36But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
I pray for the same as Solomon, “a discerning heart… and to distinguish between right and wrong.” How cool is it that we have a God who actually gives those things to his children!!
When the sinful world is finally judged in destruction, we find that we have no fear of condemnation for the Lord who is coming to judge has already been the just and the justifier on our behalf. It is by his grace that we may not cower but straighten up and raise our heads as we’ve waited for the Son of Man coming in great glory.
This whole reading was amazingly powerful! I love how in the first story God give to those who are true and pure of heart while giving them more then they asked for while in the parable Jesus teaches that we must give all of ourselves in order to truly follow the lord and how the end will come and we must be strong in him in order to meet a life in God
Luke 21….. What a great word for this weeks events and turmoil happening! We must remember God is on the throne and in charge! I pray for the victims and for the shooters may they experience the Love of Christ so they can love themselves and others!!! This world needs a revival and the Love of Jesus before it can change! I would have Never thought we would experience Racism and hate crimes as much as we are. History repeats itself and God leaves a remnant Gods people will prevail!
Honestly, your comment made me realize how much I have to grow spiritually since the last thing I thought to do was pray for the shooters. That is something that I should change about my outlook.
1 Kings 3:3-5
Wow! I believe this passage shows just how great our God is, that He is not limited by our own human ignorance and sinfulness. God extended one of the greatest offers to a human being, even when that person (Solomon) was being foolish in carrying out his worship at a pagan “high place.”
I agree with Kylee, but also believe it might be saying woe to them because of the extra hardships they will face in trying to properly raise up and protect a young child in these days.
I love how Solomon asks God for wisdom rather than gold and riches. I for sure don’t know if I could have been able to do the same. Definitely something to remember and take to heart.
Ladies, there is an awesome series done by Jimmy Evans at my church over the end times. He goes through Revelation as well as passages throughout the OT and NT. If you have the time, check it out! http://gatewaypeople.com/watch/message-archives/individual
Yes, the historical destruction of Jerusalem, …but the bulk of the passage is speaking about all nations and all peoples and the coming of the kingdom of God.
Can anyone shed some light on when Jesus said that generation would not pass away before all he spoke of came to be? That seems like a pretty literal statement, but obviously that didn’t happen…
All of the prophecies will first be fulfilled before He comes. Next, he says earthly things will come to an end but His word will never pass away. God used the parable of the fig tree as an example to show that when they bud it is summer, and just like you know it’s summer because of the fruit you will know He is return soon because of what it happening (prophecies being fulfilled).
I forget how much I love the Old Testament! It’s so worshipful to see Gods plan laid out as a big picture for us to admire. That God was faithful to David in giving him a son to be a wise ruler over God’s people. It so interesting to me that God would do this seeing as how David struggled much with doing the wrong thing or rebelling against God, as we all do. But in the end the Lord blessed him with a righteous son, who even asked from God wisdom above all else, humbly acknowledging that he was not equipped o be the leader of the Chosen People. So encouraging to see Gods faithfulness to answer prayer and even more than we can ask or imagine!
Solomon said it himself too, God granted peace during his rule so that he could build the temple! Even in light of the passage in Luke it’s a sweet reminder that God is still in control over all, including the conflicts and pains of our world. As we know he does all things for a reason and for His Glory! I can’t wait to be able to see the big picture in heaven. But now in the everyday I look to Him who is the Artist of it all! Praise the Great Creator, our God, Savior and Friend!
I love that when Solomon receives wisdom from God, the first thing he does when he wakes up is to worship him with offerings and praise and generously invite others to celebrate with him with a feast for the saints (1 kings 3:15). May our mornings be filled with such worship toward God’s faithfulness!!
