Today’s Scripture: Mark 13:33, NKJV- “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.”
Will we be found faithful? If the return of Jesus happened this very moment, where will you be found? We must be careful how we spend our time. I am guilty of putting the cares of this world and my life ahead of the urgency of Jesus. We must stay alert to our calling and the return of Jesus.
Reading forward and backwards through Mark 13 and 14 this morning I am amazed at God’s timing. I was encouraged, once again, that I can be doing more for Jesus and His people. But as Jesus told Peter, James, and John on His last night in the garden of Gethsemane in Mark 14:38, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (NIV)
As I read backwards from this starting point in my morning readings, the message from Jesus is clear. We are to stay alert and always be on watch for His return. None of us know the hour as Jesus told His disciples in Mark 13:32-33, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.” (NIV)
Many generations have seen signs of the last days as Mark 13:7-8 describes them. “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.” (NIV)
Jesus told us to watch out and not be deceived. The demands of this life are deceiving. We must always be alert to Jesus’ warning in John 10:10 that “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” If we want a full life, we must stay alert and on watch to live the life Jesus has given to us.
Are we at the beginning of Jesus’ return? I have no clue. I only know I do want to be found faithful on that day. Faithful to the calling God has given me. Will You be found faithful to the calling He has given You? At least a half a dozen times in Mark 13 and 14 we are instructed to be on guard and to be on the look out as we pray with Jesus.
We must be sure to pour out all we have for the good of Jesus and His people. As the woman mentioned in Mark 14:3, we can break open and pour out the beautiful things we each have in our possession to honor Jesus and prepare for His way. Some may hate what we do and tell us we are wasting what time we have. However,
We can preach the gospel, the Good News of Jesus, throughout the world or we can be found living for shallow and temporary things. We can live in the tyranny or the urgent or we can choose to live for the glory of God and helping all others come to know the love and purposes of God.
Where will you be found?
Today’s Prayer: Lord Jesus, guide us and prepare us with Your Spirit. Help us to stay alert and on watch for You. Help us to stay focused on sharing Your gospel and sharing Your love to this world. Help us to live from Your Spirit so we are found faithful. Help us to endure to the end so we will be saved. In Your name, Lord Jesus do I pray. Amen.
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