When one prepares for major surgery, there are many things to consider. Doctors and nurses try to help prepare you for what must be done, as you may be incapacitated for a while. The better you prepare, the better you and your affairs are attended to during your down-time. In today’s study, we are encouraged to turn our lives towards God, as the fulfillment of His kingdom is at hand. How well are you prepared, should Jesus return today?

BIBLE REFERENCE: Mark 1:14-15
TRANSLATION: The Passion Translation (TPT)

BIBLE TEXT: 14 Later on, after John the Baptizer was arrested, Jesus went back into the region of Galilee and preached the wonderful gospel of God’s kingdom. 15 His message was this: “At last the fulfillment of the age has come! It is time for God’s kingdom to be experienced in its fullness! Turn your lives back to God and put your trust in the hope-filled gospel!”

OBSERVATION: When one prepares for major surgery, there are many things to consider. Doctors and nurses try to help prepare you for what must be done, as you may be incapacitated for a while. The better you prepare, the better you and your affairs are attended to during your down-time. In today’s study, we are encouraged to turn our lives towards God, as the fulfillment of His kingdom is at hand. How well are you prepared, should Jesus return today?

APPLICATION: There’s a lot in the Bible that warns us about the time leading up to the return of Jesus, and there are many warnings as to what will occur if you are prepared for that historic event. It is a known fact that many will refuse to believe in the return of Christ; and God, in His infinite wisdom, knew that would happen, so He gave insight into what will happen to those who refuse to listen, believe and accept Jesus as Lord. Friends, please know that our Scripture today applies to everyone, not just those who believe in their Creator and have accepted His free gift of Eternal Life. Just as in most areas of our lives, many are skeptical, Jesus knew that regardless of what was done in a manger in Bethlehem many years ago, and no matter how much pain He endured on a rugged old cross at Calvary, yet some will doubt, while many will procrastinate as if they know the day and the hour that Christ will return. But I feel a responsibility to warn you today, that just as the prophets foretold the birth, crucifixion, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus, they also foretold exactly what Jesus returned to Galilee to tell the people there. If you visited a website where a financial guru told you where to invest your money, because He felt certain of later success and profitability in certain areas of the market, you would jump to invest every extra dime you could put your hands on. Yet the Creator of this universe, and of you and I, says in His Word that He loves you enough to sacrifice His very life for you, because He wants you to be ready when the trumpet of God is sounded. But some have opted to accept eternal damnation in Hell instead. What’s with that dear friends? To my reader who remains skeptical about my Lord, please let me remind you that there is no greater love than for a man to lay down His own life for you, like my Jesus did. Please be careful as you observe the free will He has given to you. Unless you accept Him as Lord and Savior of your life, you are destined for a sinner’s Hell. To those who have accepted Him and believes on the Lord Jesus Christ, there is a place prepared for you, together with all the saints, in glory, where we may rejoice with the Father and the Son forevermore! The choice is easy my friend, but you must make that choice. Make it today, while you still have breath to do so.

PRAYER: Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me home… Thank You Lord for saving my soul and thank You for the promised rewards of Heaven. Oh that Your Word might penetrate the heart of the unsaved one that reads this devotional. May they choose life – life eternal with You and the Father in Heaven. We long to be where You are dear Lord. May Your kingdom come soon. AMEN!