LifeLink Devotional

Thursday, September 12, 2019

I’m sure it was just a fluke back then, because today things are quite different.

Six years ago, during a sermon about the joyous and glorious return of Jesus Christ to gather His true church to their eternal reward, I emotionally and enthusiastically read these verses…

Revelation 22:7 “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

Revelation 22:12 “Behold, I am coming soon…”

Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

Revelation 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

Then I energetically said something like, “Friends, JESUS IS COMING BACK!”

Silence ensued.

Really? Silence from the very people that Jesus is coming to get? At the time I was a little shocked. I think it showed. I said it again. “JESUS IS COMING BACK!” This time the response was enthusiastic.  However, it made me wonder how many times in my own life I need to be reminded to not get so focused on the issues of life and to be visibly joyful about the return of Jesus Christ.

Earlier in that same worship service we had sung a couple of songs, one of which was the chorus of “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.” In that song we sang these words –

Turn your eyes upon Jesus; look full in His wonderful face; and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”

It only took 15 minutes between singing those words and hearing it preached for us to turn our eyes, ears, and hearts back to things that forced our silence rather than things that fueled our praise.

I know that there are many days that I have my eyes, my heart, and my desires firmly fixed on the things of earth. It happens so much that I must ask myself the question “Is the return of Jesus what I really want?”

Let’s see –

• More sin versus no sin. That’s one vote for His return.
• More financial stress versus streets of crystal-clear gold and a mansion made by the hands of God just for me. Another vote for Jesus to come back.
• More emotional stress from loneliness, rejection, and the pursuit of self-worth versus seeing the face of Jesus while His arms of love wrap around me and the only tears ever will be tears of joy. So far the return of Jesus is pitching a shut-out.
• More issues with health versus an eternally perfect body. This is getting embarrassing. Earthly things are growing strangely dim.

I could go on, but we all get the point. The Spirit of God says “Come.” The Bride of Christ – His church – is supposed to say “Come.” Everyone who is longing for satisfaction in this life is to realize that earthly things cannot satisfy and invite Jesus to come. I am to consider the coming of Jesus to be more important to me than any other upcoming event in my life.

Is it what we really want? Well as for me, YES!!!

Pastor John