Keep An Eye On The Sky

Even So, Come Lord Jesus

One of the greatest acts of faith is simply this: To keep an eye on the sky and live each day as if Jesus might return at any moment! That’s how the early Christians lived, and that’s how God wants us to live! But are we? C.S. Lewis asked, “Has this world been so kind to you that you would leave it with regret? There are better things ahead than any we leave behind…If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” Remember that as you go about your day—you were made for another world.

The Journey: Mark 13:35

You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return—in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak.

Will there really ever be a second coming of Christ? The early believers were convinced that Jesus would return in their lifetime, but he didn’t. Were they mistaken?

Now it’s 2,000 years later and he still hasn’t returned. Can we keep saying we are living in the end times and that Jesus could come back at any moment, or are we mistaken as well? All these signs that he predicted here in Mark 13 have been fulfilled—yet still no Jesus! Are we just fooling ourselves?

We would do well to remember what Jesus said in Mark 13:31 & 37, “Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear… I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!”

I suppose it is possible that Jesus could delay his coming another 2,000 years—I don’t think so, given the increasing instability of Planet Earth. Whatever the case, 2,000 years is no reproach whatsoever to God’s faithfulness or the truthfulness of his Word. That is precisely the point Peter made when he responded to the scoffers who taunted, “Where is the Lord’s coming?” (II Peter 3:4, 8-9)

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

The real reason Jesus has delayed his return is not negligence or carelessness, but kindness and mercy. And frankly, I am glad for that! I am glad Jesus didn’t return in 1956, because I would not have been born. I am glad that Jesus didn’t return in any one of the years since then, because in each successive year I know people who became followers of Jesus and were spared from a Christless eternity.

The fact that 2,000 years have passed is utterly irrelevant to the promise of Christ’s return. His coming is still imminent. It could occur at any moment. And his command to be watchful and ready is just as applicable today as it was to the early church. In fact, the possibility of his return should be even more urgent for us because we are now 2,000 years closer to it.

Paul said in Romans 13:11-12, “The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here.”

The writer of Hebrews said, “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, ‘He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith.’” (Hebrews 10:35-38)

What Jesus, Paul, Peter, the writer of Hebrews and every other New Testament author are all saying is that one of the greatest acts of faith is simply this: To keep an eye on the sky and live each day as if Jesus might return at any moment!

That is how the early church lived, and that is exactly how God wants you and me to live! But are we? C.S. Lewis asked,

Has this world been so kind to you that you would leave it with regret? There are better things ahead than any we leave behind…If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.

Made for another world! If we were to truly grasp that, here is what that would mean for us today:

  • We would be more patient in suffering. (Hebrews 10:32-39)
  • We would be more loving and kind. (Jude 21)
  • We would be more assertive in sharing Christ. (II Peter 3:9)
  • We would be more forgiving to those who have hurt us. (James 5:8-9)
  • We would be more careful in our moral life—our thoughts, attitudes, words and actions. (II Peter 3:11-12)
  • We would be better stewards of the resources God has given us. (Matthew 25)
  • We would be more focused on the eternal and less concerned with the temporal. (II Peter 3:13)

The truth is, we were made for another world! Jesus said, “when all these things begin to happen, stand straight and look up, for your salvation is near!” (Luke 21:28, NLT)

So as you go about your business today, keep one eye on the sky—this could be the day!

A Simple Prayer To Be More Like Jesus:

God, send Jesus back today. We long for his righteous rule and your glorious presence.

God, Renew My Passion For Your Coming Kingdom

52 Simple Prayers for 2018

You cannot listen to the Hallelujah Chorus from George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah” without getting goose bumps. That’s not only because the Hallelujah Chorus is a tremendously moving piece, it is because it strikes a God-implanted chord deep within the human soul. It touches an undeniable reality that we intuitively know, whether we are Christ-followers or not: the final act to be played out in the cosmic drama is the indisputable exaltation of our God and the unfettered reign of his Christ.

