And to those visiting, I say welcome! I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way. Each month I give away a $10.00 Starbucks gift card to someone who posts on my blog. So share an insight, bless lots of folks, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and a friend.
Now on to my topic...
If you connect with me on Facebook, you already know that I lost my dad the day before last. On December 22nd, he went into the hospital with difficulty breathing. On December 23rd they diagnosed him with stage four lung cancer. And on January 2nd, he went home to be with the Lord. We're all stunned at how quickly his health declined. I'm so grateful that he is now pain free, but my grief overwhelms me at times.
As many of you know, I've felt especially drawn to study the end times lately. No matter where you stand on the topic, Jesus' return is closer than it's ever been. The other day, Andrew Hess Tweeted the following statement: Don't let your anticipation for 2012 overshadow the return of the King.
Amen and amen!
Jesus is coming soon. Though we can't and shouldn't try to determine the exact date of Christ's return, we must discern the times and the seasons just as He told us to. Based on fulfilled prophecies and the turbulence in our midst, I believe Jesus could come at any time. With all my heart I believe that a generation that walks the earth today will live to see the rapture. But even if I'm wrong, Jesus still calls us to live ready, alert, prayerful, and watchful.
Furthermore, none of us knows how many days we have left on this earth. Life can change in the blink of an eye. May we refuse to take our days for granted and instead, wrap our arms around faith, hope, and love, and live in a manner worthy of His Name!
So how do we live ready?
We open our eyes to the ways God is moving in our midst ~ Those who seek Him, will find Him (See Matthew 7:7-8).
We throw off sin, compromise, and petty thoughts associated with an earthbound life ~ Those who believe they have better things to do than grovel in the dirt, will do better things (See Hebrews 12:1).
We engage our faith ~ Those who expect great thing from God will accomplish great things for God (See Ephesians 3:20).
We pray passionately ~ Those who approach God will holy confidence and humble dependence will see miraculous answers to prayer (See 1 John 3:21-22).
We give generously ~ Those who sow generously will reap generously. It's impossible to outgive God (See 2 Corinthians 9:6)
We make every moment count for eternity ~ Those who live now with eternity in mind will have a greater capacity to enjoy heaven when they get there (See Ecclesiastes 3:11).
We are not made for this place! We're just passing through. May we refuse the curse of a hurried, disengaged life. May we instead awaken to the power, provision, and promise written over us. May we access and appropriate all God offers us that we might live up to our high privilege in Him.
May 2012 be a breakthrough year for you. May you live ready for Christ's return, making the moments count for eternity.
God bless you.
~Until next week.