Praise the LORD!!!
I'm in the process of doing a read through of the Bible, I've stopped keeping count, so don't ask how many. This morning's reading was in the books of 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Now I've read these verses several times in the last year, but this morning was different and it is the basis for today's devotional, though not the verses themselves. Today's verses came from a cross referencing in my study Bible (NIV Study Bible, Zondervan)
Matt. 24:10-14
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 he 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.""
Now these verses are the WORDS of the LORD HIMSELF,which places extra weight on their importance and truthfulness. Though I believe that all the WORDS of the Bible, are those inspired by GOD. Though some may of been added to make the Bible more understandable to modern readers. Those particularly unfamiliar with the original languages.
2 Th. 2:3
3 "Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness a is revealed, the man doomed to destruction."
Now I've given both, the verses for today's study, and the verse with which when cross referenced brought today's to light. There is a very good reason for this also, to which you will see.
Today there are many people and groups that are professing wisdom and understanding of GOD's WORD and WAYS. Many of these are Christian or of a Christian group, while there are those that look and sound the part, but are truly not of CHRIST! To be able to distinguish the differences one must thoroughly study their Bibles. Not just reading it, but study it with the intent of knowing all that GOD wants to reveal from it. Now I've been doing this since early 05 and believe me when I say that GOD hasn't revealed it all to me yet and truthfully, I don't think HE will until I join HIM in the flesh (after my death or HIS return). The Bible is truly not just a book you can read a couple of times and be done with, it is, the living WORD of GOD and reveals new understandings with almost every new reading!!!
I've run into a lot of different groups online recently, of which many would of been afraid to reveal themselves several years back. This is because they're so far from the truth, that anyone, even the newest believer, could distinguished their lies. But it appears that now is the time when they're being allowed to come out of the shadows in an attempt to deceive all those seeking a better understanding of GOD(2 Tim. 4:3,4). The bad thing about it though, is that they are managing to gather up some fairly good size groups of followers too. A number of these groups are not new to the scene, but they've gathered enough strength and courage, to begin plying their trade out in the open. Kind of like drug dealers in a bad neighborhood, they know they're partially accepted and don't fear much of anything. Some of these are doing it without truly knowing that which they're doing, but others fully know the evil power that is behind their groups teachings. You'll always have those that have fallen prey to false teachings because of general gullibility or their lack of interest on their own part.
Now to today's verses. These are speaking of what is generally called "the falling away." A period in world history when mankind begins to rapidly fall away from belief in GOD, becoming more self centered and focused on their own depraved ways and pleasures. As with a lot of my recent postings, there is a section here that has to deal with our love for one another and all those of the family of mankind. This is verse twelve and I'm sure that if you prayerfully read it, you'll clearly be able to see our present times being written about. For we've surely been witness to a drastic increase of wickedness in the world. A wickedness that has become acceptable to a lot of people and over looked by the rest (I'm not talking about Christians here, though some could be easily included too.) Love for our fellow man, has become a thing of the past. It has become of first priority of most, to cover their own 'butt' first and foremost and then and only then those within your inner circle of family and friends.
JESUS told us the parable of the 'Good Samaritan(Luke 10:30-37)' for a very good reason. It is what HIS very being is about, love for all mankind, not just those we know or associate with, but all those that are alive on the planet. Not just a general caring about them either, but of caring about them as much as we do ourselves, if not to an even higher degree. This being the level of love that CHRIST showed for us upon the cross, HIS example for us to follow and reflect, in our being followers of HIM.
Are we seeing the "beginning of sorrows" and "the falling away?" Those times talked of in scripture, which are our fore warnings of the "Great Tribulations" or the end of times. Those times when GOD has finally had enough of the follies of man and is about to bring an end to it all. Much like HE did with the flood during Noah's time(Matt. 24:37-39)! There are many prophecy throughout the Bible that speak of GOD's ultimate judgment coming upon the earth and all of mankind, for their out right refusal to accept HIS standards for living. Is mankind at the door at this time? Or are we only having a small taste of what we can expect during this time period? Either way we look at it, I'd say it is time for us to open our eyes and realize that things have to change! We can't change anyone but ourselves, but with our willingness to change ourselves, others will witness it and also be willing to start the change process within themselves. Now, here I've made the statement from the first person point of view, that of our actually being able to really make these changes ourselves, but we can't even begin to do this. It is our being willing to allow JESUS control over our lives and allowing HIM to make the changes needed within us. Then and only then can these changes take place and possibly delay that which is bound to come. Then again, once you've had these changes made within you, you'll not worry about the end-times, because you'll know what your future will be!!!
May I suggest that you read these verses well, along with my writings and then dive a little deeper into them. I could say read the whole of chapter twenty four, but that would be less then I'd truly like to suggest. For this section of Matthew is filled with awesome reading and much of it that truly should be studied in depth, not being just something for casual reading, then again, I don't feel any of the Bible is something that can be read casually, for it holds the wisdom and understandings of GOD and HIS calling upon our lives within it. But it is a personal choice, each of us has to make. We can live with GOD in our lives, kind of like a side order at a fast food restaurant. Or we can live where our lives revolve around HIM and we are but the condiments, being used to increase the attractiveness of GOD to others. It's your choice, what will it be?
Prayer request can be sent to: prayers@vineofchrist.org
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine Ministerial Network International
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
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