There are people who love to predict when this world will come to an end. The reality is, no one knows but God alone. Jesus could come back in any moment and the question we have to ask ourselves is this: Am I prepared for the return of the Lord? In 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Paul teaches the saints how to be prepared and ready for the second coming of Christ.

It is never easy to hear about your sins. We don’t mind delving in to the failings of others, but it is quite another thing to have our worst offences paraded across the evening news. Amos shows up in Israel and levels judgment on the family of God. It is direct, forceful and pointed. But, even in the courtroom of God there is room to repent.

If you’ve been to the zoo you might have been startled by the roar of a lion. Imagine how you would have felt had there been no bars or walls separating you from him! There came a time in Israel’s history where God showed up and roared His displeasure with His people. This was more than startling. It was terrifying. But, He did it in order to call His people back into humble fellowship with Him. That same roar echoes down to us today.

Whether you’ve been a Christian for decades or for little over a year, it’s right and natural for you to wonder, “How do I develop as a believer? How do I mature in godliness? How do I thrive as a Christian?” In John 15:1-11, in answer to these very questions, Christ declared that the key to flourishing and fruitfulness was not a technique, system, or place, but a person. That person is Christ, and the way to thrive as a believer is to stay close to him.

One of the most prominent themes of Jesus' life was mercy--he showed mercy to those who were in desperate physical need and to those who were in desperate spiritual need. It is little surprise, then, that as he describes the values of his upside down Kingdom, he says, "blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy."

The apostle John tells us that the reason why he wrote his gospel: so that you would know that Jesus is God, and that by believing in Him you may have eternal life. Friend, eternal life is near! Love Jesus because He is God and He is worthy of our highest affection.

Although Jesus was in a position to be served by others, he showed his disciples by word and action that he came into the world to serve others. He would ultimately do this by his death on the cross.

There is only one place in the Gospels that speaks about what the heart of Christ is like. Jesus calls people to come to him because he is gentle and lowly in heart, and in him we find rest for our souls.

When a Christian dies in this world, what happens? Where are they now? Are they okay? Will we ever see them again? These are some important questions to think about, and it seems like the Thessalonians were unclear about what happens to the Christian dead. So in order to give them real hope and good courage, Paul informs them about the glorious resurrection to come when Christ returns.

In Paul’s second prayer in Ephesians, he continues to ask God to do some remarkable things. These are not puny prayers. They are somewhat audacious. We do well to lean in to what he asks in order to instruct us on how to pray for each other. Specifically, in order to teach us how to better delight in God.