by David Brenneman
“Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left. Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will." Matthew 24:32-44.
I read these words this morning right after reading in Isaiah, interestingly enough, also talking about prophecies of the last days.
We all get hyped when someone we haven't seen in a while says they're stopping by. We all get excited when an unexpected event happens that's more than we thought possible really did happen and brings us great joy. At home we probably go on a cleaning streak in record time before these special people show up. Maybe try to arrange a special dinner or snacks n coffee or tea.
Our excitement at the return of Jesus Christ for us, those who have placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation, should rank up there with those sentiments.
But why doesn't it?
Why does several hours in a novel not bother us a bit but reading a chapter or book in our Bibles seems dreary?
Why is it oh so easy to change plans at the last minute to go to a game but more often than not we struggle to go to Church on a Sunday morning for the same amount of time?
Why is it tithing seems so incredibly difficult yet we can plunk down $20 or more at a restaurant just because someone suggested that it's a good idea?
Why aren't we respecting the Word of God more than we do? In Malachi you read of the beginnings of the mess Jesus dealt with in His ministry. The beginning of the Pharisees and Sadducees. People who in that book were called out by Jesus for their apathy and disrespect for Him. People who were only showing outward signs of following the Lord but inside they had forgotten all about what following God was all about.
Look in the mirror...Malachi is today's world too. We can easily show the same signs in our lives.
Getting more excited over a football game and team than we do about Jesus working in the lives of people or of His pending return.
Getting more excited about people or vacations than spending time with Jesus on a personal level.
Showing great disregard for tithing. But making sure we have a nicer than needed car or a big screen television. Making sure we spend hours getting clothing or hair styles and nails done but neglecting a life in Christ that we're to be living.
Neglecting, forgetting, that our Savior and Lord is GOING to keep His promise and come back to take us home.
As a child I used to spend many weekends at my Grandparents house. I would know what was coming and get all packed to go with great anticipation. Waiting for my Pappy Brenneman to come around the corner to our house to pick me up. There was once a time when I gathered now that he had a rough day and forgot me. I was waiting and waiting. Looking both ways up and down the street. I learned later that my Mom called out and asked if he'd forgotten.
Do you have your priorities in order?
Are you holding back, from what God gave you, for you and haven't shown respect enough to God to tithe? Have you disrespected Jesus enough to neglect Him in your daily life? No excitement that you're about to enter His Throne Room in prayer?
Someone once said that you make time for whatever you think is important to you.
If you aren't, then my Dear Reader, you don't think that much of your salvation in Christ Jesus. The Author and the Perfector of your faith. The One who lived a perfect life and went through horrors unimagined to die in your place on a cross. Who endured the agony of death for all mankind including you and arose again 3 days later victorious over sin, death and the grave.
Are you thinking differently yet?
Are you looking around at your possessions and see just what took the joys that really belonged to God?
Are you beginning to rethink just how you're going to appear to be should this very hour or day be when He returns?
What good are personal successes that have nothing to do with being who you were meant to be in Christ?
What good are experiences you crave that will do nothing towards growing in Christ?
"I deserve..." is the beginning of leaving Jesus behind and lowering His worth in your life.
When will you really give Jesus what He deserves? Honor, respect, love, joy and all the rest?
Don't think you're really appeasing your conscience by tithing very little yet spending much on yourself.
"Someone in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” But He said to him, “Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?” Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive. And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.” ’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’ So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:13-21.
There's no premeditation in my writings each day unless God starts a kernel of a post a day earlier. So if any post makes your toes hurt from being stepped on...good.
Are you really giving Jesus the honor and respect He deserves from you?
Are you really looking forward to the day He comes back for you?
Is there anything you're doing in life that isn't truly honoring God?
It has to have been the work of the Spirit of God in me when I had the notion of reading the same passages in several Study Bibles at the beginning of January. Then it was like the Spirit pushed me farther to go from the idea of 2 to 4.
It's been amazing! I never learned how to study and had been praying on how to. Then this happened.
I am excited about the return of Jesus Christ for me and all who believe. I want my life to be found by Him at His return ready for to be with Jesus.
Do you? Are you thinking differently about what your real priorities are rather than what you tell yourself and others that it is?
"For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will." - Jesus
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
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