LIVE FOR HIM – Pastor Chris
Saturday, May 8, 2021
They are astonished and think it very queer that you do not now run hand in hand with them in the same excesses of dissipation, and they abuse [you] (1 Peter 4:4 AMPC).
All your life, you must have been hearing that the coming of the Lord is near. But make no mistakes about it, it’s closer now than you can imagine. Your role is to be prepared, and look forward to His return. Be one of those eagerly awaiting His return. He said in Luke 21:34-36, “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”
1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 says, “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.” The Word shows us that these things will be fulfilled towards the ending of time, and we’re in those days that the Scriptures talk about. We can truly see all the prophetic signs manifesting right before our eyes.
Now, Hebrews 2:3 cautions, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation….” Be sure that your life is in sync with God, living according to His Word. Don’t be ashamed to stand up for the Lord. He stood up for you, and saved you. Don’t be ashamed that they may call you names, insult you and even persecute you; live for the Lord.
The Bible says it’s better to suffer persecutions for doing the right thing than to join those who live in error. If they ostracize you for believing in Jesus, it makes no difference; Jesus loves you. If they forsake you, He won’t forsake you; He’s always in you and with you. Therefore, distinguish yourself for the Lord. That’s what God wants you to do.
Remember, the Rapture itself doesn’t have a sign. In other words, it can happen anytime. Therefore, serve the Lord heartily and with joy, so that when He comes, He’ll meet you aglow, and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord.
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PRAYER:
Blessed Father, what an honour to be counted among those to escape the destruction that’s coming on the world! As I earnestly look to your appearing, I’m aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving you heartily, and joyfully, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
1 Peter 4:1-7 AMPC So, since Christ suffered in the flesh for us, for you, arm yourselves with the same thought and purpose [patiently to suffer rather than fail to please God]. For whoever has suffered in the flesh [having the mind of Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [has stopped pleasing himself and the world, and pleases God], 2 So that he can no longer spend the rest of his natural life living by [his] human appetites and desires, but [he lives] for what God wills. 3 For the time that is past already suffices for doing what the Gentiles like to do—living [as you have done] in shameless, insolent wantonness, in lustful desires, drunkenness, reveling, drinking bouts and abominable, lawless idolatries. 4 They are astonished and think it very queer that you do not now run hand in hand with them in the same excesses of dissipation, and they abuse [you]. 5 But they will have to give an account to Him Who is ready to judge and pass sentence on the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the good news (the Gospel) was preached [in their lifetime] even to the dead, that though judged in fleshly bodies as men are, they might live in the spirit as God does. 7 But the end and culmination of all things has now come near; keep sound minded and self-restrained and alert therefore for [the practice of] prayer.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING:
1-Year Bible Reading Plan:
John 4:1-26 & 1 Kings 1
2-Year Bible Reading Plan:
Mark 8:34-9:1 & Numbers 11
