To Be Continued...
Do y’all remember what the Holy Spirit said to me yesterday? He said:
Don’t be deceived.
Stay vigilant.
Keep your eyes on Me.
Keep My Word. Speak it!
Well this morning was a continuation of that conversation as I flipped my Bible open to Luke 21. The verses that immediately stood out were verses 8, 14-15, 33-36.
8 Then he said, “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Don’t follow them. 9 When you hear of wars and rebellions, don’t be alarmed. Indeed, it is necessary that these things take place first, but the end won’t come right away.”
14 Therefore make up your minds not to prepare your defense ahead of time, 15 for I will give you such words and a wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. Luke 21: 8-9, 14-15 CSB
33 Heaven and earth will pass away. But my words will never pass away. Luke 21:33 NIRV
33 Earth and sky will wear out and fade away before one word I speak loses its power or fails to accomplish its purpose.” Luke 21:33 The Passion Translation
34 “Be careful that you never allow your hearts to grow cold. Remain passionate and free from anxiety and the worries of this life. Then you will not be caught off guard by what happens. Don’t let me come and find you drunk or careless in living like everyone else. 35 For that day will come as a shocking surprise to all, like a downpour that drenches everyone, catching many unaware and un-prepared. 36 Keep a constant watch over your soul, and pray for the courage and grace to prevail over these things that are destined to occur and that you will stand before the presence of the Son of Man with a clear conscience.” Luke 21:34-36 The Passion Translation
34 “Be careful. If you aren’t, your hearts will be loaded down with wasteful living, drunkenness and the worries of life. Then the day the Son of Man returns will close on you like a trap. It will happen suddenly. 35 That day will come on every person who lives on the whole earth. 36 Always keep watching. Pray that you will be able to escape all that is about to happen. Also, pray that you will not be judged guilty when the Son of Man comes.” Luke 21:34-36 NIRV
As I studied these scriptures this morning, the Lord was saying to me: Don’t be deceived by everyone who comes in my name. Don’t follow them. It made me wonder, who am I am following that could be deceiving me? I thought about social medial because that’s where we follow a lot of people.
Verses 14 and 15 reminded me how important it is for me to make my early morning appointments with Jesus so that I can get a fresh word from Him daily. The thought has crossed my mind before on how I could do this blog/podcast a day before or on a batch-type schedule, but that’s totally not what God wants me to do. And these verses confirm that. It says make up your mind so my mind is made up. This blog will always deliver a fresh word daily. That’s the assignment.
Verse 33 shows us that things will change, including heaven and earth passing away, but God’s word will never pass away. I love how the Passion Translation puts it: “Earth and sky will wear out and fade away before one word I speak loses its power or fails to accomplish its purpose.”
Remember yesterday Holy Spirit told me to stay vigilant? Well verse 34 backs that right on up. I shared above two different translations: The Passion Translation and the New International Reader’s Version or the NIRV. Both of these speak to us not allowing anything to distract us. One translation that I didn’t include said don’t get caught up in shopping and drinking strong drinks. The Passion Translation says don’t let me come and find you drunk or careless in living like everyone else.
How will you be found when Jesus returns?
As I wait to hear more from the Holy Spirit this morning, I was kinda expecting Him to say something else or something new. That’s when He said: The message is the same. Sometimes I will give you a new message and sometimes I will repeat what I said.
And guess what y’all, today was one of those days where He warned me again to not be deceived and stay vigilant. But even as He was giving me the same message, He revealed a whole lot more to me. It was like a continuation of the conversation, but more in depth.
When Holy Spirit wants to continue the conversation with you the next day or the next hour, can He?
I pray that we will always be found at the feet of Jesus first thing every morning with the mindset of “to be continued.”
SALVATION PRAYER
If you don’t know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior and you’re not a believer, but you have a desire to be, all you have to do is openly confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead (Romans 10:9). When you pray that prayer, you are saved. Get connected with a good, bible-based church in your community, stay connected to other believers, and start having daily conversations through prayer with God every single day. Welcome to your new life with Jesus Christ!!!
ASSIGNMENTS
What did Holy Spirit say to you in your conversation with Him this morning?
How will you be found when Jesus returns?
Can the Holy Spirit find you available to continue the conversation?
Record yourself reading the word of God on video or audio and watch how God will use your own voice to give you revelation and build your faith (keeping this assignment on here for a while).
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