“Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come.  It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert” (Mark 12:33-34).

We do not know what each day will bring.  Some treat the faith as an insurance policy and make no provision for the purpose of salvation.  We are called to come into an eternal relationship and grow to become like Christ.  In one sense, it is not about being saved, but about becoming.  We are to be on the alert so that nothing stops the progress of becoming.  Pay attention to everything, for all things are there for a purpose.

Lord, guide me to understand that in You alone is there a good future.  The world would have me flow with it in its endless cycles to nowhere, but You have called me to a new life.  Guide me in the way You know I need to go and let nothing hinder nor distract me from walking with You.  Let me leave behind what I must leave behind and walk on this journey with You.  All time is in Your hands.  Lead me through my number of days alloted.

Lord Jesus, You know that I become anxious about things and do not live in the promise You have given me.  I am distracted and little by little the world erodes my faith.  Help me to hold fast and stand strong in You so that I may persevere.  Guide me in Your goodness to continue becoming what the Father will make of me.  Help me to move beyond my understanding to stand in Your holiness.  Amen.

“But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone” (Mark 13:32).

So many in this world are proclaiming that they know what all the signs mean.  These signs point us to Jesus and He tells us to not worry about the day or the hour.  There is enough to be done in seeking to live righteously.  Focus upon what the Lord gives you to do and leave the outcome of all things to Him.  Be led by His goodness and mercy and walk humbly with Your Lord and God.

Dear Lord, You know how I get caught up in wanting to know things.  Many have come along and told me exactly how all these things will come to pass.  But they do not know.  Part of what they say may be true, but You have told me ahead of time so that I trust in you and not just the hopeful interpretations of these things.  All will come to pass according to Your word.  I believe there will be surprises.

Lord Jesus, You have asked me to follow You, knowing that You are always with me.  Guide me, Lord, to live the life You have given me.  Lead me according to the Father’s purpose and to focus upon what You would have me focus upon.  Teach me all I need to know and help me to walk the path of faithfulness.  I have commended my spirit unto You.  Raise me up with You to live in the new life You give.  Amen.

“Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away” (Mark 13:30-31).

This generation is the generation of rebellion.  The next generation will be of the redeemed and the condemned.  You were first born with flesh and blood.  Through Christ, you are reborn children of the Heavenly Father with your spirit alive.  The source of all things is God.  Through Him, all things have their being.  His words shall never pass away.  What we know of this generation shall pass away, but what He is doing is forever.

Lord, I do not understand all these things, but I do not need to.  You have given me the words of eternal life and in You, I have hope.  Hearing that Your word shall not pass away, helps me to focus upon this better portion which You have given me.  Guide me in all goodness to live by the word You have given me.  Life will happen in and around me, but You are with me and know the outcome of all these things.

Lord Jesus, Your word is a terror to those who will not believe, but a comfort to me, for I know all things are in Your hands.  Guide me in the way of life which prepares me to be with You forever.  Help me to see through the darkness of this age to abide in the light You shine in order that I may better understand.  I have life in You, Jesus.  Help me to live for the eternal life You have given me, abiding in You, the Word made flesh.  Amen.

There are signs all around us, always calling for us to walk closer with the Lord.  We may not know how the events will unfold and what, exactly, they will look like, but we do know that the Lord of all sees and knows all things.  Neither ignore them, nor be caught up by the events happening around you.  Use every opportunity to draw closer to the Lord and live out the life He gives you.

Heavenly Father, You have planted Your word in me.  Let the life You have given me spring forth to eternal life.  You are always near and present.  You are guiding those who believe to live a life as it is meant to be lived.  Guide me into right living so that I may become more like You, a child of the heavenly Father.  Help me to understand that You truly are with me, near me, and right at the door of my heart.

Lord Jesus, You have come to establish an eternal relationship with me.  You make the relationship possible.  Lead me in the way You know I need to go and grow me into Your likeness.  Help me to walk the path of faith in the salvation You give so that I become what the Father intends.  Lead me and help me to follow You.  In and through You, I have life.  Help me now and always to live the life You give.  Amen.

“Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.  And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven” (Mark 13:26-27).

Lord, You will come back to take us to be with You where You are.  This is the promise You have given us.  Between the time of my birth in this world and the end of this age, You have given us life to live and directed that Your faithful do so here and now.  We can only do what we can do.  You are the One who must lead us through the fog of this age.  Gather the faithful around You.

Lord, lead me in the way of everlasting life.  I do not fully know all that this means.  You have called me to so walk and trust You, as You form me by grace, that I will be prepared for what is coming.  You will return and You will bring judgement upon the world.  Until then, help me to humbly walk in the way of faith which You have shown me.  Guide me to work on the things You give me to do.

Lord Jesus, I have many foolish doubts.  I am troubled by this world which seems to become crazier with each passing day.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to humbly look to You and do what You give me to do.  Lead me according to the Father’s will to simply walk today trusting in Your provision.  Guide me according to Your goodness to live the life You have given me to live.  Amen.

“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken” (Mark 13:24-25).

