By John Singleton Copley – abcgallery.com, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11222497
How good are you at waiting? For most of us, we don’t want to wait for anything. Instant gratification! That’s what we want. We have been conditioned to think we have to have everything right now! However, there are things in life about which we have no control! If you can imagine that! We also like being in control! Instant gratification and control! Yes that’s the world in which we live.
We are waiting for our first great granddaughter to be born. She will not arrive until sometime in October 2017. We are planning and shopping and anxiously awaiting the precious moment when we will see her face to face.
I Corinthians 13:12 “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, then I shall know fully, even as I have been known.
But for now we must WAIT. We can pray for her and her mommy and daddy. We can pray God will watch over her. We can ask Him to help her grow into a healthy happy little girl.
WE WILL STILL WAIT!
WE WILL NOT FORGET ABOUT HER!
WE WILL NOT ACT AS THOUGH SHE ISN’T COMING.
WE WILL PREPARE FOR HER ARRIVAL.
Acts 1:1- THE former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: …..
9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
(The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Ac 1). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.)
The angels ask the disciples at the ascension of Jesus, Why are you gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go into heaven.”
Matthew 28:16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen
(The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Mt 28:16–20). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.)
Luke 24:50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, departed from them, and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: 53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
(The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Lk 24:50–Jn). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.)
Mark 16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
(The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Mk 16:19–20). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.)
This is the last of Jesus ministry on earth. He commissioned the disciples to GO. Teach. Baptize. Proclaim the good news until I come again. He will return just as He said!
What did the disciples do? They worshipped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. They waited just as He told them for the Holy Spirit’s power to come. They went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.
Are we waiting with expectation? Are we carrying on with the commission Jesus gave?
For now we see dimly through the mirror, but soon we will see him face to face!
Just like with our wonderful little granddaughter, we wait with expectation! But we don’t sit down and do nothing. We work. Her parents are working. There is much to do while we wait
https://youtu.be/fFlPdNJAdOY
Jesus is Coming Soon by Chris Tomlin
Let your anticipation be joyful. God is still doing great things for us.
In Jesus’ words, “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Jn 14:2–3). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.)
Treading While We Wait with great anticipation
Freda Reynolds
