Matthew – Page 4 – Crews N Away

September 27, 2026

EVERYONE WHO HAS / MATTHEW 25:29

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 25:29

For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

The Principle of Spiritual Increase: Understanding Matthew 25:29

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus shares a profound and sometimes jarring principle about stewardship, faithfulness, and the reality of the kingdom of heaven. In Matthew 25:29, He states, “For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

On the surface, this statement can sound harsh or even unfair. Why would the person who already has an abundance receive even more, while the one with very little loses everything? To understand this, we have to look at the context of the Parable of the Talents and what Jesus is truly teaching about a Christian’s reward and position in heaven.

Our future reality in the kingdom of God depends heavily on how we lay hold of and pursue God’s purposes right now. What we do to benefit God’s kingdom on earth directly impacts the spiritual “benefit” and responsibility we will receive in eternity.

Jesus is not talking about material wealth or favoritism. He is highlighting a spiritual law: a Christian’s eternal reward will be in proportion to their present commitment to God. He cares deeply about our faithfulness to use whatever we have been given, regardless of whether it seems like a little or a lot.

Every resource, talent, breath, and opportunity we possess belongs to God. When we actively invest those gifts into serving others, spreading the Gospel, and honoring Him, our capacity to receive and manage His grace increases. Conversely, when we operate out of fear or complacency, burying what God has given us, we atrophy spiritually.

Eternity is not a place of passive idle rest, but one of divine order, position, and purposeful service. Luke 22:24-30 reinforces that those who stand by Christ in His trials and serve faithfully on earth will be granted authority and distinct positions in His kingdom.

God does not compare your starting amount to someone else’s. The servant given two talents was rewarded just as highly as the servant given five because both were fully faithful with what they had. The only failure is withholding your heart and your gifts from the Master.

Let us live with an eternal perspective today. Look at what is in your hands right now—your time, your relationships, your resources, your unique abilities—and choose to invest them fully for the glory of God.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the incredible trust You have placed in us by gifting us with resources, talents, and the message of Your kingdom. Forgive us for the times we have allowed fear, comparison, or complacency to make us hide what You have given us. We ask for a fresh perspective today—one that looks beyond our immediate comfort and focuses on eternal rewards. Help us to be diligent, faithful, and passionate stewards of Your grace. Multiply our efforts for Your glory, and let our lives bring maximum benefit to Your kingdom on earth. May we hear those beautiful words from You one day: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Bible Study Tools I Use

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Strong’s Concordance
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
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September 27, 2026

TALENTS / MATTHEW 25:15

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 25:15

And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

Multiplying What Matters: Understanding the Parable of the Talents

When we hear the word “talent” today, we usually think of a natural ability—like playing the piano, painting, or being good at math. But in the ancient world, a talent wasn’t a skill; it was a massive unit of weight, roughly 75 pounds, often used to measure precious metals like gold or silver. To put it in perspective, a single talent was worth about 20 years of a laborer’s wages.

When Jesus told the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30, He wasn’t just talking about pocket change or casual hobbies. He was talking about an immense, life-altering wealth entrusted to servants by their master.

The Sovereignty of the Master

In Matthew 25:15, we read that the master distributed his wealth according to each servant’s unique ability:

“To one he gave five talents, to two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.”

This verse teaches us a profound truth: God has uniquely entrusted all of us with a specific combination of abilities, time, resources, and opportunities.

The master didn’t expect the one-talent servant to produce five talents. He simply expected faithfulness with what was given. God knows your capacity, your context, and your hard-wiring. He does not compare your output to someone else’s; He looks at your stewardship relative to what He has poured into your hands.

A Return on Investment

The core message of the parable warns us that our place and service in heaven will depend on our faithfulness and service on earth.

God is not a passive observer; He is an investor. He expects us to use and apply our gifts in the wisest possible way so that Christ can see a return on His investment. True stewardship means taking what God has given us and actively multiplying it for His Kingdom—serving others, sharing the gospel, and loving our neighbors well.

Misunderstanding the Master’s Heart

It is crucial to remember that parables are meant to teach a central spiritual lesson, and not every aspect is a direct analogy.

Take the foolish servant, for instance. He hid his talent in the dirt because he claimed the master was a “hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed” (Matthew 25:24). This wasn’t an accurate description of the master—it was the distorted judgment of a lazy servant who didn’t truly know or love his lord.

