June 9, 2015
It’s a fundamental rule of baseball: keep your eye on the ball. Whether at bat, or playing in the field, the priority of the game is to always know where the ball is (a lesson I learned the hard way as a youth).
A much more important “rule” of the Christian life is to keep your eye on the return of Christ. Never neglect or lose sight of this vitally important fact. He IS coming back, and vigilance and preparation is of the utmost importance.
“Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.” (Matthew 24.42-44)
Vigilance dictates lifestyle. Someone invited to and planning to attend a wedding prepares. Such an occasion calls for proper attire, so we dry clean a suit or dress, and polish our dress shoes. Similarly, the greatest event of all times dictates that we “dress up” our lives; that we live focused on key biblical priorities. If we expect a literal, personal encounter with Christ at His return, we want to make sure that we don’t have reason to be ashamed when the day comes. So, pleasing Him, and our Father, is the priority. And this becomes our passion in both Bible study and prayer. How can I better understand and do what is good and pleasing? How can I best surrender to Holy Spirit within to cultivate these qualities?
I like the story of the little girl who heard a Sunday School lesson about the return of Christ. She later asked her mother if he could return in the coming week, to which her mother replied that He could. The little girl then asked if He could return that very day, again prompting an affirmative answer from her mother. Finally, she asked if He could return within the hour. Upon hearing from her mother that this was a possibility, she asked her mother to comb her hair. If Jesus was coming, she wanted to be ready!
Jesus IS coming again. It might be beyond our lifetime, but it also might be within the hour. To watch for His return isn’t so much about watching for the event as it is watching our lifestyle. Am I ready if He should come today? Is there a habit or practice that is detrimental to my readiness? Have I neglected important spiritual priorities? The return of Christ prompts us to urgently face these issues now, and not later.
He is coming; are you ready?
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2015
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045
A much more important “rule” of the Christian life is to keep your eye on the return of Christ. Never neglect or lose sight of this vitally important fact. He IS coming back, and vigilance and preparation is of the utmost importance.
“Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.” (Matthew 24.42-44)
Vigilance dictates lifestyle. Someone invited to and planning to attend a wedding prepares. Such an occasion calls for proper attire, so we dry clean a suit or dress, and polish our dress shoes. Similarly, the greatest event of all times dictates that we “dress up” our lives; that we live focused on key biblical priorities. If we expect a literal, personal encounter with Christ at His return, we want to make sure that we don’t have reason to be ashamed when the day comes. So, pleasing Him, and our Father, is the priority. And this becomes our passion in both Bible study and prayer. How can I better understand and do what is good and pleasing? How can I best surrender to Holy Spirit within to cultivate these qualities?
I like the story of the little girl who heard a Sunday School lesson about the return of Christ. She later asked her mother if he could return in the coming week, to which her mother replied that He could. The little girl then asked if He could return that very day, again prompting an affirmative answer from her mother. Finally, she asked if He could return within the hour. Upon hearing from her mother that this was a possibility, she asked her mother to comb her hair. If Jesus was coming, she wanted to be ready!
Jesus IS coming again. It might be beyond our lifetime, but it also might be within the hour. To watch for His return isn’t so much about watching for the event as it is watching our lifestyle. Am I ready if He should come today? Is there a habit or practice that is detrimental to my readiness? Have I neglected important spiritual priorities? The return of Christ prompts us to urgently face these issues now, and not later.
He is coming; are you ready?
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2015
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045
posted by steve @ 8:50 AM
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