PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 11:20-24
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“It will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.” (Matthew 11:24)
It sounds like Jesus is being judgmental here, but can you hear His heart?
Imagine a group of homeless youth living in a decrepit, dangerous old building.
You see signs of an imminent collapse and run in to warn the kids to escape.
A few listen and run, but most of them laugh and ignore you.
Out of compassion and passion, you begin to intensify your warnings.
‘C’mon, please listen to me or you’ll regret it… you’ll be sorry!’
Is this judgmental, or a loving appeal to reconsider, to rethink and repent.
The ‘day of judgment’ is not God’s revenge day, but the day of consequences.
God sends Jesus into the crumbling building, and is crushed in the process.
But He breaks free, steps out of the ruins, and urges us to follow Him out.
I believe that the Lord is using signs to warn us too, but are we ignoring them?
One day we will realize it, and we may find it unbearable to think about.
Jesus is not judging us, He is warning us, and showing us a way out!
Don’t wait until you will regret it; don’t ignore the warning signs!
PRAYER
Lord, daily You are warning me about the subtle thoughts and behaviours that are hurting and hindering me. Help me to heed Your loving warnings now, rather than regret not listening later.
Lord Jesus thank you for your grace ushering me into this new decade of 2020. Nineteen years ago you could have taken me into heaven but you let me stay here on earth because you’ve said my husband then needed me. But, three years ago you have taken my husband and now alone I am free to focus on my concerns for you my Lord.
Strengthen me o Holy Spirit that I may focus my thoughts and behaviors to be holy and pleasing to my Lord. I offer you my mouth to be your instrument of graciously warning repentance so there will no regret later.
What does it take to convince me and others? The people witnessed Jesus’ miracles and heard his teaching – yet for many they remained blind. How did I come to see? When Jesus came to me – like Paul my eyes were opened – and that is still the miracles we see today – when people come to the same Jesus as I did and become Jesus followers. Thanks be to God for the gift of faith – help us to lead others to Jesus so that they too may see and believe.
Today is the first day of the New Year. And as I stand on te threshold of that year I need to hear His Word for it must be my Guide in all I do and say.
Open my eyes Lord that I see Your presence, Your workings happening each day.
Open my ears Lord so I hear You speaking to Your people, to me each day.
I need to move forward each day in faith and obedience to Your Word, doing Your will.
I need to be living for Jesus each and every day.
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Living for Jesus a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
O Jesus, Lord and Savior,
I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy [redemption],*
Didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master,
My heart shall be Thy throne,
My life I give, henceforth to live,
O Christ, for Thee alone.