11/13/25

Mark 13:33 NASB95 “Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come.

I remember watching baseball and seeing a person in the stands not paying attention when a foul ball hit them in the head. It was a horrible sight. It hit them so hard, and they never saw it coming because they weren't watching. They were at the game but they were not focused on the game. Therefore they were injured.

Then there was another time in Little League when the ball was hit in the outfield, but the player was not paying attention. The ball went right by him, and he didn't know it. Then when the crowd started to yell, he didn't know which way to look and couldn't find the ball.

These instances can be funny sometimes to watch, but they are never funny for the one who wasn't paying attention. So many people are not watching, they are not alert, and are just going through life. They think each day is the same and nothing will change so they are not prepared when a change comes.

It is the bottom of the ninth and there have been no balls hit down the first baseline. So why watch this at bat? And the next pitch is hit foul down the first base line right against your temple. You wished you had paid attention, but now it is too late. It is the last inning and no ball has been hit into the outfield. So why watch this batter? Then everybody screams and you realize the ball landed right by you, but you can't find it. You wished you had paid attention, but it is too late. You lost the game.

Life has been mundane, and you see no reason it will change. Then Jesus raptures the church, and you say I wish I had been ready, but it is too late.

You figure you will focus on God when you get married and have a family. Then there are complications during childbirth, and you don't make it. You wished you had been ready, but now it is too late.

You think I will focus on myself for now. Then, when I get into my 50s, I will start to focus on God. However, you are hit by a foul ball at a baseball game and die. Now it is too late. You were only 29 you were going to heed God in 21 years and live for Him then. Your appointed time didn't match up with God's. He gave you many opportunities, but you weren't alert to them because it was too early, or so you thought.

You plan to tell your child about the importance of God when they get into Junior High School. However, after she missed the ball in the outfield because she was not alert, several kids made fun of her.

That night your child found some medicine in the cabinet and overdosed because she thought she had no friends. You wish you had more time but time ran out. You weren't ready and neither was she.

People, eternity is not a baseball game, and taking heed and being alert for the appointed time is of the utmost importance. We don't know the day nor the hour of Jesus' return. We don't know the day or hour of our death or the death of a loved one. So it is vital we are ready.

Please, take heed, keep on the alert, and be ready!

Love Bro. Scott