LOOKING FOR JESUS

Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Can I ask what are you looking for?  This verse reminds us what we should be looking for  as we approach the new year 2021 - Jesus' return, His appearing.

I've been reminded recently that Jesus is coming much sooner than we think! Are we ready, are our families ready, is His church ready locally and worldwide? 

Yesterday we looked at what God's plans are for 2021 and part of that I believe is for His church to be looking for and preparing for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, the head of the church and to be excited about it, but also to be prepared for Him to bring some changes first because He's coming for a spotless bride. 

So how do we prepare for His return? I think we'd all agree one of the main things is to be spending more time with Him, worshipping Him, listening for His instructions and guidance, don't you?  To spend time in His Word with the Holy Spirit and to get to know Him more before He comes back so that we're like the five wise virgins whose lamps were trimmed and ready for their master to come, listening for His knock at the door, looking for Him to appear. 

It is going to happen one day soon. Jesus is coming back! 

I knew one man who told us that every day he would look up into the sky and ask "Is it today, Lord? Are you coming today?"  He had such a strong expectancy, he knew it could be anytime and He was looking for Jesus.  

Just imagine for a minute if  the Queen of England said, "I'm coming to your house soon to take you to a new home."  What would you do?  You would get ready for her coming!  There would be an air of anticipation, of excitement, probably new clothes to wear, clean the house, etc; etc!  Get the picture?

But we're talking about the KING OF KINGS, THE LORD OF GLORY, who is coming for us. This is the RISEN LORD JESUS we're talking about. Now do we have some excitement?  I hope so!😊

Lord help us to get ready for Your coming even if it were today. Amen.

GOD WILL MAKE A WAY

Isaiah 43:19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

We're coming to the close of the year and God has been challenging me with some big questions. Maybe you're the same.

Are we asking God what His plans are for 2021 for us as individuals and for the local church? Just because we're on lockdown does not mean God or His plans for His kingdom are on lockdown. 

He says,'..I will even make a way in the wilderness'.   If ever we may have felt like we're in a wilderness it is  probably now. So maybe He wants far more for us, and from us, than we thought. 

He does have good plans for His church and I believe part of that will be bringing into His kingdom many many new believers this year across the world and for us to be prepared for that too. 

Looking back to the early church they lived lives on the edge. Theirs was no cosy, safe religion of order and routine. Far from it! Every day they saw God move and do something new. They expected it.  It was so radical that people were being saved daily because they were seeing miracles and healings,  and that was after Jesus had left for Heaven! Those occurrences are still happening today around the world, God has not stopped working that way. He gave us the gifts of the Holy Spirit because He knew we would need them and wanted us to use them.

God is supernatural and I believe He wants His church to be moving in and expecting the supernatural too because we are His children.

God has plans for 2021 but the only way to find out about them is to ask Him and what our part in it will be. 

There will be some exciting days ahead and I for one don't want to miss what He has planned, do you?😊