Daily Devotional
Are You Looking for Jesus?
“For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
Philippians 1:19-21
October 22, 2023
Ponder This
Some teenagers were out, and one of them suggested they do something they ought not to do, but a godly girl in that crowd said, “No, I don’t want to do that.” And one of them began to tease her and said, “Oh, you’re afraid of what your dad will do, aren’t you?” She said, “No, I’m afraid of what I’d do to my dad.” See, that’s the difference between law and love! Every person who says, “I am a blood brother of the Lord Jesus Christ,” wants to be pure when the Lord Jesus comes. We are to be looking for His coming; we’re to be living for His coming; and we ought to be longing for His coming.
You know, when I was a kid, I used to hear preachers preach about the Second Coming of Jesus and I thought, “Oh, what rotten luck. I won’t even get to get married. I won’t get to do all those things I want to do. My life’s going to be cut short.” The longer I live and the more I see, the more I understand that the best thing that could happen to any of us is for Jesus Christ to come right now. Don’t you worry—you’re not going to miss out on life if Jesus comes right now. It is all gain.
- How are you living life today with Heaven in mind?
- Where do you feel unprepared for Jesus’ return? Why? How might we prepare?
Practice This
Do at least one thing today that has eternal value such as praying for someone, getting to know a non-believer, or investing in your church community.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
