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Day 24 Matthew 11:20 Matthew 11:20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: 21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! Woe unto thee, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. 23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee. Have you experienced an upbraiding, someone reproving or finding fault with what you do? Words carry power. When someone stands against you, those words go through to your soul. They have the power to change you either for good or bad, depending on your stubbornness. Jesus came against three villages, Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, stating that if the work and miracles he did in them had been done in Sodom and Gomorrah, they would have repented, and would still be standing that day. He also said it would be more tolerable in the judgment for Tyre and Sidon, than it would be for them. A search for these cities shows they no longer exist. Archaeologists have found only ruins of those villages. However, Tyre and Sidon still exist. Jesus’ disciples had experienced Jesus’ power over nature when he calmed the storm. They had seen his power over death, with the raising of the young girl to life. They continually saw the miracles of healing. People came to him continually with the sick, diseased, and demon possessed, and he healed them all. As Christians, you know the power Jesus had in your life when you accepted him as Savior and Lord. You know the power he continues to have when you pray and seek him for the different needs you have. You also know the power he has to destroy those you continue to pray for, who refuse to accept Jesus as Savior and Lord. Just as those villages are no more than archaeological ruins today, those who reject Jesus as Savior and Lord, will only be a name remembered by some and forgotten by others. If you have not accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord, there is still time for you to do so. Do not be among those who are forgotten, whose names are not found in the Lamb’s Book of Life. The saddest words people will ever hear are: Depart from me, I never knew you. Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (KJV) Don’t let Jesus tell you he never knew you, when the time comes for you to enter eternity. Instead, repent today, and start living your life for him, and your name will be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (KJV) Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defiles, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or makes a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Let’s pray: Father, you alone have the power over life and death. When you say something, it happens. Help me live my life for you, knowing you and the work you do in my life. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 12 May 2018 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay