Birth Pains

Continuing our discussion from yesterday, many of the signs we see are just the beginning. Many destructive events will take place. As unfortunate as it is, many people will die because of human greed, selfishness, and pride.

We are not to be deceived by those who cry wolf nor those who claim to be speaking on behalf of God, but not speaking truth. There will people who make false claims. Unfortunately, there will be people who fall prey to them, believing those claims are true.

Jesus clearly states these destructive events are the beginning of birth pains. He lists wars, rumors of wars, nation against nation, famines, and earthquakes. True, we have seen them all. True, they are still happening. And true, they are the beginning. But the beginning is still the beginning.

Is the end of time imminent? Yes. Yet despite the claims of false teachers, no one knows when that will happen. Should we be prepared at all times? Yes. Our own end may come at any time. We may be taken from this world and meet God face-to-face at any moment. But that does not mean the end of time for this world has come.

Some may even think it is gruesome or morbid to think of our life coming to an end. It is neither. It is reality. It is moving into the next phase of life. It is either going to be with God in heaven or going to hades to await the final judgment. It is a reality we don’t want to contemplate. It is one we will all deal with, whether we procrastinate until it is too late or not.

I pray we all contemplate our lives and our decisions. I pray we understand the reality of our situation. I pray each one of us seeks the truth and refuse to listen to false claims. Read God’s Word. Hear Jesus speak truth. Refuse false teachers. Be prepared. Make the right decision.

Matthew 24:4-8 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.”

It Is Not For You To Know

Have you heard the rhetoric the end times are here? Do you wonder if the world is coming to an end? Are you worried the rumors may be true? Would you like to have peace of mind? Do you know there is no intention for you to know?

It is likely we have all seen on social media or heard people talking about the end times. The events that have taken place over the past couple years have prompted many false rumors to spring up. These rumors have caused many to become anxious and worry.

There is no need to worry about the end times. Especially if you are in Christ. There is no need to be anxious about things coming to an end, for the end of this world is the beginning a new, wondrous world of eternity without evil, living in the presence of God. Quite honestly, that is something to look forward to with anticipation.

But even if we don’t fully understand how wonderful the new heaven and new earth will be, we still are not to attempt to know when the end will come. In today’s passage, Jesus tells His Apostle’s the restoration of the earth to what God originally intended is not for them to know. If He would not, or could not, tell His Apostle’s when it would come, we cannot expect to know either.

God the Father has set the timetable. Only He knows when it will all come about. All we can do is continue to follow Jesus, continue to do the work He has set before us, continue to live the lives we have. God has a plan and we do not know everything that is to happen. Think about it for just a moment. We don’t even know what will happen tomorrow. We don’t know what is happening at every moment in our own town. Why do we need to know? We don’t. We want to know because we are curious, and we want to feel in control. When we relieve ourselves of those desires, we will find an ultimate peace in knowing God is in control.

I pray we all let go of our desire to know the future with certainty. I pray we let go of our desire to be in control. I pray each one of us trusts that God is in control and find the peace we desire. Do not be anxious. Do not worry. Know that God is in control. Trust God. Follow Jesus. Seek His guidance for your life. Follow the path He has laid out for you.

Acts 1:7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.”

It’s All About Jesus

What is your understanding of the Bible? Do you know what it is about? Do you know who it is about? Have you ever thought the Bible is a saga across thousands of years telling the story of God and His desire to save each of us?

When we first start to learn about God and read the Bible, it appears to be overwhelming. We read stories of events that took place thousands of years ago and wonder how they apply to us. We may not even like history.

But what if the Bible was really one story? Guess what! It is! Sure, there are a lot of twists and turns along the way. But no more than any good mystery or fantasy novel has. The other thing about the Bible is this, the more you read it, the better you understand it. Each time you read it; you discover something you missed when you read it before.

Here is the cliff notes version of the Bible. God created everything. Everything in the Bible is ultimately about Jesus. Jesus is God. God wants each of us to be with Him for eternity. He has provided us with the information we need to choose to be with Him.

