Life is a dangerous endeavor. We pass our days in the shadows of ominous realities. The power to annihilate humanity has, it seems, been placed in the hands of people who are happy to do so. Discussions of global attack prompted one small boy to beg, “Please, Mother, can’t we go some place where there isn’t any sky?” If the global temperature rises a few more degrees . . . if classified information falls into sinister hands . . . if the wrong person pushes the wrong red button . . . What if things only get worse?
Christ tells us that they will. He predicts spiritual bailouts, ecological turmoil, and worldwide persecution. Yet in the midst of it all, he contends bravery is still an option.
“Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.
“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matt. 24:4–14 )
The disciples asked. “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” (v. 3).
Sitting on the Mount of Olives, in full view of the temple and the City of David, Jesus issued a “buckle your seat belt, no kidding, life can be fatal to your health” warning. He began with “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many” (vv. 4–5 ). Note the twofold appearance of the word many. Many deceived and many deceivers. Churches are petri dishes for self-serving egomaniacs who masquerade as ministers of God. They will do so “in his name,” claiming a special status, a superior spirituality. They boast of insider information and adorn their teaching with phrases like “God told me . . . “God spoke to me . . . ,” “God led me . . . ” They present themselves as religious gurus, code breakers, members of an inner circle, implying that they have access to knowledge unavailable to the common person. Some even position themselves as Jesus himself, “saying, ‘I am the Christ’” (v. 5). by Max Lucado
FRIENDS:
Father, I submit all my fears to you today. We may be going through a storm right now. But help us to remember that we’re in Your hands, the hands of our loving Father. We know that You are right here with us and that You are going to get us through. There is nothing going on that You can not handle. In Jesus' name, Amen.
DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE
13. JOHN 4:27-42; 1 PETER 1:1-9; ECCLES. 10; JEREMIAH 32-34
14. JOHN 4:43-54. 1 PETER 1:10-16; ECCLES. 11; JEREMIAH 35-38
~FIRST PETER~
The science teacher makes a derisive statement about God creating the world. You raise your hand and state your convictions. Your teacher rolls her eyes. The students behind you chuckle.
It's not easy being the only one in your family who goes to church. It' s bad enough that they don't go. It's worse that they make fun of you for going.
If you would pad your expense account, so could the other salesmen. But if you don't, they can't. "Come on," they urge you, "just hedge a little." You refuse. The next day someone has spilled paint on your car.
Persecution. Not by firing squad. Not by death threats. Not by the government. But it's persecution nonetheless. A more subtle persecution. Persecution from friends, family, and peers. They won't take your life....but they will take your peace....and they'd like to take your faith, if you'd let them.
How do you respond? Begin with Peter's survival manual. He understood persecution. Beaten and jailed. Threatened and punished. He knew the sting of the false word and the angry whip. No doubt he'd seen some Christians stand and others fall. He'd seen enough to know what it takes to stay strong in tough times.
His counsel may surprise you.
His counsel may sustain you. It may be just what you need so that "the purity of your faith will bring you praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is shown to you" (1:7).
FOOD:
Winter Stew
3/4 C Zesty Italian dressing
2 lbs. beef for stew (chuck), 1" cubes
6 slices bacon,chopped
3 C sliced mushrooms
1 C chopped onion
3 C sliced carrots
1-1/2 lbs potatoes, peeled, cut into large chunks
1 can (14-1/2oz) stewed tomatoes, undrained
1 can (14-1/2oz) beef broth
Pour dressing over meat, marinate in fridge 30 minutes or longer.
Cook bacon til crisp, drain.
Add mushrooms and onions to bacon pan, cook 10 minutes until tender.
Add drained meat, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, broth & bacon to pan. Stir. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
Reduce to low, cover and simmer 1 hr. 15 minutes. Uncover; simmer additional 15 minutes til meat is cooked through and sauce is thickened. Stir occasionally.
8 servings
FUN:
