DEVOTION:
Luke 21:5-28 (ESV)
"Jesus Foretells Destruction of the Temple"
5 And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, 6 "As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down." 7 And they asked him, "Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?" 8 And he said, "See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he!' and, 'The time is at hand!' Do not go after them. 9 And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once."
"Jesus Foretells Wars and Persecution"
10 Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake. 13 This will be your opportunity to bear witness. 14 Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers[a] and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. 17 You will be hated by all for my name's sake. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.
"Jesus Foretells Destruction of Jerusalem"
20 "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, 22 for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. 23 Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
"The Coming of the Son of Man"
25 "And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
Most of the time I live my life day to day like everyone else. I don't much think about the end of the world or even the end off my own life. On occasion I think about my own end of life, especially as I'm dealing with hospital visits and funerals, but most of the time I think about what I'm going to have for lunch, where I have to be, or what I have to do next.
In the message above Jesus tells us what it's going to be like, but he doesn't tell us to freak out or to despair. He tells us to raise our heads up because our redemption is drawing near. In other words, take it like a man because it is not the end but only the beginning of eternal life for you and for all who believe.
As we see all the evil going on in the world and as we even suffer because of it, we rejoice, because we know that these are the signs that the Lord is with us and that we are safe in his arms. He flat out told the disciples that they would be put to death, but that not even a hair on their heads will perish.
Stay strong in your faith people! Know that the Lord loves you! Know that he cares for you! Know that he will keep you safe from the devil's schemes. Know that you will suffer while you are here on the earth, but that suffering won't produce anything less that perseverance which leads to eternal life!
Let us pray: Lord, bless us as we see the signs all around us. Givve us the peace that passes all understanding which you alone provide so that, in spite of all our trouble we may live in the peace that comes with faith in you. Amen.
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CALENDAR
Thurs- Karate 5:30-7:30
Sat- Noon-5pm basement reserved; Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Chapel 11; Elders meeting
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:
Acolyte- 8:30- Addie Hoelscher 11- Savannah Masters
Ushers- Alan Hofeldt, Tim Linke, Rich Talbert, Don Turnure
Altar- Set up- Jodi Baldwin; Clean Up: Wanda Turnure
Elders- Sat- Randy Fischer; 8:30- John Hachtel ; 11- Jim Rahn
Greeters- 8:30- Don Nolte; 11- Joan Sexton
Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier 8:30- Tim Linke; 11- Jim Rahn
Piano- Kathy Barrow
Organist- Rachel Fisher
Projectionists: Sat- Toni Mauch; Sun- Terry McKenzie
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:
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