Waiting…we are waiting for Jesus’s triumphant return. Watching the Eastern sky for any movement or change that might mean he is on his way. Praying as we wait, seeking his will, his way, listening to what he tells us to do and lastly being busy, doing those things which please the Father and further the kingdom. Or are we?

Matthew 24:42-44 “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. “But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.”For this reason, you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.”

We do not know the day or the hour of our Lord’s return, but it is promised in scripture so we know it will happen. Maybe in my lifetime, maybe not. It does not matter, my job is to watch always for his returning and live as though it was in a few moments. But while I am waiting I should not just stand gazing into the horizon hoping to see him, I need to be doing those things which we are told to do in scripture.

The most important one is to “Love”, love like Jesus did. 1 Corinthians 13:2 “If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but I do not have love, I am nothing.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-5 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”

Yes, we are to “Love” like Jesus did. Love moves us to pray and to do on another’s behalf. Love sometimes moves us out of our comfort zone into action. It means we sacrifice more and focus less on self. Love also moves us to forgive. Forgiveness is huge in the eyes of God, after all, he has forgiven us everything, and not only forgiven but forgotten it as well. We cannot truly love if we do not truly forgive. They go hand in hand. And both move us into action, or should.

Colossians 3:13 “Bear with each other forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

Matthew 6:14-15 “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Luke 17:4 “Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying “I repent”, you must forgive them.”

Ephesians 4:31-32 “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling, and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

And lastly, we need to be praying people. Prayer is our lifeline to Jesus. Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

Psalm 5:3 “In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.”

James 5:16 “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

1 John 5:14 “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”

We are to be waiting, winning souls to Christ. Doing those things which further the kingdom in us and through us, because of he that is in us.

Mark 16:15 “ANd he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

Matthew 28:19-20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

We are to watch and look for his returning, living in such a way as to be ready when he comes.

We are to pray continually about all things because he told us to and when we do he hears us and will answer according to his will and way. So, are you waiting, watching, praying and doing? If not today is a good day to start. We all need to pick up our game, the time of his appearing his drawing ever closer. I personally want to hear “Well Done” when I see him, either at his returning or when I fall asleep in Christ.

My prayer is that we as believers “wake up”, “look up” and get busy waiting, watchin, praying and doing until his return. In Jesus name, Amen