Living Until Christ Returns

Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when He returns, we can live with Him forever.

• So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

Dear brothers and sisters,

• …honor those who are your leaders in the Lord's work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work.

• And live peacefully with each other.
• Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy.
• Encourage those who are timid.
• Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.
• Always be joyful.
• Never stop praying.
• Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
• Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.
• Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said.
• Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.

Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.

1 Thessalonians 5:10-23 NLT

We’re just waiting for Christ’s return—for our time to go to be with Him in Heaven—but there are things to be done while we wait! This list in the scripture above is a great place to start. Maybe you can make this your goal or “Do List” for 2016. I think the key is to ENCOURAGE other Christians. It is important for us to bring people to a saving knowledge of the Lord…for them to make their own decision to have Christ as their Savior, their Messiah, but again and again the task at hand is to help or encourage other Christians. Maybe by encouraging other in the Lord more people will be reached and brought to Salvation. No efforts for the Lord will be lost.

I particularly liked that we should not stifle the Holy Spirit. I grew up watching “All in the Family” and Archie Bunker was always telling his wife, Edith, to “stifle it” when he knew she was right, but he was so bigoted that only he could have the right answers. We can’t restrain the Holy Spirit—even if we tried. We would actually be stifling ourselves…our spiritual growth. We really need to be thankful—as it says in all circumstances—especially for being a part of God’s family, for the knowledge, wisdom and understanding that is granted to us by the Holy Spirit, and for God’s grace in our lives.  

Prayer ~ Holy Spirit, Thank you for God’s grace in my life…for the encouragement that You give me that keep me going through the little trials in daily life…and for constantly reminding me that God loves me. Help me to be an encouragement to other Christians around me. Give me joy in my life that overflows into those around me—to that great cloud of witnesses—of which I am a part.

Lord, please be a special blessing today to Matt and James as they deal with the loss of their mother. Guide and direct them, not just today—but in all the days ahead of them. Fill that emptiness in their hearts with Your love and hope for their futures.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

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