Live with Urgency!

March 11, 2011

Live with Urgency!

So knowing that the end of times is near should definitely change our behavior. But how?

· Do not be alarmed

Mark 13:7 “when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.”

· Be on Your Guard

Mark 13:9 “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues.”

· Stand Firm to the End!

Mark 13:13-“All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

· Keep Watch.

Mark 13:33 “Be on guard, be alert! You do not know when the time will come.”

Mark 13:35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back…”

Mark 13:37 “What I say to you, I say to everyone; ‘Watch!’”

The Bible says plenty about the end of times and Christ’s second coming and we could go into that forever, but I want to focus on how we should be living with this knowledge in our minds. The sum of the above verses is not to worry, stand firm and keep alert. This is a lot like what God has already commanded of us. Philippians 4:6, and Matthew 6:25-34 teach us not to worry but to pray about everything and let God be God. Hebrews 3:14, Ephesians 6:14, Exodus 14:13, Luke 21:19, and Philippians 4:1 all tell us to stand firm in the faith! And the bible speaks of being alert in 1 Peter 5:8 and probably other places too!

So if all this is the same what do we need to change? Well, we can become more purposeful in our watchfulness and firmness. We can make positive we do not get mislead by false prophets; this means studying the Word inside and out till we know everything about it (which will be when we get to heaven.) We can stop being scared babies about sharing Christ with people. We aren’t promised tomorrow—witness now. And to be alert is to be living as if Christ were to come back 5 minutes from now. Take every step of obedience, live full out in freedom for the one who paid your debt and set you free. Love him with all your heart in front of the whole world!

So the end of times stuff was not written to scare people, but to convict them with love that the world is ending, and that as Christians with a cause, we need to step up our game.

For more about the end of times:

Mark 13:1-23

Matthew 24:1-28

Luke 21:5-24

1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11

News Updates:

Power Plant explodes in Japan: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/as_japan_earthquake

FoxNews Tweet from this morning: Fears of a #nuclear meltdown rising as #Japan confirms #radiation leak following explosion at nuclear power plant crippled by #earthquake.

Pics:http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Huge-Japan-quake-spawns-tsunami/ss/events/wl/031111japanquake

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ (This link only good for today.)

The End of Times is Near...

March 11, 2011

Mark 13:32-33

“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.

The End of Times

When I woke up this morning I had a text from one of my good friends who is an older godly woman. She mentioned that there was a lot of end of times stuff going on this morning. I really didn’t know what she meant. Later, I got a call from my best friend telling me a little bit about what had happened with earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan. He said that it was the end of times, and the bible says in the end of times there will be earthquakes (Haiti, Oklahoma) and nations rising up against nations (Egypy, Lybia.) But it also says this will just be the beginning of what will be labor pains until Jesus comes back. So basically this is just the start of the end of times, it will get much worse than this.

Mark 13:6-8

"Many will come in my name, claiming,

'I am he,' and will deceive many.

When you hear of wars and rumors of wars,

do not be alarmed. Such things must happen,

but the end is still to come. Nation will

rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

There will be earthquakes in various places,

and famines. These are the beginning of

birth pains."

With this phone call it really hit me that we need to live with a sense of urgency. We can’t wait around for people to ask us about Jesus, we need to go to our loved ones and boldy tell them the truth. Being shy or nervous and putting it off is selfish. The excuse “I don’t want to make them feel uncomfortable” is useless. We’re being selfish little brats! God called us to share this message with ALL people. He desires for ALL men to know him. Who are we to hoard this wonderful GIFT we received to ourselves. Who cares if your stomach flutters when you think about talking to your friends about the gospel!? Would you rather them suffer a life long death in hell? Would you rather stay in your comfortable everyday routine and have a pleasant week or two, or would you rather spend eternity worshipping God almighty with a sound peacefulness,

knowing that the ones you love and care about are safe and whole with you, not rotting away in the underworld burning with the rapist and liers of earth.

You may think this is all silly and overreacting, but guys the end of the world is near. It is nearer now than it ever has been. Look at all the signs around you! No one knows the exact date

or time when Jesus will come back, not even Jesus or the angels! (Mark 13:32) We do know there will be utter chaos until that time. So live with your heart open and boldy out there. OPEN YOUR MOUTH AND SPEAK!! Hold firmly to God and go after him with everything in you, we don’t have time to wait till we’re 30 or till we graduate, or whatever. The time is now. Our days are numbered and every second past is a second we won’t get back. Proverbs 11:30 says the one who wins souls is wise. Go out and do something that actually matters. Do something that counts.

Win souls for the Lord.

Mark 13:35-37

“Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house (Jesus) will be back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”

Mark 13:31 says heaven and earth with pass away but the word of God won't. Japan is in a state of emergency concerning their nuclear power plants... http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/03/11/japan-issues-emergency-nuke-plant-leak/

More Info on Japan:

There is now a tsunami warning for Hawaii and states on the Pacific coast.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/03/11/tsunami-watch-issued-hawaii-pacific/

Pictures: http://www.foxnews.com/slideshow/world/2011/03/11/devastating-tsunami-rips-japan-massive-earthquake/#slide=3

Twitter: @foxnews

Expect more to come on this subject from me.