Nothing to Fear

My mom is almost 80 years old. I can only imagine the changes she has seen in her life time. Technology has grown exponentially.
   It’s no wonder that many nearing their 100th year may have no interest in learning how to use a computer or getting a Facebook account. I might be saying “enough changes already” if it were me.
   The changes continue. My grandchildren are sure to see a different world than the one I experience. Ideas that seem impossible will be every day necessities.
   More than technology has undergone a change in the last century. The righteousness that once exemplified our nation is harder to find. The holiness that once set the Church apart from the world has diminished.

   The disciples knew a time would come when things would change. They asked Jesus what the signs of the end would be. He told them,…watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ, ' and will deceive many. 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. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 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. Matthew 24:4-14 (NIV)
  In 1st Timothy 3:1-4 (NIV) Paul warns, “…there will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God--having a form of godliness but denying its power…”
   Do you see the signs? While it is true that every generation has seen an increase in unrighteousness, we are at a point in the exponential growth of wickedness, that it would be foolish to ignore the need to prepare.
Some may want to waste breath debating whether our nation is under judgment or not. But the truth is, when the end of time comes, ALL NATIONS will be judged.
   We might want to enjoy the benefits of technology, but when the end comes, we do not want to be enjoying the pleasures of sin.
   Jesus does not warn us to be afraid. He warns us to be ready. Life will continue until Jesus returns, and there are plenty of good and righteous things to enjoy, but we should live life prepared to go home. Do not be found like the unwise virgins who did not make it into the wedding feast because they were not ready.
Are you prepared? Have you placed your faith and trust in Jesus the son of the Living God, calling on Him for salvation. Are you walking with Him day to day, listening to His voice and obeying his directions? If not, do not delay.
   Do you have a loved one that has not placed their trust in Him? Do not delay in sharing the good news. No one knows the day or the hour.
   If you are prepared, there is nothing to fear.
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Angela Meyer has always enjoyed watching or reading a good story, so it didn’t take long for her to start creating them in her head. It just took awhile for them to go from journal entries to a full-blown manuscript. Her first novel, Bruised Reed, is scheduled for release by CrossRiver Media later this fall. Angela lives in Omaha, Neb., with her husband and two children. She enjoys the ocean, good stories, connecting with friends, taking pictures, quiet evenings and a good laugh. You can find out more about Angela at her website... www.angeladmeyer.com or on Facebook at facebook.com/authorangeladmeyer.