A Simple Prayer for this World to Become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ:

God, I long for that day when this world truly and fully becomes the Kingdom of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. So today I pray, let your Kingdom come, let your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. May this be the day.

God, We Long For Christ’s Return

52 Simple Prayers for 2018

To those who have opposed Christ, ridiculed the faith, actively sought its demise…to those who have persecuted believers, burned churches, tortured the faithful, and martyred the saints…to governments that have perpetuated evil, rulers that have ruled cruelly, systems of philosophy and politics that have leeched the hope out of people…to child molesters, rapists, drug dealers, pornographers…to those who were responsible for nailing Jesus to the cross…there is a day coming when they will look upon Jesus, and in the twinkling of an eye, recognize him his the Righteous Judge, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And they will weep! Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus.

A Simple Prayer for the Second Coming:

God, send your Son back to this earth and set our world aright. Bring justice to your people and judgment upon the evil that has enslaved this world since the Evil One deceived Adam and Eve. Establish your eternal throne over all creation so that ceaseless praise will flow from hearts that pour forth awestruck wonder, unstoppable gratitude and indescribable love.

God, I Long For Your Eternal Kingdom

52 Simple Prayers for 2018

The Bible ends with the promise of a new beginning—a timeless place in God’s eternal presence where he will do away with sin once and for all, where evil and evildoers will be banished, where he will be physically with us without interruption, where he will finally and fully satisfy the desires that he has placed deep within our being, and where he will assign us to reign with him as co-rulers over his ever-expanding eternal kingdom. As we read of that time and long for the return of his Son to usher in this eternal kingdom, all we can say is, “even so, come, Lord Jesus!”

A Simple Prayer for Christ’s Return:

God, I long for eternity. I long for that time when you will do away with sin and banish evil, when you will be physically with me—without interruption—and you will finally and fully satisfy the desires that you have placed deep within my being, and when I will reign with you as a co-ruler over your ever-expanding eternal kingdom. I long for your Son’s return to usher in eternity. Yes, with all my heart I cry, “even so, come, Lord Jesus!”

Checklist For The Journey Home

Reflect:
I Thessalonians 4:13-18 & 5:1-11

“For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.” (I Thessalonians 5:2)

Both of the Apostle Paul’s letters to the Thessalonian church devote a great deal of space to Christ’s return. Paul concludes his first letter by reminding his readers that this great event will happen when people least expect it—“like a thief in the night.” So as believers, we must therefore live each and every moment expecting the unexpected. We are to live with our bags packed, so to speak, ready to leave for our true home—heaven—at a moment’s notice.

What does it mean to live in such a way? Paul gives a checklist of sorts in the final verses of this letter. Perhaps you’ve used a checklist to make sure you have the right things packed in your suitcase before going on an extended trip. As you prepare for the journey home—which by the way, will be an extended trip with no return—here is your spiritual checklist:

  • I Thessalonians 5:6—Be alert! Be on the lookout; remain on guard as to Christ’s return and the evil conditions of the time in which it will take place.
  • I Thessalonians 5:6 & 8—Be self-controlled! Keep your life, your passions, your desires and fleshly drives in check.
  • I Thessalonians 5:8—Be armed! Put on the armor of faith (conviction), love (self-sacrifice) and hope (the assurance of your salvation).
  • I Thessalonians 5:11—Be encouraging! Instead of finding flaws in others, build them up and help them to be ready for Christ’s return.
  • I Thessalonians 5:12-13—Be respectful! Treat your spiritual leaders—ministers and lay leaders—with high regard and love. Give them respect not because of their position, educational achievements or popularity, but because of the nature of their work.
  • I Thessalonians 5:13—Be at peace! Seek peace actively, not passively, with fellow believers.
  • I Thessalonians 5:14-15—Be active! Get involved with others by warning the idle, motivating the timid, helping the weak, being patient with everyone, and exhibiting kindness rather than retaliation toward those who’ve hurt you.
  • I Thessalonians 5:16—Be joyful! Maintain an attitude of joy no matter what.
  • I Thessalonians 5:17—Be prayerful! Stay in God’s presence continually.
  • I Thessalonians 5:18—Be thankful! Not only in good times, but even in bad times exhibit an attitude of gratitude.
  • I Thessalonians 5:19-20—Be sensitive! Develop a sensitivity and an appreciation for the work of the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ; especially as it relates to prophecy.
  • I Thessalonians 5:21—Be discerning! Gain knowledge of the Bible so that everything can be tested against it.
  • I Thessalonians 5:21—Be obedient! Understand what the Word of God says, and be quick to obey it.
  • I Thessalonians 5:22—Be pure! Moral purity should continually characterize your life.
  • I Thessalonians 5:23-24—Be dependent! Fully depend on God and cooperate with the Holy Spirit to bring about sanctification and blamelessness in your life—body, soul and spirit.
  • I Thessalonians 5:25—Be prayerful! Regularly intercede for others before the throne of God.
  • I Thessalonians 5:26—Be friendly! Love and affection must be demonstrable, and an outward expression of your inner affection for fellow believers.
  • I Thessalonians 5:27—Be unselfish! Take responsibility to share with other believers the truth of God’s Word.
  • I Thessalonians 5:28—Be gracious! Live in the light and reality of God’s grace, personally and relationally.

