Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. – Titus 2:13
A little over 2,000 years ago, Jesus stepped into the pages of human history, leaving His heavenly realm and taking on flesh. He lived a sinless life yet died the death of a criminal, paying the full penalty for the crimes and sins of humanity against the laws of God. The grave could not hold Him, and He was gloriously resurrected, walked again among the people, and was ultimately lifted back to heaven. Yet Earth has not seen the last of Christ. He promised to return, and confidence in that promise can carry you through.
Pastor J.D. Greear outlines four ways you can display and live out your hope in Christ’s return. The first is to have spiritual alertness – living in expectation that His return could be today. You can adjust your priorities to align with the knowledge that He is coming soon, investing your talents, time, and treasure into advancing the Kingdom of God, and supporting those who are engaged in sharing the Gospel. Believing in the return of Jesus also motivates you to forgive others. Fourth, the awareness that He is coming back provides hope when you are suffering, loss, trial, or persecution.
H.L Turner wrote in his hymn, “It may be at morn, when the day is awakening, when sunlight through darkness and shadow is breaking, that Jesus will come in the fullness of glory, to receive from the world His own.” Then he asked, “O, Lord Jesus, how long, how long?” Be ready and submit to the Holy Spirit each day. Let there be nothing between yourself and the Savior when He comes for you. Maranatha! “Christ returneth. Hallelujah. Amen.”
Today’s Verse: Titus 2:13
waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Matthew 24:36-44
36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. 37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
