Friday, September 30, 2016

He is Coming Back Very Soon - Are We Ready?

How do we make ourselves ready?

Photo credit: http://coachvicki.com/
Being fruitful
Occupy till I come Luke 19:13 – 27
While waiting for His return, we get busy with the investments He has deposited in us and be profitable. Our giftings and capacities, our resources – time and money; and earthly possessions, positions in life are all to be used for His glory. Influencing others for the Kingdom. 

Isa 60:1 (NKJV) Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.

We are to "let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works; 

Isaiah 2:2 (NKJV) Now it shall come to pass in the latter days; That the mountain of the Lord’s house, Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it.

Being full of the Spirit
The ten virgins; Matthew 25:1-13

Oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit; the presence of God, we are to keep the fire burning on the altar of our lives. In this parable we see that all ten were virgins, but only five were wise. We need to continually stay full of the Holy Spirit. He is the one who preserves us and guides us, He is the seal of God upon our lives. 

It is mentioned in the parable that the oil is to be purchased. Which means that a price is to be paid to obtain the oil. To have a continual presence of God in our life, we are to pay a price, by spending time at the feet of Jesus. Only a substantial presence of God in our life can keep the fire burning through the dark nights. Such a person who has the fire burning in him at the time of the Bride Grooms return, will go in with Him. (Culled from http://hermeneutics.stackexchange.com)

Eph 5:18 NKJV
And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit

Touching lives

Matthew 25:34-36 NKJV
34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

Daily we meet people in our communities, social circles, etc, we have to be a blessing to others. God told Abraham I will bless you and make you a blessing. As children of Abraham, I believe this applies to us as well. Reach out and touch someone’s life today.

Preaching the gospel and discipling (Helping others follow Jesus)
This gospel of the kingdom must be preached Matthew 24:14; as Christ’s ambassadors on earth, we must continue that which He began in our lives, reaching out to others. There are unsaved people in the world today, and the Lord does not delight in the soul of a sinner. Preaching the gospel is one of the commands Jesus gave us before left the earth. 

Matthew 28:19 (NKJV)
19 Go therefore[a] and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

2 Tim 4:5 (NKJV)
But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Be Steadfast
2 Peter 3:14 (NKJV)
14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.

We must also remain prayerful

Prayer
Re-ignite our passion for you and give us a fresh desire to see lost souls saved.