As I prayed, read, and pondered the Word, I was reminded of Jesus’s words regarding the last days and His return. I do not intend to wade into the murky water of eschatological predictions but focus on the beginning of birth pains that reveal the time is short.

Knowing that it is near has multiple benefits.   It encourages everyone to get their house or heart in order.  Release all unforgiveness and seek full restoration with Jesus and total surrender.   It also enables us to avoid deception.   If we know what He said would be the signs of His coming and the end, then false doctrine and fallacious self-serving prophecies and predictions will not hinder us.

In Mark 13:5, Jesus said, “At that time, deception will run rampant.”  That sounds a lot like today.  I see more deceptive teachings than I’ve ever seen or heard.

In Mark 13:8, “For nations will go to war with each other…”  What’s new or revelatory about that?  The word “nations” is “ethnic groups” or indicating racial and cultural upheaval.   That is more prevalent today than ever, and countless influential people continuously fan those flames.  Why?  They seek power, and in war and discord, they find accessible avenues to enact their edicts of control.

There will be censorship of Christian voices and an attempt to silence the message of Christ.   It is happening.   The good news is that the Holy Spirit will guide us.

Jesus said in Mark 13:8b, “This is how the first contractions and birth pains of the new age begin.”

The Essenes calendar predicted the final Jubilee before the millennial 1,000 years would be 2025-2075. Jesus came early in the final Jubilee of the Torah age before the age of grace was ushered in. He was crucified around 32 AD. If the age is 2,000 years in duration, that would be 2032, and if His ministry was 3 to 3.5 years, that would correlate to 2025. I’m not predicting the rapture; I’m only saying The Time is Short!

We don’t know what tomorrow holds, so today is our time to get our houses and hearts in order.

Live the life He has given, and keep your eye on the ultimate prize.

Luke 4:1 – “From the moment of his baptism, Jesus overflowed with the Holy Spirit.”  TPT

Life is more than what we possess in this life.   It is what and who we are in God.    He is our inner peace, comfort, and joy.   To have His fullness, we must be single-heartedly committed to Him.   He must be our life.

An almost obscure statement in Luke 2:51 about Jesus caught my eye today.   After He stayed behind in Jerusalem at age 12, and Mary chastised Him, this verse tells us that He went home with them and obeyed them.  

We must remember that Jesus is our example.   If we read the Gospels with the view that He is God and do not see Him as fully man, we miss the message, mission, and commission.   He did all He did as a man.   He was fully God but laid that aside and lived fully as a human being subject to all the tests, trials, and temptations we face.

John the Baptist preached that his ministry fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy and cry to get our twisted hearts right for the coming of Messiah.   That is the message for the second coming, too.

Luke 4:1 epitomizes Jesus’s example for us.  “From the moment of His baptism, Jesus OVERFLOWED with the Holy Spirit.”  If He is our example and pattern, then that is how we should be – OVERFLOWING with the Holy Spirit.  Most of the time, we are overflowing, but not with the Holy Spirit.   That needs to change!

Isaiah 61 was His pattern and commission, and “if” He is our pattern, it is ours, too!

Jesus was never stressed out over stuff and never rushed. In Luke 4:40, Jesus laid His hands on them individually and healed their varying illnesses.  He was always personal, always had time for the needs of others, and was never constrained by man-made time constraints.

In Luke 6:43-49, He gives us an amazing life lesson and pathway into His presence and power.  It’s the heart whose condition is evidenced by the fruit of our lives.  The latter part of verse 45 is incredible, “For the overflow of what has been stored in your heart will be seen by your fruit AND will be heard in your words.”

Jesus only did what He saw and only said what He heard from the Father.   As our pattern, He revealed what humans could do and be if they fully overflowed with the Holy Spirit.

I pray, “Lord, forgive me for justifying my lack of Your presence, love, and power.  Forgive me for failing to see Jesus as my earthly example.   Forgive me for my selfishness and self-centeredness.  Fill me now, I pray.   Fill us all.  Amen!”

We are more than we have become; we can be all He was through the Holy Spirit.   My cry is, “Make it so, Lord.  Make it so!”

Have a fantastic day today and every day!  He is alive and alive forevermore!

Luke 8:8b – “Listen with your heart, and you will understand!”

Have you ever noticed how time flies and yet drags along?   Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow appears so distant it is unreachable.   Yet, God is in the midst of every moment to guide, guard, enable, equip, and inspire “if” we have open hearts and develop spiritual sight.   I pray that each of you will be drenched with His Holy Spirit and Word today and every day!    That you will have and know the power to perform His purpose prolifically!

