Watch and stay awake, meaning be prepared, for you do not know when Jesus is coming; believers must continue the work of the Great Commission. They must be like the homeowner who stays awake in preparation to catch a thief and the faithful servants who are good and found working when their master returns home, unlike the servant who is wicked and beats his fellow servants, in addition to eating and drinking with drunkards. That wicked servant will receive his or her just judgment for being a hypocrite and cut up into pieces or vice versa; either way, there will be a gnashing of teeth.
Watch and stay awake keep your lamps burning like the five wise virgins by keeping an extra flask of oil to keep your lamps burning for the bridegroom so that you can go with Him to the wedding feast. Be not like the foolish virgins who did not keep extra oil with them and missed the bridegroom and the open door to the wedding feast. Like them, one will not be able to plead by asking, “Lord Lord, open for me,” understand and know this, there will not be a secret password. The bridegroom will say, in an authoritative, powerful way, “I know you not.” Therefore, one must watch. Watch and stay awake, meaning be prepared, to accompany Him, for you do not know the day or hour of Jesus’ return only the Father does.
In the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, Jesus contrasts the pharisee boasting in his self-righteousness and a tax collector confessing his sins and seeking God’s mercy. The Pharisee, rather than thanking God for what God has done for him, speaks the Five I’s, revealing his ego-centric self. He is arrogantly bragging to God about his own religious piety and moral purity. However, the tax collector could not even lift up his eyes to heaven but beat his breast, a sign of remorse and sorrow when asking God to be merciful to him as a sinner.
In the sinner’s prayer in Psalm 51:1-2, the psalmist (David) seeks and appeals for God’s mercy and forgiveness. He is using the terms steadfast love and mercy to have God forgive him of his sins, inequity, and transgressions all of these words evoke God’s proclamation of His own name “ The Lord, the Lord, God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness keeping steadfast love for thousands forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin (Exodus 34: 6-7).” Therefore, focusing on God’s grace and kindness. David was pleading for mercy as the tax collector did in a humble manner and acknowledging that one’s forgiveness is based on God’s mercy entirely; furthermore, the tax collector and we, as sinners, acknowledge that we do not deserve God’s mercy and forgiveness.
This parable shows the contrast between the remorse of the tax collector as a sinner and the self-righteousness of the Pharisees; this is key to understanding the main point of the parable. The pharisee thought that he was righteous and attempted to justify himself. In contrast, the tax collector depended on God’s mercy and, as a result, received God’s gift of righteousness and was pronounced justified. The question is whether “to be or not to be a Pharisee; what is your answer?
In Daniel Chapter 10:11- 21, an angel, an attendee of God who reflected God’s glory, told Daniel he was a man who was greatly loved, and Daniel was to understand the words that the angel spoke to him. The angel told Daniel to stand upright, for he had been sent to him. Daniel stood trembling as the angel spoke the words he wanted Daniel to understand. Telling Daniel to not be fearful, for from the first day that Daniel had set his heart to understand and humbled himself before God, his words had been heard. Then the angel explained to Daniel that he came because of Daniel‘s words. The angel then further explained to Daniel that he was with the prince of the kingdom of Persia, who withstood him for 21 days. Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help him, for he had to leave the kings of Persia so that he could come to make Daniel understand what is to happen the in the latter days. The vision is for days yet to come.
Daniel turned his face towards the ground after the angel spoke to him, he became mute. Daniel, in this passage, described the angel as the man who appeared in the likeness of the children of man, who then touched his lips, causing him to open his mouth and speak. Once his mouth was opened and he could speak, Daniel felt the need to express and give a reason to the angel, who then was standing in front of him, that the vision had caused him pain and lessened his strength. He asked the angel how can he, as God’s servant, talk to his lord. For he had no strength and no breath left in him. So, the angel, who had the appearance of a man according to Daniel, touched and strengthened him, and said again, “oh man, greatly loved” fear not, peace be with you, be strong and of good courage. And then Daniel became strong, courageous, and strengthened by the angels, encouraging words and touch. Did you know that an encouraging word and a kind touch can encourage someone to be strengthened?
However, there is more to the story regarding God’s plan for the future of the world and Israel that is written in the book of truth, which the angel said he would tell Daniel. Needless to say, in Chapter 12:1-13, Daniel is curious when the end will come. The angel explained, “at the time of the end, there will be a time of trouble such as never been. The great prince, Michael, shall rise. The angel explained to Daniel that the Prince will be in charge of his people. At that time, his people shall be delivered, everyone whose name is found written in the Book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. The angel explained to Daniel that “ Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above,” and those who turn many to righteousness, “like the stars, forever and ever.” Then the angel instructed Daniel to shut up the words and seal the book until the time of the end, telling him, at that time, many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall increase (Daniel 12:4).
Whereas in Revelation 22:10-15, John’s angel told him not to seal his prophecy, that the time is near, for Jesus is coming soon and when He comes, He will bring to the rebellious judgment and to the believers’ blessings. Therefore, readers of the book of truth and the illuminating light of the Holy Spirit will acknowledge that the book of Daniel and Revelation has much to tell regarding mankind’s future. For God’s revealed words are true and trustworthy, and God sent his angels to reveal what will happen soon. A bit of advice as time is coming near, worship God and Him alone and be motivated that Jesus is coming soon, bringing blessings with Him.
Open your hearts and understand that the poor are the blessed ones. And whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered (Proverbs 21:13). Let God’s poor be glad for He thinks highly of them (James 1:9).
One day the poor will be raised from the dust and the needy will be lifted from the ash heap; And God will seat them with princes and He will have them inherit a throne of honor. “For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s; on them he has set the world (1 Samuel 2:8). He is God alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; He has made heaven and earth. God rules over all the kingdoms of-the nations. In His hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand Him the poor have hope, and injustice will shut its mouth (Job 5:16).
God has written that believers are to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor (Exodus 9:22). Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen (Isaiah 32:3). For Jesus said as He lifted His eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom” ( Luke 6:20).
Natural, mystifying, glorious to those who love Him
God’s Creation
Reading : Genesis 1:1-2
Genesis 1:1-2
In the a beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
Evil and sin abound, but God has His eyes and hands on the righteous. He feeds them heartfelt wisdom through His daily bread and His spiritual drink. To fill them with truth and strengthen their soul. Making goodness and mercy abound even more.
On the path of His Way, be sure to walk blamelesly by carefully keeping and following the road map of shamar (God’s instructions). Shine His light that He has provided for the light will be your reflection of His character and His steadfast love that you will share with those you meet along the way. Understand that there will be trials, suffering from contempt, and ill treatment even from the people of God, as you walk faithfully with Him. Sing and walk in the joy of His words, trusting and depending on the Father who leads you to the river of life. Remember you must stay on the path of His Way.
Wind Gust 