Sunday, January 14, 2024

Could You Explain Rain?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ViC_FyMQjo

YouTube:  Matthew 24 Summary in 5 Minutes

Quick Bible Study

By 2BeLikeChrist (6 mins)

 

[Jesus teaching] “’But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.  For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like in the days of Noah. 

 

“’For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. 

 

“’Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left.  Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left.  Therefore, be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.

 

“’ But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.  For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.’” Matthew 24:36-44

 

Why do you think it will be such a surprise to those who don’t know the Truth when Christ returns for His people?  Perhaps, it is difficult to imagine because -- even though there are a faithful few who stand and warn them -- His returning makes no sense because it is not relatable.

 

It is hard to imagine a time before rain fell -- and yet, if you check Genesis 2:4-6, it says there was no rain until Noah. 

 

(Note:  Some Bible scholars disagree about the word used that is translated as ‘mist’.  It might better be translated as ‘flow’ and indicates that water came up from beneath the ground through springs (it did not fall down like rain).

 

Can you imagine Noah trying to grasp or explain to his wife and family, or neighbours – that it would rain and there would be a flood?  No one had ever seen rain and until the time of Noah all the bodies of water were arranged in an orderly way.

 

God uses the illustration of Noah to express how puzzling and startling it will be for His people to explain to someone who doesn’t know His saving grace, what it will be like when Jesus Christ returns to take His children home.  But He will!

 

          Promise -- Jesus will return for His people.

          Condition -- Stay alert and be ready.

 

Take care with love, especially His, Darlene (who still prays for you daily)

 

PSS:  Find my statement of faith:  https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com  (where you will also find a series of beginner Bible studies to share). Find the WeakDay Devotion online by doing a Google search for ‘WeakDay Devotion’.  (Also, there is an android ‘Google Blogger’ app you can download to read them on your phone.  Not sure about Apple.).  For the books, go to Amazon books.   For prayer requests and updates email me: darlenerichard@gmail.com

 

Please update your PRAYER REQUESTS

·      URGENT JAPAN a 7.6 magnitude earthquake hit the northwest part of Japan on 1 January and today a 6.0 earthquake has struck.  So far over 126 people are listed as dead.  A significant tsunami has followed.  Please pray for the people trapped, the rescuers, those who are afraid and lost.

·      URGENT ISRAEL– it is the 95th day of this horrible and unwanted war.  The Israeli forces have located and saved many hostages that had been held captive. Pray for those who have lost loved ones and for the Israeli soldiers and strategists moving through enemy territory to restore peace and purify the land of all terrorists.  Pray also for the Palestinian people – many are helpless captives of the terrorists.

·      Barbara – the beloved wife of my brother, Tim (who passed away the end of January 2023).  Please pray God places people in her path who will help her with all the things He knows she needs help with.  Pray for Barb’s peace and protection at night.

·      Lindsey - the youngest daughter (now all grown up) of my dearest friends, Annette and Lyle.  Lindsey needs your prayers for healing and strengthening.  Pray for her patience and the wisdom of her health care providers.

·      Patti and John – Pray the Lord keeps them safe and healthy and that they are encouraged in the strength of the Lord and never compromise the truth of the Bible for any reason (Joshuah 1:6-9).

·      Jeff and Rachael’s family, Peyton and Carter - Payton, granddaughter, now a senior in university.  Carter, their son, now a freshman in college.  Both are exceptional students and love the Lord.  Pray they are not distracted by worldly things, that the Lord watches over and protects them, that they continue to do well in their studies and that their love of God’s Word increases daily.

·      Sarah and Andrew – he left his job two years ago and she went to work in a new role.  Pray for this precious Christian couple that they focus on family balance to the glory of the Lord.

·      Bettina – continue to pray for her as she grows into a new phase of her life in the Lord.  Pray each of her five married daughters, spouses and 18 grandchildren grow to love and follow the Lord Jesus Christ.

·      Ian – continue to pray that his desire to grow his understanding and effectiveness with personal evangelism is fulfilled. 

·      Elina – needs God’s wisdom and the courage of her convictions and resolve to live a life that is Christ-honouring for herself and her young son, Jimmy.

·      Megan (for emotional healing) and Scott, her husband (for patience and wisdom) and wisdom for his sister, Clare, as she seeks to support them through troubled times.

·      Christine – give her strength as she journeys to heart-healing and pray her husband gives his life to the Lord.

·      Robin – lost her beloved mother (was 93 years old), please pray for strength and healing for her as she navigates through this time of mourning and for her daughter who is comforting her.

·      Pray for true, Christ-centered revival in America.

 

Pray for those in full-time service

Pray the Lord upholds our Christian leaders – that they never compromise God’s Word and remain bold and courageous in the face of evil.  Pray for their wisdom, safety, ingenuity, strength and for their families.

Pray Especially for Salvation for:

·      Louisville family of Jeff and Rachael – that a desire grows in their heart for a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

·      Y & B – exploring the Truth for themselves. Please place true believers in their paths to disciple them.

·      Becky – still in rehab for spinal surgery.  Pray for her patience and for her health care providers to be wise and compassionate, that her family rallies around her to care for her and, most of all, that she finds the Lord in all this.

·      Fred and Barb brother of Patti -- for salvation.

·      Bryan and Julie (Patti’s daughter) Pray for the salvation of at least one of the family and that the others will follow shortly thereafter.  They are parents of Callilah, Adrian, Micah, Kevin and Nate -- lost, damaged and troubled children – all of whom we have prayed for over the years.

·      Sophie– six-year-old daughter of a friend is chronically ill and frail.  Please pray for her, her parents and health carers to find ways to manage her symptoms and heal her and that this will lead them all to God’s saving grace.

·      Paul – please pray for him.  He still has not found a job or work after more than ten years.  Please pray the Lord provides needed work so he can begin to heal and strengthen.

·      Pray for Jeff and Rachael’s family in Louisville to desire and seek a relationship with the Lord.

·      Peggy – a dear friend and colleague of my sister-in-law who has been battling cancer in her neck for years.  Her new oncologist has started a combination of chemo and radiation that seems to be working, but she is miserable.  Please pray for her as she waits for her body to heal and strengthen and that she finds salvation.

·      Sue and Rob – opened their home to support Luke who is angry and lost.  He has been there a long time now and refuses to move out.  Please pray the Lord saves all three and that Luke realises he must take responsibility for his own life.  Pray for continued patience and compassion of Sue and Rob.

·      Demi and John – one evening John went out their backdoor to run an errand and was attacked by someone with a knife who stabbed him several times (one pierced his heart).  He has recovered physically, but pray for him and his wife as they pull their lives together – that they might find the Lord in all the chaos left behind.

·      Jen N – a Jewish woman I’ve met at work, please pray for her that she will find a new role and that she stays safe and healthy.  Please pray for her and her two boys (ages 16 and 17).

·      Don Yockey- has lost his fight with cancer.  Please pray the Lord uses this time to open the family’s hearts to His love and salvation. 

Pray for those with ongoing health concerns

Many of us have family, friends and loved ones with fragile health.  Pray God takes special care with them and protects them in practical ways and that the Lord will have mercy on them. 

Pray for the World

No comments: