Watching

It's coming! Do you see it? Are you watching?

Fall! It's slipping in. Cooler days, chillier nights, heavier dews, combines rolling, school happening, pumpkins smiling, gourds abounding, scarecrows watching, mums adorning, bees buzzing, geese winging, squirrels scampering, corn browning, beans drying, latte's steaming, festivals occuring, sleeves lengthening, sweatshirts warming, fires crackling, grasshoppers hopping, gardeners reaping, leaves turning, fall returning.

It happens wether we are watching for it or not. A tree in your yard can seemingly change colors overnight. But if we are watching, intentionally watching, we will be able to observe the process as a few leaves replace their chlorophyll inspired gown of green to ones of gold or orange or a reddish hue, and then, more and more turn, until the whole tree is aburst in vibrant color! The occurance of fall is an annual event. It comes, usually with welcome and joyful anticipation, and it leaves, often too quickly. Only to occur again, before you know it, with the blurring flips of but twelve calendar pages.

But there is something else coming. A one time event that will effect us all and for all eternity. The event of all events. Are we watching? Do we see it happening? Can we sense it's emminent approach? The long awaited and glorious return!

Would you say that we are living in perilous times? Any self lovers out there? Do we note anyone wanting what they don't have or boasting about what they do have, exhibiting proud behavior, blaspheming God, disobeying parents, lacking gratefulness, acting or living in an unholy way, turning from the natural affection (sexually speaking), telling lies, spewing false accusations, breaking promises, despising or being upset with those who are actually doing or promoting good? Is there any lack of control, anyone who is high minded, any lovers of the pleasures of this world vs. loving the God who created it? Is anyone denying God's power? Are their wars? Rumors of wars? Are their nations rising up against each other? Any famines or diseases, even those that inflict a majority of the population? How about earthquakes? Are they happening in the same places all the time, or rather are their locations diverse? Here is a good question. Has there been any tendency indicating a departure from faith, any deconstruction of spiritual values? Is there any heed being given to the satanic realm, any worshipping of devils? (see 2 Tim: 3 and Matt. 24)

I realize that many of you are thinking that these things are not new. You are correct. The Word says in Ecclesiastes 1:9, that there is "nothing new under the sun." Ever since the fall, the world has know the ugliness and brokenness of sin. It is not new. But as we read the statistics and as we look around us, is there not an indication of a trend towards greater and greater sin, spiritual indifference and the rejection of God? More confusion? More despair? What do the statistics reflect? What does our culture reveal? Does the depth of depravity and the outreach of it's effects not seem to be more and more obvious in this world and time?

The Bible tells us to watch. And pray. (Luke 21:36) It encourages us to look up. Why? Our Lord reigns in the Heavens as well as in our hearts. It is in Him and Him alone that our redemption will come. And it draws nigh. One way or another. Our Savior is coming back to gather His own to their Heavenly home, to bring the world to that time of ultimate judgement as it teeters on the brink of eternity.

So let's be watching. Let's be aware. Let's be looking up and on our Lord and Savior! For if we allow ourselves to be lulled into complacency, we may find ourself in a precarious place when the Son of Man, Jesus Christ, returns. And He will! The time is coming. In a time when we "think not". Therefore, may we all be in tune to what is going on around us. Let us not be caught like a thief in the night. Let's be preparing our hearts, our souls, and our families, for when our Lord returns. Let's, each of us be.....

WATCHING!

See 2 Tim. 3:1-5, Matt 24:44, Luke 21:28, Luke 21:36