I watched a commercial on television recently and in big bold letters the screen screamed “FOR A LIMITED TIME.” For a second it caught my attention and made me question if I needed to add that to my week’s agenda! Nope, I didn’t need a double cheeseburger—even though the limited time advertising suggested I might! The marketing campaign was memorable and instilled urgency. I turned off the tv and put down the remote on the coffee table to then catch a glimpse of my Bible open before me in the book of Matthew.
It was as if a message was calling deep within my heart… “FOR A LIMITED TIME.” Nothing puts life into perspective like the Word of God.
We are not guaranteed our next breath. We do not know when God will call us home, and we do not know when Jesus is returning. We have a limited time here on this earth to acknowledge Jesus, call upon His name, surrender to Him, pursue Him, and ultimately live for Him. Have you considered this with urgency?
I picked up my Bible as quickly as I laid down the remote and went on to read Matthew 24:32-44 which says, “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that He is near, at the very gates. 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. ‘But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of Heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, He will set him over all his possessions. But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My Master is delayed,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, the Master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (ESV).
I know this Scripture may be difficult to read and even comprehend, because we usually want to hear about grace upon grace. We want the Good News! The truth is… the cross was not glamorous. I am sure when Jesus suffered and died on the cross for you and me, that was beyond difficult—yet He endured. He extended grace, and it came at a cost. We have a window to receive this eternal grace, for a limited time. One day, when Jesus returns, our opportunity will have expired.
Moses told the Israelites in Deuteronomy 30:19, “I call Heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live…” (ESV).
Hebrews 3:15 says, “As it is said, Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion” (ESV).
Stay awake, be ready, and be a faithful and wise servant. For a limited time, you can call upon the name of the Lord. One day, and no one knows the day not even Jesus, He will return. What action steps can you take now while it is called today to call upon Him, believe in Him, and live for Him! You still have this moment!
How can you make Monumental Moments and live to multiply His movement today?
