Are You Ready?
If I told you Jesus was coming back tonight I think the majority of people would respond 1 of 2 ways: with joy or with fear. Joy for many because the promise to fulfill what God has spoken, that He will return one day, has finally come. Fear for others because they know they’d be in a scramble to get their life in order.
So let me ask this question: is the life you’re living right now the life you’d want God to see you in if He were to come back? The things that you say and do, the places you go, the people you spend time with, the things your eyes see, would you be distracted or ready how scripture tells us to be. Are you serving Him and others or serving yourself? Seeking and loving Him or setting your own rules and loving all the things of this world? Are you doing everything you can to live a life pleasing to the Lord or doing the opposite? The thing is, a lot of people are living like we do have till forever to start following him. But I think if people were to ask themselves this question it would lead to repentant hearts young or old.
We don’t know when he’s coming back, but I want to encourage you to live everyday like it’s the second coming of our King. Because someday, one of these days, it could be! Asking myself this question was bittersweet, I thought about all the times I didn’t ask if I could pray with a stranger because I thought of it after the fact. Or went up the the ups truck driver and asked if he knew Jesus because the Lord was tugging on my heart to do so. Or in humility turn the other cheek when I felt most under attack from the enemy. I want my life to reflect Jesus more and more everyday and I want yours too.
I don’t know what your life looks like and I most likely don’t even know who you are either, but Jesus does. And he loves you and I believe He’s been chasing after some of your hearts for far too long. I pray that tonight you’d surrender it to Him. Whether you’re a follower and got tangled up in the ways of this world or you want to start a relationship with Jesus for the first time. Maybe it's to be a better spouse, a better friend, a better brother, to be more humble, slow to become angry, or to serve selflessly... whatever it is, I pray that you’d make that commitment to Him right now to change.
With all that said I don’t want to leave you there to sit and think “Now what? Where do I start?” The verse that comes to mind is in Hebrews 12:1-3, and it says “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” So, do just that! When I read the part “throw off” I picture wearing a heavy, itchy, unwanted ugly sweater that you’ve had on WHILE running a marathon and throwing it off your body. Think of the itchy sweater having things that hold you back attached to it, making it even heavier and harder to run. The things that hold you back like, poor choice in friends, lying, cheating, drunkenness, sexual immorality, hatred, jealously, rage, malice, unwilling to forgive, all the things that hinder you from the pace Jesus has set out for you, completely thrown off! It says in the verse itself that it "so easily entangles" because when you sin, it might feel good to please your flesh and it might be fun, but it will only get you further away from the finish line; Heaven. Your old ways are gone and you’ve been refreshed, redeemed, not itchy, not heavy, and able to run with perseverance the way God designed us to be. You’re enlightened in every way because Jesus has given YOU a new name. The old is gone and grace abounds like no other.
If you don’t know what to say, it’s simple. The Bible says in Romans 10:13 “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Ask Jesus to come into your heart, tell him that you’re a sinner in need of a savior and that He would be yours. Repent, surrender, and follow.
Find your life when you lay it down.
THE BEST IS YET TO COME,
are you ready?
xx Lauren Duesing
You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you
Galations 5:7
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
James 1:13
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galations 5:19-21
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Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
