Deuteronomy 19-21 Mark 13:21-37

“I tell you this, and I say this to everyone: ‘Be ready!’” (Mark 13:37 NCV)

When Jesus talked with His disciples about the end of times He mentioned a lot of things that could be happening. There were a lot of things that could happen, but He boiled His commands about that time down to two English words: “Be ready.” When people tell you that Jesus is here because He’s already come again, don’t believe them, but be ready. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, don’t assume that will be the end, but be ready. When someone tells you the time that Jesus is coming again, don’t believe them because neither the angels, nor the Son of Man Himself know the hour of the day, but be ready.

So how do you get ready and stay ready for the return of the Lord. In order to be ready for the return of Jesus, you must have a relationship with Him. You get that relationship with Him by accepting God’s grace and forgiveness and committing your life to Him. He must become your Lord and Savior. He saves you from your sin because He took the punishment for your sins with Him on the cross. If you want to grow stronger in your faith, you read God’s word, you pray, and you worship with His people. I know that you don’t need to be in a church to be a Christian, but the truth is that Jesus is coming again for His bride, the church. If you can’t stand to be around Christians now, remember that you’ll spend all of eternity with other Christians. Maybe that’s why it’s a good idea to learn to fellowship with and forgive your brothers and sisters in Christ now.

Lord, You command us to be ready for Your return. When we understand what it means to follow You, we understand that only You can make us ready. Teach us to follow You and be ready every day.

Scripture taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.