Ponderingwithjames

Soon and Very Soon… | November 3, 2011

I don’t need to write you about the time or date when all this will happen. You surely know that the Lord’s return will be as a thief coming at night. People will think they are safe and secure. But destruction will suddenly strike them like the pains of a woman about to give birth. And they won’t escape.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 (CEV)

So many times, and in so many messages, I’ve been reminded of this passage, and received the admonishment to be sure and even more sure of my salvation.

My friends, you must do all you can to show that God has really chosen and selected you. If you keep on doing this, you won’t stumble and fall. Then our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will give you a glorious welcome into his kingdom that will last forever.
2 Peter 1:10-11 (CEV)

Somehow, I’ve managed to get stuck dwelling in uncertainty, rather than living in faith. As a result, I have wound up looking forward to the rapture in the same way nominees wait for the envelope to be opened at the Academy Awards; lots of hope but fully aware the odds are 5:1 against my being selected.

That’s so very wrong.

I know better than that and the worry and trepidation is simply a lie from the pit whispered in my ear so many times I’ve begun to buy into it.

Bu I know better.

I am a follower of Christ Jesus.

My sins have been–and are–extraordinary and vile, yet Christ is greater.

But if we live in the light, as God does, we share in life with each other. And the blood of his Son Jesus washes all our sins away.
1 John 1:7 (CEV)

I love that statement about the absolute efficacy of the blood of Christ; it “washes all our sins away!”

If you doubt your own standing, then by all means do all you must to be sure, start here and check this out:

goodperson.swf (application/x-shockwave-flash Object)

If you are sure and certain…

With a loud command and with the shout of the chief angel and a blast of God’s trumpet, the Lord will return from heaven. Then those who had faith in Christ before they died will be raised to life. Next, all of us who are still alive will be taken up into the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the sky. From that time on we will all be with the Lord forever. Encourage each other with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (CEV)

I love that last sentence. Encourage each other with these words. I am finding great encouragement from them right now, and I hope you are, too.

With that in mind, listen up…

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