Be Ready

 Luke 12:40

You too, be continually ready; because the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.”

 

Be ready! The word of Jesus to His disciples. Two questions; ready for what, and how to be ready? The owner of the home was unprepared when a thief came into his house in the night. The owner most likely was asleep or preoccupied with the cares of life. Maybe he failed to lock his doors, or set his alarm. Most likely if he would have known that an intruder was going to break into his home that night, he would have made sure that his house was secure and possibly armed himself for protection. Jesus said, like this unsuspected thief, His return to the earth will be without knowing the time and day He would return. But, He made it clear that He would return and told them to be ready. What does it mean to be ready? Jesus says, those that are ready will have their lamps filled with oil. The oil represents the Holy Spirit. As we are occupied with the work that God has called us to do, we are to be diligent and live our lives as if He would return today.  Like the foolish virgins without the oil, there may not be time to get ready. Let’s keep our lamps filled and trimmed, to be continually ready for His return!

Life is Short

Psalm 90: 12  The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years…So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

For most of us, we will live 70 to 90 years. “For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.” Every day is a gift given to us by God. When this life we hold passes, we will stand before God and give an account for the days we have lived. How important it is to apply each day with God’s wisdom. To take time in our day to read His word and spend time with Him alone. We should never be too busy with work and life’s responsibilities to put God on the back shelf of our life. Each day, He should be the center of life’s activities. Living each day with eternity in mind. To be spiritually minded is to live each day in the presence of God and to be ready when He choose to call us home, or when the trump of God is sounded. 

Watch and Be Ready

Mat 25:12 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

If we knew that Jesus (The bridegroom), were to return today, how would that change the way we live? What preparation have we made in our spiritual lives to be ready for His coming? Do we have the oil of the Holy Spirit to keep our light burning for the Lord?  The warning is given to us by Jesus. Don’t get caught up in the things of this world. Don’t allow life to make you complacent with the things that are eternal. We can’t allow the cutting edge of our spiritual life to become dull. It is possible to lose the pearl of great price and miss eternity. We must keep our eyes on Jesus and always be ready. We know not when He will return, but return He will. There will be no time to get ready, we need to be ready!

The New Heaven and a New Earth

2 Peter 3:9-18

The scripture is clear about the destruction of this world. As it was in the day of Noah, where God destroyed the earth with water, He now will bring all things to an end with fire. This world is not our home we are only passing through. We seek not for a city here on earth, but a city to come where He rules and reigns. Knowing this, we ought to live soberly, righteously, and look diligently for His soon return. The question we should be asking is, are we ready for that day?

God is not Slack

• Negligent or remiss concerning the promises he gives
• Man’s promises are weak and feeble and lack certainty
• God is patient with His creation
• God’s desire is that all men come to know Him
• Concerning the judgment of the earth- Destroyed
Seeing-By Faith
• The earth will be destroyed
• We our pilgrim, only passing through
• Life is like a vapor- here and gone in a moment
• We need to live holy and godly, else we become consumed
• Life after this world passes away- After we pass away from this world
Don’t be Slack
• Be on guard, be alert and diligent
• How will God find you- Peace of God? Without sin, clear conscience toward man and God
Paul also Speaks of these things
• Confirming the truth
• Difficult, but not impossible to understand
• Become students of the Word- Study to show…
Steadfast is the Lord
• Beware of those who will lead you to believe different
• Remain firm in the doctrine that was taught by Paul and those who learned at Jesus feet
• Continue to grow and become more like Him
• Resolve that you will live closer to God, even more so as you see the day approaching.