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The end is near! This life will not go on forever. Any one of us only has at most 100 years or so, likely less. Jesus knows the end from the beginning, and he wants us to be ready. Nobody knows the day or the hour when their life will end, whether individually at death or with the return of the Lord in glory, but we’re all called to be ready. We need to live today in light of that day, whenever it may be. We are responsible to use our resources and abilities towards that end, and not just for our own selfish ends. Jesus will return and simply saying that Jesus is your Lord doesn’t make it true. It matters how you live. All the plotting and all the conniving of Jesus’ enemies worked perfectly into his plan to save the world. What the Devil intended for evil, ended up being the greatest good act of love the world has ever seen. Even though Jesus was betrayed and denied, he still died for his enemies. The indifference of Pilot and the distain of the crowd authorities couldn’t persuade Jesus away from his mission to save the world. He died, not as a sign of weakness but as an act of love. Three days later, the proof of his victory, the resurrection. Vindication that he is Lord. If we trust in him, we too experience the resurrection. We need not fear death for we receive eternal life. 

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People in Jesus’ day are just like people today, wanting to see proof that Jesus is really who he says he is. Just a little bit of cynicism can poison your entire outlook, don’t let it. Trust in God. We must remain true to what we know, Jesus is “the Christ. The Son of the living God.” He is worth following, even if it means taking up a cross. From time to time, Jesus will reveal himself to you, just as he did on the mountain with Peter, James, and John. Hold on to those moments when God showed himself to be real to you, he still is! Jesus came with a purpose and he has one for your life to. It’s not to worry about worldly things or or position in this life, but to seek those far from God. To restore people to the Lord. To be a genuine influence for the cause of love in a dark and dying world. We are called to live differently than the culture around us, we live by God’s standards not by simply what is acceptable today. No one is too far, and the message is not hard to understand, even children can receive the gospel. We are called to his work, not our own efforts, and we will be held accountable. Don’t be discouraged when every day isn’t a “mountain top” experience. Don’t loose hope when other people disappoint you. One day the people may cry “hosanna!” and the next you may have to cleanse the temple. We are all given the responsibility as to how each of us will respond to our calling from God. We should all live out our calling as people of God by demonstrating our love for God and our neighbors through worship, evangelism, discipleship, fellowship, and service.

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Jesus is a healer and a leader. He teaches his followers about their life with God and he gives life to those who need it. He explains that he has a job for us in the world, it’s a big task, and there are few of us to accomplish it. That’s why he calls us and sends us out, just like the Apostles. We don’t need to fear, we don’t need to doubt, what we need to do is repent. Even though our work is a great task, we are called to rest in Christ. He is our strength. We don’t have to produce results in our own efforts, we can’t, we’re meant to bear God’s fruit by his efforts through us. As we share the gospel some will receive it, and some won’t. That’s not a reflection on the seed or the one planting it, it’s a statement about the soil. We can’t make someone else receive the gospel, all we can do is be sure we follow it ourselves. Just a little ungodliness in our lives can ruin everything, but the Christian life is worth it. Fellowship with Jesus is worth all the cost, even unto death, as John the Baptist learned, because Jesus is God. He can feed thousands and walk on water, and people still doubt. Being a Christian isn’t a religion full of empty rules and regulations, it’s not really about what you do or eat, it’s about where your heart is. Is your heart with Jesus or is it with yourself? Who are you working for? Choose Jesus

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So much of Jesus’ life that we know well is covered in these first chapters of Matthew. From the establishment of Jesus as a historical figure through the genealogy, to His birth and visit by the (non-Jewish outsiders) Wise Men from the East, to the most famous sermon in all history: The Sermon on the Mount, and even the most well known sermon of all time: The Lord’s Prayer. Jesus came into the world and began a ministry so that we might see what it looks like to be filled and directed by the Spirit. We may not be able to cleanse lepers or cast out demons like Jesus did, but don’t ever think what God can do through your life is any less powerful, if only your house will be built upon the rock. Please remember, simply saying you believe in Jesus is not sufficient to save you, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus is real, may we choose to live like it today, treating others as we would want to be treated, and asking the Lord to help us bear genuine fruit in keeping with repentance. Let us be salt and light today, marked by genuine love.

keep up with the rest of the reading plan…

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Well, it’s November yet again. Some eager folks are beginning to play Christmas music, after all, Mel Tormé wrote the Christmas Song in June. 😉

This also means the year is winding down. Those in school can see the light at the end of the tunnel, or perhaps are under the crunch of finishing up papers and preparing for exams. Christmas break is coming, even if you’re a grown-up who has to work for a living, December is usually a time when we have more time.

So why don’t we make the most of it this year…

#1 Think about spiritual things this holiday season. It’s not just a cliché, Jesus really is the reason for the season.

#2 Think about people. Why did Jesus come? The purpose of Christmas was to provide a way for people to worship God. Invite a friend to church. Reach out. Keep the gospel on your mind.

#3 In addition to other Bible reading plans you may be doing (like ours), let’s do an intensive reading for December!

So here’s a plan to read the entire New Testament in the month of December! How cool would that be?!

Day 1: Matthew 1 – 8
Day 2: Matthew 9 – 15
Day 3: Matthew 16 – 23
Day 4: Matthew 24 – 28
Day 5: Mark 1 – 7
Day 6: Mark 8 – 13
Day 7: Mark 14 – Luke 2
Day 8: Luke 3 – 8
Day 9: Luke 9 – 13
Day 10: Luke 14 – 21
Day 11: Luke 22 – John 2
Day 12: John 3 – 8
Day 13: John 9 – 15
Day 14: John 16 – Acts 1
Day 15: Acts 2 – 8
Day 16: Acts 9 – 15
Day 17: Acts 16 – 21
Day 18: Acts 22 – Romans 1
Day 19: Romans 2 – 10
Day 20: Romans 11 – 1Corinthians 6
Day 21: 1Corinthians 7 – 15
Day 22: 1Corinthians 16 – 2Corinthians 12
Day 23: 2Corinthians 13 – Ephesians 4
Day 24: Ephesians 5 – Colossians 4
Day 25: 1Thessalonians 1 – 1Timothy 6
Day 26: 2Timothy 1 – Hebrews 6
Day 27: Hebrews 7 – James 2
Day 28: James 3 – 1John 1
Day 29: 1John 2 – Revelation 4
Day 30: Revelation 5 – 22
Day 31: Pray and prepare for 2018!!!