Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

13 March 2025

Reading From Mark 13:21-37

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

“Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”

—Mark 13:32-37

     It is a waste of time and resources to attempt to calculate when the Second Coming will occur.  If only the Father knows that then do we think we know more than the Son?  Also notice that the Lord does not want us sitting around waiting for Him to return, otherwise we might fall asleep.  Rather, we have our assigned tasks and in Luke 19:13 He tells us to occupy until He comes.  This means that we are to be about our Father’s business sharing the love and message of Jesus with others; making healthy, balanced, well-rounded disciples; and building up Zion upon the Earth. 

     To wait upon the Lord is not sedentary; it means to wait upon Him as a servant would, obeying Him out of love.  Part of the reason that He has not yet returned is that He wants more people to be rescued from the dominion of darkness and brought into His Kingdom of Light.  We are meant to partner with Him in that endeavor and what a thrilling adventure it is to be His hands and feet in the world around us. 

“Lord Jesus, we are looking forward to that glorious Day when You will gather Your elect from all over Planet Earth to be with You forevermore.  I pray that You would continue to pour out Your Holy Spirit upon us, blessing us with the passion and power we need to do Your will and Your work.  Open our eyes to the opportunities You are creating to minister Your reconciliation to those who are currently separated from You by sin.  Draw them close to You.  Soften their hearts.  Make us brave to share truth in love.  In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray these things.  Amen.”

Have no fear of sudden disaster
    or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
for the Lord will be at your side
    and will keep your foot from being snared.

—Proverbs 3:25-26

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

—II Timothy 1:7

Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

—I Thessalonians 4:9-12