Sometimes, it is just hard plain and simple in our spiritual journey. You read scripture and pray daily, and nothing seems to be happening. Honestly, that is how I have been feeling the last few days. I suspect part of it has been certain major life events but there seems to be more going on that I just don’t understand. So as I sit here alone on this October morning I wonder if today is the day that this all becomes clearer. All I know about my life is that the only thing that brings me pure joy and peace is talking about Jesus. Nothing else comes close.
Devastating News Can Happen At Anytime
As we go through our lives we have something nagging at us that we know we should do but never seem to have “time” for and then when we do find the “time” there is devasting news. That happened to me yesterday and this is not being shared for anyone to feel sorry for me. Because there is no need for that stuff. The woman has a terminal illness and they don’t give her much time. She was the love of my late father’s life, and I am grateful beyond words. Sure when I was told about it I “beat” myself over it as to why I hadn’t reached out sooner. Then again I was letting my personal emotional feelings stand in the way of what I know is true.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
(Ecclesiastes 3:1, NIV)
In verses 2-8, King Solomon presents multiple pairs of juxtaposing seasons. For instance:
“a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,”
(Ecclesiastes 3:4, NIV)
We will ever speak again? I have no idea. Will she spend eternity with Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for that one I have no doubt.
So if you find yourself in a similar situation reach out because that very well may be God working in both of your lives which I know this to be true.
Thief In The Night Are You Ready?
Many believers through the years have heard the quoted scripture from 1 Thessalonians 5 : 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. Sounds simple and somewhat tripe but it’s not because that is not all of what 1 Thessalonians has to say.
However, when we go back to 1 Thessalonians 4 we find further guidance in verses 4-11.
Live to Please God
4 Finally, dear brothers and sisters,[a] we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more. 2 For you remember what we taught you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
3 God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. 4 Then each of you will control his own body[b] and live in holiness and honor— 5 not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways. 6 Never harm or cheat a fellow believer in this matter by violating his wife,[c] for the Lord avenges all such sins, as we have solemnly warned you before. 7 God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives. 8 Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
9 But we don’t need to write to you about the importance of loving each other,[d] for God himself has taught you to love one another. 10 Indeed, you already show your love for all the believers[e] throughout Macedonia. Even so, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you to love them even more.
11 Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. 12 Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.
So he will come back like a thief in the night the question is are you following the words of chapter 4 or not?
Be Careful Then Dear Brothers and Sisters
For believers, this part of scripture can be found in Hebrews Chapter 3 verse 12. Which reads: Be careful then dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from living God. So when reading that you might be feeling overwhelmed and sometimes it can feel like that. It seems like there is no way you could ever accomplish such a lofty goal. The reality as sinners none of us can no matter how hard we try.
However, when we go on to verse 13 we do find hope.
You must warn each other every day, while it is still today so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. The key part of this part of scripture are the words ” warn each other every day” Not just on Sundays or some other random day but each day.
So we believers need each other every day to help remind us that we are never alone in our faith journey. So have you helped someone today in their journey against sin?
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