Refresh

"God loves each one of us as though there were only one of us to love." St. Augustine.

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JESUS' MINISTRY IN JERUSALEM

Mark 13:28-31

The Parable of the Fig Tree

28 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near—at the doors! 30 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

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Last Thursday, TGN mentioned that God and His Word provide the only stability in our unstable world.  So why is it so hard for us to depend on this stability; to believe in this stability; to trust this stability?

In the above verses, Jesus is continuing to tell His disciples, and us that there will be telling signs that tell of His time approaching.  And as we have discussed before, it's not as important to know when this time is nearing, as it is to be assured that we're ready for this time.  And how can we be assured?  Simply by living this life with God, each second, every day, for as long as we live.  It would be shortsighted of any of us to think that we have it all together, because we don't.  Each day, we should be developing, correcting, enhancing, increasing, and using all that we are to serve God and others.  And not only serving the people we choose to serve, but each and every person we encounter should receive from the Spirit that lives within us.

I was reading the Psalms of David (139 and 69) today, and wanted to share the renewed discovery of who God is.  He is a God who searches us.  He knows us and EVERY little thing we do.  God is fully aware and understands our thoughts, actions and lack thereof.  God is familiar with all of our ways.  God knows the words we're going to say before they are even formed.  God is our edge - He has us surrounded on every side.  God has laid His hand upon us.  God's works are wonderful, and we're each included in His works; so that makes each of us wonderful in His sight, His Son's sight and His angels'.  Even the enemy knows it, just doesn't want us to realize it.

God does tests us, He tests us in order to develop our character.  He tests us for our good.  He test us to rid us of offensive ways that live within us, in order to lead us to the way everlasting.  God doesn't test us with anything that Jesus was sent here to free us from; so let's begin to correct what we incorrectly accredit God for. God is not playing The Game of Life, with our lives.  God's eternal presence is continually active wherever we go.

It's time to stop setting Jesus aside family.  When we sin He's there; just as He is there when we choose righteousness.  He doesn't just disappear because we seek to be disobedient.  He is consistently praying that we will continue in the Way of the LORD Almighty.  When we accepted Jesus, we were bonded together in love, Spirit and truth.  His Spirit is at work within us, making us more like Him with each passing day.  We are each an everlasting child of God; don't you want to work with Him and not against Him?
Our Heavenly Father, is the Father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, He sets the lonely in families, He refreshes the weary, from His bounty - He provides for the poor, He leads forth the prisoners with singing, God forgives our rebellion, God is here to bear our burdens daily, He is the God Who saves; from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death (He is the only way).  Our God gives power and strength to His people.  Proclaim His power today children of the Most High.  Praise be to God!

Allow this refreshed discovery of Who God is in our lives change something in you today; and let's make a difference in our world today, no matter how small, that will keep us on the road of preparing for the day of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

* And not just for ourselves, let's be active participants in helping other people get set free!

PRAY TO GOD ABOUT WHAT HAS ENTERED YOUR HEART FROM THIS WORD RIGHT NOW.


Additional Resource: H. MacDonald