Isaiah 2:1-5
Romans 13:11-14
Psalm 122:1-9
Matthew 24:37-44
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PREPARATION DAY
"It is now the hour for you to wake from sleep." —Romans 13:11
A thief preparing to break into your house wants to take your possessions (see Mt 24:43). Jesus, our Lord and King, also is preparing to enter your house, even standing and knocking at your door (Rv 3:20). First, He desires to have fellowship with you. Then, if you allow, He desires to take possession of your life and your home. He wants to be Lord of everything in your life. We prevent the thief from entering by making our house secure, but are we also guarding our possessions and hearts so strongly that we are preventing Jesus from entering?
Jesus says that even if we are prepared for His coming, we will be surprised at the timing (see Mt 24:36; 25:5). Accordingly, the best way to be prepared for the coming of Christ is to be prepared today. Make Him Lord of your house right now. “The time is short” (1 Cor 7:29). “Prepare the way of the Lord” (Mt 3:3).
Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us (Jn 14:2-3). We likewise are to be preparing a place for Jesus, so that He can dwell in our hearts, homes, work, and lives. Are we “on our guard” about some things, but completely off guard about the more important things, like the Second Coming of Christ?
The measure we measure with shall be measured back to us (Mt 7:2). When Jesus knocks on our door, if we tell Him, “I do not know where You come from. Depart from me” (see Mt 7:23; Lk 13:27), we should not be surprised if Jesus says the same to us when we knock on His door on Judgment Day (Mt 25:11-12). Therefore, prepare for His coming now (Mt 24:44).
Prayer: Father, I will put my secular Christmas preparations on hold until I have prepared for the coming of Your Son, Jesus.
Promise: "Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the desires of the flesh." —Rm 13:14
Praise: All hail, King Jesus! Reign over this new year. Alleluia!
(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(Join us Oct. 18-19 for a study of the Gospel of Mark. This is a great way to rekindle your love, knowledge and commitment to the Lord. Call 513-373-2397 or see www.presentationministries.com.)
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