Ready and Waiting?
Dear Friends,
These last few weeks have been busy with preparations and planning, firstly for the Youth Camp that both children have been on this week, and which Jason also went on as one of the camp leaders, and then a day or so after they get back we are off to Spain for a holiday. So there's been much washing to do, sorting out what needs to be packed, leaving keys with our neighbour for them to take care of our fish, giving our rabbits a holiday at Jason's parents home, making sure our flights are booked, that we have car hire whilst in Spain, leaving our home in a reasonable state to come home to (strangely enough I'm the only one who seems to see this as a priority. Neither of the kids could understand why I asked them the morning they went to camp to make sure their bedrooms were tidy before they left!) Although there is much to do, I am glad that I'm not solely reasonable for everything. All the planning and preparations pay off in the end because it means we are ready to enjoy the holiday and make the most of it.
There's something that's far more important for each one of us to be ready for, and that's Jesus' second coming. Are you making plans and preparing for that day? Paul's two letters to the Thessalonians gave them valuable teaching on Jesus coming again because these young Christians had become confused. Paul refers to this day as The Day of the Lord and he tells them in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 "Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you. 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night... 4 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. 5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. 6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded... 8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armour of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. 9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. 10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing." (NLT)
Some had got the idea that because Jesus could return any day, they didn't need to do anything, all they needed to do was wait for his return. Paul wrote to correct them of the error in their thinking in 2 Thessalonians 3:11-13 "11 Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business. 12 We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living. 13 As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good." (NLT) He tells them that knowing Jesus could return at any time means that they need to be living out their faith, doing the work they have been called to do, loving one another and following the teaching they have been given.
Don't make the mistake of thinking that now you are a Christian there's nothing you need to do, that you can just wait for Jesus to return as you are secure in your salvation. Just as our family have been looking forward to our holiday and have spent time getting ready for it, we can do the same with waiting to see Jesus. We can look forward to the day when we will be with Jesus in heaven, and let me tell you, that day is going to be far better than any amazing holiday you can look forward to! There are also things we need to do to be ready for this, you see, while you and I are still on the earth, there are reasons for us to be here, one reason is that we are to share the good news about Jesus with those who don't yet know him for themselves. We want them to be ready for Jesus too, we don't want them to miss out on knowing they are loved and forgiven by God and that he has a place for them in heaven too, as long as they will turn to him. Jesus has given each one of us this command, when he says “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT) and the other reason is that the Holy Spirit is working in us to make us more like Jesus, so that we are ready for heaven. Paul writes in Philippians 1:6 "And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you." (Amp).
The following verses is one of Paul's prayers for the Thessalonians and as we wait and prepare ourselves for Jesus's coming we can pray this for ourselves and one another, "So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. 12 Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honoured because of the way you live, and you will be honoured along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ." 1 Thessalonians 1:11-12 (NLT)
We may not know when Jesus will come again or when we will meet him in heaven but the bible teaches us that we can and should be ready and waiting for that day. Let's not choose to wait as some of the Thessalonians were doing but let's live out each day with purpose, let's make the most of every opportunity we have, actively waiting for Jesus.
To Think About:
How are you readying yourself for Jesus' return?
How are you living as you wait for him? Are you living "a life worthy of his call"? Is there anything in your life which is stopping you from living worthy of his calling and which is not honouring to God?
I really like Paul's prayer in 1 Thessalonians 1:11-12. This week make some time to meditate on those verses and ask God how you can apply them to your life.
Vicki
These last few weeks have been busy with preparations and planning, firstly for the Youth Camp that both children have been on this week, and which Jason also went on as one of the camp leaders, and then a day or so after they get back we are off to Spain for a holiday. So there's been much washing to do, sorting out what needs to be packed, leaving keys with our neighbour for them to take care of our fish, giving our rabbits a holiday at Jason's parents home, making sure our flights are booked, that we have car hire whilst in Spain, leaving our home in a reasonable state to come home to (strangely enough I'm the only one who seems to see this as a priority. Neither of the kids could understand why I asked them the morning they went to camp to make sure their bedrooms were tidy before they left!) Although there is much to do, I am glad that I'm not solely reasonable for everything. All the planning and preparations pay off in the end because it means we are ready to enjoy the holiday and make the most of it.
There's something that's far more important for each one of us to be ready for, and that's Jesus' second coming. Are you making plans and preparing for that day? Paul's two letters to the Thessalonians gave them valuable teaching on Jesus coming again because these young Christians had become confused. Paul refers to this day as The Day of the Lord and he tells them in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 "Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you. 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night... 4 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. 5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. 6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded... 8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armour of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. 9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. 10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing." (NLT)
Some had got the idea that because Jesus could return any day, they didn't need to do anything, all they needed to do was wait for his return. Paul wrote to correct them of the error in their thinking in 2 Thessalonians 3:11-13 "11 Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business. 12 We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living. 13 As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good." (NLT) He tells them that knowing Jesus could return at any time means that they need to be living out their faith, doing the work they have been called to do, loving one another and following the teaching they have been given.
Don't make the mistake of thinking that now you are a Christian there's nothing you need to do, that you can just wait for Jesus to return as you are secure in your salvation. Just as our family have been looking forward to our holiday and have spent time getting ready for it, we can do the same with waiting to see Jesus. We can look forward to the day when we will be with Jesus in heaven, and let me tell you, that day is going to be far better than any amazing holiday you can look forward to! There are also things we need to do to be ready for this, you see, while you and I are still on the earth, there are reasons for us to be here, one reason is that we are to share the good news about Jesus with those who don't yet know him for themselves. We want them to be ready for Jesus too, we don't want them to miss out on knowing they are loved and forgiven by God and that he has a place for them in heaven too, as long as they will turn to him. Jesus has given each one of us this command, when he says “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT) and the other reason is that the Holy Spirit is working in us to make us more like Jesus, so that we are ready for heaven. Paul writes in Philippians 1:6 "And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you." (Amp).
The following verses is one of Paul's prayers for the Thessalonians and as we wait and prepare ourselves for Jesus's coming we can pray this for ourselves and one another, "So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. 12 Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honoured because of the way you live, and you will be honoured along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ." 1 Thessalonians 1:11-12 (NLT)
We may not know when Jesus will come again or when we will meet him in heaven but the bible teaches us that we can and should be ready and waiting for that day. Let's not choose to wait as some of the Thessalonians were doing but let's live out each day with purpose, let's make the most of every opportunity we have, actively waiting for Jesus.
To Think About:
How are you readying yourself for Jesus' return?
How are you living as you wait for him? Are you living "a life worthy of his call"? Is there anything in your life which is stopping you from living worthy of his calling and which is not honouring to God?
I really like Paul's prayer in 1 Thessalonians 1:11-12. This week make some time to meditate on those verses and ask God how you can apply them to your life.
Vicki
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