After asking the LORD to speak to me, I was reading in Mark 8 and 3 accounts in that chapter struck me as potentially applying to you and me and spoke blaringly of things known about the end times.
Just a few of the things GOD tells us about the last days.
Matthew 24: 4 JESUS answered and said to them, ‘take heed (watch out, pay attention) that no one deceives you.” The last days are days full of deception.
2 Timothy 3:13 imposters will grow worse and worse deceiving and being deceived
1 Timothy 4:1 “Now the SPIRIT speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines (teachings) of devils” Those false doctrines/ teachings will be taught by men who themselves are deceived.
In Mark 8:17-21 After the disciples had seen JESUS feed the 4,000 with 7 loaves and a few fish they thought JESUS was upset with them for not bringing bread along. JESUS said they had ears but didn’t hear (listen up/pay attention) and eyes but couldn’t see/ perceive for they were not connecting the dots, they didn’t remember nor think things through.
In Mark 8:24 a man saw men like trees walking. In other words, he didn’t see things clearly. But when he told JESUS, the problem was taken care of, and he could see clearly.
Both led me to stop and ask GOD if and how these issues applied to me. Was I taking things just at face value and not connecting the dots? Do I acknowledge GOD in all things (Proverbs 3:5-7)? and ask the LORD for clarity (Hebrews 4:16)?
Then began to pray for specific others to have their eyes and ears opened, asking for them to be reminded of truth so could see things/issues clearly (1 John 5:16). For obvious basic truths are being denied and countless people are so confused about so many things.
Then the 1st truth of 2 Timothy 3:1 “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves” came alive as I read in Mark 8 of Peter rebuking our LORD JESUS when the LORD told HIS disciples of HIS coming rejection, death and resurrection. JESUS’ response to Peter made me stop and think.
In Mark 8:33 JESUS rebuked Peter
KJ “Get behind ME, Satan: for you savor (look to, enjoy, relish, delight in) not the things that be of GOD, but the things that be of men.”
NASB “you are not setting your mind on GOD’s interests, but man’s.”
NIV “you do not have in mind the concerns of GOD but merely human concerns.”
Ouch! That convicted me! I know that GOD’s thoughts and ways are not mine (Isaiah 55:8-9) and that HE often works through hard things (2 Corinthians 4:17) yet how often do I want GOD to move in a certain way now, and struggle and worry when HE does not. It also speaks of 2 Timothy 3:1 when man puts his wants and HIS ideas before GOD and HIS wisdom. When man delights more in the things of this world than in what GOD is doing those things become idols to him and we are warned, “Little children keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21).
O LORD, show me any idol I may have set up in my heart and tear it down for I want to worship YOU alone. I ask this in JESUS name.
Hugs
Sharon
wakemyear 