[Faith-talk] Fwd: Morning Thoughts for Monday, June 13, 2011

[Amy Ragain]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Stephen Smith <stevesmith1943 at me.com>
> Date: June 13, 2011 7:07:19 AM CDT
> To: Morning Thoughts 1 <stevesmith1943 at me.com>
> Subject: Morning Thoughts for Monday, June 13, 2011
> 
> Matthew 24:1-14 (NASB)
> Signs of Christ's Return
> [24:1] Jesus came out from the temple and was going away when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him. [2] And He said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.”
> [3]  As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
> [4]  And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. [5] “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. [6] “You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. [7] “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. [8] “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.
> [9] “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. [10] “At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. [11] “Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. [12] “Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. [13] “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. [14] “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.
> 
> Good morning my precious family!!  I read this passage and the thought struck me how similar it is to Jesus' teaching at the Mount of Olives:
> 
> Matthew 5:1-12 (NASB)
> The Sermon on the Mount; The Beatitudes
> [5:1] When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. [2] He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,
> [3] “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
> [4] “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
> [5] “Blessed are the *gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
> [6] “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
> [7] “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
> [8] “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
> [9] “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
> [10] “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
> [11] “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. [12] “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
> 
> We are most blessed when our lives testify to the enduring light of love that emanates from our souls - to a world consumed by the lusts of the eye, the lusts of the flesh and the pride of life.  Jesus set our path with His sermon on the mount, and encourages us in it, each day, as we see the signs of His return.  Following this path is not easy because our "eyes" tend to gaze to the right and to the left, and the sins we renounced tend to grow through the slightest crack in our spiritual armor, just as do weeds through cracks in the pavement.  We were given, and need, daily, the Word of God to be brought alive by the power of the Holy Spirit, and the rekindling of our love for Jesus Christ, to continue the journey God set before us.  
> 
> May your steps along your journey be strengthened by the power of God's Love in your souls as we pray for one another and encourage one another as the inspiration of the Holy Spirit leads.
> 
> With great love and hope, in our common faith,
> 
> <3Steve:-))