There are moments in life when you need to say the right things to people you love. Paul planned a special last meeting in Ephesus, a unique farewell where he shared the need to Get Ready. We can listen and apply those same tips and advice in our lives as we get ready for the Second Coming of Jesus.
Paul was rushing to Jerusalem, knowing that he would face tribulation and prison. He knew that this was the last time they would see his face. In life sometimes we encounter moments where we know we need to say the right words and say them with the right heart.
You may be reading this article and remembering the day when your daughter or son was leaving for college? Maybe you are remembering the last conversation you had with your dad or mom? Maybe you remember a time you didn’t say anything because you didn’t know the right words to say?
Important Statements to Help Us Get Ready
To help us in these situations let’s look at Paul speaking to his brothers and sisters in Ephesus. Here we find three important statements, a warning and four important steps that will help us to Get Ready.
First, Paul remembered how they had difficulties but God always gave a solution. The life of a believer often encounters moments of confrontation, decision and social pressure.
Do you remember the first time you needed to say no to an invitation to a party, a family celebration, or a social event, because you were not comfortable with what you knew would happen there?
Paul experienced this with the Jews and he knew the Ephesians would face the same opposition. Paul was clear to remember that God always was there helping and making the output positive.
Second, even when Paul faced prison and tribulation he experienced the grace of his Lord Jesus Christ giving him joy in the middle of the storm. God wants us to remember that no matter how difficult life can get we will never be tempted more that we can handle and with the problem He will provide the solution.
In Bible Prophecy we know that there is going to be a time when the persecution of God's people will increase in tension and violence. Jesus reminds us here that as we see these things happening, He will shorten them (Matthew 24:22) and His grace will be shown to the Universe to see that He is present with us. His grace covers our mistakes and gives us joy even in troubled waters.
Third, Paul explains to the Ephesians that our part of the proclamation of the Gospel ends when we present His truth to our loved ones through our lives, through how we live and experience His grace and joy.
When Paul said goodbye to the believers in Ephesus he warned the church to be aware of false teaching even from within the church body itself. Matthew warns us of this too. We find the warning repeated in Acts, in Paul’s letters and finally in the John’s vision recorded in the book of Revelation. False teachings are part of the signs that the second coming of Jesus is near.
Today more than ever we find confusion around the world about how to walk with our Lord Jesus. There are many false teachings that include false worship and false praying, which leads to a false spiritual walk.
We must study the word of God so that we can identify these false teachings.
Call to Action: Four Important Steps to Get Ready
At the end Paul sums it up with four steps that will prepare us for His second coming.
Step 1: Love God and all the people around you. Especially those who are different than you yet need love and care. Those to whom no one around you is paying any attention. Those to whom no one is showing any love or attention. Make that decision daily! Constantly work to seek them out.
Step 2: Read and study the Bible. His word has never been more important than now! Squeeze the final drops of meaning from His Word, from each book, from each chapter. The Love of God is the truly central theme in His Word. Knowing that love, responding to that love will transform our hearts and allow the Holy Spirit give us lives of joy and righteousness.
Step 3: Serve the ones closest to you. Start with your family. What are their needs? Create a way to bless them. Care for your neighbors, perhaps cook them a meal. Find ways to show the love God has given you for them and in doing so you will be showing them how God is transforming you!
Step 4: Pray with an open heart to Jesus for others. Prayer is a powerful tool that we need to use constantly. It’s easy to rely on own strengths to resolve issues. We’re good at not letting God be God. Let prayer place you in a dependent attitude as you recognize who is truly Lord in your life.
If we take heed of Paul’s warnings and follow these four steps we will grow in our spiritual walk today! But more importantly we will be ready for second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus.
Let’s live in that readiness! Let’s start today!
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Information about Time to Get Ready Ministries
The world is in turmoil. People are looking for answers. Jesus wants to come, but people have not been ready. We are an online magazine that publishes weekday articles to encourage, enlighten and empower people to get ready, so Jesus can come.
