Meditate. Wake up and pay attention!
Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don't really need to write you. For you know quite well that the day of the Lord's return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. When people are saying, "Everything is peaceful and secure," then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman's labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. But you aren't in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won't be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don't belong to darkness and night. So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
To “stay
alert” one must first be alert! Know what is going on in the world. Know
the message that is provided for us in the Bible. Paul tells the folks at
Thessalonica that they won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes. They
are going to be prepared. Do you remember that Jesus said that same thing? Be
prepared. Be ready—that includes being alert and clearheaded.
Be dressed for service and keep your lamps
burning, as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding
feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he
arrives and knocks. The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will
be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron,
and serve them as they sit and eat! He may come in the middle of the night or
just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are
ready. Luke 12:35-38
Be Ready all the time!
You also must be ready all the time, for the
Son of Man will come when least expected. Luke 12:40
I love how John encourages Christians to be full of courage. I can image that it
will be a bit scary—overwhelmingly awesome—but we are going to meet an old
friend, one who knows us even better than we know ourselves. Don’t be scared.
Take courage and rejoice when Christ comes back for you. You are dear and important to Him…or He wouldn’t bother with
returning.
And now, dear children, remain in fellowship
with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink
back from him in shame. 1 John
2:28
Paul also admonished Timothy about being
prepared and encouraging others as he teaches them about being ready.
Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether
the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your
people with good teaching. 2 Timothy 4:2
Christ’s return could very well be eminent. Are you prepared? Are you ready?
Prayer
~ Lord Jesus, when You come back for the believers, I’m ready. Thank You for
taking my sin to the cross, forgiving me, and renewing my life. I rejoice in
Your love and look forward to the day when I can stand before You at Your
throne in Heaven and when we will sit at Your banquet table. What a glorious
day that will be. Come quickly, Jesus!
Verse
of Salvation ~ For God says, "At just the right time, I heard you. On the
day of salvation, I helped you." Indeed, the "right time" is
now. Today is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2
We don’t know the hour or the day of our Lord Jesus Christ’s return, but every day is the “right time” to be ready. Are you ready today?
© 2020 Text,
photos and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
Unless
otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation,
copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of
Tyndale House
Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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