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Friday 22nd March, 2024

TOPIC: PREPARING FOR HIS RETURN

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📖 TODAY'S TEXT:

Acts 1:9–11; 2 Timothy 4:6-8

🔑 KEY VERSE:

this same Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven will so come in like manner as you saw him go into heaven (Acts 1:11).

🖊️ COMMENTARY

More than two thousand years have passed since Jesus made a promise to His disciples the night before His crucifixion:

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also (John 14:3).

Despite the passage of time, that promise is just as certain and secure as it was when it was first spoken. Jesus is going to return, and He will do without notice or warning at a time which is unknown.

Our duty is to look forward to His return and to live in such a way that we are prepared to meet Him with joy rather than shame. The old Scottish preacher, Alexander MacLaren said, "The apostolic church thought more about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ than about death and Heaven. The early Christians were looking, not for a cleft in the ground called a grave, but for a cleavage in the sky called Glory.

The only question is not whether the Lord will return, but how we will meet Him when He does. We are not meant to know when that moment will be, because it serves as motivation for us to live each day to the fullest to accomplish as much as possible for God's kingdom. Rather than saving up all our work, like a student cramming at the last minute for a test, we are to live every day expecting His return.

Paul wrote to Timothy in our passage that he (Paul) had fought a good fight and was ready to depart in peace. He reminded Timothy of the crown reserved for only those that love His appearing. Are you one of them.

We must not be complacent in our daily lives, thinking that we have all the time in the world to prepare for His return. Rather, we should live each day as if it were our last and strive to make a positive impact on those around us. We must love others as Christ loved us and share the good news of salvation with everyone we encounter.

As we eagerly await His return, we can take comfort in knowing that Jesus has prepared a place for us in Heaven. We do not need to fear death or the unknown because our hope and trust are in Him. Let us continue to fix our eyes on Jesus and eagerly anticipate His glorious return.

We must also remember that Jesus' return is not just about us and our personal salvation, but it is also about the restoration of all things. The Bible tells us that when Jesus returns, He will make all things new and bring an end to sin and suffering. This should motivate us to work towards bringing God's kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven.

We can do this by serving others, caring for the environment, advocating for justice, and spreading love and kindness wherever we go. We have a responsibility to be good stewards of the world that God has entrusted to us.

CONCLUSION

In summary, let us live each day with purpose and intentionality, knowing that Jesus could return at any moment. Let us strive to be faithful servants who are eagerly awaiting His arrival. And let us never forget that our ultimate hope and joy come from Him alone.
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#📜 ONE YEAR BIBLE STUDY PLAN
Deuteronomy 32–34; Psalm 91
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🎚 CONTROLLING THOUGHTS

The second coming of Jesus is now more imminent than ever

🙏🏿 PRAYER

Oh Lord, help me to live each day as if You were coming the next moment.
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An exclusive production of General Council Assemblies of God Nigeria.