Word for today, reflection and prayer
Matthew 24:3-14
3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.
9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
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Reflection: Wars, troubles, famines, evil, sickness, and abuse are just the ordinary nowadays. It is no shock anymore because those things bombarded us every day. But we could not help but wonder….is it the last days?
In today’s passage, the disciples asked Jesus;” When this will happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered them what we are now battling these days. No one is spared or protected. Each one must face her or his own battle. And persecution will come to those who believe. Not a comforting word to be reminded of concerning that one has more than enough of one’s everyday difficulties. Results….the love of most is getting cold as Jesus predicted. But Jesus said also that those…each one of us who stands firm will be saved. It is like I hear Him say “STAND FIRM” when we almost want to give up and just follow the flow. “STAND FIRM” when it seems that no one does. “STAND FIRM” when coldness and evil are everywhere. “STAND FIRM” when you are weary and weak. I (Jesus) did and won!
With Jesus, we will have a victory too.
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Prayer:
Dear Jesus, the world’s situation is getting worse and worst with wars. Nation against nation. People fight whether they like it or not. Family against each other. Man and wife are divorcing. One cannot find peace in this world. Innocent women and even children are getting molested or sold. Ungodliness flourishes like a fire in windy and dry places. Sin is not a sin anymore for many. Things that were right are now wrong and vice versa. Those who still believe are being stamped as crazy people. Believers are entangled with everyday life’s struggles or pleasures like the rest of the world. And You Lord has just given left-over time if there is any.
Jesus, help us to STAND FIRM although giving up is the easiest option. Renew our hopes every day. Let us feel Thy presence when we are awake or sleep. Let us hear Your voice in the midst of all the noises of this world. We need Your spiritual touch so that we can influence the world and not the other way around. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen
