March 25th, 2021
Love Goes the Distance – Day 33 – Thursday, March 25th – Pastor Mark White
Read Mark 13:1-23 and focus on 13:5–13 below
Remember to Pause | Read | Reflect | Listen |Pray | Journal |Practice | Encourage/Share |Fast
And Jesus, answering them, began to say: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many. But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows.
“But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. (NKJV)
The disciples are amazed at the beauty of the temple, but Jesus tells them that it’s all coming down. They ask Jesus when this will happen, and He responds by telling them about several signs that must occur first. I admit that this becomes confusing very quickly because it sounds like at times Jesus is talking about imminent events, and other times it sounds like Jesus is talking about his second coming. Either way, Jesus’ encouragement to his disciples is the same—stay alert. Jesus’ answer is less about a date but an attitude of confidence in God.
Jesus tells us that persecution will come, but this is good news. When it seems that the battle is being lost, Jesus is preparing us for victory. But how do we know this for sure? How do we know that beatings, court cases, and death is good news? How do we know that our suffering will end in our salvation? The answer—because Jesus did it first. The result of our persecution is resurrection power, a proclamation of the gospel, and salvation for all who endure to the end. God can and will use your suffering for his glory.
Prayer Focus – Today, we will pray for all the Wesleyan Church Global Partners Missionaries around the world who are ministering the Gospel. Let us pray that the Lord blesses their ministry as they reach the communities where they live.
Read Mark 13:1-23 and focus on 13:5–13 below
Remember to Pause | Read | Reflect | Listen |Pray | Journal |Practice | Encourage/Share |Fast
And Jesus, answering them, began to say: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many. But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows.
“But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. (NKJV)
The disciples are amazed at the beauty of the temple, but Jesus tells them that it’s all coming down. They ask Jesus when this will happen, and He responds by telling them about several signs that must occur first. I admit that this becomes confusing very quickly because it sounds like at times Jesus is talking about imminent events, and other times it sounds like Jesus is talking about his second coming. Either way, Jesus’ encouragement to his disciples is the same—stay alert. Jesus’ answer is less about a date but an attitude of confidence in God.
Jesus tells us that persecution will come, but this is good news. When it seems that the battle is being lost, Jesus is preparing us for victory. But how do we know this for sure? How do we know that beatings, court cases, and death is good news? How do we know that our suffering will end in our salvation? The answer—because Jesus did it first. The result of our persecution is resurrection power, a proclamation of the gospel, and salvation for all who endure to the end. God can and will use your suffering for his glory.
Prayer Focus – Today, we will pray for all the Wesleyan Church Global Partners Missionaries around the world who are ministering the Gospel. Let us pray that the Lord blesses their ministry as they reach the communities where they live.
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