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LEARN & GROW
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Week of August 23, 2009
KEY VERSE
"For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)
CENTRAL TRUTH
As we wait with eagerness for the Lord's return, we will encourage each other with the glorious hope we share.
DEVOTION
Jesus is coming again! What a joyous thought for all Christians. The theme of His return is woven through each chapter of 1 Thessalonians.Many times I have thought how wonderful it would have been to be able to sit at Jesus' feet, along with His disciples, and to see the expression on His face as He taught them about the kingdom of heaven. I can feel His love warming me in my heart, but what a blessing it will be to live daily in His presence for all eternity without the temptations and distractions of this present world. I am looking forward to seeing my mother and father, who have gone to heaven before me. Sometimes I have such a longing to see them and talk to them and just share in the love they both gave so generously to our family. And by God's grace I will someday. What a wonderful hope we have as Christians. When I think of eagerly looking forward to seeing someone, I'm reminded of a time when my husband and I went to visit our daughter's family. Our four-year-old grandson was so excited that we were coming that he went out on the front porch early in the morning to watch for us and waited patiently there for several hours. While our grandson was keeping a vigil on the front porch, our daughter and husband were busy cleaning house and preparing a meal as they awaited our arrival. They wanted to be ready to enjoy our being together. How are we waiting for Jesus' return? In 1 Thessalonians 5, there are many admonitions for what we should be doing in the meantime, including doing good to one another and everyone, rejoicing always, and praying without ceasing. We need to keep busy for God as we take heart: Jesus is coming again!
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What is your mood as you anticipate the Lord's return?
- How are you keeping busy for Him as you wait?
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