Notice that the master never admits to being harsh or unfair. Instead, in Matthew 25:26, he simply repeats the servant’s words back to him as a piercing question, exposing the servant’s true problem: fear and laziness, rooted in a broken relationship.

When we see God as a harsh taskmaster, we paralyze ourselves with fear and bury our gifts. But when we see Him as a generous Father who trusts us with His treasures, we are free to risk, serve, and multiply what matters.

A Closing Prayer for Faithful Stewardship

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the incredible trust You have placed in us. Thank You for the gifts, the time, the resources, and the unique opportunities You have woven into our lives. Forgive us for the times we have allowed fear, comparison, or laziness to make us bury what You have given us.

Help us to see You clearly—not as a harsh judge, but as a loving, generous Master who delights in our faithfulness. Give us the wisdom and the courage to invest our lives fully for Your glory. Multiply our small efforts to bring comfort, love, and truth to the world around us.

May we live our days in such a way that we hear those beautiful words from You at the finish line: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
Strong’s Concordance
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

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September 27, 2026

OIL / MATTHEW 25:4

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 25:4

But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

Keep Your Lamps Burning: The Power of Perseverance and Spiritual Preparation

We live in a world that loves shortcuts. We want instant results, fast food, and immediate gratification. But when it comes to our spiritual lives, Jesus teaches a completely different reality—one that requires deep preparation, watchfulness, and enduring faithfulness.

In Matthew 25:4, during the Parable of the Ten Virgins, we read about a crucial distinction between those who were prepared and those who were not:

“The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.”

At first glance, a jar of oil seems like a small, insignificant detail. But in the context of eternity, that oil made all the difference.

Understanding the Oil: Faith, Righteousness, and the Holy Spirit

Through this parable, Jesus stresses the absolute necessity of spiritual perseverance. The bridegroom arrived at an unforeseeable hour, catching half of the virgins empty-handed. Their lamps flickered and died because they lacked the reserve required to endure the wait.

The oil represents what matters most in the Christian walk:

True faith that isn’t just an emotional moment, but a lifelong commitment.
A right relationship with God built on intimacy, prayer, and devotion.
The constant presence and power of the Holy Spirit actively working within us.

All true followers of Jesus are invited to enjoy this divine presence. However, we cannot survive on borrowed faith. When the late-night trials of life come, or when the waiting feels long, we cannot rely on the spiritual reserves of our parents, our spouses, or our pastors. We must have our own oil. Like the wise virgins, our lives need to be pure and full of the faith and righteousness that come only from God’s Spirit.

The Call to Endure

The lesson of perseverance is so vital that Jesus didn’t just mention it once. Throughout the Gospels, He continuously echoes this warning through several other parables:

The Sower (Luke 8:4-15) – Reminding us to let the Word take deep root so we don’t wither in times of testing.
The Owner of the House (Luke 12:35-40) – Urging us to be dressed and ready for service, keeping our lamps burning.
The Manager (Luke 12:42-48) – Challenging us to be faithful stewards of what we’ve been given until the Master returns.
The Tower Builder (Luke 14:28-30) – Warning us to count the cost of discipleship before we begin.
The Tasteless Salt (Luke 14:34-35) – Exhorting us to maintain our spiritual flavor and distinctiveness in a fading world.

Living with expectancy means living with readiness. It means choosing daily discipline over spiritual laziness. It means filling our jars today so we can stand firm tomorrow. Let us not be caught sleeping or running on empty. Keep your eyes on Christ, seek the infilling of the Holy Spirit daily, and keep your lamps burning bright.

A Closing Prayer for Readiness

Heavenly Father, Almighty God,

We thank You for the timeless truth of Your Word. Lord, we confess that sometimes the wait feels long, and the distractions of this world tempt us to grow weary or complacent. We ask today for a fresh infilling of Your Holy Spirit. Grant us the grace, wisdom, and strength to be like the wise virgins—fully prepared, watchful, and deeply rooted in You.

Purify our hearts, Lord. Fill our spiritual jars with an unwavering faith, a righteousness that comes only from Your Spirit, and a love that never grows cold. May our lives be a burning light for Your glory, standing firm in perseverance until the day You return. Keep us faithful, keep us ready, and keep us looking up.

