Jesus cast a legion of demons out of a man, and that man wanted to follow Jesus. But Jesus gave him other instructions.
18 And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. 19 However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.”20 And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled. Mark 5:18-20 NKJV
Peter writes that we should always be ready to defend our faith.
Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that you have. 1 Peter 3:15b BSB
I submit that these passages are related. When we tell the great things Jesus did for us, and how He had compassion on us, we are defending our faith.
Further, this is an excellent way to witness. Tell what Jesus has done, and the Holy Spirit will help them listen, and hear what they need to hear. Many years ago I had been saved only a few weeks, and I had lunch with friends. I talked about how I became a Christian. Within about a week, IIRC, one of those friends went forward at an evangelistic meeting and gave his life to Jesus. He later told me my testimony was one of several factors that made him reach out to Jesus. I was shocked, because I didn’t think I had really done any “witnessing.” But he said that as I was talking, he kept having thoughts like, “What about you? Are you ready to die? Where will you spend eternity?” The Holy Spirit made my testimony very personal to him.
So let us always be ready to tell what great things Jesus did for us, and how He had compassion on us, and trust God to handle the rest. 🙂
Jesus is coming soon. Be ready!
32 “Now learnthis parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.33 So you also, when you see all these things, knowthatit is near—at the doors!34 Assuredly, I say to you,this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” Matthew 24:32-35 NKJV
34 “Buttake heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down withcarousing, drunkenness, andcares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, andpray always that you maybe countedworthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, andto stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36 NKJV
32 “Now learnthis parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.33 So you also, when you see all these things, knowthatit is near—at the doors!34 Assuredly, I say to you,this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” Matthew 24:32-35 NKJV
34 “Buttake heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down withcarousing, drunkenness, andcares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, andpray always that you maybe countedworthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, andto stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36 NKJV
One morning this last week I woke up in the morning from a dream. The dream was no big deal, just something about life in general. But it definitely wasn’t a dream from God. Then I seemed to have a bit of a conversation with God. He wondered why I had quit praying for dreams and visions per Acts 2.
17 “‘Andit shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons andyour daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.'” Acts 2:17-18 NKJV
I didn’t have any good answer. After all, the Bible says things like this.
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24 BSB
Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Psalms 37:4 NKJV
I had quit praying for Godly dreams because I had prayed awhile but hadn’t received any. I am now resolved to keep praying per this parable.
1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man.3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying,‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man,5 yet because this widow troubles me I willavenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ”
6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said.7 Andshall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell youthat He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:1-8 NKJV
Therefore, faith is continuing to pray even though the prayers are not yet answered. That is what Jesus wants to find when He returns. I need to keep on praying!
Jesus is coming soon. Be ready! And keep praying!
32 “Now learnthis parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.33 So you also, when you see all these things, knowthatit is near—at the doors!34 Assuredly, I say to you,this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” Matthew 24:32-35 NKJV
34 “Buttake heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down withcarousing, drunkenness, andcares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, andpray always that you maybe countedworthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, andto stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36 NKJV
When “life happens” to me, these are some things I try to remember.
Be Content With “Give Me Today My Daily Bread”
This world is not my home. My treasures are in heaven.
6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 NKJV
20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. Philippians 3:20-21 NKJV
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:20 BSB
Trust The Lord
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. 8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8 ESV
You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield. Psalms 115:11 NASB
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. 6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. Psalms 37:3-6 NKJV
Give Thanks and Have Joy
This can be tough.
Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 BSB
2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4 NASB
Refuse to Worry
30 “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!31 Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:30-34 NASB
38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”
41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.42 Butone thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42 NKJV
Remember That Troubles Are Normal
“These things I have spoken to you, thatin Me you may have peace.In the world youwill have tribulation; but be of good cheer,I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NKJV
7 In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety.8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. Hebrews 5:7-8 NASB
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:8-11 NKJV
Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. Hebrews 11:35b-40 NKJV
Wait
This can be really tough.
Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! Psalms 27:14 NKJV
28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, 31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:28-31 NKJV
7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the Lord, They shall inherit the earth. 10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; Indeed, you will look carefully for his place, But it shall be no more. 11 But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. Psalms 37:7-11 NKJV
I have many posts in various stages of draft, and I decided to finish this one today. Earlier today I and some other people became former employees of the company we had worked for in the morning. I’m not sure what to do next, so if you feel like saying a prayer on my behalf that would be great. 🙂 I decided to finish this post to emulate king David.
