I hope you had a fine Thanksgiving Day last week and that you took time to give God thanks for His blessings. We spent the day with loved ones, enjoying a delicious meal carefully prepared by our hosts. It took them much time to be prepared, purchasing, baking and planning food items ahead of time. Carol and I made sure we were there on time with the items we were bringing.
Our Lord Jesus once said, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” (Matthew 25:13) I had a parishioner who often said, “I don’t have time for that right now!” If I asked him to be an usher or to volunteer for a task, he usually said, “Maybe later. I just don’t have time for that right now.” After I left that congregation, I heard he had died suddenly from a heart attack. I wonder if he ever had taken enough time to do any of the things he passed up.
In Matthew 24, Jesus warns His Disciples - and us - to be ready at all times for His coming, because we don’t know the hour of our passing, or the time of any number of calamities, including Judgment Day, that could befall us at any moment.
“Semper Paratus” (“Always Prepared”) is a slogan of the U. S. Coast Guard. That slogan would also be good for all Christians. We do not know the day nor the hour when our life on earth will end. If we strive to be prepared and faithful to Jesus, with regular worship, prayer and service, we will be ready when He calls us home.
It is tempting to follow after things that take us away from God. Earlier in Matthew, Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. But the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to eternal life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13-14)
Attendance was slim at our Thanksgiving worship service. Churches are rarely filled to capacity, except on some holidays. A majority of the world’s people do not believe in Jesus, and those who do don’t always take time to honor Him by worship and service. The way of faith leading to life with Jesus is a narrow way, but the way of the world is wide, and it leads away from Him.
Are you prepared for the Lord right now, or are you too busy? What kind of preparation do you think God would require from you? What steps might you take to be ready and to enter by the narrow gate? What wide and attractive gates are you tempted to pass through today?
Our Lord Jesus once said, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” (Matthew 25:13) I had a parishioner who often said, “I don’t have time for that right now!” If I asked him to be an usher or to volunteer for a task, he usually said, “Maybe later. I just don’t have time for that right now.” After I left that congregation, I heard he had died suddenly from a heart attack. I wonder if he ever had taken enough time to do any of the things he passed up.
In Matthew 24, Jesus warns His Disciples - and us - to be ready at all times for His coming, because we don’t know the hour of our passing, or the time of any number of calamities, including Judgment Day, that could befall us at any moment.
“Semper Paratus” (“Always Prepared”) is a slogan of the U. S. Coast Guard. That slogan would also be good for all Christians. We do not know the day nor the hour when our life on earth will end. If we strive to be prepared and faithful to Jesus, with regular worship, prayer and service, we will be ready when He calls us home.
It is tempting to follow after things that take us away from God. Earlier in Matthew, Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. But the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to eternal life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13-14)
Attendance was slim at our Thanksgiving worship service. Churches are rarely filled to capacity, except on some holidays. A majority of the world’s people do not believe in Jesus, and those who do don’t always take time to honor Him by worship and service. The way of faith leading to life with Jesus is a narrow way, but the way of the world is wide, and it leads away from Him.
Are you prepared for the Lord right now, or are you too busy? What kind of preparation do you think God would require from you? What steps might you take to be ready and to enter by the narrow gate? What wide and attractive gates are you tempted to pass through today?
Dear Jesus, help us always be prepared to meet You, because it could be any time. Amen
Rev. Bob Tasler
(All my books can be seen at www.bobtasler.com)
Rev. Bob Tasler
(All my books can be seen at www.bobtasler.com)
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