In the mighty and holy name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

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Bible Study Tools I Use

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www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
Strong’s Concordance
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

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September 27, 2026

PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS / MATTHEW 25:1

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 25:1

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

Keeping Your Lamp Trimmed: Lessons from the Parable of the Ten Virgins

We live in a world driven by notifications, deadlines, and predictive calendars. We like to know exactly when things will happen so we can plan our preparation down to the final minute. But when it comes to the most historic event on the horizon—the return of Jesus Christ—the script is completely flipped.

In Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus shares a sobering story known as the Parable of the Ten Virgins. This brief story serves as a profound masterclass in spiritual readiness, challenging every believer to examine their own heart before time runs out.

The Midnight Cry and the Cost of Delay

The setting is a traditional wedding feast. Ten virgins took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. On the surface, they all looked identical. They all had the same goal, they all carried lamps, and eventually, as the bridegroom delayed, they all grew drowsy and fell asleep.

The critical difference didn’t show up until midnight, when the sudden cry rang out: “Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!”

It was in that unexpected, jarring moment that the true condition of each person was exposed:

The Five Wise Virgins: They recognized that the bridegroom might be delayed. They planned ahead, bringing extra flasks of oil to sustain their lamps through a long night.
The Five Foolish Virgins: They failed to anticipate the long wait. They brought their lamps but no reserve oil, assuming everything would happen quickly or on their own timeline.

By the time the foolish virgins woke up and realized their lamps were sputtering out, it was too late. While they scrambled to find an oil vendor, the bridegroom arrived. The prepared virgins went inside to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut.

A Warning for the Modern Church

Jesus explicitly states the moral of this story in Matthew 25:13: “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour”.

This parable is a direct wake-up call to the church. It reminds us that Christ will return unexpectedly, without obvious signs or countdown tickers immediately preceding the moment. In fact, Christ hints here and elsewhere (such as Luke 18:8) that a large portion of the professing church will find themselves completely unprepared when He appears. He will not delay His coming until every church fixes its spiritual posture.

The tragedy of the foolish virgins is that they likely intended to be ready. They made the initial decision to go out and wait. But sticking to that decision requires persistence, growth, and endurance. It is dangerously easy to view Christ’s return as a distant concept, allowing our spiritual lives to slide into passivity. An initial choice to follow Christ is vital, but a true relationship requires continuous devotion.

Spiritual readiness cannot be borrowed, bought at the last minute, or inherited from a spouse or parent. It is a deeply personal, daily walk with the Lord.

Are You Ready for the Bridegroom?

If the midnight cry sounded tonight, would your lamp burn bright, or would it flicker out? Do not mistake a nominal, cultural Christian identity for a vibrant, devoted relationship with Jesus Christ. Check your spiritual oil today. Stay active in your faith, keep growing, and live with the eager expectation that our King could arrive at any moment.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, Almighty God,

We come before You today with humbled hearts, recognizing the gravity of Your Word. Lord, shake us out of any spiritual complacency or passivity. We confess that we often live as if this world is our permanent home, forgetting that our true home is with You and that Your return is imminent.

Holy Spirit, help us to constantly examine our own spiritual condition. Forgive us for the times we have tried to coast on past experiences or the faith of others. We ask that You fill our lives afresh with Your presence—our spiritual oil. Give us the endurance and persistence to keep our lamps burning bright through the darkest nights.

Cultivate within us a deep, devoted, and authentic personal relationship with Jesus Christ. May we not just be hearers of the Word, but faithful followers who grow daily in grace, holiness, and love. Keep us watchful, alert, and active in Your Kingdom, so that when the Bridegroom arrives, we may step through the doors of the eternal banquet with joy.

In the holy and precious name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

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Bible Study Tools I Use

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Map Pencils
Strong’s Concordance
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September 25, 2026

MY MASTER IS STAYING AWAY / MATTHEW 24:48-49

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 24:48-49

But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ ⁴⁹and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards.

The Trap of “Someday”: Understanding the Wicked Servant in Matthew 24:48-49

In Matthew 24:48-49, Jesus exposes a dangerous heart condition that can quietly take root within the church. The wicked servant looks out at the horizon, notices the delay, and begins to say in his heart, “My master is staying away.” What follows this thought is a tragic shift in behavior: he begins to beat his fellow servants and eat and drink with drunkards. Christ’s unexpected return will not motivate those within the church who are unfaithful to the Lord and who see no need to be prepared and to remain ready.

