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I’ll Be Back

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Do you know what the next great event in human civilization is going to be? Its the second coming of Jesus Christ to take His people to be with Him in Heaven. Wont that be exciting?

I Thessalonians 4:17 says, “After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” The New Testament mentions this second coming over 300 times. It was clearly an event He wanted us to be ready for.

How do you and I prepare for Jesus Christs return? First of all, its essential to have a good relationship with Him, and know Him as our Lord and Savior.

After that, we need to be faithful to the calling He has on our lives. Seconds before He ascended to heaven, after He had promised that He would come back again, Jesus said: “Go and evangelize the world.” That was the major thing on his mind as Jesus left us on earth.

If Jesus came back today, would He find you and me faithfully sharing the message of Good News with the people we know? If not, why dont you recommit yourself to the Great Commission right now?

Remember, the Lord is coming back. In the meantime, its our calling, and privilege, to lead others into a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Reaching Widows

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My wife and I know a woman in England, named Emma. She felt God asking her to befriend an elderly neighbor, who was a widower. It wasnt easy, because this old man was pretty arrogant and rude. Apparently, no one liked him. But at one point he became sick, so Emma visited him in the hospital. Over time, this belligerent man was softened by Emmas kindness.

One day, Emma shared with him about her relationship with Jesus Christ. Then she asked if he would like to receive Jesus, by faith, into his life. Without hesitation he said, “Yes!” That 84-year-old man died shortly after his conversion, but now hes in heaven!

It certainly wasnt comfortable for Emma to reach out to that elderly man. But God called her out of her comfort zone, and she obeyed. Imagine what would have happened if Emma hadnt followed Gods leading. That man probably would have died without knowing Jesus Christ.

In Luke Chapter 10, Jesus told His followers to first, love God “with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength,” and then, “love your neighbor as yourself.”

Is there a widow in your neighborhood, or community, whom you could befriend? It often takes so little to show them Christs love. And yet, as Emma can testify, your simple act of kindness can have eternal results!

The Least of These

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Theres a woman in our home church who is passionate about making a difference in the lives of hurting and abandoned children. Thats why she decided to open up her home to foster kids. Now this is quite a task for her because shes not married. But this young lady, with the help of her parents, has had many foster children in her home.

Whats most exciting to me is that shes led many of these children – and their parents – to the Lord! She uses foster care as an avenue to share her faith with each child who comes into her home. Isnt that fabulous?!?!

Its certainly a huge step of faith to become foster parents, or adopt a child. Its definitely something thats out of many peoples comfort zones. But God calls His followers to unprecedented action. Not just social action, which is important – but spiritual action!

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus challenges His disciples to take care of the needy, the poor, the strangers – the helpless. Because, He says, “Whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me.”

I cant think of a better example of “the least of these” than hurt and neglected children. So, pray about it, wont you? And remember, by opening up your heart and home, you can make an eternal difference in a childs life.

Around the World

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Many years ago, British missionaries came to Argentina and led my parents to faith in Christ. They, in turn, raised me and my five sisters in the Lord. We have all made personal commitments to Christ. Its awesome to think about the ongoing spiritual impact that those faithful missionaries had, just on my family alone!

Have you ever thought about going to another country to share your faith? It may be hard to imagine getting out of your comfort zone like that — especially if it means traveling long distances, eating strange foods, and not being able to speak the language. Yet Jesus calls us to spread His Good News all around the world.

In the Gospel of Mark, chapter 16, as Jesus is returning to heaven, He tells his followers to “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to all creation.”

Now, some of us are called to witness in our hometown, while others are called overseas. But how will you know if you dont seek the Lords will for your life? Ask Him to send you wherever He chooses. As you open up your heart to the Lords leading, He will use you in ways you could never imagine! Theres nothing more exciting than changed lives, dont you think?

Practice Hospitality

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Joe Aldrich used to be the president of Multnomah Bible College, where I went to seminary. He left a wonderful legacy of evangelism at that school. Joe believed in what he called “lifestyle evangelism.” He let his faith spill over into every part of his days and nights.

One of the ways Joe and his wife practiced lifestyle evangelism, was by opening up their home to international university students. Joe and his wife had many students in their home, night after night, cooking great meals for them, and making them feel comfortable in a strange new country. By their generous hospitality, the Aldrichs led many young people to the Lord.

Joes motto was always, “Love them til they ask you why.” He said students would be in their home night after night, until one of them would ask Joe, “Why do you care so much about us?” That was the open door for Joe to say that Christs love compelled him to love others. And he shared with them the Good News Gospel.

Having people over for dinner may be uncomfortable for you to do. But First Peter 4 charges us to “offer hospitality to one another.” By simply having a friend or neighbor over for a meal, you can reach them for Jesus Christ. So, why not do it tonight?