Are you ready to go, or do you need to do some more packing? Jesus may come today, so make sure you’re ready for the journey.

“Our deepest calling is not to grow in our knowledge of God. It is to make disciples. Our knowledge will grow—the Holy Spirit, Jesus promised, will guide us into all truth. But that’s not our calling, it is His. Our calling is to prepare the world for Christ’s return. The world is not ready yet. And so, we go about introducing a dying world to the Savior of Life. Anything we do toward our own growth must be toward that end.” ~Jeffery Bryant

Reflect and Apply: Offer yourself to God: “Lord, I long to see you. Perhaps it will be today! But whether it is today or a hundred years from now, empower me through the Holy Spirit to live in a state of readiness, ready to go home at a moment’s notice.”

Checklist For the Journey Home

Essential 100—Read:
I Thessalonians 4:13-18 & 5:1-11

“For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.” (I Thessalonians 5:2)

Both of the Apostle Paul’s letters to the Thessalonian church devote a great deal of space to Christ’s return. Paul concludes his first letter by reminding his readers that this great event will happen when people least expect it—“like a thief in the night.” So as believers, we must therefore live each and every moment expecting the unexpected. We are to live with our bags packed, so to speak, ready to leave for our true home—heaven—at a moment’s notice.

What does it mean to live in such a way? Paul gives a checklist of sorts in the final verses of this letter. Perhaps you’ve used a checklist to make sure you have the right things packed in your suitcase before going on an extended trip. As you prepare for the journey home—which by the way, will be an extended trip with no return—here is your spiritual checklist:

  • I Thessalonians 5:6—Be alert! Be on the lookout; remain on guard as to Christ’s return and the evil conditions of the time in which it will take place.
  • I Thessalonians 5:6 & 8—Be self-controlled! Keep your life, your passions, your desires and fleshly drives in check.
  • I Thessalonians 5:8—Be armed! Put on the armor of faith (conviction), love (self-sacrifice) and hope (the assurance of your salvation).
  • I Thessalonians 5:11—Be encouraging! Instead of finding flaws in others, build them up and help them to be ready for Christ’s return.
  • I Thessalonians 5:12-13—Be respectful! Treat your spiritual leaders—ministers and lay leaders—with high regard and love.  Give them respect not because of their position, educational achievements or popularity, but because of the nature of their work.
  • I Thessalonians 5:13—Be at peace! Seek peace actively, not passively, with fellow believers.
  • I Thessalonians 5:14-15—Be active! Get involved with others by warning the idle, motivating the timid, helping the weak, being patient with everyone, and exhibiting kindness rather than retaliation toward those who’ve hurt you.
  • I Thessalonians 5:16—Be joyful! Maintain an attitude of joy no matter what.
  • I Thessalonians 5:17—Be prayerful! Stay in God’s presence continually.
  • I Thessalonians 5:18—Be thankful! Not only in good times, but even in bad times exhibit an attitude of gratitude.
  • I Thessalonians 5:19-20—Be sensitive! Develop a sensitivity and an appreciation for the work of the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ; especially as it relates to prophecy.
  • I Thessalonians 5:21—Be discerning! Gain knowledge of the Bible so that everything can be tested against it.
  • I Thessalonians 5:21—Be obedient! Understand what the Word of God says, and be quick to obey it.
  • I Thessalonians 5:22—Be pure! Moral purity should continually characterize your life.
  • I Thessalonians 5:23-24—Be dependent! Fully depend on God and cooperate with the Holy Spirit to bring about sanctification and blamelessness in your life—body, soul and spirit.
  • I Thessalonians 5:25—Be prayerful! Regularly intercede for others before the throne of God.
  • I Thessalonians 5:26—Be friendly! Love and affection must be demonstrable, and an outward expression of your inner affection for fellow believers.
  • I Thessalonians 5:27—Be unselfish! Take responsibility to share with other believers the truth of God’s Word.
  • I Thessalonians 5:28—Be gracious! Live in the light and reality of God’s grace, personally and relationally.