Anyone who claims to be a Christian but continues to ignore God’s standard and lives in sin, believing that Christ will delay His coming for a few years, can be compared to this wicked servant. When we relegate the return of Christ to a distant “someday,” we remove the healthy boundaries of holy fear and accountability. Such a person will feel no immediate threat that the Lord’s return will take him or her off guard. This spiritual complacency doesn’t just stall our growth—it actively corrupts our lifestyle and how we treat those around us, shifting our allegiance from the Master’s table to the world’s revelry.

It is highly significant that Jesus connects spiritual unfaithfulness and insincerity with the belief and desire that Christ will not come anytime soon. The illusion of time is the enemy of urgency. When our hearts secretly hope the Lord delays so we can finish indulging our fleshly desires, we have already compromised our faith. True readiness demands that we live every moment with the understanding that the Master is at the door, evaluating our faithfulness not by our initial promises, but by our current posture.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, search our hearts today and expose any areas where we have assumed Your patience is an invitation to compromise. Forgive us for the times we have lived as though You are staying away indefinitely. We ask that You break any spirit of complacency or false security in our lives. Deliver us from treating others poorly and aligning ourselves with the world’s standards. Grant us the grace to live in continuous readiness, keeping our lamps burning bright and our hearts purely devoted to Your standards. May we be found faithful and active in Your service whenever You return. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
Strong’s Concordance
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

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September 25, 2026

AN HOUR WHEN YOU DO NOT EXPECT HIM / MATTHEW 24:44

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 24:44

So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

An Hour When You Do Not Expect Him: The Urgency of Being Ready

We live in a world that thrives on schedules, notifications, and predictable timelines. We like to know exactly when a flight lands, when a package arrives, and when a storm will hit. But in Matthew 24:44, Jesus gives a command that disrupts our need for predictability:

“Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Once again, Christ refers to His return for the faithful people in His churches at an unexpected and unknown time. This warning is a call to a lifestyle of continuous spiritual readiness. But how do we reconcile this “unexpected” arrival with other biblical prophecies that detail specific signs and timelines?

The answer lies in understanding the dual nature of Christ’s return.

The Two Phases of the Second Coming

To reconcile Christ’s teaching about His unexpected coming (Matthew 24:42, 44) with His statements about His expected coming (Matthew 24:33), we must recognize that His “Second Coming” unfolds in two distinct phases or stages.

Phase	Timing	Character	Key Scriptures
The First Stage (The Rapture)	Unexpected Prior to the Antichrist and the end-time judgments.	Christ returns in the clouds to take His true church away from the earth.	1 Thessalonians 4:17 John 14:3 Revelation 3:10
The Second Stage (The Glorious Return)	Expected At the very end of the seven-year tribulation.	Christ returns physically to earth to destroy the wicked and begin His millennial reign.	Matthew 24:29-30 Revelation 19:11-21 Daniel 9:25-27

The warning to be ready in Matthew 24:44 is not for those who go through the tribulation. For those left on earth during that time, Christ’s final return will be highly expected, calculable by cosmic signs and precise prophetic timelines (Revelation 11:1-2; 12:6). Instead, the urgent command to watch applies to us today—the generations waiting for the sudden, unexpected first stage.

Patterned After the First Advent

If a single event consisting of two distinct phases sounds complex, we only need to look back at history. This is exactly how the Old Testament predicted Christ’s first coming to earth as a human.

The Old Testament prophets often spoke as if the Messiah’s coming were a single event. However, history reveals the fulfillment of those prophecies in two distinct phases separated by thousands of years:

His coming by birth to suffer, serve, and eventually die for our sins.
His coming to reign on earth as King at the end of time as we know it.

We see this clearly when comparing Isaiah 61:1-3 with Luke 4:18-19. Jesus read the prophecy of His first coming in the synagogue but stopped mid-passage, leaving the “day of vengeance” (His second coming) for the future.

Our Motivation for Today

Christ’s urgent warning to always be spiritually ready for His coming at an unknown time applies to all generations of Christians. It should not cause us fear; rather, it should provide a strong motivation for remaining true to our faith in Christ and our commitment to the standard of His Word.

Living with the expectation that Jesus could return at any moment changes how we live today. It purifies our motives, sharpens our focus on evangelism, and anchors our hearts in eternal hope rather than worldly anxieties.