Now that we know the short version of the Bible, we can read it with a new perspective. When we read about Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt, the purpose was to bring about the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. When we read about King David and his struggles, we know he survived being hunted by his enemies so that Jesus could be born in Bethlehem.

When we read about Mary being visited by Gabriel with his angelic message, we know it was to foretell Jesus’ birth. When we read of Jesus’ teaching, we know He was providing us instruction to be with Him. When we read of Him going to the cross, we know it was to provide us a way to Him. The Bible is the story of God’s love for us and His desire to bring us all back to Him.

I pray we all spend time reading our Bible. I pray we read it with the perspective that it is all about Jesus. I pray each one of us decide to draw closer to God through His Word. Know the story of the Bible. Spend time reading your Bible. Know that it is all about Jesus. Know that God’s Word shows His love for you.

Luke 24:44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

Seek Understanding

Have you experienced doubts about the Scripture? Do you need someone who can help explain it to you? Have you asked someone to help you understand? Do you know someone you can trust to explain it well?

Scripture can be challenging to understand when you first start reading it. It can appear to be fragmented, cryptic, and confusing. Yet, a little explanation is all it takes to get you started down the path of understanding.

The Bible is a thick book. Some of us have never read a book with that many pages nor that many stories in it. Hebrew poems, once translated into English, won’t rhyme like we think poems should. Prophecy can be difficult to piece together when it is scattered in different books within the Bible. Thankfully, there is help available.

First, there are good people in our churches who have spent years studying the Bible. Not only have they read it multiple times, sat through multiple Bible studies, but they also read scholarly commentaries. Most of them are more than willing to sit with us to answer our questions, helping us understand the message being presented.

Speaking of commentaries, we can read them for ourselves. However, they also can be a bit challenging for a beginner to understand. But there are numerous Christian authors and a plethora of books available. The one caution is this, go to someone in your church you trust to ask who they recommend. Not all authors are trustworthy.

We may even have an experience like the two men on their way to Emmaus. Though we may not have Jesus walk alongside us to explain the Scripture, the Holy Spirit is always with us and will help us understand if we will only ask. We will feel the same burning inside. We will experience the thrill of understanding. Excitement will fill us as we grow in knowledge.

I pray we all choose to spend more time reading our Bible. I pray we ask someone we trust to help us understand. I pray each one of us will seek knowledge and understanding of Scripture. Desire to understand Scripture. Reach out to someone you trust. Participate in Bible classes. Read Christian authors. Ask questions. Ask the Holy Spirit to help.

He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

The Thomas Reaction

What is your reaction to Jesus? Do you react at all? Do you still wrestle with doubts about Him? Have you allowed your doubts to keep you away from Him? Have you chosen to know more about Him or walk away from Him?

Each person reacts differently to Jesus. Yet, there are only two general possibilities for us. We either accept Him as Lord and Savior or we reject His authority. Jesus doesn’t leave us any other options. But that doesn’t mean we may not waffle between the two at times.

Thomas had followed Jesus for three years listening to His teachings, seeing the miracles He performed, and ate many meals with Him. Thomas had heard Jesus declare that He would die but would rise again on the third day. Yet, he wouldn’t believe He had done just that until he saw Jesus himself.

We often give Thomas a hard time. Yet Peter and John did not believe the report the women brought to them, and they ran to the tomb to verify it was empty. How would we react to hearing someone we loved had risen from the dead? Probably much like everyone else did initially. Even the women were asking where they had moved His body.

When we do accept Him as Lord and Savior, fully accept Him, what will our reaction be? Will we react like Thomas? See how he reacted in today’s passage. He exclaimed in awe and wonder that Jesus was Lord and God. It wasn’t just the words Thomas spoke but the emphasis he put into them. He put his whole heart into his exclamation. He likely fell to his knees, looked up into Jesus’ eyes, and had several emotions running through him all at once, including amazement, joy, fear, wonder, and hope.

