DATE WRITTEN: Thursday, 2020-04-16
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: Romans 13:10-14
TRANSLATION: The Passion Translation (TPT)

BIBLE TEXT: ¹⁰ Love makes it impossible to harm another, so love fulfills all that the law requires. ¹¹ To live like this is all the more urgent, for time is running out and you know it is a strategic hour in human history. It is time for us to wake up! For our full salvation^[e] is nearer now than when we first believed.
¹² Night’s darkness is dissolving away as a new day of destiny dawns.^[f] So we must once and for all strip away what is done in the shadows of darkness, removing it like filthy clothes.^[g] And once and for all we clothe ourselves with the radiance of light as our weapon. ¹³ We must live honorably,^[h] surrounded by the light of this new day, not in the darkness of drunkenness^[i] and debauchery,^[j] not in promiscuity and sensuality,^[k] not being argumentative or jealous of others.
¹⁴ Instead fully immerse yourselves into^[l] the Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, and don’t waste even a moment’s thought on your former identity to awaken its selfish desires.

OBSERVATION: Warning from weather forecasters: A tornado is heading your way. Our Typical Response: We immediately gather our whole family and run to our safe room. Warning from Homeland Security: Smart intelligence is in that we will be attacked by terrorists tonight. Our Typical Response: We make sure that all of our neighbors heard the warning, and together we plan our safest defense that would protect our families. Warning from God’s Word: Jesus will return and it could be today. Our Typical Response: Surely He will let me graduate college first, or …. As we meditate on our Scripture today, perhaps we will be reminded that Jesus could return even today.

APPLICATION: I deliberately included a lot of Scripture today because I wanted you to join me in getting the full picture of what Jesus is telling us through His servant Paul. Perhaps today we should consider all the sources that we truly trust to give us accurate warnings. I believe that we see more today than ever before how warnings are used to prompt people into buying; into driving better; into being at work and on time; attending to the welfare of our family; attending church; etc. etc. Some of these warnings really pay off, because their intent serves to raise a sense of urgency in our minds. So I wonder how we could read Scripture like we have above, see the warnings, and still go about our lives without a care or concern about our own destiny, or of family or friends that we know will be left behind, unless they make a decision to accept Jesus as their Savior. But it also bothers me to see how relaxed we could be about seeing our loved ones make silly mistakes or show unconcern about their eternal destiny. We could look at ways that people respond to current events and we know that they care about others. They make sure that neighbors heard the warnings and that they are doing everything possible to insure their safety. However, when we look at Scripture and the warnings included there, we tend to crawl into our shell and blame our selfishness on not wanting to be rejected, or not wanting to push our beliefs on someone else. Wow, let’s go back and consider the sources again. We’re OK sharing news from forecasters who depend on trends and current radar, and we’re OK sharing news from the media from whom we have been bombarded with lies and one-sided stories, but then we clam up when it comes to sharing the very Word of God? What has become of our world folks? Has Satan gotten such a hold on people because of his assurance to help them drink themselves to death; party their income away; and reach for the stars at work by beating up on fellow workers and creating havoc for them – to make sure they fail? Please notice how simple God makes this life for us: Love makes it impossible to harm one another (vs 10); Love fulfills ALL that the law requires (vs 10); God provides a huge tip in advance that time is running out for the people on earth, so we are to ready ourselves for the day that we stand before Christ (vs 11); Warning signs about decisions that will hinder us are given in vs 12 & 13; But tips on what we should be doing as children of the Light is included in vs 14. I was amazed by God again as I ready my Proverb for the day: It pleases God more when we demonstrate godliness and justice than when we merely offer him a sacrifice (Proverbs 21:3). I believe this reaffirms that there is nothing more important than to know God, and to serve Him faithfully each and every day by obediently following His commands written in His Book – The Bible. Take time to be holy my friend. Draw night to Him and let Him guide and direct your paths until He calls you home to glory!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for the gift of salvation. Please work in the lives of Your children today as You reassure us of our eternal home. Thank You for the warnings given in Your Word, because even after accepting You as Lord, we quickly become lax in applying Your teachings to our lives. People we know, need the Lord. Master, I believe that Your children is in dire need of revival – a time where the saved might be renewed in spirit and encouraged by the Almighty to go on stronger than ever before. Our family and friends are dying and going to Hell, while we hold the secret to eternal life with You in Heaven. Please prompt us to remove all selfish desires, and may there never be a sense of fear that would prevent us from sharing our love for You, with all of our friends. With Your help, Your power and Your guidance, we want to immerse ourselves in You. May Your perfect will be done today, dear Lord. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!