It was a waste of life payin’ a mind to all the bad things that happened.”
–C. J. Petit (Tabby Hayes)
“Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?”
–Luke 12:25 (NLT)
——————————————
The world is full of fear: pestilence, famine, virus, terror, riots, and more… If not careful, Christians can get caught in the flow of the world; become part of it, instead of a pilgrim through it. Begin to share its values rather than eternal, heavenly values. Jesus said, “when you see all these things know that it is near–at the doors!” (Matthew 24:33, NKJV).
What things: signs in the heavens, false prophets, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, many will be offended, many will betray one another and will hate one another, lawlessness will abound, love will grow cold. (Matthew 24). The end–Jesus said is “at the doors! Paul writes, concerning the coming of the Lord, that we should “comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18, NKJV).
We should be ready, but we should also be encouragers. In evil times, even more as the days of His return draw nearer, we should be encouragers one of another. Instead of dwelling upon fear, exhort and smile. Instead of being afraid; take comfort in the Lord. That brings me to the thought I had for the day. I had one of those “Midnight Hymns” a couple of nights ago, and checking my notes I used this song in 2016 and again in 2020. But I feel the Holy Spirit has a few words for us today. Instead of a day filled with worry, realize…
“There’s a blessed time that’s coming, coming soon,
It may be evening, morning or at noon,
The wedding of the bride, united with the groom.
We shall see the King when He comes.”
–J.B. Vaughn
When is He coming? It’s at the doors! Be ready for He may arrive at any time during the day. We are to purify ourselves, make sure we have oil in our lamps, for coming soon there will be that catching away (rapture) and the great wedding will take place.
“Are you ready should the Savior call today?
Would Jesus say, ‘Well done,’ or ‘God away’?
My home is for the pure, the vile can never stay,
We shall see the King when He comes.”
Instead of doom and gloom, yes it is even among Christians. We should be looking for His return. We shouldn’t get into the panic of getting a vaccine or not getting one. We shouldn’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow if it comes will take care of itself, but then again the Lord may return tonight. Yes, instead of singing the blues, and stepping on our lower lips dreading the woes of the current situation we should be smiling and encouraging one another, saying, Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
“Oh, my brother, are you ready for the call?
To crown your Savior King and Lord of all?
The kingdoms of this world shall soon before Him fall,
We shall see the King when He comes.
We shall see the King,
We shall see the King,
We shall see the King when He comes;
He is coming in pow’r, we’ll hail the blessed hour,
We shall see the King when He comes.”
So don’t be disgruntled or discouraged or dismayed or despondent or depressed (is that enough “d’s”) but instead of these things comfort and encourage one another. Remember that God is in charge and control. No matter what the situation looks like. No matter the gloom of the night–He is coming. “Are you ready should the Master call today?”
“Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?”
–Luke 12:25 (NLT)
——————————————
The world is full of fear: pestilence, famine, virus, terror, riots, and more… If not careful, Christians can get caught in the flow of the world; become part of it, instead of a pilgrim through it. Begin to share its values rather than eternal, heavenly values. Jesus said, “when you see all these things know that it is near–at the doors!” (Matthew 24:33, NKJV).
What things: signs in the heavens, false prophets, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, many will be offended, many will betray one another and will hate one another, lawlessness will abound, love will grow cold. (Matthew 24). The end–Jesus said is “at the doors! Paul writes, concerning the coming of the Lord, that we should “comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18, NKJV).
We should be ready, but we should also be encouragers. In evil times, even more as the days of His return draw nearer, we should be encouragers one of another. Instead of dwelling upon fear, exhort and smile. Instead of being afraid; take comfort in the Lord. That brings me to the thought I had for the day. I had one of those “Midnight Hymns” a couple of nights ago, and checking my notes I used this song in 2016 and again in 2020. But I feel the Holy Spirit has a few words for us today. Instead of a day filled with worry, realize…
“There’s a blessed time that’s coming, coming soon,
It may be evening, morning or at noon,
The wedding of the bride, united with the groom.
We shall see the King when He comes.”
–J.B. Vaughn
When is He coming? It’s at the doors! Be ready for He may arrive at any time during the day. We are to purify ourselves, make sure we have oil in our lamps, for coming soon there will be that catching away (rapture) and the great wedding will take place.
“Are you ready should the Savior call today?
Would Jesus say, ‘Well done,’ or ‘God away’?
My home is for the pure, the vile can never stay,
We shall see the King when He comes.”
Instead of doom and gloom, yes it is even among Christians. We should be looking for His return. We shouldn’t get into the panic of getting a vaccine or not getting one. We shouldn’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow if it comes will take care of itself, but then again the Lord may return tonight. Yes, instead of singing the blues, and stepping on our lower lips dreading the woes of the current situation we should be smiling and encouraging one another, saying, Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
“Oh, my brother, are you ready for the call?
To crown your Savior King and Lord of all?
The kingdoms of this world shall soon before Him fall,
We shall see the King when He comes.
We shall see the King,
We shall see the King,
We shall see the King when He comes;
He is coming in pow’r, we’ll hail the blessed hour,
We shall see the King when He comes.”
So don’t be disgruntled or discouraged or dismayed or despondent or depressed (is that enough “d’s”) but instead of these things comfort and encourage one another. Remember that God is in charge and control. No matter what the situation looks like. No matter the gloom of the night–He is coming. “Are you ready should the Master call today?”