STOP PLAYING HIDE AND SEEK WITH JESUS!

"When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes." - Matthew 24:37-39 (NLT)

This verse sounds a lot like what we are witnessing going on today. People aren't heeding the warnings, they have hardened their hearts towards God. Ephesians 4:18-19 says: "Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against Him. They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity." They are only concerned in gratifying the desires of their flesh. They are only worried about this life and the things it has to offer. They don't seem to put any thought into eternity and where they are going to spend it.

This has been on my mind almost constantly here lately. I have really felt like I need to say something about it. I'm afraid that so many people don't realize how close we are to Christ's return. I think a lot choose to be oblivious to it. I don't want to see anyone get left behind. That's why I am writing this post.

Christians, it's time to GET SERIOUS! We are living in what I believe to be the end times. We are getting so close to Jesus' return. And I AM NOT claiming to the know the day or the hour. "But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only." - Matthew 24:26 (ESV) 

If you're a Christian, or you're someone who has grown up in church, or even if you are neither of those, you've probably heard for most of your life that Jesus Christ is returning soon. Maybe it stirred you...it should've stirred you to turn your life around and give it to Jesus. But so often, we get lax in our relationships with God.  We get passive in our daily lives. Some have wondered when the rapture will take place, cause they thought He was coming when they heard it twenty years ago. But let me stress something to you: "But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent." - 2 Peter 3:8-9 God doesn't want any of us to perish! God desires for all of us, every single one of us, to be saved. To live in eternity WITH HIM! That is just so powerful, and so wonderful. No other religion has a god who loves them as Christ loves us! Isn't that something?

God has given us warning after warning. He has given each of us ample opportunities and time to repent and come to Him. He chose to give us free will, not force us to accept Him. "But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve." - Joshua 24:15 (NLT) 


IT'S TIME TO STOP PLAYING HIDE AND SEEK WITH JESUS! We need to start getting ready, preparing, being alert for Jesus' return. We need to get serious about our walk with the Lord!  We don't know when He is coming back, but time after time after time in the Bible we are told to be ever watchful, always waiting, being ready for the rapture. "And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight." - 2 Peter 3:14 (NLT) 

Christians, I'm begging you: don't get too comfortable in this life, too secure in this world! So many people plan and think only about this life and what they want to accomplish here and what their life looks like here. They worry about what they look like, what kind of job they have, having the biggest house, the nicest car, the newest phone. Guys, that's all nothing! NOTHING! Compare it to Christ and it's all garbage! "But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ." - Philippians 3:7-8 (ESV) Paul counted everything as rubbish compared to knowing Christ! I'm telling you, when you stand before God at the end of your life, all of this material stuff that you gained here on earth, will be the farthest thing from your mind!

"Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.  Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world." - 1 Peter 2:11-12 (NLT) As Christians, we shouldn't be living as the world lives. We shouldn't be doing the things the people of the world does. Yes, we will have temptations. Yes, we will stumble and mess up sometimes. But what is important is that we recognize when we mess up and repent, ask God for forgiveness, and turn around and never look back. "The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again." Proverbs 24:16 (NLT)  Living the Christian life is not always easy. “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it." Matthew 7:13-14 (NLT) God has given Christians His Holy Spirit, who lives inside of us, enabling us to live the Christian life, guiding us through this life, leading us. When people see us, they should see Christ. We are called to be a light in this broken world. To share with others the love of Jesus. Let's stop being so consumed with ourselves, with what we look like, with how many followers we have, how many likes we got on our last Instagram post and let's start loving others, spreading God's Good News. We need to be praying, without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). We need to be studying the Bible, spending time with God, growing in our relationship with Him. "You already know these things, dear friends. So be on guard; then you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen." - 2 Peter 3:17-18 

"But the one who endures to the end will be saved." - Matthew 24:13 (NLT)

"The end of the world is coming soon, therefore be earnest and disciplined in your prayers." - 1 Peter 4:7 (NLT)