I am reflecting on the end of times, when things seem to be going from bad to worse. That will be a time when many will lose hope, and wonder where God is, and why He is taking so long. A scene from the Lord of the Rings movie (The Two Towers) came to mind….
Fasten your seatbelts
SCRIPTURE: Mark 13:14-23 Jesus refers to the prophecy of Daniel (Daniel 9:27, 11:31, 12:11) when talking about the coming crisis. For Jews, this ‘abomination’ would be the worship and sacrifice of foreign gods in their temple. ** In 167 BC Antiochus IV Epiphanes made an altar to Zeus in the temple and sacrificed swine on it; Caligula c. 40…
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Why it’s taking so long
SCRIPTURE: Mark 13:9-13 It’s been almost 2000 years since Jesus came and restored God’s kingdom? Why does the world seem so much like hell still? Here Jesus suggests some reasons for His delay: — so that we can witness to governors and kings on account of Jesus — so that the kingdom message of Jesus (good news/gospel)…
Actions louder than words?
The things that impress God!
SCRIPTURE: Mark 13:1-8 On September 11, 2001, I thought of this passage: “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” I am not saying that this was God’s judgment against the U.S., or the people in the towers. But those…
Praying the victim’s prayer
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 59 Think about slave songs (‘negro spirituals’), and you get a sense of this Psalm. They had no protection, no hope (humanly speaking), and endured unspeakable horror. Their only hope was escape from this life: ‘swing low, sweet chariot, gonna come and bring me home!’ David prays for protection (“refuge”) and justice (“show no…
This Sunday: Pray for Persecuted Church
Who is whispering in your ear?
SCRIPTURE: 2 Chronicles 21-28 Joash did well as long as he listened to the right voices (2 Chronicles 24:1-2; 17). Which voices am I listening to, who is whispering in my ear? The direction of my life will depend on the choices I make, the voices I heed. What do you sense the Lord saying to you? PRAYER Lord,…
What does my giving reveal about me?
SCRIPTURE: Mark 12:41-44 What is the spirit behind my giving or sharing or generosity? As Jesus watches me, what does He observe about me, about my priorities and values. This widow would have been unknown to history, had it not been for Jesus noticing. It’s usually the big donors that get recognized, that get buildings named…