God's Mighty Men This last Sunday was one of those days where my wife and I got up late so we decided to watch our Church on TV via a Live Podcast. Pastor Shaun has been going through the book of Luke and was finishing Chapter 22. During his sermon he talked about the different views on the last days and when Christ will return. There are several beliefs on what that looks like, but I do like Pastor Shaun’s version that has Christians being raptured. **That is the way I want to go…..
The scripture that I enjoyed was one that was meant for a special period in the end of times but should be one that we need to live by today. It talks about living in such a way that we should be ready for Christ to return as if He were coming today.
Luke 22: 34>36
“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”
I know that for me to live this way, I must be aware of how I am presenting myself and be careful not to get caught up in all the little things that will distract me. As the verse says “Be Careful or our hearts will be weighed down”……….. I am one that can be distracted really easy and the next thing I know: my whole focus is on something that really does not matter. Recently for me it has been such things as:
- An Insurance claim that I am working on.
- Finishing up some details about my Dad.
- Helping those around me.
- What am I going to write about.
When these little things start to consume my thoughts – it really takes me away from my Relationship with Jesus. These items have to be taken care of, but I have to be careful that they do not weigh me down. It takes practice…
Now back to my title of this Blog: “Raptured or Left Behind” – as the sermon of the live Podcast was ending it went black… My wife and I looked at each other and said: “Did Pastor Shaun just get raptured and we were left behind?” We laughed a little, but it was a serious moment also about if Christ were to come today – would I be ready? As the verse says we must be always on watch and praying so that we may be able to stand before Jesus.
So my question to you is:
If Jesus were to come today would you be raptured or left behind?
Are you living in such a way that you are ready?
Read the passage above once more….
Bobbyg
