Tuesday, October 29, 2024 - FAITHFULNESS IN THE LAST DAYS

 

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Tuesday, October 29, 2024 - Day 303 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Jeremiah 25,26; 2 Timothy 3)

FAITHFULNESS IN THE LAST DAYS

“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive,  disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,  heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5 ESV) 

Are we living in “times of difficulty?” Are people on this planet “lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive...”  

Paul is directing us to respond by avoiding those who exhibit what we have just read. However, here are a few other things I think the Lord would have us do.

● Remain close to Christ by prayer, Bible study and faithful worship.

● Pray for the lost and look for ways to be God’s love to them, with the goal of developing 

    relationships that can lead to sharing the Gospel message of Christ and His love.

● Keep our eyes on our heavenly inheritance, and help our loved ones to do the same.

   1. The King shall come when morning dawns

And light triumphant breaks,

When beauty gilds the eastern hills

And life to joy awakes.

   2. Not as of old a little child,

To bear and fight and die,

But crowned with glory like the sun

That lights the morning sky.

   3. Oh, brighter than the rising morn

When Christ, victorious rose

And left the lonesome place of death

Despite the rage of foes.

   4. Oh, brighter than that glorious morn

Shall dawn upon our race

The day when Christ in splendor comes

And we shall see His face.

   5. The King shall come when morning dawns

And light and beauty brings.

Hail, Christ the Lord! Your people pray:

Come quickly, King of kings!

(Lutheran Service Book #348)

Lord Jesus, strengthen me for the end times. Use me to reach the lost and protect the weak before it is too late. And help all of Your people to remember that the best is yet to come. Amen.

Pastor David Paape