But Watch Yourselves

“And he told them a parable: ‘Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

 

“’But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.’” (Luke 21:29-36 ESV)

 

We live in a day and time presently much like what was described for us in the Scriptures with regard to the last days before the return of Christ. And it appears to be getting much worse by the day. So, if we are at all observant about what is going on in the world and all around us and even within the gatherings of what are called “churches,” at least here in America, we should be able to see the signs of the times happening right before our eyes.

 

But there is a warning here for us lest we get caught off guard unaware of what is happening all around us and lest we are also unaware of its influence on our lives and that we may be deceived. For many professers of faith in Jesus Christ are deceived, and they are living in a dream world completely unaware of their surroundings and of what is really happening, much of it behind the scenes, but the evidence of which can be seen, if we will see.

 

But deception abounds today in the government, in the media, in the news, on social media, on the internet, on TV, on the radio, in movies, in TV shows, in advertisements, in social media memes, in “Christian” song lyrics, and in preachers’ sermons (talks), and in how “churches” are being formed and run these days, etc. Lies are everywhere. Anything can be faked, and much is. And anything can be doctored and altered, and much is, too.

 

So, we cannot take people and anything we hear or read or think we see at face value and believe them just because what we see or hear looks or sounds real. This is a time like none other in our history where we must absolutely test everything and everyone against the Scriptures (in context – critical) and in prayer to make certain that what we are hearing, reading, and seeing is real and that we are not being “taken for a ride,” so to speak.

 

For so many professing Christians are so easily believing the lies and thus they are indeed being weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the cares of this life. And many are trapped in sexual idolatry and immorality and in lying and cheating and in taking advantage of others. And so many of them are so worldly to the point to where it is now barely distinguishable between the church and the world, for they look the same pretty much.

 

So we need to be people of discernment who test everything and everyone and who are listening to the Lord and who are students of the Scriptures who study them in their context. And we need to be those who are following the Lord Jesus in daily surrender to his will and in obedience to his commands in holy living and who are not living for self and for self-pleasure. In other words, we need to be spiritually awake and ready for our Lord’s return because we are remaining steadfast in faith and in practice in Him.

 

[Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 1:12-13; John 6:44; Romans 2:6-8; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10,19-20; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; 2 Corinthians 5:10,15,21; Galatians 5:16-21; Galatians 6:7-8; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Colossians 1:21-23; Colossians 3:1-11; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 10:23-31; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Jn 1:5-10; 1 Jn 2:3-6; 1 Jn 3:4-10]  

 

For Our Nation  

 

An Original Work / September 11, 2012

 

Bombs are bursting. Night is falling.

Jesus Christ is gently calling

You to follow Him in all ways.

Trust Him with your life today.

Make Him your Lord and your Savior.

Turn from your sin. Follow Jesus.

He will forgive you of your sin;

Cleanse your heart, made new within.

 

Men betraying: Our trust fraying.

On our knees to God we’re praying,

Seeking God to give us answers

That are only found in Him.

God is sovereign over all things.

Nothing from His mind escaping.

He has all things under His command,

And will work all for good.

 

Jesus Christ is gently calling

You to follow Him in all ways.

 

Men deceiving: We’re believing

In our Lord, and interceding

For our nation and its people

To obey their God today.

He is our hope for our future.

For our wounds He offers suture.

He is all we need for this life.

Trust Him with your life today.

 

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