October 3
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BE PREPARED FOR THE LORD’S RETURN
A poem by ILMA
The day of the Lord’s coming will be unexpected, like a thief in the night
It may come when people think everything is peaceful, secure and quiet
Disaster will suddenly fall on them as a pregnant woman’s labor pain begins
Then there will be nowhere to go, all those who don’t belong to him will see.
But all believers need not worry because you aren’t in the dark about these things
You will not be surprised when the Lord comes in the middle of the night like a thief
For you are all children of the light and of the day, you don’t belong to darkness
So, be on your guard, be mindful, stay alert and not asleep like the others.
Be vigilant and clearheaded; night is the time when people sleep and some are drunk
Let us all who live in the light be lucid, protected by the armor of faith and love
Wear the full armor of God and have the confidence that comes from being saved
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
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MEMORY VERSE
So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.
– 1 Thessalonians 5:5
Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
It is interesting how many people react to the second coming of the Lord in various ways. Humans are very visual that we don’t to get ready for the Lord’s coming in a physical way. We cannot fathom how and when all these things are actually happening. There are some people preparing how to survive such disasters in the end times and yet neglect the real preparation that is actually expected of us. The preparation is to be holy and pure so that when the Lord comes like a thief in the night, we are prepared because we are obeying all his commands. Sadly, we, humans are very literal and limited in our understanding about it. What we need to be concerned is how to stay pure and right in God’s eyes.
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REFLECTION
• Do you have apprehensions about the second coming of Christ? If so, why do you think you have such concerns?
• What are the ways you have been preparing for the Lord’s return?
Tag Archives: Rapture
HOPE IN THE LORD’S RETURN Poem Devotional
October 3
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HOPE IN THE LORD’S RETURN
A poem by ILMA
Dear fellow believers, we want you to know what happens to believers who died
We are telling you this so you won’t grieve like people who have no hope
Since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again
We also believe that God brings back the believers who have died when Jesus returns.
The Lord says: “We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout,
The voice of the archangel will be heard with the trumpet call of God
Then all the believers who have died will rise from their graves.
Then, together with them, we who are still alive here on earth
We will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air
Then we will be triumphant that we will eventually be with the Lord forever
So let us all encourage each other constantly of this hope when Christ returns.
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MEMORY VERSE
We want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. – 1 Thessalonians 1:13
Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
This chapter focuses on the rapture which is the second coming of Jesus. The book of Matthew describes the coming of Jesus this way in Chapter 24:40 “Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left. Paul presents the rapture in a more hopeful and a high expectancy of the picture of what will actually happens when Jesus Christ comes back again to save us all. It gives hope to those who have already lost their love ones to the grave if they are believers.
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REFLECTION
• How can believers be comforted by Paul’s reminder of what happens in the rapture?
• How can you encourage believers who just lost a loved one?