Moreover David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all the people were embittered, each one because of his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God. 1 Samuel 30:6 NASB
After I had been let go, I discovered gardens that still have blooming flowers. I spent time just enjoying God’s beautiful creation. Sometime the thought occurred that God had not been surprised. He has everything in control. 🙂
Jesus is coming soon. Be ready!
32 “Now learnthis parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.33 So you also, when you see all these things, knowthatit is near—at the doors!34 Assuredly, I say to you,this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” Matthew 24:32-35 NKJV
34 “Buttake heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down withcarousing, drunkenness, andcares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, andpray always that you maybe countedworthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, andto stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36 NKJV
16 These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19 NKJV
We are to imitate God.
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. Ephesians 5:1-2 NASB
Therefore it stands to reason there should be things we hate too. In fact, that’s part of the definition of fearing the Lord.
The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate. Proverbs 8:13 NKJV
(Be sure to love the sinner but hate the sin.)
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.22 And have mercy on some, who are doubting;23 save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh. Jude 1:20-23 NASB
104 Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.
113 I hate the double-minded, But I love Your law.
126 It is time for You to act, O Lord, For they have regarded Your law as void. 127 Therefore I love Your commandments More than gold, yes, than fine gold! 128 Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right; I hate every false way.
It took years for me to be fully comfortable with the notion there are things Christians should hate. But that’s what Scripture teaches. God hates evil, and we should too. But let us look inward first!
“Judgenot, that you be not judged.2 For with whatjudgment you judge, you will be judged;and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:1-5 NKJV
Jesus is coming soon. Be ready!
32 “Now learnthis parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.33 So you also, when you see all these things, knowthatit is near—at the doors!34 Assuredly, I say to you,this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” Matthew 24:32-35 NKJV
34 “Buttake heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down withcarousing, drunkenness, andcares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, andpray always that you maybe countedworthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, andto stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36 NKJV
Continuing yesterday’s post. Beware seeking only power! The Bible makes it clear that operating in supernatural power is not a proof of being right with God!
21 “Not everyone who says to Me,‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he whodoes the will of My Father in heaven.22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have wenot prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’23 Andthen I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you;depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Matthew 7:21-23 NKJV
Jesus warns about supernatural deception in the Signs of the Times passage in Matthew 24.
3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you.5 Formany will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’and will deceive many.”
11 “Thenmany false prophets will rise up anddeceive many.”
23 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it.24 Forfalse christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive,if possible, even the elect.25 See, I have told you beforehand.”
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 2 Thessalonians 2:8-10 NKJV
Beware listening to all angels too.
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 NKJV
18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God. Colossians 2:18-19 NKJV
Test, test, test!
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. 6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. 1 John 4:1-6 NKJV
To avoid being in error one must know both the Scriptures and the power of God. Beware supernatural power that is not of God. There is lots of it out there in these end times!
Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. Matthew 22:29 KJV
Jesus answered, “You are mistaken because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.” Matthew 22:29 BSB
Jesus said to them, “Aren’t you mistaken because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?” Mark 12:24 BSB
Jesus is coming soon. Be ready!
32 “Now learnthis parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.33 So you also, when you see all these things, knowthatit is near—at the doors!34 Assuredly, I say to you,this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” Matthew 24:32-35 NKJV
34 “Buttake heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down withcarousing, drunkenness, andcares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, andpray always that you maybe countedworthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, andto stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36 NKJV
I have been thinking about these verses quite a while; this post was in draft nearly two months.
Jesus answered, “You are mistaken because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.” Matthew 22:29 BSB
Jesus said to them, “Aren’t you mistaken because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?” Mark 12:24 BSB
I like how the Matthew verse reads in the King James.
Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. Matthew 22:29 KJV
Jesus is teaching there are two things necessary to avoid being in error. We need to know the Scriptures, and we need to know the power of God.
When the verse “jumped out” a couple months ago, I felt I needed to know more of the power of God. I don’t have any amazing insights yet, but I hope the process of writing what I’ve been thinking about will help me learn and understand more.
Paul operated in the power of God.
2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 NKJV
His power is part of the whole armor of God.
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:10-11 NKJV
His power is at work in us.
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV
It is by the Holy Spirit that we receive power.
