Change, Now is the Time

Luke 21:34-36?

34"Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. 35For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."

34 “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, 35 like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. 36 Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”

What does this mean?

The context of this passage is Christ speaking to His disciples. He was preparing them for when He would go to Heaven and they would face persecution. It is also a good warning for us that we should not get sucked into the cares of this world. Jesus is saying not to get complacent in your spiritual walk. Don't get too caught up in things of this world or you could lose your faith. Don't get caught up in the party animal mode and hang out with the wrong friends. Don't get worried about your finances and not trust in God. Don't worry yourself to death, but rely in the Father's tender loving care. Compare this to 1 Peter 5:7, "Cast your care upon him, for he careth for you."

What a relief that we worship the God of second chances!

If there's one truth that's indisputable about human beings, it's that we have an infinite capacity to mess up. But even more infinite than our ability to sin is God's desire to forgive us. For those of us who have accepted Christ as our Savior, that means God will forgive us every time we ask.

A favorite of the God of second chances

One of the most effective people in the Bible received a second chance from God. In fact, he received many, many chances. We can draw hope from the story of Moses, found in the book of Exodus.

Moses killed an Egyptian taskmaster who was abusing Hebrew slaves. When Pharoah found out, he tried to kill Moses. Escaping to Midian, Moses became a shepherd, married, and started a family. He had given up and "settled" for the life he had. Does that sound familiar? But God gave Moses a second chance.

God wouldn't listen to any excuses. He ignored the fact that Moses had failed before. He didn't care about Moses' low self esteem or speech disability. God had a job for Moses to do, and he was going to give him as many chances as he needed to do it.

God will do the same thing for you today!

A second chance for God's enemy

If anybody in the Bible deserved a lightning bolt from heaven to incinerate him on the spot, it was Saul of Tarsus. He is introduced in Chapter 9 of the book of Acts. A zealous persecutor of the fledgling Christian Church, Saul deserved to die for his treachery against God. Instead, God gave him a second chance. Not only did Jesus convert Saul to believe in him, he used him--as the apostle Paul--to take the Gospel to the Gentiles. During the rest of his life, Paul was shipwrecked, beaten, stoned, robbed and imprisoned, yet God protected him from death, giving him chance after chance to complete his assignment. Paul did.

What the God of second chances has for you

Do you have to be a Moses or Paul to receive a second chance--or third chance or millionth chance--from God? No. Christ has a second chance for anyone who needs it, including you. Maybe you've failed at something in life, and you think that dream is lost. I can tell you, though, from my own experience, that we serve the God of second chances. Right now I'm on my 47th or 48th chance. Or is it 348th chance? I lost track about 30 years ago--and God doesn't keep score either. Whether it's marriage, a job, a relationship, or your finances, God hasn't given up on you. He wants to heal you, make you right, and guide you into the purpose he has for your life. Your new mission for him may be different, in fact completely different from what you had in mind, but if you're obedient, God will give you every tool and circumstance you need to accomplish it.

Don't sell God short

Our Focus verse today is a strong reminder to us to remain vigilant in life at all times. Our last day on earth is unpredictable; it can happen anytime.

So we must be aware of our death as well as the death of others. We might not be alive tomorrow and the same is applicable to everyone else. So there is no tomorrow for us, only today. We must live according to the will of God today and thus everyday. Please also remember the words of Jesus not to worry about tomorrow. We only have this moment, and make sure that each moment of our life is submitted to God by loving Him and by loving others. The Lord is ready to meet you where you are. We all tend to expect too little from God. We tend to imagine that he's angry with us, that he carries a grudge and refuses to give us a second chance. That's not the God of the Bible, and that's certainly not Jesus. Jesus continually reached out to people like you and me, people who need a second chance. Some had enough faith to receive it. Will you accept the second chance that God is offering you today? See God realistically. See him mending your disappointment. See him running out to meet you, to give you another chance, just like the father of the prodigal son. Your life isn't wrecked for good. The most loving, powerful being in the universe wants to heal it, and he does have the power and creativity to do just that. Will you say "yes" today to the God of second chances? 2011 could be your year of great chance and change!

Rev 2:10 says, "Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life."

Holy and righteous Father, the Eternal God and Creator of the universe, Give me another chance at New Life! Work in me your righteous will to make me ready for your Son's glorious return. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

I pray. Amen.