Thursday, June 6, 2013

WHAT DO WE DO WHILE WE WAIT FOR THE RETURN OF CHRIST?!


   WHAT DO WE DO WHILE WE WAIT FOR THE RETURN OF CHRIST?!

 
As we look and see ALL the things that are happening in the world today…It’s evident that we’re living in the last days and that we are the generation that will see the soon return of Christ. Jesus has already told us in the Holy Scriptures what to look out for (“The Signs” that He would give to us-See Matthew Ch. 24, Luke 21:5-36) that would indicate His return back to the earth. As soon as we see all those things that Jesus spoke about happening in the world…We are told by Christ to “Look up, because our redemption is drawing near.” (Matthew 24:33, Luke 21:28-31)  Friends, we MUST always be READY because we NEVER KNOW when the Trumpet call of GOD will sound. (Matthew 24:31, 42, Luke 21:36, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

 

"WHAT DO WE DO WHILE WE WAIT FOR THE RETURN OF CHRIST?!"


Let’s see what the BIBLE says on what we should be doing as followers of Christ while we wait for “OUR BLESSED HOPE” …

 
Paul tells us: “…TO SAY "NO" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to LIVE self-controlled, upright and GODLY LIVES in this present age, WHILE WE WAIT FOR THE BLESSED HOPE—THE APPEARING of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, EAGER TO DO WHAT IS GOOD.” (Titus 2:12-14)

 
Peter says this to us: “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, “WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE OUGHT YOU TO BE? You ought to LIVE HOLY AND GODLY LIVES as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to A NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH, where righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him… “Therefore, dear friends, SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN FOREWARNED, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and FALL from your secure position. BUT GROW in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”~ (2 Peter 3:10-14, 17-18)

 
Note: We who have been saved by His GRACE MUST turn away from wickedness and “LIVE self-controlled, upright and GODLY LIVES in this present age…” (Titus 2:12), while we wait for the Lord’s return. We are NOT to be enticed by worldly passions or have anything to do with things that are sinful. The BIBLE says: "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord MUST turn away from wickedness."~ (2 Timothy 2:19)

 
If we DO NOT heed the Bible warnings to stay away from sinful desires and we continue in our sins even though the Bible teaches us to stay away from them…Then we cannot be too surprised when the Lord tells us “Depart from me you evil doers” instead of hearing “Welcome to my Fathers kingdom.” (Matthew 7:21-23, Matthew 25:34, 41) Obedience to the Lord’s commands is a MUST for ALL of us who call on the name of the Lord. Jesus says: "If you love me, keep my commands. (John 14:15, 21, 23-24, Ch. 15:10, 14)  

There’s no half stepping when it comes to obeying the Lord and His commandments...We have to continue, to daily strive for godly and holy living, it must be a constant devotion and commitment on our part…If Heaven is the place where we want to spend eternity.

 
The Apostle John tells us this:

This is how we know that we love the children of God: BY LOVING GOD AND CARRYING OUT HIS COMMANDS. In fact, this is love for God: TO KEEP his commands. And his commands ARE NOT burdensome…” (1 John 5:2-4)

 
Note: We are told over and over again through out The Holy Scriptures to obey the Lord and to carry out His commands. Jesus has to take supremacy in our everyday life in order for us to have success in living the “Christ-like” life. (1 John 2:6) Jesus tells us that “Apart from Him we can do NOTHING.” (John 15:5) Spend time with Him daily in prayer and Bible studies/reading…Jesus will empower you to live the godly and holy life, if you just seek Him daily. Ask the Lord to help you and to teach you to live for Him. (Matthew 6:33, Matthew 7:7-11, James 4:2)

DO NOT put yourself in any situation where you know you’re going to fail God…  Do not be misled: "BAD company CORRUPTS good character." (1 Corinthians 15:33) Take an inventory in your life and get rid of everything that hinders your walk with the Lord… “LET US THROW OFF EVERYTHING THAT HINDERS AND THE SIN THAT SO EASILY ENTANGLES. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, FIXING OUR EYES ON JESUS, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. (Hebrews 12:1-2, James 1:21-22, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Colossians 3:8-10, Matthew 13:41-42, Ephesians 4:31-32, Ephesians 5:1-10, Galatians 5:13-26,)  Remember friends… Without holiness NO ONE will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14)

 
The Bible Says:We know that ANYONE BORN OF GOD DOES NOT CONTINUE TO SIN; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them.” (1 John 5:18) If we truly have been born again- According to the Bible we would NOT be (Purposefully and willfully) sinning… “NO ONE WHO LIVES IN HIM (Jesus Christ) KEEPS ON SINNING. NO ONE WHO CONTINUES TO SIN HAS EITHER SEEN HIM OR KNOWN HIM.” (1 John 3:6)

 
Note: If you have been unfaithful to the Lord…Now is the time to repent of your sins and confess them to HimIf we confess our sins, HE is faithful and just and will FORGIVE us our sins and purify us from ALL unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) Jesus is returning soon…NOTHING in this world is worth losing your salvation!  

 
As we wait for the soon return of Christ we must also be watching and praying  24/7, just as the “wise virgins” in Matthew 25:10 were- “…Make every effort to be FOUND SPOTLESS, BLAMELESS and at peace with Him.” (2 Peter 3:14) Jesus says: “SO YOU ALSO MUST BE READY, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when YOU DO NOT EXPECT HIM (Matthew 24:44, Luke 12:40) Friends, keep on "Watching & Praying"Because the King of Glory will soon appear.

 

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—CONTINUE TO WORK OUT YOUR SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:12-13)

 

GOD BLESS YOU ALL NOW & ALWAYS
YOUR FRIEND,
VICKY RIVERA

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