will be saved in the end…and I choose to
focus on this rather than the darkness and despair that so many are
propagating.
Who do YOU trust? More importantly, who do others believe you trust? People are watching…are you showing them genuine faith in Jesus? Don’t you think you should be?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label doomsday living. Show all posts
Showing posts with label doomsday living. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for May 6, 2016
Luke 21:8-9
He said, “Watch out for the doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities claiming, ‘I’m the One,’ or, ‘The end is near.’ Don’t fall for any of that. When you hear of wars and uprisings, keep your head and don’t panic. This is routine history and no sign of the end.”
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I traveled with Timothy’s class to a goat farm today. Yes…a goat farm! We watched the farmer milk a goat and then make soap with the milk and other ingredients. We toured the milking room and saw babies, yearlings, and full-grown Nubian goats. We took a hayride and looked at beautiful cattle – including several newborn calves - grazing under a grove of trees. The children ran relays on stick horses and got to pet a beautiful horse named Mercedes.
We finished the morning with a picnic lunch. The fields were full of buttercups. Everything was crisp and green…the goats were adorable…the sky was deep blue, and there was lots of sunshine and a light breeze to keep things cool. It was what my mother used to call a “Chamber of Commerce Day!”
The dad of one of Timothy’s classmates rode over to the farm with me. He moved to our state from New Jersey, and he marveled at the foliage and the landscape as we traveled. He talked of living in a “concrete jungle” just a few miles from New York City, and how he was glad his children were growing up where nature was abundant. Everything about the farm was as new and exciting to him as it was to any of the 6-and-7-year-olds who visited.
After we returned from the trip, I purchased a couple dozen farm fresh eggs and several quarts of just-picked strawberries from local vendors. By the time I got home, I was tired from all of the fresh air, sunshine, and the day’s activities…but my heart was so full. God had shown me firsthand just how blessed I am.
I grew up around farm animals, riding my own horse, and eating freshly grown food from my grandparents’ garden. I have lived most of my 58+ years within 100 miles of my present location…and I have never lacked for greenery, changing seasons, or an abundance of wildlife. I looked around and realized just how blessed I am – and I was reminded how easy it is to become complacent – or negative…and to forget all of this!
My mother said over and over that there was nothing new about the wars and hatred of today. If you study history at all…or if you read your Bible…you will learn more about torture and strife than you could ever imagine. You will see that negativity, bullying, and abuses of all kinds are anything but new. You will also see that people have been saying that “the end is near” for centuries! We all know that Matthew 24:36 tells us…“But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven’s angels, not even the Son. Only the Father knows.” Yet many still want to try to predict what God is planning – and when!
Here’s the lesson for us…stop worrying about when Jesus will return – and start focusing on what God has given you! Count your blessings…open your eyes and recognize the opportunities and possibilities in your midst. Ask God what He wants you to do with each and every day…and then prepare to DO IT! Trust that God has amazing plans for you. Live with faith that Jesus will return at the right time…and meanwhile, He will handle ALL THINGS in your life. I do not mean to belittle war and dissention – or to disrespect those who fight for our country or any of our leaders who are working to bring about resolution and peace.
But let’s be honest…the most important thing that you and I can do to eliminate strife in our own life – and our own circle of influence – is to operate in God’s will and honor His blessings in our lives. Recognize a “good day” – and come to expect more of them. Show others what it means to live fully in God’s abundance…fearless about the future and a victor rather than a victim of negativity and disagreement. Don’t buy into the false message of those who would have you believe that everything is quite literally “going to hell in a hand basket.” God is still on the throne! He is still the King of Kings…large and in charge…calling the shots and blessing His people. And you are among them!
Who are you listening to these days? Do you see the hand of God upon your life? Do you trust Him? Have you counted your blessings lately? Isn’t it time you did?
©2016 Debbie Robus
He said, “Watch out for the doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities claiming, ‘I’m the One,’ or, ‘The end is near.’ Don’t fall for any of that. When you hear of wars and uprisings, keep your head and don’t panic. This is routine history and no sign of the end.”
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I traveled with Timothy’s class to a goat farm today. Yes…a goat farm! We watched the farmer milk a goat and then make soap with the milk and other ingredients. We toured the milking room and saw babies, yearlings, and full-grown Nubian goats. We took a hayride and looked at beautiful cattle – including several newborn calves - grazing under a grove of trees. The children ran relays on stick horses and got to pet a beautiful horse named Mercedes.
We finished the morning with a picnic lunch. The fields were full of buttercups. Everything was crisp and green…the goats were adorable…the sky was deep blue, and there was lots of sunshine and a light breeze to keep things cool. It was what my mother used to call a “Chamber of Commerce Day!”
The dad of one of Timothy’s classmates rode over to the farm with me. He moved to our state from New Jersey, and he marveled at the foliage and the landscape as we traveled. He talked of living in a “concrete jungle” just a few miles from New York City, and how he was glad his children were growing up where nature was abundant. Everything about the farm was as new and exciting to him as it was to any of the 6-and-7-year-olds who visited.
After we returned from the trip, I purchased a couple dozen farm fresh eggs and several quarts of just-picked strawberries from local vendors. By the time I got home, I was tired from all of the fresh air, sunshine, and the day’s activities…but my heart was so full. God had shown me firsthand just how blessed I am.
I grew up around farm animals, riding my own horse, and eating freshly grown food from my grandparents’ garden. I have lived most of my 58+ years within 100 miles of my present location…and I have never lacked for greenery, changing seasons, or an abundance of wildlife. I looked around and realized just how blessed I am – and I was reminded how easy it is to become complacent – or negative…and to forget all of this!
My mother said over and over that there was nothing new about the wars and hatred of today. If you study history at all…or if you read your Bible…you will learn more about torture and strife than you could ever imagine. You will see that negativity, bullying, and abuses of all kinds are anything but new. You will also see that people have been saying that “the end is near” for centuries! We all know that Matthew 24:36 tells us…“But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven’s angels, not even the Son. Only the Father knows.” Yet many still want to try to predict what God is planning – and when!
Here’s the lesson for us…stop worrying about when Jesus will return – and start focusing on what God has given you! Count your blessings…open your eyes and recognize the opportunities and possibilities in your midst. Ask God what He wants you to do with each and every day…and then prepare to DO IT! Trust that God has amazing plans for you. Live with faith that Jesus will return at the right time…and meanwhile, He will handle ALL THINGS in your life. I do not mean to belittle war and dissention – or to disrespect those who fight for our country or any of our leaders who are working to bring about resolution and peace.
But let’s be honest…the most important thing that you and I can do to eliminate strife in our own life – and our own circle of influence – is to operate in God’s will and honor His blessings in our lives. Recognize a “good day” – and come to expect more of them. Show others what it means to live fully in God’s abundance…fearless about the future and a victor rather than a victim of negativity and disagreement. Don’t buy into the false message of those who would have you believe that everything is quite literally “going to hell in a hand basket.” God is still on the throne! He is still the King of Kings…large and in charge…calling the shots and blessing His people. And you are among them!
Who are you listening to these days? Do you see the hand of God upon your life? Do you trust Him? Have you counted your blessings lately? Isn’t it time you did?
©2016 Debbie Robus
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