Stay with It

As he walked away from the Temple, one of his disciples said, "Teacher, look at that stonework! Those buildings!" 2 Jesus said, "You're impressed by this grandiose architecture? There's not a stone in the whole works that is not going to end up in a heap of rubble." 3 Later, as he was sitting on Mount Olives in full view of the Temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew got him off by himself and asked, 4 "Tell us, when is this going to happen? What sign will we get that things are coming to a head?" Jesus began, "Watch out for doomsday deceivers. 6 Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities claiming, 'I'm the One.' They will deceive a lot of people. 7 When you hear of wars and rumored wars, keep your head and don't panic. This is routine history, and no sign of the end. 8 Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over. Earthquakes will occur in various places. There will be famines. But these things are nothing compared to what's coming. 9 "And watch out! They're going to drag you into court. And then it will go from bad to worse, dog-eat-dog, everyone at your throat because you carry my name. You're placed there as sentinels to truth. 10 The Message has to be preached all across the world. 11 "When they bring you, betrayed, into court, don't worry about what you'll say. When the time comes, say what's on your heart - the Holy Spirit will make his witness in and through you. 12 "It's going to be brother killing brother, father killing child, children killing parents. 13 There's no telling who will hate you because of me. "Stay with it - that's what is required. Stay with it to the end. You won't be sorry; you'll be saved.

Mark 13:1-13 (The Message)



Over this past weekend, I learned of the extent of a broken relationship between two very close friends of mine and it broke my heart as well. Don’t ever forget that we live in a world at war and there is a spiritual battle happening all around you where the enemy is trying his best to corrupt your mind with bitterness and sin and shame; he (the enemy) wants to replace the focus of your life from God’s grace and love and Lordship over to focusing on self. The enemy would want you to judge others and to see their brokenness as unforgivable faults in order to build a wall between your life and the lives of others who are broken and hurting and who are in desperate need of the same saving grace that Jesus has offered you. I plead with you not to let this happen as other people in the world need to see the love of Jesus through your life, now more than ever keep your mind on others and don’t ever forget to extend the unconditional love and forgiveness God has given you to absolutely everyone in your life, no matter what they may have done to hurt you. Others are broken and hurting just as you are and the time is short for them to see the miracle of God in and through your life by the way that you love them. Stay with it today, fight the good fight and follow Him!