Are you watching? Are you ready? Let us live in a state of holy expectancy, so that whenever the shout comes, we are found faithful.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, Almighty God,

We thank You for the blessed hope of Your Son’s return. Lord Jesus, Your Word reminds us that You are coming at an hour we do not expect. Forgive us for the times we have grown spiritually drowsy, distracted by the cares and pleasures of this world. Wake our hearts to the urgency of the hour.

We pray that You would grant us the grace, strength, and perseverance to remain true to our faith. Help us hold fast to the unchanging standard of Your Word, living holy and blameless lives before You. May our lamps be filled with oil and our hearts be filled with expectancy. Use us to share Your love and truth with a world that desperately needs You, so that many more may be ready on that glorious day.

Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus.

In Your holy and powerful name we pray, Amen.

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Bible Study Tools I Use

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Map Pencils
Strong’s Concordance
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Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

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Blessings, Margarita & Stace

September 25, 2026

THE THIEF / MATTHEW 24:43

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 24:43

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.

The Thief in the Night: Understanding Christ’s Unexpected Return

In Matthew 24:43, Jesus delivers a striking and unforgettable analogy to His disciples: “But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have left his house to be broken into.”

At first glance, comparing the King of Kings to a thief might feel unsettling. However, this is not a direct comparison of character. Christ is certainly not like a criminal; when He returns, He is not breaking in to steal what belongs to someone else, but rather coming to reclaim what is rightfully His.

Instead, the core of Jesus’ message focuses entirely on unpredictability and timing.

The Element of Surprise

A thief does not send an RSVP or post a schedule. Their entire advantage relies on striking when a homeowner least expects it, typically under the cover of darkness when defenses are down.

Jesus explains that if a homeowner knew the exact hour a robber was coming, preparation would be easy. They would simply wait up for that specific window of time. But because the hour is hidden, the only way to protect the home is to maintain constant vigilance.

In the same way, the day and hour of Christ’s return are completely unknown to us. He will return in the middle of ordinary, daily life when the world is largely unconcerned and caught off guard.

Moving from Complacency to Readiness

The ultimate goal of this warning is found in the very next verse: “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Matthew 24:44).

Being ready means living each day with eternity in mind:

Guarding our hearts against spiritual apathy.
Actively serving God and loving others with our time and resources.
Resting in salvation, knowing that for those walking in the light, His return is a day of joyous rescue, not a day of fear.

Whether Jesus’ return feels like a disruptive intrusion or a long-awaited homecoming depends entirely on where our hearts are anchored. Let us shake off complacency, stay awake, and live every moment prepared to greet our King.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, Almighty God, Creator of all things, we praise You for Your perfect timing and Your sovereign plan. Lord Jesus, we recognize that You are the rightful owner of our hearts and lives, and we eagerly await the day You return to make all things new.

Forgive us for the moments we allow the distractions, anxieties, and comforts of this world to lull us into a spiritual slumber. Shake us from our complacency. Holy Spirit, grant us the wisdom and strength to stay vigilant, guarding our faith and active in Your service. May our lamps be fueled and our hearts be ready so that whenever You return, we may greet You not with fear, but with joyful celebration. In Jesus’ holy name we pray, Amen.

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Bible Study Tools I Use

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www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
Strong’s Concordance
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
Strong’s Concordance
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace

September 25, 2026

THEREFORE KEEP WATCH – YOU DO NOT KNOW ON WHAT DAY / MATTHEW 24:42

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 24:42

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.

Staying Awake: The Urgency of Keeping Watch Today

In a world filled with endless notifications, breaking news alerts, and constant digital noise, it is easy to find ourselves completely distracted. We manage our calendars, plan our careers, and insure our futures, yet we often overlook the most certain future event in cosmic history: the return of Jesus Christ.

In Matthew 24:42, Jesus delivers a direct and unavoidable command to His followers: “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”

The Meaning of Gregoreo

To truly understand the weight of Christ’s words, we have to look closely at the language He used. The phrase “keep watch” is translated from the ancient Greek word gregoreo (γρηγορέω), which means to stay awake, remain alert, or be sleeplessly vigilant.

Crucially, Jesus speaks this command in the present imperative tense. In Greek grammar, this dictates a continuous, ongoing action. It is not a one-time spiritual checkup or a task to cross off your to-do list. Instead, it translates to a command to continually keep watching right now and from this point forward. It is a lifestyle of active, intentional readiness.

