Love to hear from and know who is listening
I like to show up unannounced at my good friend, Ginger Melvin’s, home. When she answers the door she uses the door like a shield to hide behind. She grips the door jamb with her fingers and slowly pokes the top of her head out from behind the door so that all you can see is her eyes and forehead. From her reaction it is not hard to tell that my unexpected visit has caught her off guard. She is happy to see me because I am usually bringing her either some garden goodies or something that Joyce has canned for her. Just like when I show up unexpectedly at Gingers home, Jesus Christ’s return will happen when you least expect it!
Luke 12:40 ESV You must be ready for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
What does it mean to be ready? The definition of the word is: to be in a suitable state for an activity, action, a situation; to be fully prepared, to prepare for someone or something to be ready for an activity or purpose. With this definition in mind are you ready for Jesus Christ Return? Are you sure that you are living in a state of preparedness so that you will not be caught off guard by Jesus returns? Jesus said to be dressed and ready for service and to keep your lamps burning.
Luke 12:35-36 ESV Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.
What does it mean to be dressed? To be dressed is to be ready emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. We are not to go about our lives as though Jesus' return has no bearing on how we live today, but neither are we to sell everything we have and go wait on a mountaintop for His coming. He wants us to be living in anticipation of His return. To have our lamps burning so that everyone will see the light of Christ shine, by the way we live. We are to be witnesses, alert and not asleep, understanding the times. In addition to being ready, ourselves, for Jesus return we must do all we can to make sure that others are ready. For those who are unprepared for His coming. He says His appearance will be a like the arrival of a thief in the night. There will be many people who are busy building their nest egg here on earth, distracted by their responsibilities, jobs and relationships and too concerned about what others think of them to give even a moments thought to what will happen if they are not ready for Jesus return. Those left behind for find themselves in a world that is rapidly changing and not for the better! Can you imagine what the world will be like when the Holy Spirit’s restraint is taken away. At that moment, the world will have no born-again believers anywhere. All the Christian workers in hospitals, nursing homes, orphanages, rescue missions, relief agencies will be gone. Every Christian in law enforcement, social work, and health care,... all gone. But there is hope!
Acts 16:31 ESV And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.
For those who love the Lord and are waiting for His return, His coming will be like the joy that a new born baby gives their mother. Unspeakable joy and overwhelming gratitude belong to the believer who is looking for Jesus' return. The faithful will rejoice at the sight of the Lord's coming because great will be their reward!
