Have you ever had the vague feeling of having had a conversation with someone, only to be unsure if it was in real life or in a dream? This week's devotional falls into that category. It was originally written in July 2009 and titled "The Sower". It was saved in my draft file under that title with the words "needs work" next to it. I have rewritten it (moving away from the original Matthew 13 focus), but feel as if I have shared it before. And yet... I am compelled to post it anyway. Suffice it to say, the message is burning in my heart and must be shared! With that in mind, please let this speak to you for the first time or remind you of what you have already read here on Fresh Starts.
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For the last 100 years Christians have been preaching the message of "we are in the Last Days!" We get excited, and rightfully so, looking for the return of Jesus and a visual of the victory that is already His. As exciting as the Last Days are, they are also spiritually dangerous. The Word says that in these days the love of many will grow cold. (Matthew 24) People will become caught up in teachings that sound good, yet have little or no Truth in them; they will begin to focus on riches and worldly concerns, which will cause them to become unfruitful. (Matthew 13) As if all that were not bad enough - people will also become easily offended and will betray one another. Where is the hope?!
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The answer can be found in Hebrews 10:19-25: "Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."
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This passage tells us that we are to draw near with a true heart - a heart seeking and longing for God and God alone. We are to hold on tightly to our confession of faith, preaching to ourselves the Gospel each and every day, reminding ourselves of the great and marvelous gift we accepted and confessed. We are to think of others and purposefully encourage them to do what is good and right. We are to choose to gather together, fellowship, and exhort one another. There are a whole lot of action verbs in this passage! Keeping ourselves from being choked by cares of the world and false doctrines takes effort on our part.
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During these times, it is vital that we stay close to the Lord and to other believers. Second Timothy 4 tells us to be very careful what we listen to and to be ready in all circumstances to give the Truth of God's Word. Some will choose to turn away, even those who were our mentors or best examples. Our job is to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith! Everything else can fail. He can not.
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Prayer:
Father, thank You that You are the One who can cause the seed of my faith to take root and grow. Please help me to guard my walk with You and nourish it with time in the Word and in fellowship with others. Keep my heart safe and focused on You in these dangerous Last Days. Amen
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Challenge:
Is your heart fully turned to the Lord? Examine yourself and see if you are still walking closely with Him. If you are not, pinpoint what is taking the place of a vibrant walk with the Lord. Is it worth it? Be aware that we are all human and susceptible to the lies of the enemy. Commit Hebrews 10:19-25 to memory to keep you on track!
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The answer can be found in Hebrews 10:19-25: "Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."
*
This passage tells us that we are to draw near with a true heart - a heart seeking and longing for God and God alone. We are to hold on tightly to our confession of faith, preaching to ourselves the Gospel each and every day, reminding ourselves of the great and marvelous gift we accepted and confessed. We are to think of others and purposefully encourage them to do what is good and right. We are to choose to gather together, fellowship, and exhort one another. There are a whole lot of action verbs in this passage! Keeping ourselves from being choked by cares of the world and false doctrines takes effort on our part.
*
During these times, it is vital that we stay close to the Lord and to other believers. Second Timothy 4 tells us to be very careful what we listen to and to be ready in all circumstances to give the Truth of God's Word. Some will choose to turn away, even those who were our mentors or best examples. Our job is to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith! Everything else can fail. He can not.
*
Prayer:
Father, thank You that You are the One who can cause the seed of my faith to take root and grow. Please help me to guard my walk with You and nourish it with time in the Word and in fellowship with others. Keep my heart safe and focused on You in these dangerous Last Days. Amen
*
Challenge:
Is your heart fully turned to the Lord? Examine yourself and see if you are still walking closely with Him. If you are not, pinpoint what is taking the place of a vibrant walk with the Lord. Is it worth it? Be aware that we are all human and susceptible to the lies of the enemy. Commit Hebrews 10:19-25 to memory to keep you on track!
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Jen 2010
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