Ready for His Return at Any Time

Jesus reminds us that there will be no instant warning signs right before the moment arrives. Just like a homeowner who would have stayed awake had he known exactly when a thief was coming, we must remain vigilant because the Son of Man will arrive when least expected.

This call to alertness is closely linked to John 14:3, where Jesus promises, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” Because we know He is coming back—but we do not know the day or the hour—His followers must always live as if He could return today.

What Does Keeping Watch Look Like?

Living a watchful life does not mean pulling away from society, hoarding panic supplies, or obsessively trying to calculate dates. True spiritual watchfulness means:

Guard your heart against complacency: It is easy to drift into spiritual laziness or compromise when life feels predictable.
Prioritize active faith: Keep your connection to God strong through regular prayer, repentance, and diving into His Word.
Live with immediate obedience: Treat every interaction, every act of forgiveness, and every opportunity to share the Gospel with urgency.

Jesus isn’t asking us to live in fear or panic; He is inviting us to live prepared. When we live awake to His presence and His promise, we shift our focus from temporary worldly distractions to the eternal hope of our coming King.

A Closing Prayer for Vigilance

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the beautiful promise that Jesus will return to gather His people home. Forgive us for the times we have allowed the distractions, anxieties, and comforts of this world to lull our souls to sleep.

Holy Spirit, help us to embody the command of gregoreo today. Wake us up from spiritual laziness and give us the strength to keep watch continuously. Stir a fresh urgency in our hearts to live holy, loving, and obedient lives right now, treating every day as an opportunity to be ready for Your appearance. Keep our lamps burning brightly so that we may meet You with joy rather than shame when You arrive.

In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
Strong’s Concordance
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

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Blessings, Margarita & Stace

September 23, 2026

ONE TAKEN THE OTHER LEFT / MATTHEW 24:40

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 24:40

Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

One Will Be Taken, the Other Left: Are You Ready?

Life often feels entirely predictable. We wake up, pour our coffee, head to work, and go about our daily routines alongside neighbors, coworkers, and family members. We share the same spaces, do the same tasks, and live seemingly identical lives.

But Scripture warns us that a day is coming when the ultimate division will take place in the blink of an eye.

In Matthew 24:40, Jesus delivers a startling reality check:

“Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.”

At first glance, these two men appear exactly the same. They are working in the same field, doing the same job, enduring the same heat. Yet, their final destinies could not be more different. One is suddenly caught away, while the other is left behind.

The Reality of the Gathering

This sudden separation directly connects to the promise Jesus made to His followers. In John 14:3, He comforted His disciples, saying, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

This incredible event is what many believers refer to as the rapture of the church. The word “rapture” itself comes from the Latin raptura, which means to be “caught away” or “caught up.” It mirrors the Greek word harpazo, used by the Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 when he writes that living believers will be “caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.”

As described in 1 Corinthians 15, this moment will happen in a flash—in the twinkling of an eye. The dead in Christ will rise first, and those who are alive and truly following Him will be transformed and taken from the earth to be forever with the Lord.

The Element of Surprise

Jesus compares these final days to the days of Noah (Matthew 24:37). Before the flood came, people were eating, drinking, and marrying. They were entirely consumed by the ordinary rhythms of life, completely blind to the fast-approaching judgment.

The division in the field reminds us that being close to the faith is not the same as possessing the faith. You can share a home, a workplace, or a church pew with a believer, but salvation cannot be borrowed. It requires a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

While true followers of Christ live in active anticipation of His return, the exact moment will still carry a profound element of surprise. The question Jesus leaves us with isn’t when it will happen, but where we will stand when it does. Are we prepared, or are we too rooted in this world to be ready for the next?

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We come before You today humbled by the weight and truth of Your Word. Thank You for the blessed hope we have in Jesus Christ—the promise that He is coming back to gather His church and take us to be where He is forever.

Lord, search our hearts today. Forgive us for the times we have become too comfortable with the rhythms of this world and blind to eternity. We ask that You awaken our hearts. If there is any area where we are merely going through the motions of religion without a true relationship with You, reveal it to us and draw us close.

Grant us the grace to live faithfully, watchfully, and urgently. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit so that we may be bold witnesses to those around us—our families, our coworkers, and our neighbors—so that they, too, may know the saving grace of Jesus.

We want to be ready when You call us home. Keep our eyes fixed on You, living every day in the light of Your return.

