One shall be taken and the other left

 Matthew 24 (KJV)

⁴⁰ Then shall two be in the field; 

the one shall be taken, and the other left.

⁴¹ Two women shall be grinding at the mill; 

the one shall be taken, and the other left.

The word 'taken' means 'receive near' (Strong’s G3880)

The word 'left' means 'Sent away' (Strong’s G863)

Many use these Scriptures to support a pre-tribulation rapture theory. It would sound like they are correct, however,  we have to read the preceding verses to get the complete understanding of what is transpiring as well as look at what each word means using the Strong’s Concordance.  Scripture will also support and help interpret Scripture. 

So what does this mean "one shall be taken and the other left "?

Matthew 25 (KJV) explains....

³¹ When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

³² And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

³³ And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

³⁴ Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

⁴¹ Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

The sheep shall be received.  

The goats shall be sent away. 

Feeling far from God?

 Feeling far away from God? 

The answer is in this verse....

“Draw nigh to God, 

and He will draw nigh to you. 

(That comes through daily prayer and reading God's Word with often fasting)

Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; 

and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”

(Sincerely repent and stop sinning)

  — James 4:8 (KJV)

Don't let the devil lie and deceive you into thinking God doesn't love you, that there is no hope for you. That sly ol fox knows the plans God has for you and wants to thwart them because he fears what you'll become through Christ Jesus.  

Keep drawing near to God.  Keep praying even when you don't feel like it or feel God. Sometimes it's because the devil is trying to block and hinder your prayers. Draw nigh to God and He has promised...PROMISED....He will draw nigh to you. 

This came to me to encourage someone who is struggling.

 When life was going the way you wanted it to, was it going the way God wanted it to? Sometimes God will allow a shaking and a stirring to occur because He loves you too much to leave you on the path to hell.

The Peace of God

 And the peace of God, 

which passeth all understanding, 

shall keep your hearts and minds 

through Christ Jesus.

— Philippians 4:7 (KJV)

The word "keep" means: to mount guard, to protect.

The peace of God will mount guard and protect your heart and mind.  If you let Him.  

His Word instructs to cast ALL our care upon Him (1 Peter 5:7)  When you cast something you are throwing it as hard and as far away from yourself as you possibly can. Too many times we want Jesus to fix it while we continue to hold tightly to it and worry over it. 

God wants you to CAST all that you are worrying  and fretting and stressing over upon Him.  As you do, the peace that He gives in return will be a peace beyond the understanding of human comprehension.  

Jesus left us with these comforting words...

Peace I leave with you, 

My peace I give unto you: 

not as the world giveth, give I unto you. 

Let not your heart be troubled, 

neither let it be afraid.

— John 14:27 

In Tough Times, Remember the Works of God

David was lamenting and crying out to God for help in Psalm 77.  He was so troubled,  he could not speak (vs 4) and could not find comfort (vs 2). UNTIL he began to remember and think on the mighty things God had done in the past (vs 10-12).

He gave himself a pep talk....
"I WILL REMEMBER  the years of the right hand of the Most High."
"I WILL REMEMBER the works of the Lord."
"I WILL REMEMBER Thy wonders of old."
"I WILL MEDITATE (think about) also of all Thy work"
"AND TALK of Thy doings."

Then David began to worship (vs 13-20)

In tough times, remember and think on all the things God has done in the past.
Testify and talk about all He's done and is doing.  
Then begin to worship. 
See how the atmosphere changes.
Feel the heaviness lift as we glorify God more than our problems. 

At times,  we focus too much on the
"woe is me" more than the "great is He!"
We need to reverse that way of thinking.

🎶 It is no secret what God can do.  What He's done for others,  He'll do for you.... 🎶