The passage in Luke today really stood out to me. When Jesus was talking about he end times and persecution and being brought before kings and governors…it made me think of what Christians are going through right now even in “the land of the free”…the bakers who are being fined for not doing a lesbian wedding…it’s just chilling to see things happening that Jesus spoke of…makes me wonder, is He going to come during our lifetime? Or is this world really going to get worse? (Don’t take this as me being a Debbie downer–I know there are truly amazing and wonderful things in the world, but really, the things that are happening around the world are pretty horrific, am I right?)
Sara, I thought the same thing! Our culture is in a huge shift where God’s people in America are feel for the first time the sting of persecution. Paul wrote many times of finding joy in suffering as Christ suffered, we should be encourage that the world rejects us. Because we are not of it nor do we want to be conformed to it!
Sara, I think you are right! I read this just today… “The world is upside down, inside out, sideways, crazy, nutso. Bad is good; up is down. Left is right; right is wrong. Evil is good; insanity is sanity. Abnormal is normal. Circles are squares. Hot is cold…The world is otherworldly. Dissent is “hate.” Diversity means conformity. The good guys are the bad guys; virtue is vice; sophistry is intellectualism; jerks are celebrated; debauchery is glorified; the holy is debauched.” So, we aren’t Debby Downers, but hope filled Christians who know God wins! We need a discerning mindset which understands the seasons and times. Prepared to share our testimony seasoned with love and grace to a post christian world. Maybe we will see Christ’s return, maybe not. I just want to be ready and want others to be ready too!
Heidi you are so right on and have a way with words! “Circles are squares..” Made me laugh even though it’s not funny but God does win so we must not be panicked or frantic. God has the last word.
It is so easy to let the daily worries overtake our minds…and distract us from focusing on Christ and the kingdom. How much more could I do for Jesus if I didn’t let daily things/troubles (most of them insignificant, in the long run) preoccupy my mind? I remember listening to one of Tim Keller’d podcasts about meditation and he says anything you spend time thinking about is something you are meditating on. So now, if I wake up in the night thinking about work or people stress, I start thinking about what scripture I read that day, and it really helps!
21:34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap.
The same passage stood out to me as well. Its is so true. It’s easy to fall in the trap of letting earthly worries get the best of us rather than focusing on God. I struggle with this daily but this scripture is another great reminder of what we really should be focusing on.
Yes Leah! Such a good passage and your words are so good for me to hear. I like the reference to whatever you think about you’re meditating on…makes sense but a new perspective.
These verses jumped out at me today: Luke 21:12-15. Jesus predicts persecution, then tells his disciples, “This is your opportunity to witness.” Wow. That those trials would be where they would display God’s spirit, and the work of Jesus. Its not ‘a tough thing some of us have to get through.’ He calls it an opportunity, asking his disciples to change their mindset towards persecution.
Jesus then corrects another mindset they’d be tempted to have: ‘Don’t waste time asking yourselves how to answer all the tough questions. I will provide.’
Yes, always be prepared to give an answer for the faith you have, but you should have confidence that through the power of the Holy Spirit, you will find out how to respond appropriately in times of persecution. So *phew* we don’t have to have all the answers!
The last thing I want to say is there are Christians today persecuted, both in and out of the United States. In the ministry I serve with, I have seen high school students boldly proclaim Christ in their public schools, and receive tough questions from their peers; and praise be to God, his Holy Spirit has provided wisdom for those students to respond.
I hope that encouraes you, as it does for me, to continue in your daily walk with Christ, and to stand as a reminder to trust God, Jesus, and his Holy Spirit that lives within you.
❤️
36But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
❤️
✝️
✅
✅
I pray for the same as Solomon, “a discerning heart… and to distinguish between right and wrong.” How cool is it that we have a God who actually gives those things to his children!!
4But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side. There is neither adversary nor misfortune. -ellie
When the sinful world is finally judged in destruction, we find that we have no fear of condemnation for the Lord who is coming to judge has already been the just and the justifier on our behalf. It is by his grace that we may not cower but straighten up and raise our heads as we’ve waited for the Son of Man coming in great glory.
