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Many people today are judged by their status through social media. Likes, shares, and views provide a sense of approval, appreciation, and acceptance. Some spend their days and nights watching their smartphones and computers, waiting for positive affirmation. But as we’re surrounded by a society which desires such attention, we cannot forget the only ‘like’ that matters.
In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus shares a parable about a man traveling into a far country. He provided different talents to his servants. One servant received five talents. Another receive two. Then another one. Each servant received enough talents according to his ability.
After the man had departed, the servants with five and two talents traded and doubled what they received. However, the servant who received one talent placed his talent in the earth.
And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. —Matthew 24:1-13
There will come a day when the people of this world will witness and experience the very things Jesus spoke to His disciples about in this passage. But for any season, there are three important statements Jesus tells His disciples that will help us today:
1. Take heed that no man deceive you. When troubling times come, so does the fear of man and events and panic. People will rise up to deceive the hearts of the many who are fearful, unaware, or insecure. Some will come saying they are Christ or at least someone presenting themselves as one who can provide comfort or substance from the external pressures and events surrounding them. Their words will be carefully chosen and possibly be filled with a bit of truth, but their motives will be filled with deceit.
Woe to all pastors and ministers of the Gospel.
We NOW live in a time when many people IN our churches want to hear messages that make them feel good but not compel them to live right.
They don’t want to hear about their need to repent or turn from their unrepentant and sinful conduct. They want to hear how God will bless them, give them financial increase, and bring them into their season. They want to have church rather than BE the church for Jesus.
Many people are hurting. Many people are afraid. Many people are scared to love, so they play their charade.
Many people fool the world. Many people have a smile. Many people deceive others, hoping their pain will only last a little while.
Many people can be happy. Many people can be free. Many people can experience the joy of life, when they choose to reveal the real me.
Many people have great friends. Many people have a loving God. Many people can experience life anew, when they remove their facade.
Bloom where you’re planted.
Many times we’re so anxious to reach our Point B that we fail to get the most out of the journey from Point A. If you don’t get the most out of where you are now, you may miss lessons you needed to learn, behaviors to add or remove, relationships to cultivate, and experiences that lead and develop you along the way.
When you’re too hasty and anxious, you miss the patient beauty of a life perfected through your current circumstances. Don’t miss out on what the Lord has for you…right where you are now. He’s shaping you, molding you, and perfecting you for His glory. He loves you and wants you to bloom and display the beauty of His love and grace.
What is fasting?
Fasting is a means to mourn before the Lord and petition Him on behalf of yourself and others because of sin or oppression (demonic or human), or pending judgment.
When should you fast?
1. When you mourn over/for the life of another (due to illness, life circumstances, etc.) (2 Samuel 1:1-16, 12:16-23; Psalm 35:11-14).
2. When your heart mourns over the sin-filled state of the people (1 Samuel 7:3-17; Nehemiah 9-10; Isaiah 58:1-14; Daniel 9:1-23; Joel 2:12-27; Jonah 3:1-10).
3. To avert pending wrath or punishment of God for disobedience (1 Kings 21:17-29; Jonah 3:1-10).
4. To cast out certain demons (Matthew 17:14-21).
5. To seek help from the Lord (2 Chronicles 20:1-30).
6. To gain greater understanding and insight from the Lord (Daniel 10:1-14).
Personal Responsibilities in Fasting
1. No eating or drinking (completely or partially). Sometimes the Lord will provide specific guidance and timelines.
2. Call urgently upon the Lord (Daniel 9:1-9).
3. Repent and turn from sinfulness (Nehemiah 9:2; Isaiah 58:3-4; Jonah 3:8).
4. Humble yourself before God and man (Daniel 10:12; Isaiah 58:5).
5. Engage in good works (Isaiah 58:6-7).
6. Do not appear to others to be fasting. Fast in secret (Matthew 6:16-18).
7. Abstain from sexual intercourse (1 Corinthians 7:1-5).
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth… 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a KJV
God is love (1 John 4:8). Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a and consider how God suffers long, is kind to you…etc.
When we love one another, Jesus says all men will know we are His disciples (John 13:34-35). Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a and consider how you should suffer long, be kind to others…etc.
Photo courtesy of Flicr.com/michellerocks
After presenting his offering to the Lord, Cain was angry over the Lord’s disapproval (Genesis 3:3-5). In His interactions with Cain, the Lord provided four things that we often experience in our lives as well: Opportunity, Warnings, Punishment, and Grace.
Genesis 1:14-18 – And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.
God created man and gave them an awesome responsibility. They were charged to:
- be fruitful
- multiply
- replenish the earth
- subdue the earth
- have dominion over the fish, fowl, and every living thing that moves on the earth
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