In the mighty and holy name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
Strong’s Concordance
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

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Blessings, Margarita & Stace

September 23, 2026

THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN / MATTHEW 24:37

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 24:37

But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Ready or Not: Understanding the Coming of the Son of Man

In Matthew 24:37, Jesus gives us a sobering look into the future: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.”

For centuries, believers have studied these words to understand what the end times will look like. When we look closely at Scripture, we find that Jesus’ promises about His return actually carry a double reference—unfolding in two distinct stages. By looking at the three groups of people present in Jesus’ illustration of Noah’s day, we can find exactly where we stand today and how we should live in anticipation of His return.

The Two Stages of Christ’s Return

Prophecy shows us that the coming of the Son of Man is not a single, isolated event, but a multi-part promise:

The First Stage (The Rapture): Christ returns at an unknown, unexpected moment to rescue His faithful followers and take them to heaven (John 14:3; Revelation 3:10). This happens suddenly, before the world plunges into the dark years of the Tribulation.
The Second Stage (The Second Coming): Christ returns visibly and with great power after the Tribulation. At this time, He executes final judgment on the wicked and establishes His glorious kingdom on earth (Revelation 19:11 – 20:4).

To illustrate how these stages affect humanity, Jesus points us back to the book of Genesis. Within the narrative of the Great Flood, we find three categories of people that mirror the end times.

Three Groups, Three Destinies

1. The Unprepared (The Victims of the Flood)

The first group consists of those who ignore God’s warnings. In Noah’s day, people went about their daily routines—eating, drinking, and marrying—completely blind to the coming judgment.

In the end times, this represents those who continue to refuse Christ, even during the severe trials of the Tribulation. Because they reject the truth, they will not understand the times. When Christ returns at the end of the Tribulation to execute judgment, they will be caught entirely unprepared and face destruction (Matthew 24:38-39; Luke 17:26-28).

2. The Tribulation Saints (Represented by Noah)

Noah and his family represent a second group: those who come to faith in Christ during the Tribulation.

Just as God gave Noah specific timelines and commands (Genesis 7:4), these future believers will have clear prophetic signs to guide them. They will watch the global events unfolding around them and will be able to calculate almost the exact timing of Christ’s Second Coming. Because they read the signs and endure in faith, they will be prepared and physically saved when He arrives to set up His kingdom.

3. Present-Day Christians (Represented by the Disciples)

The third group represents the true Church today. Interestingly, Jesus addresses His words directly to His disciples—the foundation of the Church.

Remarkably, Jesus compares the timing of the Church’s departure not to Noah, but to the flood victims. He tells the disciples, “You do not know on what day your Lord will come” (Matthew 24:42), matching the description that the flood victims “knew nothing” until the water swept them away (Matthew 24:39).

Like the people of old, present-day Christians will have no specific, definitive signs marking the exact day or hour of the Rapture. While we can see birth pains in society and nature (Matthew 24:1-14), the Rapture itself will happen suddenly and unexpectedly (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

The critical difference is our heart posture. While the world is caught off guard to its own destruction, the Church is called to watch, pray, and be ready at any moment.

Live Ready

We live in the tension of the “unknown hour.” There is no checklist of global disasters that must happen before Jesus can catch His bride away to heaven. He could come today.

The lesson of Matthew 24 is simple: Do not wait for a sign to start living for God. Evaluate your heart today. Are you distracted by the rhythms of the world, or are you living in active anticipation of meeting your Savior face-to-face?

A Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the clarity of Your Word and the blessed hope of Your return. We praise You that You have not destined us for wrath, but have promised a rescue for those who love You. Lord, look into our hearts today. Forgive us for the times we have become lazy, distracted, or weighed down by the anxieties and pleasures of this world.

Awaken our hearts to the reality that Your return is imminent. Give us an urgency to share Your gospel with those who are still unprepared. Help us to live holy, intentional, and watchful lives, so that when the trumpet sounds and You call us home, we may stand before You with joy and not in shame. We fix our eyes on You, waiting for the day we see You face-to-face.

In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bible Study Tools I Use

NIV Bible
King James Bible
www. biblegateway.com
www.biblestudytools.com
Map Pencils
Strong’s Concordance
College Ruled Spiral Notebook
Ballpoint Pens
Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! I love having you here. If this post resonated with you, please drop a comment below and share your thoughts. See you in the next post!

Blessings, Margarita & Stace