Yes, the end is coming.  Whether it is tomorrow or another thousand years, whenever it comes, the rebellion of this world will one day cease.  We should not worry about tomorrow, for today has enough problems of its own.  Focus upon your walk with the One who has called you to walk with Him.  Be guided by His grace and mercy.  The world will become more rebellious, and we who follow Jesus are called to cease our rebellion.

Lord, help me to focus upon what You know I need to be concerned with today.  Guide me in Your goodness to humbly walk with You now and always.  I see signs all around me, but then, so did the saints of the past.  The human condition does seem to be going downhill, but there are things I can do here and now.  Help me to learn how to be faithful in every circumstance knowing that You are with me.

Lord Jesus, it is easy to become discouraged by the things that are going on around me.  Lead me so that I do not live according to the crazy uncertainty of this world, but by Your word which sustains me each day.  Lead me to live by faith knowing that You are with me and that the hope You have given me is forever.  Dark days will come upon me, but Your light is always shining before me.  Lead me into Your light.  Amen.

“But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance” (Mark 13:23).

Our Lord has told us things that will help us in every situation.  We do not need to know all of the details, but we know enough to not lose heart.  The world expects things to be the way they expect them to be and they are always disappointed.  Our Lord tells us what to expect so that we believe and trust that He will bring all things to pass according to His word.  Trust in the One who is trustworthy.

Gracious Lord, all things are in Your hands.  Although the rebellion in this world continues, You have given us the signs to look for so that we recognize that Your hand is present.  Guide me into all righteousness.  Lead me away from depending upon my own imagination to understand that You are the One who keeps the faithful amidst the many who are unfaithful.  Lead me now and always to look to You.

Lord Jesus, many of the things You spoke to the first disciples have come to pass.  There are many more yet to come to pass.  Guide me away from second-guessing or thinking I need to know things to trust You.  Help me to understand that all things are in Your hands.  Lead me to live by faith.  You have given me the words I need, but I know there are many more You will share with me at the right time.  Guide me to walk in the faith You have given me.  Amen.

“And then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ’; or, ‘Behold, He is there’; do not believe him; for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect” (Mark 13:21-22).

Wickedness wants what is best for the self.  “Why is this happening to me?”  We wallow in self-pity and do not understand that the Lord loves everyone equally.  Things happen because of wickedness, and we all have it in us.  Do not be led by the false hopes of this world, but by the One who has come, redeemed you, and given you an eternal hope which promises salvation leading to eternal life; even while wickedness continues around you.

Lord, You are doing what You are doing, and I am often tempted by a temporary and false hope which is not from You.  I want to be comfortable.  Lead me in the way You know I need to go.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to see through the false hope which is offered so that I will not follow the charlatans who pretend to be You.  You have already given the abiding words of hope.

Lord Jesus, my hope is in You and what You have done.  Despite my circumstances, help me to look to You alone as the source of my hope.  Even though I wind up in dire circumstances, I know that You are with me.  You have come to save me in order that I may be with You for all eternity.  Help me so that I never settle for what is passing and temporary.  Guide me to live a life that is righteous in Your sight.  Amen.

“For those days will be a time of tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will.  Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days” (Mark 13:19-20).

Humanity is on a self-destruct path.  If not for the grace of the Lord, they would have destroyed themselves already. Those whose ears have been opened and whose eyes have seen begin to understand the destruction of evil and the salvation which comes from the Lord.  The tribulation has been shortened for their sake, but destruction is still on its way.  The wicked cry out, “why,” but the righteous cry out to the “Who;” the Lord who eternally saves us from the condemnation brought on by wickedness.

Lord, I may not understand why You allow these things, but I am here because You have allowed the age to move forward so that I am included.  Guide me away from selfish thinking to come to the place where I trust You despite the things which are happening around me.  Lead me out of myself and into You.  No matter what happens around me, help me to trust You above all things in this world.

Lord Jesus, You know what it is to suffer.  You know our inner thoughts and the things that go through our minds. Help me to live the life You have given me that I may humbly follow You no matter the circumstances.  The infection of evil is in me.  Let Your grace and mercy slay all that is evil in me, knowing that the evil continues around me.  Save me in every time of trial so that I look to You above all things.  Amen.

“But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!  But pray that it may not happen in the winter” (Mark 13:17-18). 

Jesus’ compassion goes out to those who will suffer during times of tribulation.  God does not stop the evil of the world but allows it to play out.  We may not understand this, but in a small way we do.  God does not stop us from the evil choices we make.  We do have the free will to act, but we are called to give up our self-will and live for God’s will.  The ultimate woe is for those who will not look to the Lord but instead live out their free will.

Lord, there are times of tribulation, and the final day will come after a time such as not been heretofore experienced. Help me to look to You no matter what happens.  Guide me to understand that all things truly are in Your hands and that You will lead me through all the tribulations I experience.  Keep me in Your goodness and grace so that I live into the life for which You created me.

Lord Jesus, all things are in the Father’s hands.  There is wickedness in this world.  You have taught me to have compassion for others in each of their situations.  Guide me to be humble and compassionate.  Lead me to have a heart like Yours which cares for all others.  You know the way of true living.  Teach me to live in the way You know I need to live, trusting You above every circumstance.  Amen.