This whole reading was amazingly powerful! I love how in the first story God give to those who are true and pure of heart while giving them more then they asked for while in the parable Jesus teaches that we must give all of ourselves in order to truly follow the lord and how the end will come and we must be strong in him in order to meet a life in God
I’m late to this but-wow! “Give me a God-listening heart so I can lead your people well…” 1 Kings 3:9 MSG. Love that wording- a God-listening heart.
What does it mean heaven will fade away?
Vaal and Igakjjakgi
Njjjjjjjkkh
Amen!
Luke 21….. What a great word for this weeks events and turmoil happening! We must remember God is on the throne and in charge! I pray for the victims and for the shooters may they experience the Love of Christ so they can love themselves and others!!! This world needs a revival and the Love of Jesus before it can change! I would have Never thought we would experience Racism and hate crimes as much as we are. History repeats itself and God leaves a remnant Gods people will prevail!
Honestly, your comment made me realize how much I have to grow spiritually since the last thing I thought to do was pray for the shooters. That is something that I should change about my outlook.
1 Kings 3:3-5
Wow! I believe this passage shows just how great our God is, that He is not limited by our own human ignorance and sinfulness. God extended one of the greatest offers to a human being, even when that person (Solomon) was being foolish in carrying out his worship at a pagan “high place.”
In Luke 21 why does it specifically state that pregnant and nursing mothers will have it especially hard?
I think because it’s especially hard to be pregnant or nursing anyway, how much more so when there’s turmoil in the last days.
I agree with Kylee, but also believe it might be saying woe to them because of the extra hardships they will face in trying to properly raise up and protect a young child in these days.
I love how Solomon asks God for wisdom rather than gold and riches. I for sure don’t know if I could have been able to do the same. Definitely something to remember and take to heart.
Ladies, there is an awesome series done by Jimmy Evans at my church over the end times. He goes through Revelation as well as passages throughout the OT and NT. If you have the time, check it out! http://gatewaypeople.com/watch/message-archives/individual
The series is called Tipping Point
Yes, the historical destruction of Jerusalem, …but the bulk of the passage is speaking about all nations and all peoples and the coming of the kingdom of God.
He is talking about the destruction of Jerusalem here.
Ruth, I have heard it taught that it means the generation that sees all these events lining up, not the generation he was speaking to.
Can anyone shed some light on when Jesus said that generation would not pass away before all he spoke of came to be? That seems like a pretty literal statement, but obviously that didn’t happen…
This source was too long to paste here but it may help you.
http://biblehub.com/library/erdman/the_gospel_of_luke_an_exposition/i_the_destruction_of_jerusalem.htm
All of the prophecies will first be fulfilled before He comes. Next, he says earthly things will come to an end but His word will never pass away. God used the parable of the fig tree as an example to show that when they bud it is summer, and just like you know it’s summer because of the fruit you will know He is return soon because of what it happening (prophecies being fulfilled).
I forget how much I love the Old Testament! It’s so worshipful to see Gods plan laid out as a big picture for us to admire. That God was faithful to David in giving him a son to be a wise ruler over God’s people. It so interesting to me that God would do this seeing as how David struggled much with doing the wrong thing or rebelling against God, as we all do. But in the end the Lord blessed him with a righteous son, who even asked from God wisdom above all else, humbly acknowledging that he was not equipped o be the leader of the Chosen People. So encouraging to see Gods faithfulness to answer prayer and even more than we can ask or imagine!
Solomon said it himself too, God granted peace during his rule so that he could build the temple! Even in light of the passage in Luke it’s a sweet reminder that God is still in control over all, including the conflicts and pains of our world. As we know he does all things for a reason and for His Glory! I can’t wait to be able to see the big picture in heaven. But now in the everyday I look to Him who is the Artist of it all! Praise the Great Creator, our God, Savior and Friend!
