11/20          Luke 21:29

Then he gave them this illustration: “Notice the fig tree, or any other tree. 30 When the leaves come out, you know without being told that summer is near. 31 In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that the Kingdom of God is near.

NEAR

The Kingdom of God is near, nearer than at any time in history.  Jesus is coming back and it will be very soon.  Jesus is Lord.  Jesus saves.  He is here. 

11/19          Luke 21:28

So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”

SAVES

Jesus saves.  He saves us right now.  He saves us all of our life.  He saves us unto eternity.  A relationship with Jesus is a forever relationship.  The wonderful part is that when we surrender our life to Him and accept His wonderful free gift of eternal life He holds us eternally.  We belong to Him and He saves us.

11/18          Luke 21:25-27

“And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. 26 People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory.

THEN

When Christ comes back, then we will know that it is the end.  All of us will see Him at exactly the same time.  None of His children will be overlooked.  He loves you and is coming for you.  Jesus is Lord. 

11/17          Luke 21:21-24

Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. Those in Jerusalem must get out, and those out in the country should not return to the city. 22 For those will be days of God’s vengeance, and the prophetic words of the Scriptures will be fulfilled. 23 How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. For there will be disaster in the land and great anger against this people. 24 They will be killed by the sword or sent away as captives to all the nations of the world. And Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the period of the Gentiles comes to an end.

TRUST

Trust the Lord.  Life is hard and in the End Times will get harder.  Trust the Lord for He will not forsake you.  He knows you.  He knows where you are and what is going on in your life.  Jesus is Lord.  Trust the Lord!

11/16          Luke 21:17-20

And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish! 19 By standing firm, you will win your souls. 20 “And when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you will know that the time of its destruction has arrived.

SOMEDAY

Someday the end will come but not this moment.  Sometime all of this Earth will come under the absolute and complete renewal by the Lord Jesus Christ but not this moment.  It can happen whenever the Lord decides.  He will protect us unto eternity.  Do not fear for Jesus is here with us.  He is alive.  Jesus loves you. 

11/15          Luke 21:14-16

So don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you, 15 for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you! 16 Even those closest to you—your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends—will betray you. They will even kill some of you.

STAY
Stay focused on Jesus.  Troubles come and go.  Persecution unto death may be on the horizon but do not fear-Jesus is here.  He is alive.  He loves you.  He stands with you.  He will give you the wisdom, courage and strength you need to stand in the hour of your greatest need. 

11/14          Luke 21:9-13

And when you hear of wars and insurrections, don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place first, but the end won’t follow immediately.” 10 Then he added, “Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands, and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven. 12 “But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are my followers. 13 But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me.

TELL

Tell everyone about Jesus.  Tell them what He is doing in your life.  That said we must develop that close personal relationship with Jesus.  He is Lord and He wants to have a relationship with us.  Listen to Jesus.  He is speaking. 

11/13          Luke 21:5-8

Some of his disciples began talking about the majestic stonework of the Temple and the memorial decorations on the walls. But Jesus said, 6 “The time is coming when all these things will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!” 7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to take place?” 8 He replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and saying, ‘The time has come!’ But don’t believe them.

WHEN

When Jesus returns you will know it.  He is coming back.  He calls us to live as if His return is right now and it is.  Be ready because Jesus is coming back. 

11/12          Luke 21:1-4

1 While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. 2 Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. 3 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. 4 For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”

GIVE

We are called to give.  We are to give joyously.  We are to give generously.  The first step in giving is the tithe-10%.  Alms and free will offerings begin after the tithe.  The tithe belongs to the Lord.  Our giving above the tithe is our hilarious, generous free will offerings that we give as the Lord prompts us.  The key is that we give. 

11/11          Luke 20:45-47

Then, with the crowds listening, he turned to his disciples and said, 46 “Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. 47 Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be severely punished.”

HUMILITY

Our relationship with the Lord is not something we have earned nor is it something we can boast about because it is all Jesus-a free gift.  He claims us we claim Him and through Him we live and exist and move and we owe all honor and glory to Him.  Jesus is Lord and we are called to live with this knowledge in this earthen vessel of our body.  We know Him and serve Him and one another.