Endure to the end, and live!

New Guest: Like this one, most posts are devotional; those related to CAR BIZ can be found by searching for that title. You might start with 'Welcome,' the first post in the archives, dated November 12, 2008, where I introduce myself and the blog.

Saturday, December 12, 2009
Devotions: Ps 30, 32, 42, 43; Haggai 2:1-9; Rev 3:1-6; Mt 24:1-14

I will praise You, Lord, for You have lifted me up and healed me. God’s anger is momentary, but His favor is lifelong; I may weep for a night, but God’s joy comes with the morning. Let YHWH be my Helper, and I His bondslave. Lord, You have turned my mourning into dancing; I shook off sackcloth and You garbed me in gladness. I will praise my God forever. Happy all whose sins God has forgiven; when I sin, I languish; when I confess, I am restored; God is my Hiding Place, my Refuge and my Strength. God is my Teacher, my Counselor and my Friend. Steadfast love surrounds all who trust in YHWH. So be glad in the Lord, rejoice and shout for joy. Praise is fitting for the upright. As a thirsty stag longs for a stream, my soul pants for the living God! God is my lack, my need; all my hopes are centered in You, Lord. When I’m down, I remember how God has cared for me, and I know I’ll be fine. Lord, send out Your light and truth; let them lead me home to you, and I will be filled with great joy. Look up, my soul, and rejoice!

God’s word through His prophet Amos to Zerubbabel and Joshua: ‘Take courage and work. My Spirit abides among you; don’t fear anything. Soon, I will shake heaven and earth, and fill My house with treasure—its latter splendor will far outshine anything that has gone before. You’ll be more prosperous than you can imagine.’

Jesus to the church at Sardis: ‘The words of Him Who has the sevenfold Spirit of God and the seven stars: I know your works; you seem to be alive, but in truth you are dead! Wake up and strengthen what remains and is dying; your works are faulty in my God’s sight. Remember what you learned, and repent; if you won’t awaken, I will come like a thief and you will not know the hour of My coming. The righteous few among you will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. Whoever conquers will be clad in white, and I will not blot out his name from the book of life; I will confess his name before the Father and His angels. Whoever can hear, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches!’

As Jesus was leaving the temple, His disciples remarked about the buildings of the temple complex. But Jesus said to them, ‘You see all these? Truly I tell you, not one stone will be left on another here; it will all be thrown down.’ Later, as they sat on the Mount of Olives, Jesus’ disciples came to Him in private and asked when Jesus’ predictions would take place, and what would signal His return and the end of the age. Jesus answered, ‘Take care that no one misleads you. Many will come in My name and claim to be the Messiah; and many will be misled by them. You’ll hear of wars and rumors of war; but don’t be alarmed—this must happen, but that’s not the end of all things. International conflicts, famines, earthquakes—all these are just the labor pains preceding My return. You will be turned over to tribulation; you’ll be executed; you’ll be hated by all nations because of My name. Under these oppressions, many will fall away and betray one another, hating themselves and one another. False prophets will arise and mislead many. When wickedness is multiplied, human love grows cold. But all who endure to the end will be saved; and this gospel of the kingdom will be preached to all the world, a testimony to all nations. And then the end will come.’