Image by Takashi Murakami from Pixabay

“Our appointment with life is in the present moment.” – Thich Naht Hanh

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Listen to my song “Changed” on YouTube by clicking HERE

Support my ministry by purchasing my songs and books (Mercy Reigns & Listen to Your Heart). Thank you!

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Matthew 24:42-44

“Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

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Jesus used parables to jolt people into a deeper awareness.

Unfortunately, due to a long history of people warping Christianity into a theology of meriting heaven or being damned to hell, many still view Jesus’ teachings as imposing fear.

That’s despite hundreds of messages throughout the bible urging us to not be afraid.

Jesus spent his time healing and calming fears.

When his followers were caught in a violent storm, he told them to not be afraid.

Jesus also preached not to worry because of God’s deep care for all of creation (Matthew 6:25-34).

When the woman was caught in adultery, Jesus did not threaten her with any sort of punishment (John 8:1-11).

He told her to change her ways, but he did not condemn her.

(If she was on the brink of hell, don’t you think Jesus would have at least mentioned it?!)

Then there’s Jesus’ famous parable of the Prodigal Son in which the God figure, the father, welcomes his wayward son home with open arms and no chastisement at all.

And yet so many people choose to look for reasons why they should be afraid of God.

The point Jesus is making in today’s scripture verses is to stay awake.

Be present, as if keenly listening in the middle of the night for the sounds of a thief trying to secretly break into your home.

The Divine Presence is always here. It is we who are not!

We are many times lost in our thoughts, worries, judgements, and ego trips.

Many are missing the wondrous and amazing Sacred Presence in each moment.

Physical death will also happen when it happens in the present moment.

But there is nothing to fear if you are well practiced in being present to the Love that created you and is always here.

Stay awake!

Life will be transformed!

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Listen to the song of the day “Changed” on the Give Praise and Thanks album by clicking HERE.

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music by clicking HERE.

Purchase my new book “Listen to Your Heart: A Daily Devotional of Calling, Purpose and New Life” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Purchase my book “Mercy Reigns: A Daily Devotional of Compassion, Comfort and Healing” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Remember: God loves you!