Tag: second coming

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: December 31, 2014

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Today’s Bible reading is Revelation chapter 22

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

Jesus said, “Behold, I am coming soon.” The book of Revelation closes with a promise that Jesus is coming again. The return of Christ should motivate us to be faithful to the Lord. It should also motivate us to tell others about Christ and how they can be saved. In the second coming there is a promise of heaven. Knowing that we are going to live in heaven someday ought to make a difference in our lives today. The thought of heaven invokes in us a greater ambition for purity. It invokes an attitude of endurance knowing that one day our struggle with sin will be over. The second coming should inspire God’s church to a greater commitment to missions and evangelism. God knows of our suffering, service, and sacrifice. Whatever we do for the Lord will not be in vain. God will richly reward our labor. The Revelation not only concludes with a promise, but also it closes with an invitation. Verse 17 says, “Let him who is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” The great invitation Jesus gave was, “Come unto Me.” He invites sinners to come and have their sins forgiven, burdens lifted, and their tired souls rested. He says, “Surely I come quickly.” And the church says, “Amen. Even so, Come, Lord Jesus.”

Prayer: “Precious Lord Jesus, we are looking and praying for Your return. May the truth of heaven and Your return motivate Your church to a greater commitment to missions and evangelism. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: December 9, 2014

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Today’s Bible reading is Revelation chapter 6

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

The book of Revelation is filled with imagery. Though much of it is mysterious and symbolic, each symbol represents a literal truth. The breaking of the seven seals and opening of the scroll represents the future tribulation period. I believe this period to be a literal seven year period. The Great Tribulation will be a period of suffering like the world has never known. Preceding the Great Tribulation period is the rapture of the church. At the conclusion of the Great Tribulation period Christ will set up His kingdom where He will reign for 1,000 years upon the earth. During the millennial reign Satan will be bound. At the the end of the millennial reign Satan will be judged. God is in control of our future. He is completely sovereign and fully reliable. The heavenly Father cares for His creation. He will pour out His wrath in justice against sin. There will be a new heaven and a new earth. He will make all things new. Nothing that happens to us catches God by surprise. He is in control of the future and brings about His perfect plan. We must see where God is working and join Him in His work. Jesus is coming  soon!

Prayer: “Lord make us ready for Your coming. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: November 21, 2014

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Today’s Bible reading is 1 John chapter 2

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

John writes, “And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.” (1 John 2:28)
Jesus is coming again! We are going to meet Him! How will we meet Jesus? The Bible says there are two ways that believers will meet Him. There are those who will meet Him in confidence, and those that will shrink in shame before Him. We must abide in Jesus that we might be confident when He comes again. To abide means to remain closely connected and dependent upon Jesus. We abide in Jesus by abiding in Scripture. Carefully reading and studying God’s Word will greatly enrich our life. Coupled with prayer, meditating on Scripture will ensure a closer walk with Jesus. Also, we abide in Jesus by abiding in His Spirit. The Holy Spirit enables, enlightens, and empowers. He guides, guards, and grows us to be more like Christ. We can’t survive without His operation in our life. The work of the Spirit is a work of sanctification. To be more like Jesus is our goal. Abide in Jesus and in the work of sanctification so that your life may reflect His glory.

Prayer: “Dear Father, we pray for Your coming. Teach us how to abide in You and make us more like Jesus. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: November 19, 2014

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Today’s Bible reading is 2 Peter chapter 3

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

Living in the last days is going to be tricky. There will be scoffers who deny that Jesus is coming again. They will also intentionally forget, or leave out certain truths in God’s Word. But Peter reminds us that the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night. Judgment will come without delay. Those who are redeemed look forward to a new heaven and new earth. Why is God being so patient with us and not immediately pouring out His wrath and judgment on the world against sin? The Lord’s patience is for one reason, that God desires that people not perish but that they be saved. While we live in this life let us be faithful to the Lord, and serve to see others come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Prayer: “Lord, protect us in these last days and help us to be faithful, and use us to lead others to faith in Christ. For the glory of Jesus we pray. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: September 23, 2014

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Today’s Bible reading is 2 Thessalonians chapter 2

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

Confusion about end times can be harmful to a believer’s faith. The Thessalonians were alarmed and shaken up due to false teaching about the “day of the Lord.” There is a lot of bizarre and false teaching bombarding God’s people today. We must be well grounded in God’s Word so that we don’t get blown off course. Don’t be fooled by false teaching, know what your Bible says. The Thessalonians were told that the “day of the Lord” had already come. Paul refuted this idea and taught them the doctrine of eschatology. To clarify this doctrine, Paul shared some of the signs God’s people should look for at the return of Christ. First, there will be a great falling away. Many will turn from the truth and away from God. Second, the “man of lawlessness” will be revealed. The Antichrist will exalt himself by defying all that is godly, defiling the temple, and desiring that all people worship him. This is Satan’s agenda and he is secretly at work in the world today. But the Holy Spirit is restraining evil, and is reaching out to the lost world through the Gospel witness of God’s church. At God’s appointed time the church will be raptured, and the Holy Spirit will cease to restrain evil, and the Great Tribulation will begin. Thirdly, there will be great deception on the earth. Satan will work through the Antichrist using counterfeit power and signs and wonders. Many will believe these lies because they have refused to love God and accept the truth of the Gospel. Those who have refused the Gospel will be condemned because they love and practice sin, and reject God and the Gospel of grace. Instead of being confused and troubled about these things, God’s people should stand firm in the faith. We should “keep a strong grip” on the teaching of the Gospel, and take comfort in our salvation through Christ and the hope of glory.

Prayer: “Dear Lord, help us to be firm in the faith, and use us to teach others about the love of the Savior. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: September 19, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is I Thessalonians chapter 5

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

Jesus is coming again! The return of Christ is a great comfort to God’s people. First, we are comforted by knowing that believers will be raised. Those who have died in the Lord, God will bring back with Jesus when He returns. Believers who have died will rise from their graves. Jesus is the firstborn from the dead (Colossians 1:18), and just as Jesus was raised so will His followers also be raised. Secondly, we are comforted by knowing that we will be raptured. Those believers who are alive and remain at the coming of the Lord will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. Not only are we comforted by the rapture, and the resurrection of the saints, but also we are comforted by knowing that we are ready for the return of Christ. The day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. Saints of God won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. Instead, we will be ready because we are children of the light. Therefore, we must live as witnesses in a dark world. Let us wear the armor of faith and love, and the helmet of the confidence of our salvation. “For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when He returns, we can live with him forever. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” (I Thessalonians 5:9-11 NLT)

Prayer: “Dear Lord, thank You for comforting us with the truth of Your return. Use us as witnesses of Your unfailing love, and may we burn as bright lights in a dark world. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron