4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 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
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 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
Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13 NLT
20 As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots.21 And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.”22 And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God.23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” Mark 11:20-25 ESV
9 “Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:9-15 ESV
Thank God for His ongoing forgiveness!
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. 1 John 1:8-10 NKJV
Jesus is coming very, very soon. Be ready!
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 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
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 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
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 ESV
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 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
God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered; and those who hate him shall flee before him! 2 As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away; as wax melts before fire, so the wicked shall perish before God! 3 But the righteous shall be glad; they shall exult before God; they shall be jubilant with joy! Psalms 68:1-3 ESV
Psalms 68:1-3 stood out in my Bible reading yesterday, and I spent considerable time meditating on the passage. The time is coming for the wicked when they will realize they chose to ignore what they knew deep down to be true, that God exists and is in charge.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools,23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Romans 1:18-23 ESV
At some time the wicked will hear God laugh at them.
24 “Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, 25 because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, 26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you, 27 when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. 28 Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me.” Proverbs 1:24-28 ESV
Please choose to fear the Lord!
10 In just a little while, the wicked will be no more; though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there. 11 But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.
12 The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him, 13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming. Psalms 37:10-13 ESV
Wait for the Lord and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land; you will look on when the wicked are cut off. Psalm 37:34 ESV
Ask God to show you eternal things to come.
6 Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away.7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.8 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.9 But, as it is written,
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—
10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one.16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 ESV
Keep on asking!
7 “Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you.8 For everyone who keeps on asking receives, and he who keeps on seeking finds, and to him who keeps on knocking, it will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8 AMP
Mind above!
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4 NKJV
Jesus is coming very, very soon. Be ready!
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 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
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 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
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.5We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 ESV
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 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
“They will say of Me, ‘Only in the LORD are righteousness and strength.’ Men will come to Him, And all who were angry at Him will be put to shame.” Isaiah 45:24 NASB 1995
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus promises God will take care of our needs when our priorities are correct.
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.33 Butseek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:31-34 NKJV
Therefore I am always looking for Scriptures that show I’m seeking God’s kingdom and His righteousness, as I really want Him to take care of me. About four years ago this passage from Isaiah jumped out to me.
“One shall say, ‘Only in יהוה do I have righteousness and strength’ – he comes to Him. And all those displeased with Him shall be put to shame.” Isaiah 45:24 TS2009
I confess that God Himself is my righteousness! The context of the verse is invitation and warning.
22 Look to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.
23 I have sworn by Myself, the word is gone out of My mouth in righteousness and shall not return, that unto Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear [allegiance].
24 Only in the Lord shall one say, I have righteousness (salvation and victory) and strength [to achieve]. To Him shall all come who were incensed against Him, and they shall be ashamed.
25 In the Lord shall all the offspring of Israel be justified (enjoy righteousness, salvation, and victory) and shall glory. Isaiah 45:22-25 AMPC
My righteousness is filthy rags.
But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away. Isaiah 64:6 NKJV
Jesus gives me the gift of righteousness, the gift of right standing with God.
30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in theLord.” 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 NKJV
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV
I have faith in Jesus, so God declares me righteous!
God presented Him to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be righteous and declare righteous the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:26 HCSB
I’m only going to talk about Jesus’ righteousness, never my own.
14 But I will hope continually, And will praise You yet more and more. 15 My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness And Your salvation all the day, For I do not know their limits. 16 I will go in the strength of the Lord God; I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only. Psalm 71:14-16 NKJV
I’m going to only boast in God, that He has saved me!
30 But it is due to Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,31 so that, just as it is written: “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 NASB
I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together. Psalm 34:1-3 NKJV
May we all seek His kingdom and His righteousness, so He will take care of us both now and forever.
Jesus is coming very soon. Be ready!
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 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
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 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
Lift Up Your Eyes! 