Living a "Normal" Life in the Last Days

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In these tumultuous days, I speak to many of my friends, and they believe we are in the last days of this earth as we know it, that Jesus Christ is coming soon.  I agree with that;  and, I also note that the Christians of the New Testament thought Jesus was coming very, very soon, possibly in their time.  This is true for Christians of many generations that have lived through hard times, for we long to be with our Lord -- rightly so.

The passage of scripture I have in mind today is one about how we live when  we are expecting Jesus to come soon.  In fact, I think of the scriptures that say things in the end times will be like the days of Noah.  Men and women will be given in marriage, children will be born, commerce will exist.  Life on this earth has not stopped just because we think we are seeing the signs of the times.  We don't stop going to work, cleaning house, having celebrations, or washing the dishes.  We still live.

The passage I have been focusing on this day is in 1 Corinthians 7.  It struck me in a profound way today, because I have thought about this very thing many times.  Must we do things because we live in the world?  Yes.  We must do the needed things.  We may rejoice in all things;  however, the realization the life on this earth is temporal is very real.  We are not to be wrapped up in it, so that this is all we think about.  We are to be able to let go with grace and happiness that the importance of life is living in Christ and looking for His coming.  Glory be to God!

But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none, those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess, and those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away.  1 Corinthians 7:29-31 (NKJV)

What Time Do We Live In?

A certain verse has been going through my mind, because of the happenings around the world. Luke 21:25-26  “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;  men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken."   It is a good Bible verse for any age of persecution, but could we be in the days of final persecutions and Jesus Christ's return?   Whether you believe a pre-tribulation rapture, a mid-tribulation rapture, or a post-tribulation rapture, it certainly seems we could be in the times that  Jesus said would come.   It's hard to imagine living on the continent of North America;  however, I think we should consider these things, and where we stand with Jesus Christ.   Jesus did speak of the last days, and even though man has thought, we could be there in the past;  perhaps, those days are here.  If you know Christ as your Savior, there is no need to fear.  Live for Him:  do not be like the foolish virgins who were not ready for the bridegroom.  Have your oil and your lamps ready.  You see, the door closed against the foolish virgins, because they were not ready.  Live for Him now.  Do not say, " I will do it later."  Later may be too late.

I want to add one more thing, something I had not noticed before in Luke 21.  It says not to meditate on the words that you will say, when brought before kings and rulers for testimony.  In other words, you do not have to memorize a speech beforehand, because Jesus will give you the words to say if this should ever happen to you.  This is what Jesus said, "for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.  (Luke 21:15)"   What comfort to know that God is with us!  It also says in Romans 8, that nothing can separate us from His love.  

You see there are two sharply divided sides:  you are either for Him or against Him.  If you are sitting on the wall, then I do not want to think about the suffering you will endure.  There is only one place I want to end up, even though I still struggle with this flesh I live in.  I want to be at the feet of Jesus.  I want to be with God, to be His child Forever.  Do you?  Do you have confidence you are His?  If you don't, you need to be or you are not going to be safe for eternity.  You may say, "But, I want to be safe now."  You have to choose:  safety now or safe for eternity.  

Personally, I want to know where I will be when I die.  I know that even though Fear and the Enemy should try to overtake me, I belong to Jesus.  I am His.  That is what I want to know.  That is where I stand.

Verses taken from the New King James Version

Whispers from God

Sometimes I am afraid I do not love enough.

You love more than almost anyone I have seen. 

You have a source of unending love, Me.

Sometimes, when you love, you are not going to be loved back,

 or you will be hurt, but don't let it keep you from loving other people.

Thank you, Lord, for helping me to see I should not be afraid to love.

The Light of God's love is covering the dark gray sin in the background.

God's love covers all.  His love covers the sin in my life.  

His love can cover the sin in yours too, because Jesus paid it all when He died on the cross.  He was the sacrifice for all our sins.  

He arose from the dead on the third day, and he is in heaven with Father-God:  and, He will be coming back for those who believe and follow Him.

Easter Greetings on Easter Afternoon 2014

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