I love that when Solomon receives wisdom from God, the first thing he does when he wakes up is to worship him with offerings and praise and generously invite others to celebrate with him with a feast for the saints (1 kings 3:15). May our mornings be filled with such worship toward God’s faithfulness!!
What a beautiful thought. I totally missed that. Thank you!
The passage in Luke today really stood out to me. When Jesus was talking about he end times and persecution and being brought before kings and governors…it made me think of what Christians are going through right now even in “the land of the free”…the bakers who are being fined for not doing a lesbian wedding…it’s just chilling to see things happening that Jesus spoke of…makes me wonder, is He going to come during our lifetime? Or is this world really going to get worse? (Don’t take this as me being a Debbie downer–I know there are truly amazing and wonderful things in the world, but really, the things that are happening around the world are pretty horrific, am I right?)
Sara, I thought the same thing! Our culture is in a huge shift where God’s people in America are feel for the first time the sting of persecution. Paul wrote many times of finding joy in suffering as Christ suffered, we should be encourage that the world rejects us. Because we are not of it nor do we want to be conformed to it!
Sara, I think you are right! I read this just today… “The world is upside down, inside out, sideways, crazy, nutso. Bad is good; up is down. Left is right; right is wrong. Evil is good; insanity is sanity. Abnormal is normal. Circles are squares. Hot is cold…The world is otherworldly. Dissent is “hate.” Diversity means conformity. The good guys are the bad guys; virtue is vice; sophistry is intellectualism; jerks are celebrated; debauchery is glorified; the holy is debauched.” So, we aren’t Debby Downers, but hope filled Christians who know God wins! We need a discerning mindset which understands the seasons and times. Prepared to share our testimony seasoned with love and grace to a post christian world. Maybe we will see Christ’s return, maybe not. I just want to be ready and want others to be ready too!
Heidi you are so right on and have a way with words! “Circles are squares..” Made me laugh even though it’s not funny but God does win so we must not be panicked or frantic. God has the last word.
It is so easy to let the daily worries overtake our minds…and distract us from focusing on Christ and the kingdom. How much more could I do for Jesus if I didn’t let daily things/troubles (most of them insignificant, in the long run) preoccupy my mind? I remember listening to one of Tim Keller’d podcasts about meditation and he says anything you spend time thinking about is something you are meditating on. So now, if I wake up in the night thinking about work or people stress, I start thinking about what scripture I read that day, and it really helps!
21:34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap.
The same passage stood out to me as well. Its is so true. It’s easy to fall in the trap of letting earthly worries get the best of us rather than focusing on God. I struggle with this daily but this scripture is another great reminder of what we really should be focusing on.
Yes Leah! Such a good passage and your words are so good for me to hear. I like the reference to whatever you think about you’re meditating on…makes sense but a new perspective.
These verses jumped out at me today: Luke 21:12-15. Jesus predicts persecution, then tells his disciples, “This is your opportunity to witness.” Wow. That those trials would be where they would display God’s spirit, and the work of Jesus. Its not ‘a tough thing some of us have to get through.’ He calls it an opportunity, asking his disciples to change their mindset towards persecution.
Jesus then corrects another mindset they’d be tempted to have: ‘Don’t waste time asking yourselves how to answer all the tough questions. I will provide.’
Yes, always be prepared to give an answer for the faith you have, but you should have confidence that through the power of the Holy Spirit, you will find out how to respond appropriately in times of persecution. So *phew* we don’t have to have all the answers!
The last thing I want to say is there are Christians today persecuted, both in and out of the United States. In the ministry I serve with, I have seen high school students boldly proclaim Christ in their public schools, and receive tough questions from their peers; and praise be to God, his Holy Spirit has provided wisdom for those students to respond.
I hope that encouraes you, as it does for me, to continue in your daily walk with Christ, and to stand as a reminder to trust God, Jesus, and his Holy Spirit that lives within you.
Blessings friends!
Our faith will be tested! The day the Lord returns, we will not want to worry about Earthly wonders.