God has given us a warning of the wrath that is to come.

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But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming  --Matthew 24:36-42 Isn’t great when you know something big is coming over the horizon? For instance, when I was a student I was always grateful when the teacher would give us a syllabus because it told me just when I needed to be ready for a big test. Like my teachers, God has given us a warning of what is to come. In fact, He has told us in His Word that one day He will start pouring out His judgment in a powerful way upon this earth…and it may have already started. Many godly leaders today believe that this world is ripe for judgment. The nations, including America, can’t keep going down an evil and sinful road without expecting God to call them to account for their deeds. And if you read your Bible alongside the newspaper, you’ll notice that there are things happening today that seem to indicate we are fast approaching the last days. My friend, God will eventually say, “Enough is enough,” and He will judge the wicked in the world, just as He did in biblical times. But our response should be not one of fear, rather a determination to live godly lives in a world in desperate need of our Savior! God has given you and me clear warning of what is to come.  I pray it will inspire you to go out and share with others the message of God’s grace and justice—to see many people come to faith in Jesus Christ as Savior.  God has given us a warning of the wrath that is to come.  Pray God will use you to reach many for Him as that day fast approaches. A Matter of Death and Life by Dr. Paul Chappell “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:1–4 Mark Twain, though a gifted author, had a deep disdain for Christianity. It is impossible to read much of his work without seeing his contempt for what he once referred to as a “slaughterhouse religion” because of the necessity of Christ’s sacrifice to pay for sins. Sadly, Twain meant his words as a dismissive critique, when he could have seen in them the hope he needed. For as Hebrews 9:22 says, “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22). Jesus’ sacrifice for us was part of God’s plan from the beginning of the world (1 Peter 1:19–20). It is not, however, just His death on the cross, but that death combined with the resurrection, that offers us the promise of new and eternal life. The purpose of the sacrifice was not completed until Christ rose again. Once we receive Christ as our Saviour, we have the gift of salvation and the promise of eternal life. This, however, is just the beginning of God’s plan for us. As we join with Christ in death and resurrection, we have the means to live a new kind of life even here on Earth. The pattern for our life was set for us by Jesus. “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps” (1 Peter 2:21). The Holy Spirit provides for us the power and ability to walk as He walked. Everything we need to live like Jesus lived is available to us.   Today’s Growth Principle:  Only by identifying with Christ’s death and resurrection can we walk as new creatures in Him.