Watching the Season

Watching the Season
Words of Faith 3-13-24
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2024
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Mark 13
[26] "At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. [27] And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.
[28] "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. [29] Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. [30] I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. [31] Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
[32] "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. [33] Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. [34] It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
[35] "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. [36] If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. [37] What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!'"

One of the wonderful things God has given us in His creation is the changing of seasons. Where I live, in Florida, the seasons are subtle, but still, we have them. To those who say we have no seasons in Florida, come visit in July and then come back to visit in January, and then tell me if you notice a difference. Leaves don't turn much here in the fall, but in Florida, it is obvious when summer is coming because you can almost hear the grass growing in the yard. And sometime in the fall, things finally cool off, even if the trees mostly keep their leaves.
Jesus knew that we can tell when the season is changing even if there is no "sign" of announcement, no siren that goes off. We know that as the twigs get their leaves, summer is approaching. Suddenly, summer is upon us, and we wonder what day it arrived!
In Florida, we make specific preparations when summer approaches. Summer means hurricane season where I live. As the season approaches, wise Floridians store some water and non-perishable foods. Wise Floridians have some batteries on hand and a plan in case of severe weather. Wise Floridians double-check their insurance coverage. Wise Floridians watch the news and weather track.
So Jesus said we are to watch. Watch? What are we watching for? The day of the coming of the Son of Man. Jesus is clear that no one (that is spelled NO ONE) knows the day or the hour. Such predictions claim to have knowledge higher than Jesus. We cannot know the day or the hour, but we can see the season approaching. We can see sure signs.
The truth is that never before has so many prophetic signs come together, from establishing the state of Israel and the European common market to the increase in earthquakes and disasters. We see the rise of persecution and antagonism against Israel. The leaves are on the trees. The season is near. Are you watching?

As the season of the coming of the Son of man approaches, have you stored away the water of everlasting life? Have you put away the non-perishable food of the Word? Do you have charged batteries? Is your insurance in order? Do you know for sure where you will spend eternity? Do you know that you are secure in your relationship with Him?

Lord, fill my cup with the water of Life. Charge my batteries with Your energy to serve. Feed me with Your daily Word. I trust in You for eternity, no matter the season or the changes that may come. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2024
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2024 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.