DAILY DISCIPLINE #28
by Colleen Donahue

 

"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
Psalm 90:12

One Sunday evening early in December 1988 I woke about 1:30 a.m. to the worst crash of lightning and thunder I have ever heard. I sprang from my bed to watch the trees in front of my house bending like match sticks. The light of Monday morning showed the havoc that had landed in my city. Only one mile from my home, buildings had been demolished and roofs of houses everywhere ripped off. A few people were dead and hundreds were homeless.

One week later, the earth rumbled in Russia and over 5,000 people suddenly ceased to live. In minutes, massive cities had been reduced to rubble and ruin.

Another week later I flew to England to spend Christmas and found London in shock. Two commuter trains had just crashed head-on killing over 40 people innocently riding into the city to spend their usual day at work.

Two weeks later there was more devastation when Pan Am Flight 103 blew up in mid-air over Lockerbie, Scotland. Not only did the entire flight die (over 250 people) but the plane crashed into the village killing 22 people simply relaxing in their own homes.

Can we really believe that we are in control of our own destiny? We like to think so, but facts like those I've just mentioned prove otherwise. Not one person who died had any inkling in the morning that they would be dead by night. So the question that must concern you and me now is...

Are WE ready?

READY FOR WHAT?

Day 1 -For death.
Psalm 89:48 / Hebrews 9:27

Day 2 -For affliction.
Deuteronomy 8:5 / Job 16:12 / Psalm 102:8-11

Day 3 -For Christ's coming back.
Matthew 24:42-44

LIVING IN REALITY OR UNREALITY

Day 4 -Can any of us prevent facing death?
Ecclesiastes 8:8

Day 5 -Our comfortable homes and close families seem so secure but could our love of pleasure and ease be the forerunner for disaster?
Isaiah 47:8-11

Day 6 -What is the attitude that many of us take which unfortunately may catch us off guard?
Proverbs 18:11 / Luke 12:16-19

What is likely to happen?
Luke 12:20-21

Day 7 -What was Paul's command to the rich - i.e. those who were materially secure?
I Timothy 6:17

Day 8 -What is it within us that makes us somehow feel that we are invincible?
Obadiah 1:3

Day 9 -Who is the one that is truly safe?
Proverbs 28:26

Day 10 -What is the Bible's warning to those of us who feel we are standing firm?
Luke 21:34 / I Corinthians 10:12

Day 11 -Once already in history, God moved dramatically to show that man's pursuit of material pleasures and security is only a state of false security.
Matthew 24:37-39

Day 12 -What is God's clear command regarding all the material goods around us that preoccupy our time and money?
Matthew 6:19-21 / I John 2:15-16

Day 13 -Often we fall into the trap of finding false security in a significant person such as a husband, father, employer, mother, etc. What does God ask of us?
Isaiah 2:22

Day 14 -Our vast knowledge of science, medicine, engineering, and psychology has made man seem almost invincible but...
Isaiah 47:10-11

Day 15 -Many of us have "gotten a jump" on the future through counselors, astrologers, and others dealing in the unknown spiritual realm but...
Isaiah 47:13-15

Day 16 -Most of us are very self-confident about our plans regarding career, marriage, and family, but......What is God's challenge to us about our self-made plans?
James 4:13-16

Day 17 -Many of the tragedies of life come because of other people around us (either on a personal or a national level). This has caused fear and suspicion within us.
But...Proverbs 29:25 gives us direction.

Day 18 -What will be the signs of Christ's coming and the end of the age?
Matthew 24:3-14

Day 19- What are the consequences for us when we aren't ready to meet God when He comes?
Matthew 25:1-13

The ones that are least ready for what a day may bring are those that are "living it up" in this life without regard for God.
What is the main consequence of.......

Day 20 Stinginess.
Proverbs 11:24

Day 21 -Indolence.
Proverbs 6:10-11

Day 22 -Love of pleasure.
Proverbs 21:17

Day 23 -Drunkenness and gluttony.
Proverbs 23:20-21

Day 24 -Evil associations.
1 Corinthians 15:33

Day 25 -What was God's warning to the Church at Philadelphia?
Revelation 3:11

WHAT IS NECESSARY FOR ALL MEN AND WOMEN IN THIS DAY AND AGE IF THEY ARE TO BE READY?

Day 26 -Recognize the sins in your life that separate you from God.
Ezra 9:6 / Psalm 40:12

Day 27 -If our conscience is alive to God we will say with David the Psalmist.....
Psalm 51:3-5

Day 28 -We need to "throw off the sin that so easily entangles us".
Isaiah 55:6-7 / Hebrews 12:1 / I Peter 2:11

Day 29 -Repentance and Faith.
Acts 3:19 / Acts 17:30 / Acts 20:21.

Day 30- Recognize GOD'S remedy for ALL your sin and begin to live in the light of its truth.
Romans 5:8-9 / Hebrews 9:14 / I Peter 1:18-20 / I John 1:7-9 / I John 3:16.

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