March 13, 2019
by Randy Martin

LUKE 21:25-38 (THE MESSAGE)   

^25-26 “It will seem like all hell has broken loose—sun, moon, stars, earth, sea, in an uproar and everyone all over the world in a panic, the wind knocked out of them by the threat of doom, the powers-that-be quaking.
^27-28 “And then—then!—they’ll see the Son of Man welcomed in grand style—a glorious welcome! When all this starts to happen, up on your feet. Stand tall with your heads high. Help is on the way!”
^29-33 He told them a story. “Look at a fig tree. Any tree for that matter. When the leaves begin to show, one look tells you that summer is right around the corner. The same here—when you see these things happen, you know God’s kingdom is about here. Don’t brush this off: I’m not just saying this for some future generation, but for this one, too—these things will happen. Sky and earth will wear out; my words won’t wear out.
^34-36 “But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it’s going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don’t go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man.”
^37-38 He spent his days in the Temple teaching, but his nights out on the mountain called Olives. All the people were up at the crack of dawn to come to the Temple and listen to him.

In the 21st Chapter of Luke, Jesus recites a list of difficult disasters that can happen. He speaks of many things that can, do, and will happen. He says, "It will seem like all hell has broken loose...everyone all over the world in a panic..." (Luke 21:25). The question that Jesus inspires is, "HOW CAN HEAVEN BREAK IN WHEN HELL IS BREAKING LOOSE?" 

Heaven can break in when faith in God is stronger than the fear of the frightening circumstances around us. Faith or fear Is always the choice. Faith overcomes fear and fear overcomes faith! 

Heaven can break in when we remember that nothing can separate us from the love of God shown in Jesus Christ. Pain, suffering, or death have no power over us when we live in Resurrection Faith! There are no dead ends for God's people! 
Heaven can break in when we believe that the worst thing that can happen to us is living without purpose, love, hope, meaning, or living without a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. 

Heaven can break in when we when live close to God and know we are never alone. No matter where we are in our faith/Lenten Journey, the best news is "GOD IS WITH US!"