Second Coming – Counting My Blessings

Matthew wrote Jesus words about the need for faith and the importance of showing others that faith by demonstrating His love that's being ready for Jesus. #Jesus #SecondComing #CountingMyBlessings #BlessingBloggers #WWGGG

Yesterday we looked at what Jesus said about being prepared for His return. Today, in Matthew 25, Jesus went on to tell His followers about the importance of having faith and the importance of showing others their faith by demonstrating His love.

The first parable today, tells the story of 10 bridesmaids who were waiting for the party to begin. 5 if them brought everything they needed to be ready whenever but the other 5 were literally caught napping without the most important thing necessary.

Those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked.
Matthew 25:10b

The Life Application Bible Notes say…

When Jesus returns to take His people to heaven we must be ready. Spiritual preparation cannot be bought or borrowed at the last minute.

Be ready for Jesus!

You and I are ready for Jesus to return by grace, through faith. And one of the ways we demonstate our faith is through the ways we use the blessings God gives us to show our love for Him by loving others.

Loving others for Jesus is seen in our “doing.”

‘I tell you the truth when you did it to one of the least of these, my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
Matthew 25:40

And the notes say…

The importance of this parable is that we should love every person and serve anyone we can. Such love for others glorifies God.

James wrote:

Humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says.
James 1:21b–22a

Loving others for Jesus is simply serving wherever we are needed . . . using our passions, and our gifts and abilities. It’s using the blessings God gives us to touch lives in ways that show others His loving care and compassion.

This is What You Need to Do to Be Ready for Jesus

Let’s ask God to give us faith that flourishes and make us willing to share His love through “doing.”

Father, when doubt and confusion cloud my mind please help me SEEK You above all else and increase my faith. When trials burden me please help me TRUST You that I may know and obey Your will.

Please help me LOVE like Jesus. Give me eyes to see the needs around me and make me willing to “do” whatever I can to shine the light of Your love.

Father, may I always be ready for Jesus to return for me. Whether He is coming with all the angels to judge the nations or quietly returns for me alone, help me be a good steward of all you have entrusted to me. May I trust and obey by loving You and loving others as You desire. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

In Matthew 25, we learn that we can’t borrow or buy what we need to be ready for Jesus. Our relationship with God is personal.

So, on today’s note write…

Keep watch and be ready for Jesus is coming!

God bless you as you love and serve Jesus today!

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

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In Matthew 24, the disciples received some very specific instructions to help them be prepared for Jesus' return. What they needed to know and how to wait. #BibleStudy #EndTimes #Hope #Jesus #CountingMyBlessings #BlessingBloggers #WWGGG

So much has been written about the end times . . . even people who deny Jesus talk about the world coming to an end.

I love that Jesus didn’t want His followers to be uninformed; so this week leading up to His suffering, death, and resurrection, He paused to talk about near future and far future events.

[Jesus] disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?
Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you,for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many.And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic.
“Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.”
Matthew 24:3–6, 10–12

His words were intended to prepare disciples of every generation that we might all be focused on Him watch for “the day your Lord is coming.” (v. 42)

My friend, Louise, loved Jesus and she loved learning all she could about His Word, His promises, and His return. Her eyes sparkled every time she talked about Him.

And although we didn’t believe exactly the same things about what we could anticipate in the season preceding Jesus arrival on earth. We did agree about the most important thing.

We all need to be prepared for Jesus! We need to watch and pray!

And being prepared means keeping our hearts and minds focused on Jesus. It means loving the Lord, our God, with all our hearts, minds, soul, and strength. It means loving others in ways that show them His life-changing grace, mercy, and love. It means sharing the hope only He can give.

Jesus said…

When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. People were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings. They didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came. So you, too, must keep watch! (Paraphrase Matthew 24:37–39, 42a

So today, let’s pray and ask Jesus to fill us with His Spirit and help us to be focused on Him and prepared for Him to come and take us home.

The Best Way to Be Prepared for Jesus

Lord Jesus, Thank you for promising me an eternal future with You in heaven. Thank you for willingly sacrificing yourself for me that I might know the debt of my sin has been paid in full.

Please keep me focused on You, Lord. Keep me faithful to reading Your Word and spending time with You in prayer. When false teachers tickle our ears with tempting teachings, please fill me with Your Spirit and remind me of Your Word and promises. Please give me Your peace when my world is full of chaos and confusion. Give me courage and strength in a day of persecution and betrayal.

I love You, Lord. And I wait with hope to see you “appear in the heavens, coming on the clouds with power and great glory to gather Your chosen ones from all over the world.” (Matthew 24:30–31) Amen.

Friend, the enemy uses so many things trying to take our focus off Jesus. He wants to divide us and distract with different beliefs about the end times. But with the Spirit’s help we can prayerfully watch with faith and hope.

We can be prepared for Jesus!

On today’s note write:

Watch and pray with faith and hope.

Take a few minutes to read all of Matthew 24 to learn more of the things Jesus said about His glorious return.

May God bless you today with faith, hope, and love.