The weather is turning colder and the air here in Northern Maine has a crisp frosty feel to it as of late. Winter is approaching and we can see the signs of it's coming all around us. Pretty soon the brown landscape will be blanketed with many layers of pristine white snow. We who live here in Northern Maine can recognize that winter is indeed coming. We all get ready for the coming winter by making sure we have enough fire wood or fuel oil to run our furnaces during those frigidly cold wintry nights. We also prepare for winter by breaking out our winter clothes to make sure we are warm when we venture out into the bitterly cold weather that we can experience in this area.
We have all experienced what it is like to have change in our lives. It may involve the changing from one season to another. We may experience other changes in life such as a change in a job or a change in our health. We all know that things never remain the same for very long. We know that things and circumstances change. Thankfully, we can know that God doesn't change. God is the Creator of all things and He doesn't change. We know that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever more. We can take comfort in that.
When we look at the world around us we see things changing and some of the changes seem rather alarming. Our world seems to be drifting farther away from the Lord day by day. The immorality of our culture seems to be getting worse and things seem rather dark and grim. There is a lot of anger and finger pointing. There is also a sense by many people that something is coming upon the world, but many aren't really sure what exactly that something is.
We are living in very uncertain times and things are changing, but we believers in Jesus Christ can take comfort in Him that no matter what changes occur in our world because we know that this world is not our home. Our home is in Heaven with Jesus Christ our Lord. We come to Jesus by faith in His finished work on the Cross where He shed His blood for our sins. One Day we who are trusting in Him for salvation with go to be with Him in Heaven for all eternity.
One Day the Lord Jesus Christ will return to this earth and bring the Kingdom of God to this earth in full completion. The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is approaching. We don't know when, but we know that it will take place and it is important for us to be ready. There are signs that we need to pay attention to that Jesus tells us, but we must be careful not be distracted by those signs.
I am reminded of Matthew 24:1-14 which says,
"1 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings.
2 “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”
3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.
5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.
6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.
7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.
9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.
10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,
11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.
12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,
13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Jesus told His disciples about changes that would take place before His return. The temple buildings would be torn down. Many false Messiahs would come and claim to be Christ. He said there would be wars and rumor of wars. He told His disciples of earthquakes and famines, but that all of those things would be the beginning of birth pains.
Then He said that persecution would come for those who follow Him. We don't like to think about persecution when it comes to following Jesus, but if we are truly living for the Lord then we can expect that we will in someway or form be persecuted. There are many believers in Jesus Christ all around the world that are facing severe persecution for their belief in Jesus Christ and many are killed every year in our world for following Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
We must guard ourselves again false teachers and false prophets for such people will come into our world and many are already on the scene right now. We believers in Jesus Christ must make sure we read and study the Bible. It would also be a good practice to check anything a Pastor, Bible teacher, or a Blog writter says by going to the Word of God and make sure everything lines up. God's Word is the truth and we must abide by it. God's Word never fails and it never returns void.
Jesus told His disciples that because of the increase in wickedness that the love of most people will grow cold. When I look at all that is going on in the world these days it sure does seem that there is an increase in wickedness. There does seem to be a lack of love as well. There are many things changing all around us. It is very tempting for us to get discouraged especially when we see declining numbers in our churches. It seems like there is a Spiritual drought in our land and in our world.
This world is lost and dying. There is evil and wickedness in our world that is devouring people all around us. Thankfully, we believers in Jesus Christ have a great hope to share with the world. We have the Gospel message that the world needs to hear. The world needs to hear that there is hope in Jesus Christ and they need to know that He is coming again to Judge the world in His Righteousness.
We must be ready for His return. Things are changing in our world today. We don't know what tomorrow holds, but if we have placed our faith and trust in Jesus Christ then we can take comfort in knowing that He holds us in the palm of His mighty hand and He will never let go.
Change is in the air that is for sure. We need to be prepared. Are you ready for the return of Jesus Christ? I surely hope that you are. We have all sinned and we have all fallen short of God's standards. We are all deserving of eternal separation from God and placed into a literal hell because of our sin. Our sin is what separates us from God who is Holy and nothing sinful can ever enter His presence.
God made a way for each one of us. God demonstrated His great awesome love for each one of us by sending His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to this earth to live a perfect and sinless life. The Lord Jesus went to the Cross and laid down His life for our sins. Jesus shed His blood on the Cross and He took the punishment that you and I so rightly deserve. God raised Jesus from the dead on the third day and He is now at the right hand of the Father in Heaven and one day He will return to this earth.
We must come to the Lord Jesus and confess to Him that we are a sinner and we can't save ourselves. We also must receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior by going to Him in prayer. When we place our faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ the Holy Spirit comes to reside within us to lead us and guide us throughout life. God is so very good and He loves you so very much. Please don't miss the opportunity to have your sins forgiven. Receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior if you haven't done so already.
If you are following Jesus I would encourage you to continue to read the Bible and tell the Lord how much you love Him and go and tell someone about Jesus.
Lord,
Thank You that You never change even though everything around us does.
Help us to love You more and more.
Help us to love others as You love us.
Guard our hearts and minds.
Keep our hearts from becoming frosted over and cold.
Revive our hearts by Your Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit start a fire in my heart.
Holy Spirit have Your way in my heart to love others.
Holy Spirit help me to be more like Jesus each and everyday.
Come soon Lord Jesus. Come Soon.
Touch each heart that is hurting this day.
Open people's hearts to the Gospel.
We praise Your Holy Name.
In Jesus Name we pray,
Amen.
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