The Daily Grind
Scripture: Luke 21:34-36
“Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, 35 like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. 36 Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”
Observations:
Jesus one at least one occasion spoke to His disciples about what it will be like when the Kingdom of God comes and the world draws to a close. Among the many "signs" that would be indicators of the return of Christ would be things like wide-spread deception, natural disasters, and intense persecution, alongside the destruction of Jerusalem by godless rulers. But Jesus' point in telling them all this was not to scare them or to make predictions about when all this might happen. His purpose in giving this information about the future was to teach them and warn them never to let their guard down in this life even momentarily. His specific instructions (vs. 34) was to stay alert and protect their hearts from becoming "dulled" by pleasure seeking and from getting so wrapped up in the cares of this present world. He then described those who real dangers like traps that had the ability to capture them and prevent them from preparing themselves for His return.
Application:
Our hearts were created for fellowship with God. Just like using a sharp knife to try and cut cement will dull it and make it ineffective for the purpose it was designed for, Jesus is saying that our hearts were not made to be preoccupied with the cares of this life. The more and more we allow ourselves to worry about the things of this world, the more it dulls our heart to a relationship with God and the less spiritually sober we become. The more focused we are on this world the less prepared we are for the next. As followers of Christ we have been warned to guard our most precious possession, our heart, from falling into the dangerous trap of focusing on the temporary cares of this life and allowing this world to desensitize us to that which is of eternal importance- the coming Kingdom of God. Where has your focus been? To which Kingdom is your heart being drawn- God's or the world's? Whichever one has our attention and focus will determine our degree of readiness.
Prayer:
Father, we recognize that Your Kingdom is coming and we desire to be ready and watching for Your return. Help us not to be distracted by the cares of this life and to guard our hearts from worry and the pursuit of temporal things. Keep us to keep our focus on that which is eternal. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading Plan
“Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, 35 like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. 36 Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”
Observations:
Jesus one at least one occasion spoke to His disciples about what it will be like when the Kingdom of God comes and the world draws to a close. Among the many "signs" that would be indicators of the return of Christ would be things like wide-spread deception, natural disasters, and intense persecution, alongside the destruction of Jerusalem by godless rulers. But Jesus' point in telling them all this was not to scare them or to make predictions about when all this might happen. His purpose in giving this information about the future was to teach them and warn them never to let their guard down in this life even momentarily. His specific instructions (vs. 34) was to stay alert and protect their hearts from becoming "dulled" by pleasure seeking and from getting so wrapped up in the cares of this present world. He then described those who real dangers like traps that had the ability to capture them and prevent them from preparing themselves for His return.
Application:
Our hearts were created for fellowship with God. Just like using a sharp knife to try and cut cement will dull it and make it ineffective for the purpose it was designed for, Jesus is saying that our hearts were not made to be preoccupied with the cares of this life. The more and more we allow ourselves to worry about the things of this world, the more it dulls our heart to a relationship with God and the less spiritually sober we become. The more focused we are on this world the less prepared we are for the next. As followers of Christ we have been warned to guard our most precious possession, our heart, from falling into the dangerous trap of focusing on the temporary cares of this life and allowing this world to desensitize us to that which is of eternal importance- the coming Kingdom of God. Where has your focus been? To which Kingdom is your heart being drawn- God's or the world's? Whichever one has our attention and focus will determine our degree of readiness.
Prayer:
Father, we recognize that Your Kingdom is coming and we desire to be ready and watching for Your return. Help us not to be distracted by the cares of this life and to guard our hearts from worry and the pursuit of temporal things. Keep us to keep our focus on that which is eternal. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading Plan
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