SIGN

 

Write From My Heart

August 25, 2021

SIGN something that indicates a fact

Matthew 24:3 (NIV) 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?”

            We live a life full of signs…you cannot purchase a single item without some sort of label or signage attached to it. Go down the street for only a mile and try your best to count the signs (and we wonder why drivers are often distracted). It is easy to think of sign as “label” or “warning,” and yes, that is partially true. However, if you read my writings you understand my tendency to select unusual or less common definitions. According to the old 1965 Webster’s I keep on my desk, the very first definition for sign is an indication of fact. What if we were to apply this definition to Jesus’ response to his disciples passed down also to us? How many facts do you find in this passage that are in progress right now around you in the world today?

Matthew 24:4-14 (NIV) Jesus answered: “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.”

            Dear friends, if it is true that we are living in the last days, and the facts seem to indicate that we are, then what should be our response? Now fair warning, I will give you this disclaimer: The following verses are lengthy and numerous. Many of these passages are familiar to you. However you might want to print a copy to have as a handy reference tool for your own personal devotional time in the coming days, and if so, you have my permission. In all cases I have used the NIV (New International Version). Ironically, despite the quantity of verses, this is merely a quick tiptoe through the New Testament. Imagine what you can find through your own study?!

Matthew 24: 36  No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Matthew 24:42  Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.

John 14:27  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 16:32-33  Jesus answered. “But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Acts 2:21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Acts 4:12  Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.

Romans 12:9-13, 18  Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. … If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

Galatians 6:9-10  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Ephesians 1:16  I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.

Ephesians 4:29, 31-32  Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. … Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 5:15-20  Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery [i.e., moral decline]. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 4:5-9  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Colossians 4:2, 5  Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. … Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12  Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

1 Thessalonians 5:13-16, 21-22 Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. … Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.

2 Thessalonians 2:15  So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

2 Thessalonians 3:13  And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.

1 Timothy 4:16  Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

2 Timothy 2:23-24 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.

Titus 3:14  Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.

Hebrews 10:23-25 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 13:8-9  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.

James 1:19, 22  Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. … Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

James 4:17  Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.

1 Peter 4:7, 10, 11  The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. … Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others. … If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 5:7-9  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

2 Peter 1:5-8  For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 John 5:3  This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.

Jude vs. 20-22  But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt.

Jude vs. 24-25  Doxology To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages now and forevermore! Amen.