Thematic Bible: Alertness


Thematic Bible



"Remember it is I who am sending you out, as sheep into the midst of wolves; prove yourselves as sagacious as serpents, and as innocent as doves. But beware of men; for they will deliver you up to appear before Sanhedrins, and will flog you in their synagogues; and you will even be put on trial before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness to them and to the Gentiles.



Just then a man in the crowd appealed to Him. "Rabbi," he said, "tell my brother to give me a share of the inheritance." "Man," He replied, "who has constituted me a judge or arbitrator over you?" And to the people He said, "Take care, be on your guard against all covetousness, for no one's life consists in the superabundance of his possessions." read more.
And He spoke a parable to them. "A certain rich man's lands," He said, "yielded abundant crops, and he debated within himself, saying, "'What am I to do? for I have no place in which to store my crops.' "And he said to himself, "'This is what I will do: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and in them I will store up all my harvest and my wealth; and I will say to my life, "'Life, you have ample possessions laid up for many years to come: take your ease, eat, drink, enjoy yourself.' "But God said to him, "'Foolish man, this night your life is demanded from you; and these preparations--for whom shall they be?' "So is it with him who amasses treasure for himself, but has no riches in God."


"To the minister of the Church at Sardis write as follows: "'This is what He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars says. I know your doings--you are supposed to be alive, but in reality you are dead. Rouse yourself and keep awake, and strengthen those things which remain but have well-nigh perished; for I have found no doings of yours free from imperfection in the sight of My God. Be mindful, therefore, of the lessons you have received and heard. Continually lay them to heart, and repent. If, however, you fail to rouse yourself and keep awake, I shall come upon you suddenly like a thief, and you will certainly not know the hour at which I shall come to judge you.