Are you ready to go, or do you need to do some more packing? Jesus may come today, so make sure you’re ready for the journey.

“Our deepest calling is not to grow in our knowledge of God. It is to make disciples. Our knowledge will grow—the Holy Spirit, Jesus promised, will guide us into all truth. But that’s not our calling, it is His. Our calling is to prepare the world for Christ’s return. The world is not ready yet. And so, we go about introducing a dying world to the Savior of Life. Anything we do toward our own growth must be toward that end.” ~Jeffery Bryant

Reflect and Apply: Offer yourself to God: “Lord, I long to see you. Perhaps it will be today!  But whether it is today or a hundred years from now, empower me through the Holy Spirit to live in a state of readiness, ready to go home at a moment’s notice.”

Maranatha!

Read Hebrews 9

“Christ will appear a second time, not to bear
sin, but to bring salvation to those
who are waiting for him.”
(Hebrews 9:28)

Thoughts… The Bible is full of promises—hundreds, perhaps thousands of them—that God has made to his children. Not all of them have been fulfilled, but none of them have been broken. Nor will they ever be. Every promise in God’s book will come true!

Prominent in the Word of God is the promise of Christ’s coming—a first coming and a second coming.

The Old Testament foretold the birth of the Messiah. For hundreds of years, the Jewish people yearned for the promise of Messiah to be fulfilled. And then, as Paul wrote in Galatians 4:4-5, “when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.”

God fulfilled his promise. Jesus came and bore in his body our sins so that we could be adopted as God’s children.

Prominent also in the Word of God is the promise of Christ’s second coming. As Jesus was ascending into heaven 40 days after his death and resurrection, the angels declared to the disciples looking on, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

God will fulfill this promise as well. Jesus will come again, not to bear sin in his body-he’s already done that—but to bring completion to our salvation as he ushers us into his eternal kingdom.

As surely as God broke into our world the first time through the birth of his Son, the sound of the archangel’s trumpet will pierce earth’s atmosphere announcing the appearance of our Risen Lord and Savior once again, and we who believe will be ushered fully and finally into his eternal, literal, physical, forever rule. It is going to happen—no doubt about it!

The only question is when. Just as God had a perfect time for Christ’s first coming, so he has a perfect time for his second coming.

And that could be today!

Are you ready? Are your bags packed? Are you ready to go home—to your real home in glory?

Let me suggest that you try something today: Live today like this will be the day that Jesus will return. Let’s say by midnight today, he will come again. Try it—as best you can—and see what happens. See how your life is different today—how you think, interact, decide, work, spend money…

You know what? We really should be living like that everyday, so give it a shot.

And maybe the next time I see you, we will be in heaven. You just never know!

Prayer… Maranatha—even so, come Lord Jesus!

One More Thing… “He whose head is in heaven need not fear to put his feet into the grave.” — Matthew Henry