Occupy until I Come

One of my favorite Bible teachers is Dr. David Jeremiah.  At 83 years, he is still a very  ardent man with the love for Christ, and the hope of  imminence of  His return.   Of course, when Christ does return  he will not actually come down and touch the earth, but will come down to our atmosphere and gather His people from the clouds in a twinkling. Immediately, the dead in Christ will be caught up from the grave and they will be changed from corruptible to incorruptible, then, we Christians who have confessed Jesus Christ as Lord and repented of our sin, living for Him will be caught up to join them in the air and we will be changed, in that twinkling, to our incorruptible bodies. We will all be like Him.  How glorious! My mother passed in 2014 and oh, how she longed to see the rapture in her lifetime. I believe most Christians  dream of being raptured in their old age with their frail, bodies.  Also, the allure of never dying is something to dream about. But as I am learning now, a Christian does not die, we sleep .  And when the rapture comes we are quickened and for us all it will have seemed a minute had passed , even if it had actually been 100 years! 

Oh, the Glory of His Presence

Jesus
All Glorious
Prepare in us Your temple
We're called as living stones
Where You're enthroned

And as You rose from death in power
So rise within our worship
Rise upon our praise
And let the hands that saw You raised
Clothe us in Your glory
And draw us by Your grace

Oh the glory
Of Your Presence
We Your temple
Give You reverence

So arise to Your rest
And be blessed by our praise
And as we glory in Your embrace
And as Your presence
Now fills this place

As was described in an earlier posting as Christians await the imminent return of Christ, we are told in the Bible to be ready by keeping our lamps filled with oil and our wicks trimmed!  

I have a couple of oil lamps and I  have purchased new wicks and a storage of oil, but that was mainly in case of a power outage.  An oil lamp emits a nice light.. better than a  burning candle.  But in the light of Jesus’ return to collect His bride what do we actually do in preparation.?  It is helpful to consider a Jewish wedding where the bridegroom has asked for the hand of his bride and then goes off to prepare their dwelling. Usually, he would build an apartment onto his family home. The bride knows not the hour when he will come to gather her up and take her to their dwelling place so she must be ready at all times for his imminent return.

Revelation 19:7-8 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” The fine linen given her to wear represents the righteous acts of the saints!

Of course, it stands to reason that as we await our Lord’s coming we desire to be found living righteously.

But, specifically, what would I be doing. What are you doing? Let’s make a list.

1. I am doing Community Bible Study this year on the book of Matthew.  I love the actual  study.  Learning more about Jesus is so reassuring.  The small group discussion is so wisdom filled. And for me , I am one of the old ladies, it’s wonderful to hear the answers of the younger women with small tots at home.  They share things that I have forgotten.. Being with women across the spectrum discussing our Lord ‘s teaching is really great, as we older folk can become quite isolated in our thinking. I love it!

2 Recently I wrote about joining in prayer groups some among intimate friends where we can share our personal lives, and others that are broad, praying for nations and the world  really broadens my scope of thinking. 

3. Listening to wonderful music, hymns, classics, music from gifted composers who express beauty and depth of feeling.    A good time to just speak to the Lord in conversation!

4 Be creative… Draw for the Lord.  Something from nature or just glorious feelings I have when I think about the glory of heaven.   

5. Read scripture in my journal Bible. Journal what the scripture means to me and draw a poster on the empty page that brings the scripture to life for me .. decorate the page beautifully in vivid color.

I am so glad to be retired and have time to spend being creative with my Lord. 

6. I am the bereavement chairman at church. When a family member passes my committee plans and executes a nice meal for the bereaved family, along with out of town family members and dearest friends right immediately following the service or interment.  We ask for members of the family’s  connect group or class to volunteer to help with the food. And I enjoy creating small lovely table settings by the seasons for each of the tables. It is my way of giving to our beloved church members.. my service to the church.

Hubs and I each bought items for a girl and boy to send to Samaritan’s Purse, we donate food items to the less fortunate of our church and community at Thanksgiving. 

We aid members of our church who are led to go on mission trips by giving substantial monetary funding, since we cannot go due to our age, yet we can help others.  

These are just a few ideas of righteous acts…..ones that glorify the Lord, that grow me in spiritual endeavors, and aid the church and the community!  I would love to hear what you are up to !  We can all use more ideas  as time goes on.  We must stay activated  in doing righteous acts for God!