Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Sunday, June 17, 2018

Audio Link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/reachmanyradio/thoughts-in-worship-06-17-2018

This is devotional thought number 62 in our devotional series titled, “The Gospel According to Paul.”

“Now on the topic of times and seasons, brothers and sisters, you have no need for anything to be written to you. For you know quite well that the day of the Lord will come in the same way as a thief in the night. Now when they are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction comes on them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will surely not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the darkness for the day to overtake you like a thief would. For you all are sons of the light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of the darkness. So then we must not sleep as the rest, but must stay alert and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But since we are of the day, we must stay sober by putting on the breastplate of faith and love and as a helmet our hope for salvation.” (1 Thessalonians 5:1–8, NET).

Look up! Jesus is on His way! Be honest; did you just look up? What did you see?

When I was a young boy in New York City in the 70s and 80s, people would often conduct a social experiment in large crowds of people; particularly in Manhattan. One or two persons would abruptly start looking up, apparently gazing at something of intense interest. Invariably, no matter how silly passers-by felt, they had almost zero willpower to resist looking too. Some even started pointing as if they discovered something new and exciting. Of course, there was nothing there, and scores of persons were duped into looking into the nothingness of the sky. I steadfastly refuse to allow others to control where my attention goes. Just call me punk proof .

I find myself looking up a lot lately. Unlike those many years ago, when nothingness and duping people were the main features, I am looking up spiritually. Jesus promised to return. He pledged to telegraph His movements so those with keen, sober minds can know, of certainty, that He will arrive quickly. Jesus said that, in the same way, you can discern the changing of the seasons from the development of trees, foliage, and other elements in nature, we can discern Jesus’s approach. Just as a pregnant mother’s contractions increase in frequency and intensity, and we easily observe the inevitable birth of the child of her love, Jesus gave signs and last-day events to forecast the coming of the Lord.

I know; we read that Jesus will come as a thief in the night; however, we also read that He does not come upon His people like a thief. ““Be on your guard, so that your minds are not dulled from carousing, drunkenness, and worries of life, or that day will come on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come on all who live on the face of the whole earth. But be alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of Man.”” (Luke 21:34–36, HCSB). Paul agrees with Jesus. While we do not know the exact day and hour of His arrival, we have ample evidence that it will not be long, now. The question we all must answer daily is, “Am I really ready for Jesus to come?” If you are not, and you love God, today’s your big day! You can give your life over to Jesus for safe keeping. He is able to preserve everyone who is willing to cooperate with Him. ““For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.” But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own...