Random Thoughts II - Distractions vs What Really Matters

36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” 

(John 18)

28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

(Luke 21)

 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it[e]is near, right at the door.

(Matthew 24)

42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

(Matthew 24)

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

(John 16)

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

(1 Peter 1)

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.

(Psalm 23)

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God,and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

(1 Thessalonians 4)

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

(Matthew 5)

Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awakeand sober. 

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

(1 Thessalonians 5)

 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,

(2 Thessalonians 2)

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I guess its time again for some more random thoughts:

- I have found that current events in the world have distracted me from what really matters...Never a good thing. Jesus gave us clear instructions when we see the events taking place in front of us. A simple clear instruction without ambiguity - and that is, to look towards Him and His coming. Period. Luke 21:28. 

- Birth pains do not decrease. Birth pains increase in frequency and severity. Therefore we should not expect the events on this earth to suddenly reverse course and normalize, rather, things will progress on the current course and will not "normalize". 

- We should "rejoice and be glad" because great is our reward in heaven and it is coming soon. Again, this should be our focus. 

- Focus on the "big picture" or the "big plan"  and what is in store for us - that is all that matters and that plan is very very good for us.  

- At the rate at which things are happening around us - again, the rate of change indicates that the Tribulation will be here soon. This rate of change will speed up not slow down. The way things are coming together, from EVERY sign (world government, world financial system, the take-down of the U.S., famine, rumors of war, the final push for globalism, persecution, Israel's enemies consolidating to the north of Israel, the move towards dividing Israel, earthquakes, the push towards a false world religion, etc.) should serve as proof of this rate of change in the global birth pains. This includes ridiculous, unscientific lockdowns, mask mandates, more government control, divisions, growing hatred, violence, etc. (worldwide) - its all part of the coming totalitarianism. It has to be this way - these are all symbolic and represent foreshadowing of the coming world government system - and a strong indication that it is almost here. This is good news for us. 

- Are we still tied to this world? We shouldn't be. There is nothing left here other than to witness and shed light on the significance of prophecy unfolding. There is little here for us now, but it shouldn't matter. We know where all of this is headed, and it will not reverse course.  That is a good thing for us.

- We were given prophecy and all of these signs in advance so that we would have insight into what is happening and why - not to have fear and apprehension, but to give us appropriate focus. 

- We know what awaits us and nothing should distract us from that hope and joy. It should be our singular, dominant focus. Soon, the events of this world will be a distant memory. If the U.S. fraudulent elections bring us closer to the gathering up - then so be it and we should rejoice at this development. 

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Let all the earth fear the Lord;
    let all the people of the world revere him.
9 For he spoke, and it came to be;
    he commanded, and it stood firm.

The Lord foils the plans of the nations;
    he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
11 But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,

We wait in hope for the Lord;
    he is our help and our shield.

In him our hearts rejoice,
    for we trust in his holy name.

May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
    even as we put our hope in you.

(Psalm 33)

Amen and maranatha!