I pray we all react to Jesus in the same way Thomas did. I pray we fall to our knees and proclaim Jesus as Lord and God. I pray each one of us seek to know Him with both our hearts and our heads. Accept Jesus as Lord and God. Accept Him as Savior. Be in awe and wonder. Give Him your whole heart. Seek to know Him fully.

John 20: 26-28 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Christ is Risen!

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Yes, Jesus rose on that long ago Easter morning. He conquered death. He rose to visit with the women and His disciples before He ascended to heaven. All were astonished, even though He had told them this would happen.

God works in amazing ways. He sends angels to carry out some tasks for Him. For instance, an angel rolled the stone away so the tomb could be seen as being empty. Did the stone need to be rolled away for Jesus to leave the tomb? No. It was rolled away so we, mankind, would know He was no longer there.

For those who saw the empty tomb after having witnessed His gruesome death, I’m sure there was disbelief. In fact, the women asked the gardener where he had taken Him. But the excitement soon came as Jesus talked with the women. They ran off to tell His Apostles.

We are told that Peter and John, specifically, ran to the tomb to verify the women’s story. They, too, were astonished. But it wasn’t long until Jesus appeared to them, as well. They soon were rejoicing that He lived. Of course, who can forget “doubting” Thomas. We give him a hard time, but Peter and John also ran to the tomb so they could see for themselves. Thomas merely did the same thing we would do. After all, how many things are we told and won’t believe until we see for ourselves? Especially if it is something that is extraordinary.

I pray we all believe Jesus rose from the dead. I pray we accept His wonderful grace and mercy. I pray each one of us celebrate this Easter glorifying God for giving us a perfect Savior. Rejoice in the Lord. Give God thanks. Know that Christ has risen. Put your faith in Him. Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Matthew 28:2-4 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

Promised Resurrection

Do you ever wonder if the resurrection is real? Have you thought how it is contrary to our human understanding of life and death? Does your questioning the resurrection affect your faith in Jesus Christ? Would you like to be confident in the resurrection?

Bodily resurrection seems odd to us. It doesn’t appear to be normal. Quite frankly, it isn’t normal. It is a supernatural act of God. It is a promise of God’s that will happen when time comes to an end.

There are eyewitness accounts of resurrection. Not only was Jesus seen by hundreds of people after He was resurrected, but there were many others who resurrected. Take a look at today’s passage. Matthew records that many holy people were resurrected and walked through the streets of Jerusalem. We don’t often hear sermons or lessons on this passage. I suspect it is because we, as humans, can’t quite grasp how resurrection will happen.

We hear lots of questions about resurrection. Will we have the same body? What about the person whose body was destroyed by fire? What if the person was lost at sea? We want to be able to explain every step of the process with scientific explanations. We desire to understand.

Though we may not understand how resurrection will work, we can be confident it will happen. Though we may not have our questions answered, we can rest assured God is in control and it will be wonderful. He has proven over and over that He will fulfill His promises. Resurrection is another promise He will fulfill at the time He has appointed.

I pray we all leave our questions about resurrection at God’s feet. I pray we trust Him to fulfill His promises. I pray each one of us put our faith in Jesus Christ and look forward to the resurrection. Trust God’s promises. Put your faith in Jesus. Know that resurrection will be perfect. Look forward to spending eternity with God.

Matthew 27:51-53 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

Abandoned

Do you sometimes wonder if you are loved? Have you felt broken and empty? Have you done something you know is wrong and thinking you will never be forgiven? Have you heard the word of Jesus?

This world can be filled with difficulties. We may feel abandoned at times. Those we thought cared for us may turn their back on us. It may seem as though our very breath is being taken away from us.

Though we may feel unloved, there is One who loves us regardless of the situation. He knows what it is to live in this broken world. He knows how it feels to be opposed by the authorities. He knows what it is like to have people accuse Him falsely. He has taken the punishment for both His accusers and those who loved Him.

