Take Root & Write - Are YOU Ready for His Return?

Are YOU Ready for His Return?: "

We wait for so many things throughout the duration of our lives. We await dinner. We wait for an answer. We wait for a task to be completed. We wait for a loved one to return. We wait and wait and wait some more. How many of us wait with a true longing for the return of our precious Savior? Have you thought of His return today? This awesome event is described for us in many places throughout Scripture.

As we continue to study the Word of God, it's interesting to note that
we are admonished many times to "stay awake," "remain alert," and "take
guard" that no one deceives us! Are we vigilant in guarding our hearts
and our faith as we continue to reach out to a dying world? If we are
to remain firmly rooted and grounded, we must make every effort to stay
wide awake!

No one can ever predict the day or hour of Christ's return,
but we do know that day is approaching based upon the signs and seasons. For now, we are in the waiting period.

But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It
is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his
servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to
stay awake.Therefore stay awake—for you do
not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at
midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake. (Mark 13:32-37 ESV)

At times, events in our lives can make that waiting period very difficult. We may become tempted to throw in the towel and give up hope. As Christians we must exercise self control, that wonderful fruit that is produced by the Holy Spirit in our lives. He will help us see the good that He is producing in EVERY situation for our benefit and for His glory.

For the time being, let us focus on what the Bible says we have to LOOK FORWARD TO! When our Lord returns we will be like Him..no more sin, decay, sickness, or suffering! 1 John 3:2 tells us the following:

Beloved,
we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared;
but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall
see him as he is. (1 John 3:2 ESV)

Let's consider the phrase "what we will be has not yet appeared" a bit more deeply. At this very moment, every one of us is still wrestling with the flesh and sin nature. Our corruptible nature must be transformed into the incorruptible. Our mortal bodies must become immortal. Upon His glorious return, this wondrous transformation will take place!

Are you looking forward to that reunion with friends and family members who have already gone on to be with Christ? He is bringing them ALONG WITH HIM when He returns! Look at what 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 tells us:

But we do not want you to be uninformed,
brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others
do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose
again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have
fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that
we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not
precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend
from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and
with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise
first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together
with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will
always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these
words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 ESV)

I can't express to you how many times I have referred to these verses found in 1 Thessalonians 4.We are not to grieve as those who have no hope. We have hope in Christ. Not only is He returning, but He is also bringing our loved ones along with Him and we will meet in the air! Can you fathom this? It takes my breath away!

In the past, a few of my friends have conveyed to me that they want to get their lives in order to prepare for His return. This is good. However, I'd like to add that no matter what situation you may find yourself in at this season of your life, it is my prayer that you will look away from your present circumstances and remember His breathtaking return. We need to focus on this now rather than later so that we remain sober and awake. We accomplish this by remaining steadfast in our study of the Scriptures. Ponder them. Think on them. Sing songs and hymns to one another.

We are commanded in Scripture to teach one another in song. Locate an old hymnal and just read the beautiful poetry and prose that are composed on the pages therein. Examine the faith of the saints who have penned these beautiful compositions. If you look closely, you will see the way they looked with great anticipation toward our Savior's awesome returning.

Last but not least, let's talk to our Heavenly Father. His plans FAR outweigh our wildest imaginations. Keep looking UP!

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