It's Me Again God

140. Be Alert

It's me again God,

Warnings are all around me in many forms —there are signs, flashing lights, sirens and alarms. They cause me to take caution as they give advanced notice to something important.

This morning, I feel it was no mistake that my smoke detector suddenly began beeping loudly, waking me from my sleep. I am thankful there was no fire but it probably was just warning me that the battery needs replacing. Lord it made me think about how alert I am to the warnings You have placed in Your Word. I was so quick to jump out of bed and be ready to take action this morning, but I wondered if perhaps I should be reacting in a similar way to the call You have placed on my life to be about Your business —to be ready because Jesus will return soon!

This verse from Ephesians came to my mind:

"Light shows up everything, just as the Scriptures say, "Wake up from your sleep and rise from death. Then Christ will shine on you.""
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:14‬ ‭CEV‬‬

While thinking about this verse, I headed back to 1 Thessalonians 5, where I have been spending time with You this past week. I don't usually jump all over the passage but I have felt You guiding me. I am not surprised that the last piece I needed to look at was this:

"I don't need to write you about the time or date when all this will happen. You surely know that the Lord's return will be as a thief coming at night. People will think they are safe and secure. But destruction will suddenly strike them like the pains of a woman about to give birth. And they won't escape. My dear friends, you don't live in darkness, and so that day won't surprise you like a thief. You belong to the light and live in the day. We don't live in the night or belong to the dark. Others may sleep, but we should stay awake and be alert."
‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:1-6‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Thank You for the way You speak to me through Your Word and through things around me, just to really get a message to sink deeply into my heart. I am so grateful that I no longer live in darkness, I have received Jesus as my Lord and Saviour and so I have the light of His love shining in me and through me. Thank You for reminding me I need to be awake, alert and ready for Your return. My task is to tell others and help to bring Your light to them and in turn bring more glory to You.

"Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world."
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28:19-20‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Jesus, You spoke so clearly about this and I know these words are for me today:

"You are the light for the whole world. A city built on top of a hill cannot be hidden, and no one lights a lamp and puts it under a clay pot. Instead, it is placed on a lampstand, where it can give light to everyone in the house. Make your light shine, so others will see the good you do and will praise your Father in heaven."
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:14-16‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Lord I commit to being that light for the whole world to see —doing my part so people will come to know and love You and give You praise forever! Lord this call is for all of my brothers and sisters in Christ. Help us all to stay alert and use our gifts to bring many into Your Kingdom.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen.