Encouragement

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My Dad always said, "You are only as good as your word."
The banks and businesses in Altus, Ok. knew that Dad would keep his word.

Through 2 wars, the drought of the '30's as well as other hard times, Dad kept his word.

It was never easy but by God's grace, strength and hard work, he and Mom managed (and with a smile :)

God always keeps His word!
"The Messiah is coming" ...and He did. "He will come again"......and He will.
Be sure you are ready spiritually for His coming!

This is our 270th paper since Oct of 2004.
We spend over 12 hrs. each week preparing them. We're asking a favor this time.

Take the time and look up some (if not all) of these Scriptures.
They can be life changing (and Eternally changing).
Then tell someone the complete story of CHRISTmas!

At Christmas time, we celebrate His coming into the world.
His life and death fulfilled all the prophesies and promises.
But that is not the rest of the story.....

The glory is that He came the first time to save us from our sins.
He will return to fulfill all of God's promises about Eternal life and Heaven!
The 1st coming was the beginning of a great story.
The 2nd coming will be the climactic close of the story!
In fact His 2nd coming is talked about more in the Bible, than his 1st coming!

Truly, "the best is yet to be.....the last for which the first was made".

The end here is the beginning in Heaven. But Jesus is yet to return.
He has always kept His word.....He will keep His word on this one also!

Many years ago I prepared this Bible Study under the title "Ready or Not Here I Come"
Jesus is Coming (II Peter 3: 9-14)

HIS COMING IS SCRIPTURAL (Acts 1:11)
~The Bible always proves itself
~A flood is coming - it came!
~Exodus is coming - it came
~The Messiah is coming - He came
~Crucified....He was
~Resurrected - He was
~Coming again - He will

HIS COMING IS SURE
God keeps His promises:
~to Abraham (Romans 4:16-21)
~to Moses (I Kings 8:56)
~to Paul (Acts 27:25)
~to you and me (I Peter 3:9)

HIS COMING WILL BE SUPERNATURAL (MATTHEW 24)

HIS COMING WILL BE SUDDEN (Matt. 24:10 and Matt. 24:43)

HIS COMING WILL BE SURPRISING (Matt. 24: 36 and Matt. 24:44)
~"In such a time as you think not He will come."

SINFUL TIME AND TIME OF SEPARATION (Matt. 24:36-41)

HIS COMING WILL BE SOON
~We should live as if Christ were crucified this morning, rose at noon.....
and is coming back tonight!

SIGNS OF HIS COMING (MATT. 24: 1-14)

YOU CAN BE READY (II Peter 3:9-14)
~Stay close to the Source
~Be a person of fear and of faith
~Live enthusiastically and expectantly
~Be a peacemaker and encourager

YOU CAN HELP OTHERS TO GET READY (II Peter 3:14-18)
~Lift up the Cross (Verse 15)
~Be a daily witness for your Lord (Vs. 16)
~Be steadfast/consistent (Vs. 17)
~Keep on growing in knowledge of and likeness to Christ (Vs. 18)
~"Wait on the Lord" has 2 meanings:
'expectantly'.....and 'wait on Him' like a good servant.
(He is our High Priest, but we are priests with the highest of callings.)

There was a King who gave a staff to his favorite Jester (court clown) and said...
"Take this and keep it until you find a bigger fool than yourself."

Years later as the Jester stood by the King's death bed, the King said,
"I am about to leave on a long journey from which I will not return."

The Jester said, "Your Majesty, may I ask you a question?
You always make preparations before you go on a journey.
May I ask if you have made the necessary preparations for this long journey?"

The King replied, "Alas I have made no preparations for this journey."
To which the Jester said, "Then take this staff with you Sir....
for I have found a bigger fool than myself."

Many use the ABC's when presenting the Plan of Salvation to someone:
~All have sinned
~Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ
~Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Savior and Lord

I'm sure that you and your family have made preparations for Christmas later this week.
But are YOU ready for the return of Christ?
That 'preparation' would be the greatest gift anyone could give....or receive!

Praying that you and your's will have a BLESSED CHRISTmas!

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