VERSE — “For you know quite well that the day of the Lord will come in the same way as a thief in the night” 1 Thes 5.2.
MEDITATE — Do we know “quite well” that the day of the Lord will come in this manner? If so, we will be prepared for that day. Let us watch for the coming of the Lord.
PRAY — Come, Lord Jesus! Maranatha!
—Posted today on our irmaos.org site.
By J. Randal Matheny © 2016
Well, now — the Lord he’s been a goodly time a comin’, it seems,
I say — I been a seein’ him approachin’ in my dreams,
His glory’s growin’ brighter night by night,
He’s mighty loud, and gives me quite a fright,
All around — are marchin’ beasts and flyin’ cherubim, hmm,
His robes — a flappin’ in the wind, it’s him, oh, him!
I see! I see! — he’s wavin’ me come up and climb the air,
Flap, kick — Whate’er it takes I’ll get myself up there,
His face aglow, and glad to see me rise,
His arms aspread, this welcome’s my gentle prize,
Whirlywind — Come whip me away and leave this world below,
Oh! Lord and Friend — Just you appear, and I be ready to go!
READ: “But our citizenship is in heaven—and we also eagerly await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” Phil 3.20.
THINK: Our heavenly citizenship follows a pattern, 3.17, which everyone ought to recognize, 3.15, in contrast with the life of the enemies of Christ, 3.18, whose destination is destruction, 3.19. But we act differently, and wait for salvation at the coming of Christ, for our hope is in him and involves the transformation of our bodies, 3.21. Such a hope recognizes the purpose of his second coming, Heb 9.28. Continue reading
By J. Randal Matheny © 2015
One day the skies split apart,
One day stopped the beating heart,
To blood the moon, no night or noon;
The day Christ came again. Continue reading
Turn or burn, they say? Well, yes, in a manner of speaking. But try these on for size. Continue reading
Paulinho was preaching this morning from Mt 25.1-13, being prepared for the Lord’s coming. Take-off on the supposed end on the 21st.
He told about a colleague at work who’d taken the Bible correspondence course Paulinho offered him. He finished it, and Paulinho kept asking him about a decision. Continue reading
In the book of Revelation, John’s letters to the seven churches follow a pattern, but each one is adapted to the situation of the community to which he writes.
The general message is clear. The need crosses all the boundaries.
However, hold on to what you have until I come.
Revelation 2.25 NET Continue reading
The earthquake and tsunami gave no warning to Japan. Accidents happen without possibility of preparation. Thieves break in and steal when we least expect it.
Life is full of surprises, and unpleasant ones at that.
The End will also surprise many, but it needn’t be so.
34 “But be on your guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day close down upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will overtake all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that must happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36, NET
Here are three reasons, within the text and larger context of Luke 21, why it’s important to “be on your guard.” Continue reading
O God, you sit above the highest heights,
Beneath your throne, the dimmer heavenly lights;
Your glory shines to guide our stumbling feet,
Your Spirit makes our joy and peace complete.
That’s the first stanza, for those not on the Cloudburst Poetry list. … Continue reading
