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Devo’s For Divas - Are You Ready? Are You Prepared?
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9 Devo’s For Divas - Are You Ready? Are You Prepared?
By Barbara Gobbs
Executive Assistant and Ministry Partner - Pocket Full of Change Ministries
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” Matthew 24:36 (NASB))
This might be the last time I write to you. That thought brings with it some sadness. Since 2003, I have been jotting my thoughts and experiences down to share with you and it has been a great source of joy for me. I’ve been able to share my faith and my Father, my Lord and my Savior with you. I pray God has found me obedient because based on some recent news, in the next few days – my life will be over.
You see, there is a group promoting the notion that the world will end this Saturday May 21 at 6:00pm. Our pastor talked about it Wednesday night. My boss has seen the billboards for a while and I just noticed one myself recently. They say the Bible guarantees that life as we know it will end May 21 at 6:00pm.
I can’t think of a situation where I would ever limit God because His ways and thoughts are certainly higher than mine. And if He wants to come back on Saturday – He will. However, the Bible is quite clear:
Matthew 24:4 “And Jesus answered and said to them, “
See to it that no one misleads you.”
Matthew 24:11 “Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.”
Repeatedly we are told, God’s Word is true and I must believe that if the Father – Lord God of all creation, didn’t tell His own Son the time of return as it clearly states in Matthew 24:36, why would he tell some guy on earth?
Oh wait, He didn’t tell this guy! Of course, this misguided-man said he figured it out. I have a problem with that. Is it possible to figure God out to the point where we discover stuff He said no one but Him knew? I doubt it. But apparently others believe this guy.
I understand that some believe to the point of quitting college and one report has a couple who budgeted all their funds to run out on May 21. Of course I’d like to ask what happens on Sunday when they wake up. Yet, I have to give them credit for one thing – getting the message out with passion.
Now let me pivot around to another point. If by some strange turn of events (which I personally doubt will happen, but never say never!), this guy has coincidently guessed the right day of Christ’s return, are you prepared?
I was chatting with one of our deacons after church last Wednesday night. I am sorry but we had to laugh a bit, a sad laugh at what we believe is the misleading of many in the name of Christ. However, we both agreed that if Christ comes this Saturday or any other Saturday – we are prepared.
Ready, we thought was another subject. We both have grandkids we’d like to spend more time with. There are more folks we’d like to tell about Jesus. There are the proverbial places to go and people to see. So are we ready? Maybe not, but we are prepared as our hearts belong to Jesus. We have repented of our sin, trusted Christ as our Savior and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Christ Himself lives within us.
What about you?
The interesting thing is Jesus could come at any time. We are not guaranteed our next breath. It could be tonight, tomorrow, next Saturday or a hundred years from now. The pivotal point is this: Right now, are you prepared to meet the God of all Creation face to face? Are you ready to answer this question from God’s own lips, “Do you know my Son?” I truly don’t believe He’ll ask “Do you know OF my Son?”
Regardless of the time of Christ’s return, the Bible says today is the day of salvation. So I will make the most of our time right now. If you are a born-again believer, blood-bought and not ashamed – let’s be telling others about the Gospel of Hope and Eternity now and continue to do so as His day draws near – whenever it occurs.
If you don’t know where you stand with God, then let God use me to shine a light on the pathway to Heaven:
Admit: Rom 3:23 says in plain English that NO ONE is perfect – we’ve all sinned before God. Take a moment in prayer to admit your sinful state TO GOD!
Believe and Confess: The Bible in Rom 6:23 tells us the results of our sin is death, you and I rightfully deserve to die, but God’s gift is eternal life through Jesus Christ, who said in John 14 “I am the way, the Truth and the Life – no one comes to the Father except by me.” In John 3:16 – we are told that God loved us so much He sent His only Son Jesus to die so that if we believed we would have eternal life. Rom10: 9-13 tells us to confess with our mouth, which results in righteousness and believe in our hearts that Jesus is Lord which results in salvation. Take another moment in prayer to confess your belief in Jesus Christ the Son of God and His death in your place.
Invite: Rev 3:20 – tells us when we invite Jesus in – He’ll come! Take a final moment to invite Jesus into your heart. Allow Him to not just be the God of the church or the God you hear about, but a personal God living in you.
Now regardless of what hour God chooses to tell His Son to go and get His children, you will be prepared! Until that time, share this with a friend so they will be prepared too!
So in closing and as a friend Al, would say: See you here or see you there, and if Not, I’ll see you in the air!
Love, Barbara
Barbara is a ministry partner with and Executive Assistant for Pocket Full of Change Ministries. For more information, to schedule a speaker for an event, or to request a newsletter, go to www.pocketfullofchange.org or call Barbara Gobbs at 904-566-6497. This ministry is supported by donations. If this ministry helps you or others, and God calls you to help support this work, you can make a donation to Pocket Full of Change Ministry at POB 51205, Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32240.
© Pocket Full of Change Ministries
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