Saturday November 17, 2012

Read Hebrews 11;  Revelation 13:12-15

You may not be aware but the Book to the Hebrews recites the tails of many of those who stood against Antiochus Epiphanes. The Hanukkah story reveals the names of the nameless martyrs mentioned in the book of Hebrews - people like Eleazar and Hannah and her sons. Hanukkah reminds us of those who stood in the faith and refused to be released so that they might gain a better resurrection. We are reminded that men and women and children have courageously stood up for their God.

 

At some point in the future the Anti-Christ will arise and will declare himself to be god. He will demand that everyone in the world worship himself. Like Antiochus, his predecessor, he will desecrate the temple.  People will be called to bow down and worship him. Only those who receive his mark on their hand or forehead will be able to purchase food etc needed for survival. it will be a time of terrible persecution.

 

As frightening as it seems, that future should not worry us or scare us. God will remain in total and compete control of all that happens. Rather it should cause us to prepare and to be armed and ready. The best preparation is to be living for Christ here and now, day by day. If we can’t live for Jesus in the good times we will never live for Him in the tough times. If we can’t serve God when the road is smooth, we will never serve Him when the road becomes rocky.

 

Make a pact today with God that you will live for Him in every area of your life -

in your relationships, family, work, sports, hobbies, professional associations and even in your finances. That’s a dangerous pact because when we avail ourselves to God and promise to live for Him he does great things.

 

As one great theologian once said, ‘If you’ve got nothing worth dying for, you’ve got nothing worth living for.’ Are you living for God? Have you given yourself unreservedly to God? Are you ready to step out in faith each and every day?

Prayer:

Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.

 

Adoration:

 

 

Confession:

 

 

Thanks:

 

Supplication:

¥ Pray that tomorrow’s service in your church would grow the believers and draw each one closer to God. Pray that the Word would be faithfully preached and that the Holy Spirit would work powerfully through the Word.

¥ Pray that your church would grow as each individual makes disciples for Christ Jesus. Ask God to give each believer the courage of his/her convictions and that each believer would make the most of every opportunity to make disciples.

 

My Additional Prayer Points.

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2/.

 

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