FollowingJesusUS.com

“ It may be that, when the house of Judah hears of all the disasters that I intend to do to them, all of them may turn from their evil ways, so that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin…Baruch wrote on a scroll at Jeremiah’s dictation all the words that the Lord had spoken to him.” – Jeremiah 36:3

The Lord has warned us over and over that if we do not “turn from our wicked ways”; we will face the consequences.

Jehoiakim burned the scroll and ignored God’s warning and suffered the consequences. Will we?

We all like to dwell on the Mercy of the Lord, but we also like to forget that God is as Just as He is Merciful.

We need to make all of our choices wisely and we need to get ready!

“if My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14

What was the scene before WWII really like? The economy was in tatters. Hyperinflation ruled many countries. Countries were invading each other and fighting. The League of Nations was weak and rather useless (Somewhat like the United Nations is today).

Some countries sought to avoid the coming world war by appeasing their enemies. Some, like the United States, sought to avoid war by isolating itself.

But in the end, a World War inevitably came.

And if we are honest and we look around at the world in which we live, today looks alot like the days that preceded World War II.

Can we avoid World War III?

Stopping our current path to World War III is our choice. But only our faith in Jesus Christ and our love for one another can save us now.

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.”

“For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,”

“Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,”

“Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;”

“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

“For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,”

“Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

“Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.”

“But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their’s also was.”

^” But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,”

“Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.”

^” Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.”

“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;”

– 2 Timothy 3: 1-17

Do we not see some of these warning signs?

The short answer is: No! The love of others may grow cold, but ours does not have too. Jesus’s Great Command was “to love God with our whole heart and soul, and others as ourself”. But to keep that love truly alive and burning brightly takes focusing on doing just that.

Loving God with our whole heart and soul takes putting God first. So as we take inventory of our lives, here are a few questions to ask. Are we doing something everyday to keep that love alive? For example, daily prayer or a daily devotional. Reading the Bible each day… Are we going to church or meeting with fellow believers each week? Are we keeping a prayer journal so that we can see all of God’s answers? All of these steps will encourage and strengthen our faith in and love for God.

Loving our neighbor as ourself has got to be more than a sentence too. Are we bringing groceries to a neighbor, giving someone a ride to church, reaching out to someone who is homeless…All of these acts not only benefit our neighbor, they benefit us as well. There is a certain joy that comes from treating others well.

An artcle the other day spoke of a “God-sized whole” in each persons soul and heart that can only be filled with God. God created us this way. But along with this, God created us in such a way that it is by truly loving our neighbor that we receive so much joy 🙂

If we follow Jesus, we will find our way, no matter how narrow the road becomes...

“And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”-Matthew 24:12

“Without natural affection”-2 Timothy 3:3

During September 11th, families and neighbors came together. Churches were filled to overflowing. People remembered again what was really, truly important to them.

But then we forgot!

During Covid, families came together. Realizing just how much the love that they had for each other meant to each of them. And that it was really family that they could count on!

But then we forgot!

During the End Times, we will once again forget how much we love each other.

The question is, is that happening now? Many in the government and media are trying to drive our families apart. And sadly, families are splitting apart. How many of us ignore our neighbors? How many of us ignore the elderly? How many of us walk right by a homeless person and feel nothing? And how many of us truly weep for the children of war?

How many chances will God give us?

“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away” – 2 Timothy 3:5

How many atheists and agnostics attend a service similar to a church service, but it’s not. Because the service they attend in no way honors or thanks God for all that He has done. In fact, they “deny” that God exists and that He has any power.

The verse goes on to say “from such turn away”. A warning to believers.

Faith can be hard to grow, God warns us to not risk loosing it.

“Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of truth”

This verse is 2 Timothy 3:7. It’s in the part of the Bible that talks about the End Times. It teaches us what to look for as signs of the End Times.

We all know someone or know of someone that seems to endlessly seek the Truth, but never finds it. There is only one Truth: God’s.

The picture above says “objects in mirror are closer than they appear”.

They are.

Signs of the End of the Age

“As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” ⁴And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.  And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. ⁸ All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.” -Matthew 3-7

 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.  And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.  And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.  And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.  But the one who endures to the end will be saved.¹⁴ And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”-Matthew 9-13

Need more be said? Are not some of these events currently happening?