Happy Friday Friends! To be honest, I woke up on the struggle bus today. I was in a funk for about the first hour, a funk I could have easily broke by reading the Word, but I was to busy getting ready for work and preparing to sit down, roll my sleeves up, and crank out an inspiring message for y’all to motivate you for the weekend. It’s Friday, so that means it’s another day of great new releases in the Christian Music scene. There’s some great music coming out today, a lot of singles, Elle Limebear has a new album out. She has a very distinct, beautiful voice. Passion released their next single from their highly anticipated new album, but it is a cover of a worship favorite. Despite all the great music out on the New Music Friday Christian playlist from Spotify, nothing was bringing me out of my funk. I needed something upbeat and powerful. I found it on lucky number 13, with Rend Collective’s new single, DAY OF VICTORY.

I wrote all that to remind you all that as much as we want to wake up full of gusto, faith, and victory every day, it doesn’t always come easily. But stick to what you know lifts you up through any storm. Music is my motivation, and the world is making powerful worship melodies every day. You just have to find them, put them on repeat if need be, turn the volume up, and make it a day of victory.

February 28

³²”But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.  ³³It’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.

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.  ³⁶If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.  ³⁷What I say to you, I say to everyone:  ‘Watch!’”  (Mark 13:32-37)

Many throughout the years since Jesus’ ascension have tried to pinpoint the moment of time when Jesus would return to issue the end of time and fulfill the prophecies written in the Book of Revelation.  But as Jesus points out in the verses above, not even He knows when He will return.  Only God knows when that time will come.  Maybe it’s a certain milestone in time.  Maybe God’s waiting for the 2,000 year anniversary of His Son’s death.  Many speculated that the year 2000 would bring the beginning of tribulation and the end of days.  But now we are 20 years past that mark and, unfortunately, Jesus has not yet returned to call His followers to the New Earth and the New Heaven.  I say unfortunately because this world continues to turn farther and farther from Jesus, and those that know how to properly serve the Lord, are working tirelessly to bring the Gospel to the world and open the eyes of the blind.  I, myself, love this world and the life God has provided to me.  I have a beautiful wife, two amazing kids, and I finally have found the calling God destined for me.  But I still can’t wait to get to Heaven.  Just so I can fall at the feet of Jesus and thank Him for the grace He showed to me each and every day.

My favorite verse from the collection above is verse 36, which reads:  “If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.”  Are you “sleeping” on your preparation for Jesus’ return?  I don’t say this to bring dread and fear in your heart, rather, I say it in hope that you will be motivated to start living a more Godly life, free of the distractions of this world, serving and loving others day-in and day-out.  We should be wide awake, dancing in joy, singing an amazing worship song when Jesus returns, our arms stretched out ready for the Holy Spirit to lift us up and lead us to our forever homes. 

Reading plan:  Mark 16

Deeper reading plan:  Joshua 21-23

Prayer and meditation:  continue to pray for your request from day 1 and pray for the return of our Messiah.

Fitness challenge:  Week eight of our 7×14 challenge.  2 sets of 14, slow your reps down again and incorporate that one-two second pause.

1.  Standard push-up                2.  Sit-up or crunches

3.  Air squats                                4.  Hand-release push-up

5.  Leg lifts                                    6.  Lunges (7-each leg)

7.  4-count flutter kicks