The leaves are starting to change. Yes, winter is coming, and I don’t like winter. I don’t like that the leaves all fall from the trees and they are left bare. Everything seems grey without life. Yet, I know that with winter comes the promise of spring, and spring will bring back the color and the look of life once again. It’s easy to read the weather at times. We can feel the chill in the morning and know that summer is officially over. We feel the wetness in the air and see the clouds and can know when it is going to rain. Yes, we can watch the weather channel but is that any more accurate than going outside and looking for yourself? Many think that we are living in the end times. I’m sure that many thought that during the world wars also, and during the outbreak of the Spanish flu. We saw the devastation of the mountain St. Helens, and realized that something must be happening in God’s kingdom. We saw the twin towers fall, and it seemed like evil prevailed and we wondered what it was all about, thinking this might be the coming of the end. We read all these and call them signs, but we fail often to read the knowledge of the One who made the mountains, the oceans, and can control the weather. He tells us this parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. As soon as they put out leaves you can see for yourselves and recognize that summer is already near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near. I assure you: This generation will certainly not pass away until all things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away. Be on your guard, so that your minds are not dulled from carousing, drunkenness, and worries of life, or that day will come on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come on all who live on the face of the whole earth. But be alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21: 29-36 The things that Jesus talked about that we are to notice are the sun, moon, and stars. He told us to watch the anguish among the nations. Even the seas will change. He said people will faint from fear. But then, we are to keep looking and then all will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with power and great glory. Jesus had admitted that He does not know the time this will happen, only the Father knows. But this is what will happen. He wants us to see it as we see the changing of the seasons, and not be in despair, but in anticipation of what is happening. Will we be around to see it? I don’t know, and it doesn’t matter, for the believer to KNOW that it will happen is enough for us to want to keep watch. Let’s not let the fears that are overcoming the world spread through us. We are stronger than that! Let’s be prepared and wait in anticipation of such a great event. I will admit to you, that is both a scary and an exciting time, but if we see it from God’s perspective, it should be a very exciting time, for we will be close to being with Him forever. This is a good time, with all the fear going around now, to do what we are told in the letter to the Roman Christians: “Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1-2 Won’t you join with me today in giving glory to our Almighty God for His great mercies, for they are never ending, and even though we take them for granted at times, today, let’s get back to the basics of life, the honoring and giving of our hearts to the One who will constantly be with us through all we may have to go through. Pastor Andy
Barnabas Man 