Thoughts for reflection . . . (Ready?)

Is my life in an ever increasing state of readiness for the Lord's second coming? Do I believe in His imminent return? Or do I push the event into the undefined future and remain unaffected by it's impact?

Jesus' words to His disciples in reference to His return was, 'be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.' and 'take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.'
[Matt24.44, Mark13.33]

Nearly two thousand years later those same words equally apply to us and can be considered with even greater urgency as we near the conclusion of the age.

The level of my expectation of the Lord's return will have a direct influence on the focus of my preparation and my life now. The final verses of Scripture have the Lord declaring, 'surely I come quickly', and our heart cry in return should be as in those verses, 'Even so, come Lord Jesus.'
[Rev22.20]

But am I ready if He should come now? Is there a diligence about my life that refects such a cry of desire to see the Lord? 'Holiness becometh Thine house, O Lord', says the Psalmist. Is my life separated and unspotted from this world? Will the Lord find me about His business as a faithful servant when He comes? Is there an urgency in my heart to share the words of life to those around me, knowing that the time is short and I may be the only voice for God that they may hear?
[Ps93.5, Matt24.44-46, 2Tim4.2, Acts20.26-27]

The prophet Malachi declared, 'who may abide the day of His coming?' His appearing will be glorious and a rejoicing to His children, yet the Scripture says the righteous will scarcely be saved and Jesus said, 'when the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?
[Mal3.2, Titus2.13, 1Pet4.18, Luke18.8]

The condition of readiness in my life will be known by a daily closer abiding in the Lord, a progressive level of holiness in all my ways, and my loins being girded about and my light burning.
[1John3.3, 1John2.28, 2Pet3.14, Heb12.14, Luke12.35]

May my spiritual senses not be dulled and numbed by the world around me, but may I be awake, alert and getting my house in order, that when He appears there may be no regret.

- sent from Palm T|T3