Today, the text statement of Jesus in Luke 8 captured my thoughts.   His declaration is fascinating!   He urges us to listen with the heart, not the mind.   Listening with the heart brings revelation and understanding, which involves the mind and reason.   The victorious doorway to revelation is the heart, not the compilation of knowledge or things learned through study but the heart, the core of our being and the center of who we are.

Luke 8:10 –“You have been given (not will be given) a teachable heart to perceive the secret, hidden mysteries of God’s kingdom realm.  But to those without a listening heart, my words are merely stories.”

We need teachable hearts in contrast to hearts that do not listen.   He didn’t say they could not hear but did not listen.   God’s revelation and the Bible’s accounts become alive to those who Listen and receive Instruction! 

Too often, people do not listen.   They do not pay attention.   They focus on their thoughts, wants, needs, or desires and do not listen to others or God.   Sometimes, God speaks through others.  Sometimes, in the accounts of others, including their pain, God speaks to us with revelation knowledge.

Without a teachable listening heart, the Bible becomes nothing more than stories without application—myths and fantasies of unattainable utopias.

Luke 11:34-36 is powerful.   The eyes of our spirit allow revelation light to enter our hearts, minds, and souls.  Open Hearts are a conduit of revelation that liberates and empowers. There is a warning not heeded hidden in those verses.   Luke 11:35 – “Open your heart and consider My words.  Watch out that you do not mistake your own opinions for revelation-light!”

The next verse pictures the place God wants us to be so we can be filled with Him and manifest Him.  “IF your spirit burns with light, fully illuminated with no trace of darkness, you will be a shining lamp, reflecting rays of truth by the way you live.”

If we have teachable hearts that listen openly to God, we will become burning lights of God’s brightness, illuminating the path to peace in our Lives!

Lord, I want that.   I want my life, not just my words, to draw people to God!   I want to use the right words of revelation and light, but I want to demonstrate the Light and Love of God in my life even more.

God’s peace, person, and power are yours!   Victory is your heritage!   Blessing is your promised provision!   Seize it and use it for His glory!   Today is your day to be fully transformed!

May God’s incredible Grace and Peace be your constant companion!

Luke 12-7 – “What is the value of your soul to God? Could your worth be defined by any amount of money? God doesn’t abandon or forget even the small sparrow he has made. How then could he forget or abandon you? What about the seemingly minor issues of your life? Do they matter to God? Of course they do! So you never need to worry, for you are more valuable to God than anything else in this world.“

Today’s reading began with Joel’s prophecy and continued through Amos into the Book of Luke. Joel spoke of horrific events coming, including famine and shortage, coupled with judgment and war.

Joel 1:4 speaks of complete destruction progressing from one calamity to another. Joel 1:14 calls for intense fasting and prayer by God’s people. Joel 2:12 promises that God’s Grace will reward our repentance and intercession.  Joel 3:10 calls us to prepare for war; a dual war (natural and spiritual) is coming.

Amos 3:7 –“Surely the LORD God does NOTHING without revealing His secrets to His servants the prophets.”   That is a concrete truth.  Sadly, many modern-day prophets embellish and expand what they receive, inserting themselves into the Word.   Jesus was the example of God’s prophetic method.  He Only said what He heard from the Father—nothing more and nothing less.  God does not need nor want His messengers to interpret for Him; just say what He says and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.

Luke 12:2-3 was like a bolt of lightning as I read it today.  “Everything hidden and covered up will soon be exposed.  For the facade is falling down, and nothing will be kept secret for long.  3 Whatever you have spoken in private will be public knowledge, and what you have whispered secretly behind closed doors will be broadcast far and wide for all to hear.”

That is relevant in the natural and spiritual.   We know God knows ALL, but what about Artificial Intelligence (AI)?  We are aware of the incredible listening and tracking technology existing today.   Have you talked about something to others privately, then have endless ads about that subject on your media devices?   Nothing is secret; it could and possibly will become a weapon used against us in the coming days.

That could cause fear, but God’s answer is found in Luke 12:13-34 – NO FEAR, God is still God!  Luke 12:6 leaped out and grabbed my heart.  “What is the value of your life to God?”   Not to you, not to others, but to God! What is the value God places on your life? Remember, He designed you to be uniquely you for His purposes!

The Cross answers that question.   So, do not fear or fret because God will not fail.  Don’t worry about what’s coming; instead, rest in the promise of Luke 12:12 –“Simply be confident and allow the Spirit of Wisdom to access your heart, and in that very moment, He will reveal what you are to say to them.”  God promises to keep us, provide for us, and lead us. 

Matthew 6:33 screams to my heart, make this your life!   Seek God first and above all.  Seek His righteousness and embrace it.  He will not fail.

God has your best good in His heart; trust Him.