Are We There Yet?
“Are we there yet?” Any parent gets weary of hearing those little voices in the back of the car repeat the same question over and over. Inwardly we want to impatiently respond: you think I’d still be driving if we were already there?
Luke tells us that Jesus, after the resurrection, showed Himself alive, appearing to them over a period of forty days and talking with them about the things concerning the kingdom of God… they asked Him repeatedly, “Lord, are You at this time reestablishing the kingdom and restoring it to Israel?” (Acts 1:3, 6)
Did you notice that Jesus’ followers were much like the kids in the back of the car? They asked Jesus REPEATEDLY! They didn’t just ask one time and say, “Oh, O.K.” Over and over again, they asked him if the time had come. No doubt every time Jesus made mention of something about the kingdom of God, someone in the group would ask the WHEN question.
With so much craziness in the world these days, many believers feel that Jesus will be returning soon. Many are asking God, “When are You coming back? Is it today? Will it be tomorrow?”
Do you think perhaps we try God’s patience when we keep asking the WHEN question?
Jesus went on to tell His followers, “It is not for you to know the times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority.” (Acts 1:7)
If you knew Christ would be returning in January 2089, how would you respond? Would you continue plodding along in your faith offering a word of encouragement here and there or sharing Christ if someone actually asked?
What would you do differently if you knew Christ would be returning tomorrow – or this afternoon? Would you hop up off the couch and try to reach every unsaved person you know and scream in their face that the Lord is coming? Would you have a sense of urgency?
Do you think God hasn’t told us the precise date of Christ’s return because He wants us to lovingly share with our neighbor today – love others enough to be a loving and gentle light for them every day – not just seconds before the trumpet sounds!
Let’s quit asking God the WHEN question and hoping for a NOW answer; instead, let’s hear Him asking US the when question: “Beloved child, when are you going to be my witness?” And let’s decide to answer Him, “Now!”
By Judy Shrout
Luke tells us that Jesus, after the resurrection, showed Himself alive, appearing to them over a period of forty days and talking with them about the things concerning the kingdom of God… they asked Him repeatedly, “Lord, are You at this time reestablishing the kingdom and restoring it to Israel?” (Acts 1:3, 6)
Did you notice that Jesus’ followers were much like the kids in the back of the car? They asked Jesus REPEATEDLY! They didn’t just ask one time and say, “Oh, O.K.” Over and over again, they asked him if the time had come. No doubt every time Jesus made mention of something about the kingdom of God, someone in the group would ask the WHEN question.
With so much craziness in the world these days, many believers feel that Jesus will be returning soon. Many are asking God, “When are You coming back? Is it today? Will it be tomorrow?”
Do you think perhaps we try God’s patience when we keep asking the WHEN question?
Jesus went on to tell His followers, “It is not for you to know the times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority.” (Acts 1:7)
If you knew Christ would be returning in January 2089, how would you respond? Would you continue plodding along in your faith offering a word of encouragement here and there or sharing Christ if someone actually asked?
What would you do differently if you knew Christ would be returning tomorrow – or this afternoon? Would you hop up off the couch and try to reach every unsaved person you know and scream in their face that the Lord is coming? Would you have a sense of urgency?
Do you think God hasn’t told us the precise date of Christ’s return because He wants us to lovingly share with our neighbor today – love others enough to be a loving and gentle light for them every day – not just seconds before the trumpet sounds!
Let’s quit asking God the WHEN question and hoping for a NOW answer; instead, let’s hear Him asking US the when question: “Beloved child, when are you going to be my witness?” And let’s decide to answer Him, “Now!”
By Judy Shrout
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2022
January
New Year's Day 2022All Things NewA New NormalA Renewed MindA New MissionA New BeginningSpring is Coming...God's Not DeadHis Presence As I Pray With Other BelieversHis Presence As I Fill My Heart and Mind with His WordHis Presence As I WorshipHis Presence As I WriteHim AloneGoodbyesOur Friend and So Much MoreTrust Your Gut...The Flooding of the Holy SpritLiving By the SpiritDon't Just Stand ThereThe Futility of Human EffortThe Will of God for YouThe Internal Battle for ControlEvery Good Tree Bears Good FruitAchieving Victory Over SinIlluminating Properties of SnowSearching
February
MapsThe AdvocatesPainting the PictureThree In OneFebruary Scripture Memory VerseWelcome to the Book of Acts!A Growing HeartThere's Something You Need to Understand!Let's Flip a Coin - Or Do You Have a Better Idea?Are We There Yet?Growing in the ChallengesA Day to RememberA Historical RealityA Life TransformedA Message that Convicts and SavesA Gospel that GathersPain with a PurposeThe Early Church - AccountableThe Early Church - God Living In UsThe Early Church - BoldnessThe Early Church - GenerosityThe Early Church - ServingThe IntroductionThe Starting Lineup
March
On the DefenseNot in My House!We Have a Barn Burner!Drop the Rock!Scripture Memory Verse for MarchThe Glory of God's RedemptionSalvation Comes from GodEncountering ChristChanged Hearts and LivesCompleting the Unfinished WorkPsalm 131Something Came UpUnoffendableSpeaking Our LanguageTo Love or Not to LoveShake It UpPsalm 131Sola GratiaFreed by GraceAmazed by GraceScandalous GraceEvidence of GraceWhat God Has GivenThe Travel PlannerWhat Makes You Curious?Strengthened by Other BelieversImposters Exposed
April
A Farewell to EphesusScripture Memory Verse for AprilHappy EndingsSomething You Need to Know About PaulAlmostBlank PageSuper ChristianThe Prince of PeaceA Special CrossMore Than an Empty TombTwo Things to RememberResurrection LifeWhat We Wear MattersA New LifeProgress ReportGospel GrowthPraying for the Global ChurchA Powerful Prayer GuideDelivered from Darkness