Maranatha

"[Jesus] replied, "When evening comes, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,' and in the morning, 'Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times"- Matthew 16:2-3 (NIV).

Maranatha! The Aramaic word means "The Lord is coming." Jesus gives us the 'signs of the times' in Matthew 24:26-31. He warns us not to be fooled by people saying the Messiah is here or there; don't go (for even some of the elect will be deceived). The sun will be darkened and the moon will cast no light. The heavens will be shaken and stars will fall from the sky. Then Jesus will appear in power and glory. A trumpet will blast and Jesus will send his angels to gather the His elect from all corners of the earth. Jesus said, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come" (v. 42). He will come on a day we don't expect Him and an hour we are not aware. Jesus message is to be ready. Maranatha! 

Destiny

"[Jesus] is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and power being made subject unto Him"- (1 Peter 3:22 (KJV).

"No guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me. From life's first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny" (emphasis mine). Do you recognize the lyrics to "In Christ Alone?" Today's message is clear: Jesus commands all power. Everything, all creation, is subject to Him. Jesus tells us us we can do nothing apart from Him (John 15:5); but, with Him, all things are possible (Mark 9:23). So pick up those five smooth stones and face your giant. As you go, know that the power of Christ is within you. He alone commands your destiny.

The Goal

"So if you have been raised with the Messiah, seek what is above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God. When the Messiah, who is your life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory"- (HCSB).

Our goal is to be like Jesus. We are, even now, being transformed into the image of Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18). This goal doesn't happen by accident. We have to take off the old worldly self and put on the new heavenly self (Colossians 3:9-10); get rid of your old ways and take on the nature of Christ. A life centered on becoming Christ-like is a lifelong pursuit. Now more than ever we need to set our minds on what is above; spread the message of salvation through Jesus Christ to all Christ brings our way; anyone who is willing to allow you to share the reason for your joy. Let God change you for His purpose, and your glory will become His glory.

Unbreakable Covenant

"Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know"- Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV).

God's promise was to bring Judah back from Babylonian captivity. God promised to restore them as they were before (v.11) and said the day was coming that His covenant would be fulfilled...to send a Branch from David's line, the Lord our Righteous Savior (vs. 14-16). Jeremiah's prophecy was over 500 years before the fulfillment of Christ's birth; but, wait, that was the beginning. God's chosen now watch and wait; we know there is more to come. "And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky...and they will see the Son of Man coming..with power and great glory. He will send His angels...and they will gather His elect...from one end of the sky to the other" (Matthew 24:30-31). God has told us great and unsearchable things. Brothers and sisters, God's covenant cannot be broken.  

Always Pray

"Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up"- Luke 18:1 (NIV).

The parable was about a widow who continued to cry out for justice from an adversary to an unjust judge. Her relentless pursuit caused the judge to finally yield to her requests to keep her from continuing to bother him. Jesus asked, "And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night?" (v. 7). God chose us before creation began (Ephesians 1:3-4), to be His own possession (1 Peter 2:9), and the choosing was God's doing; we didn't choose Him, he chose us (John 15:16). Learn from the way Jesus prayed: early in the morning while it was still dark (Mark 1:35), alone on a mountainside (Matthew 14:23), and one time all night long (Luke 16:12). He is our example. Do not give up praying. Make your requests known and please pray for all His chosen ones (Ephesians 6:18).