OUR DAILY BREAD : WARNING AND RESPONSE

[cimi]

October 17
Wednesday


WARNING
AND RESPONSE

READ:
1 Thess. 5:1-11
___________________________

Therefore let us not
sleep, as others do,
but let us watch and
be sober.
__ 1 Thessalonians 5:6
___________________________

When a dangerous blizzard hit Colorado Springs in late October 2006, residents had plenty of warning. Weather forecasters began predicting the storm 36 hours before it arrived. On a warm, sunny afternoon people swarmed into grocery stores to buy supplies, while tire shops worked overtime to meet the demand for winter treads. Everyone was talking about the coming storm. Even beofre the snow began, schools and businesses announced they would be closed for the day. When the storm hit with blowing snow and freezing temperatures, most people were safe at home, not trying to get to work or school.

When we believe a warning., it affects our behavior. It's true in every area of life, including our walk of faith. Paul wrote to the Christians in Thessalonica, reminding them that the day of the Lord would come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night ( 1 Thess. 5:2). His call to action urged them to avoid spiritual lethargy but remain alert and self-controlled (v6).

Paul's challenge echoed Jesus' own words urging His followers to be watchful and ready, "for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect" (Matt. 24:44).

If we believe our Lord's word about His coming, how will it affect our thoughts and actions today? __ David McCasland
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~~~~~~~~~What would He find, should He come just now:~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~A faded leaf, or a fruitless bough:~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~A servant sleeping, an idle plow?~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~What would He find, should He come just now? __ Anon.~~~~~~
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Every christian should be an expectant uplooker,
not a sleepy onlooker!

***********Today's Bible Reading __ 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11*********

1 But concerning the times
and the seasons, brethren,
you have no need that I
should write to you. 2 For
you yourselves know
perfectly that the day of the
Lord so comes as a thief in
the night. 3 For when they
say, "Peace and safety!"
then sudden destruction
comes upon them, as labor
pains upon a pregnant
woman. And they shall not
escape. 4 But you, brethren,
are not in darkness, so that
this Day should overtake
you as a thief. 5 You are all
sons of light and sons of the
day. We are not of the night
nor of darkness. 6 Therefore
let us not sleep, as others
do, but let us watch and be
sober. 7 For those who
sleep, sleep at night, and
those who get drunk are
drunk at night. 8 But let us
who are of the day be sober,
putting on the breastplate of
faith and love, and as a
helmet the hope of
salvation. 9 For God did not
appoint us to wrath, but to
obtain salvation through our
Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who
died for us, that whether we
wake or sleep, we should
live together with Him.

11 Therefore comfort each
other and edify one another,
just as you also are doing.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

This passage is significant in understanding God's program for the
church during the endtimes. The tribulation period is the "tiime of
Jacob's trouble" (Jer. 30:7) and refers to the persecution of the
Jews and the conversion of 144,000 from the 12 tribes of Israel
(Rev. 7:3-8; 14:1-5). __ HDF