Christianity Oasis Forum

[logi bear]

(This was written by one of the pastors of my church, enjoy!)

Are You Ready?


In John 14:1-3, Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” The second coming of Jesus Christ is exciting. But it’s also sobering.

The second coming of Jesus Christ is referenced in 300 separate texts in the New Testament. It comes out to be that approximately 1 in every 10 verses is a reference to the second coming of Jesus Christ. For me, as a father, it is very important to my kids that when I leave in the morning, I tell them that I am coming home. They like to know that I am going to be coming home. Sometimes they might be waiting for me at the front door, watching for me to pull in the driveway. They get so excited when I get there. God wants us to know that Jesus is coming again. Am I going to be found ready? Lord, am I ready for your return? Am I ready to meet Jesus in the air? Are we ready to see Jesus face-to-face? That’s something that we have to ask ourselves today.

It has been said that, “Procrastination is not only the thief of time, it is the thief of eternity’s reward.” Be found ready. It’s not something that we can afford to put off. Once you put your hand to the plow, you’re not to look back. Let’s say, like Joshua, “As for me and my house, I will serve the Lord.” I am going to be found ready. It may be a long journey. It’s not going to be a comfortable journey. It might be a long haul. But the end result is meeting Jesus. Is this world difficult and tough and do we feel empty, pale and poor at times? Yes. In this world we will experience tribulation. Be ready to endure hardships as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, as Paul told Timothy. Dead fish can float upstream. We have to swim against the current—to live for Jesus Christ. Doing that in a fallen, depraved world is the hardest thing we will ever do. But the reward is unparalleled by anything. There’s nothing that can compare to living for Jesus Christ. Be found in Jesus Christ. That’s life—abundant life.

Psalm 45:11 is a prophetic Psalm concerning the Bride of Christ. God says, concerning you, if you are His bride—a believer, “So shall thy King greatly desire thy beauty.” God sees you as beautiful if you are in Christ today. Maybe you think you don’t measure-up to be the bride, waiting for Jesus’ return? You know that you’re not a holy, pleasing vessel before the Lord. You don’t feel worthy to be called the bride of Jesus Christ. You think you are not worthy to meet Him in the air when that trumpet blows. You just feel ugly and wretched today. You are thinking that you are not yet what you are supposed to be. No. You’re not. But you’re not what you used to be, if you are in Christ. We are a work in progress. We go from glory to glory. The King of Kings sees you, as His bride, as beautiful. God loves you despite your imperfections, flaws, mess ups and failures. When Jesus looks upon you, He sees you as beautiful if you are in Christ!

At the end of this journey that we call life, we will stand face-to-face with Jesus Christ. He’s worth it. Keep going. Fight the good fight. Finish your course well. James tells us to be patient for the coming of the Lord is at hand. And you will hear those words said, “Well done thy good and faithful servant.” I can’t wait to see His face.

[ServeGod]

The quote : God loves you despite your imperfections, flaws, mess ups and failures. When Jesus looks upon you, He sees you as beautiful if you are in Christ!

That is encouraging, for as much as i try i feel i can never be that perfect bride. Thank you Jesus, you alone are worthy, the lamb without blemish. You clean me when i come to you for forgiveness, you alone can make me worthy.

Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say 'Come!" and let him who hears say "Come1" and let him who thirsts come and whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
Thanks for sharing Logi.