What Jesus Did! 'Stay Alert' — Mark 13:33

Thursday, October 3, 2024

[Talking about his second coming, Jesus continued,] "And since you don't know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!"
— Mark 13:33 NLT

Key Thought

Since we cannot know for sure the exact time of the Lord's return, our approach should be clear and without distraction. We are to stay alert and keep watch so that we are ready for the Lord's return whenever it occurs - ready with constant vigilance ... constant anticipation ... and constant moral preparedness.

Today's Prayer

O Father, I want to be ready when Jesus comes. Keep my eyes open, my heart pure, and my hands ready to do your will as I expect the glorious arrival of my victorious Lord. In his name, the mighty name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

How to Discredit Christianity
Article by Rubel Shelly
Want to know how to make unbelievers disbelieve even more? Rubel Shelly reminds us that wild predictions about Jesus' return on specific dates often are used by sceptics to discredit Christianity.

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 13:33 NLT — [Talking about his second coming, Jesus continued,] "And since you don't know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, October 3, 2024

Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Luke 6:12
"If ever one of woman born might have lived without prayer, it was our spotless, perfect a Lord, and yet none was ever so much in supplication as he!....."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Tertullus Leads the Charge' (Acts 24:1-9)
"Five days [after the Roman troops took Paul from Jerusalem to Caesarea,] Ananias, the high priest, arrived with some of the Jewish elders and the..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Prepared to Fight' (Ep. 6:14-17)
"Dear Father, my support in battle, Help me stand, having put on my body the garments of TRUTH and the bullet-proof vest of the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'My Witnesses to the Ends of the Earth' (Ac. 1:8)
"[Jesus said,] "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere — in..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!