“But you shall receive powerwhen the Holy Spirit has come upon you; andyou shall bewitnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea andSamaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NKJV
Well, writing this gave me ideas for further research. I discovered there are at least two different Greek words translated power: John 1:12 and 1 Corinthians 2:4. Stay tuned! 🙂
Jesus is coming soon. Be ready!
32 “Now learnthis parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.33 So you also, when you see all these things, knowthatit is near—at the doors!34 Assuredly, I say to you,this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” Matthew 24:32-35 NKJV
34 “Buttake heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down withcarousing, drunkenness, andcares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, andpray always that you maybe countedworthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, andto stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36 NKJV
The earth will be pretty beat up by the end of the tribulation, and many animal species will have become extinct.
7 The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.
8 Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. 9 And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. Revelation 8:7-9 NKJV
3 Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died. Revelation 16:3 NKJV
17 Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” 18 And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. 19 Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. 20 Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. 21 And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great. Revelation 16:17-21 NKJV
I believe that early in His 1000-year reign, Jesus will recreate the extinct species. 🙂
24 O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions— 25 This great and wide sea, In which are innumerable teeming things, Living things both small and great. 26 There the ships sail about; There is that Leviathan Which You have made to play there.
27 These all wait for You, That You may give them their food in due season. 28 What You give them they gather in; You open Your hand, they are filled with good. 29 You hide Your face, they are troubled; You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. 30 You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; And You renew the face of the earth. Psalms 104:24-30 NKJV
I can hardly wait… 🙂
Jesus is coming soon. Be ready!
32 “Now learnthis parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.33 So you also, when you see all these things, knowthatit is near—at the doors!34 Assuredly, I say to you,this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” Matthew 24:32-35 NKJV
34 “Buttake heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down withcarousing, drunkenness, andcares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, andpray always that you maybe countedworthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, andto stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36 NKJV
There are tons of great teaching videos on YouTube, but who has the time to watch everything you want to? I increase the playback speed on most videos to be able to watch more in whatever time I allocate for YouTube. It can take a while to get used to faster playback speeds, and I find that headphones or ear buds help block background noise, but I am now able to listen to most videos at 1.5 or 1.75 times the normal playback speed. This lets me watch a 44 minute sermon in about 25 to 30 minutes. Not only is this a great time saver, I find my mind pays better attention to the speaker.
This post shows how to set up YouTube’s “listen faster” feature on an iPhone, an iPad, and a computer.
Note: I tried the YouTube app on my iPhone and iPad but I couldn’t find any benefits over just using the Safari browser. These instructions are for YouTube running in the Safari browser on both the iPhone and iPad.
On an iPhone, click the three vertical dots in the upper right of the screen.
On the popup that displays, click Playback Settings.
Click the Speed box.
Spin the spinner at the bottom to your desired speed, then click Done and OK.
On an iPad with YouTube running in a browser, click the gear icon in the lower-right of the YouTube window.
Select Playback speed on the popup menu.
Scroll if necessary, and select your desired playback speed.
On a computer the browser is very much the same as the iPad, so I’ll use just one screenshot. Select the gear icon, then Playback speed, then your desired speed.
If you haven’t tried listening to YouTube videos at a faster playback speed I suggest you try it. It is how I am able to watch more videos than I would otherwise be able.
Jesus is coming soon. Be ready!
32 “Now learnthis parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.33 So you also, when you see all these things, knowthatit is near—at the doors!34 Assuredly, I say to you,this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” Matthew 24:32-35 NKJV
34 “Buttake heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down withcarousing, drunkenness, andcares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, andpray always that you maybe countedworthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, andto stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36 NKJV
Here is a table / bookmark you can use to read through Psalms every month, reading about the same number of verses per day.
Here are charts of the number of verses per day.
Here is the chart of what “5 Chapters a Day, Psalms 119 On Its Own Day” looks like. There are light reading days and heavy reading days.
I used this Google Sheets spreadsheet. Feel free to grab a copy and make whatever changes you wish. I know I’m not overly-skillful selecting fonts and colors. 🙂
Jesus is coming soon. Be ready!
32 “Now learnthis parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.33 So you also, when you see all these things, knowthatit is near—at the doors!34 Assuredly, I say to you,this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” Matthew 24:32-35 NKJV
34 “Buttake heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down withcarousing, drunkenness, andcares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, andpray always that you maybe countedworthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, andto stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36 NKJV
Lift Up Your Eyes! 