Jesus has been through the heartache of being abandoned. In fact, He has experienced it far deeper than any of us can imagine. The Father turned his back on Jesus as He went to the cross. Yet, Jesus asked the Father to forgive, not only those who were there, but us as well. He fully understood they were ignorant of what they were doing.

What does this mean for us? Jesus knew we would make some of those same mistakes. He knew we would fail at times. He still asked that we be forgiven. He loves each one of us enough to forgive us if we will only ask.

I pray we all turn to Jesus for forgiveness. I pray we understand that we are loved more than we know. I pray each one of us will ask for the forgiveness we need and accept His love. Know that you are loved. Know that Jesus took your punishment. Ask for forgiveness.

Luke 23:32-34 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Sleeping Again?

Have you ever been in a tough spot? Have you had friends who said they would be with you every step of the way? Have you been frustrated or disappointed when they didn’t do what needed to be done to support you?

Live long enough and we find ourselves in a tough spot. There will be a time when we need the support of close friends and family. It can be very frustrating when they fail to support us. We feel abandoned, all alone on an island, facing our struggles by ourselves.

It can also be extremely disappointing. In fact, the disappoint can be so deep that it causes depression to set in. Our souls can experience deep sorrow. We can begin to think there is no one in the world who cares about us. The spiral downward can continue a long way down.

Perhaps that is how Jesus felt in the Garden of Gethsemane when He went to pray on the night He was betrayed. His disciples were with Him. He chose three of them to go a little further with Him. He then told them to stay put and keep watch while He went just a few steps deeper into the garden to pray. He prays for a while and comes back to find them sleeping.

Imagine how Jesus felt when He found them sleeping each time He returned to them. How would you feel? He had told them to keep watch. He knew He was about to be betrayed. He likely wanted His disciples to sound the alarm when the soldiers came. Instead, it is He who must tell them the time had come.

I believe He is still frustrated and disappointed when we do not spend time with Him. We go to sleep. We chase foolish objectives. We fail to keep watch with Him. We let our guard down and fall prey to Satan’s schemes. We may not even care enough to better understand and follow His commands for a better life.

I pray we all commit to spending quality time with Jesus. I pray we seek to understand His commands. I pray each one of us keep watch over our lives along with Jesus. Commit to Jesus. Commit to spend more time with Him. Commit to understand His commands. Commit to follow His commands. Dedicate yourself to a better life in Jesus.

Mark 14:37-38 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Messenger from God

How accepting are you? Are you willing to accept other people into your life? Are you willing to accept a message from someone you don’t know? Someone you do know? Have you thought the person may be sent by God?

We have heard that God works in mysterious ways. Unfortunately, we often only say that when looking back at a strange occurrence. It is then that we see how God did something unexpected or sent someone to us we did not expect.

How can we recognize someone is sent to us by God? The simple answer is to be in constant communication with God. But it is a little more complicated than that. We may be continually meeting new people. Our jobs may require us to talk with a variety of people every day. It can be easy to miss a message from God.

To recognize the person was sent by God, we need to reflect on the encounter. What did the person do? What did the person say? They may have been sent to intervene on our behalf at just the right moment. They may have given us an encouraging message at just the right time.

Paying attention to the people we meet, the things they say, and determining if they were sent by God requires us to be attentive. Jesus says when we accept the person He sends, we accept Him. Accepting Jesus is more than being baptized and repeating words of acceptance. It is also being attentive, being on the lookout for messages He provides throughout our lives.

Accepting the person He sends is not just accepting Jesus, it is also accepting God, the Father. Why does God send people to us? He does it out of love. He knows what we need when we need it. He knows when we need to be given a word of encouragement, a bit of advice, a nudge in a different direction, or we are ready for a new ministry.

I pray we all are in constant communication with God. I pray we recognize when He sends someone to us. I pray each one of us are willing to hear the message God is sending our way. Be in prayer. Be in constant communication with God. Keep your eyes and ears open. Be willing to hear God’s message. Be willing to follow God’s guidance. Accept Him. Accept His messenger.

John 13:20 “Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”