Bible League: Living His Word "When the Son of Man comes, it will be the same as what happened during Noah's time."— Matthew 24:37 ERV During my high school days, I used to run long distances on the track and road races. I enjoyed running the 1500 kilometers because we'd go three and a quarter laps around the track. While running (if you were not counting), you'd hear the bell ringing and the field judge saying, "Final lap!" Then the pace would drastically pick up. Those who want to win will outrun those who enjoy a slow pace! It is similar to the times the church is in, we are on the final lap of the coming of Jesus the Messiah! The believers are to be in tune with what the Holy Spirit is telling us regarding our eager waiting for the Messiah. Galatians 5:5 says, "But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us!" What a faithful runner we ought to be! Knowing that God is faithful and will reward all of the faithful runners (1 Corinthians 9:24). The church is running the last lap to win souls, to stand on righteousness, to remain holy and keep up with the deeds of faith in Christ until He returns. That is the difference between slow-paced runners and high-paced runners. Some are running for fitness while others run to win! Hebrews 12:1 encourages us to get rid of the sin that gets us tangled up, making us to run less effectively and lose the race. A person who is running a race ought to be light and fit with running gear and running shoes. When a believer is living a holy lifestyle, every obstacle of darkness is a walkover, the Holy Spirit empowers him to win any battle the enemy gives him. Today's verse warns everyone that when Jesus the Messiah, the Anointed One, comes back to take the His church, it will be similar to the days of Noah. Noah was a devout, godly man in a generation that was corrupt and violent. He became light in the dark world of sin; in the New Testament he is called a herald of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5; Genesis 6:9). The two questions that we are to ask and respond to are these. 1) How were the days of Noah? During Noah's time, sin increased (Genesis 6:1-6) and God was grieved by the corruption. 2) What should each one do before the advent of Christ? The answer is in 2 Peter 3:11, "Everything will be destroyed in this way. So, what kind of people should you be? Your lives should be holy and devoted to God." In those days, people disregarded God, and even Noah's warning about the flood. In our day, sin replicates to the degree of deadening the godly conscience in people. Hence morality and the fear of God no longer exist. Jesus informs us even after the Gospel is preached, some will remain hardened. That should not discourage us from ministering the salvation of Christ to all people. We are all called to be witnesses for Jesus so that we can account for what we have done since coming to Christ. Are you telling people about Jesus? Are you living a holy and righteous life to be an example to others? Judgment comes after grace has been offered. The Gospel shall be proclaimed then judgment will follow afterwards (Matthew 24:14). My beloved, choosing immoral life and wickedness leads to condemnation in the lake of fire. Choose Christ and live eternally! By Christopher Thetswe, Bible League International staff, South Africa Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingDeuteronomy 23, 24, 25 Deuteronomy 23 -- List of Those Excluded from the Assembly NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Deuteronomy 24 -- Law of Divorce, Leprosy, Justice and Charity NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Deuteronomy 25 -- Laws of Stripes, Oxen, Seed, Modesty, Weights and Measures NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Mark 14:51-72 Mark 14 -- Jesus Anointed; Last Supper; Gethsemane; Judas Betrays Jesus; Jesus before the Sanhedrin, disowned by Peter NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion With God's help we will do mighty things,for he will trample down our foes. Insight Do our prayers end with requests for help to make it through stressful situations? David prayed not merely for rescue, but for victory. With God's help we can claim more than mere survival—we can claim victory! Challenge Look for ways God can use your distress as an opportunity to show his mighty power. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Psalm 39:1 I will take heed to my ways.Fellow-pilgrim, say not in your heart, "I will go hither and thither, and I shall not sin;" for you are never so out of danger of sinning as to boast of security. The road is very miry, it will be hard to pick your path so as not to soil your garments. This is a world of pitch; you will need to watch often, if in handling it you are to keep your hands clean. There is a robber at every turn of the road to rob you of your jewels; there is a temptation in every mercy; there is a snare in every joy; and if you ever reach heaven, it will be a miracle of divine grace to be ascribed entirely to your Father's power. Be on your guard. When a man carries a bomb-shell in his hand, he should mind that he does not go near a candle; and you too must take care that you enter not into temptation. Even your common actions are edged tools; you must mind how you handle them. There is nothing in this world to foster a Christian's piety, but everything to destroy it. How anxious should you be to look up to God, that he may keep you! Your prayer should be, "Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe." Having prayed, you must also watch; guarding every thought, word, and action, with holy jealousy. Do not expose yourselves unnecessarily; but if called to exposure, if you are bidden to go where the darts are flying, never venture forth without your shield; for if once the devil finds you without your buckler, he will rejoice that his hour of triumph is come, and will soon make you fall down wounded by his arrows. Though slain you cannot be; wounded you may be. "Be sober; be vigilant, danger may be in an hour when all seemeth securest to thee." Therefore, take heed to thy ways, and watch unto prayer. No man ever fell into error through being too watchful. May the Holy Spirit guide us in all our ways; so shall they always please the Lord. Daily Light on the Daily Path John 6:63 "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.James 1:18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures. 2 Corinthians 3:6 who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, • so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, • that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. Psalm 119:9,10,11,16,42,72,93,103,104 How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. • With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. • Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You. • I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word. Gimel. • So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in Your word. • The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of gold and silver pieces. Yodh. • I will never forget Your precepts, For by them You have revived me. • I am Yours, save me; For I have sought Your precepts. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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