Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International.

Thursday, February 13, 2020

"So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man [Jesus Christ] will come at an hour when you do not expect him."¹

"While on a South Pole expedition, British explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton left a few men on Elephant Island, promising that he would return. Later, when he tried to go back, huge icebergs blocked the way. But suddenly, as if by a miracle, an avenue opened in the ice and Shackleton was able to get through. His men, ready and waiting, quickly scrambled aboard. No sooner had the ship cleared the island than the ice crashed together behind them.

"Contemplating their narrow escape, the explorer said to his men, 'It was fortunate you were all packed and ready to go!' They replied, 'We never gave up hope. Whenever the sea was clear of ice, we rolled up our sleeping bags and reminded each other that he may come today.'"²

Jesus Christ's first coming to earth is an indisputable fact of history. His death, burial, and resurrection are also facts of history, as all were verified by many reliable witnesses. At his ascension back into heaven two angels appeared to Jesus' disciples and followers saying, "Men of Galilee … why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."³

Jesus also had promised that he would come again. In speaking about heaven he said, "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."⁴

And God's Word also assures us that Jesus is coming back again to take all his true followers to be with him forever in heaven.⁵

Jesus is coming again. What if it were today? Would you be ready? If not you can be. For help be sure to read the article, "How to Be Sure You're a Real Christian" at: www.actsweb.org/christian.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you for the wonderful promise that Jesus is coming back again to take all his true followers to be with you in heaven forever. Help me to be sure that I am always prepared and ready for his coming. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Matthew 24:44 (NIV).
2. Author unknown. Cited on eSermons.com.
3. Acts 1:11 (NIV).
4. John 14:2-3 (NIV).
5. See 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18.

<:))))><

2. To Know God and be sure you're a real
    Christian click on:

3. Donate: To help send Daily Encounter
    without charge to people around the world
    click on:

4. To send today's Daily Encounter to a friend
    click on:

5. To share your faith in a simple, attractive
    way with a friend click on:

6. For today's featured article click on:

7. This week's chuckle as seen "On the Lighter
    Side"  on Weekend Encounter click on:

8. Change Address of your subscription to
    Daily Encounter click on: