Jesus in preparing us for His return said, “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when YOU SEE ALL THESE THINGS, know that it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, THIS GENERATION WILL BY NO MEANS PASS AWAY till all these things take place.” (Matt. 24:32-34) On May 14th 1948 for the second time (Ezek. 20:34) Israel became a nation. Jesus said the generation that sees this take place will not die until EVERYTHING IS FULFILLED! Be ready because “…the Son of Man is coming at an hour YOU DO NOT EXPECT.” (Matt. 24:44)
Here is what we should do! “Those who live in the SECRET PLACE of the Most High will FIND REST in the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psa. 91:1) Where is this “secret place”? Jesus said, “…when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father WHO IS IN THE SECRET PLACE; and your Father who sees in secret will REWARD (apodidōmi: reimbursement in a good sense) YOU OPENLY.” (Matt. 6:6) Well, you see, when our “…delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His WORD we meditate day and night…then…whatever WE DO SHALL PROSPER.” (Psa. 1:2-3)
Come on now, why does it say this? Because we are instructed, by God, to “…love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul, and strength. “And THESE WORDS WHICH I COMMAND YOU TODAY shall be IN YOUR HEART. (I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (Psa. 119:11) You shall TEACH them diligently to your children, and shall TALK of them when you SIT in your house, when you WALK by the way, when you LIE DOWN, and when you RISE UP…You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Deut. 6:4-9) These are the idle times when the devil is, “…seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) Jesus said that the devil was the father of all lies, “When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44) Remember how he put lies in eve’s heart when he said “DID GOD REALLY SAY?” (Gen. 3:1)
When Satan puts a thought in our heart we do not have the power to prevent receiving it, we have to REPLACE IT with a MORE POWERFUL THOUGHT (from the WORD)! Just like Jesus did. The devil came saying, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “IT IS WRITTEN: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on EVERY WORD that comes from the mouth of God.'” (Matt. 4:3-4) He did this 3 times and the devil ran away…
GET BUSY PRAYING, OBEYING AND READING THE WORD…
-Bill Stockham