Existence is not the same as livin’.
Farmers know something that many Jesus believers don’t. Soil without seeds is just dirt. I know it sounds like a “duh” statement, but think about it. Isn’t farming all about growing something?
And yet, without planting something, which takes both time and effort, nothing gets grown. Dirt might be filling if eaten, but not very nutritious.
Believers exist, but whether they’ll experience real living or not depends on the seeds planted in the soil of their hearts and minds. Planting seeds from Scripture takes both time and effort, but without it, all you’ve got is dirty existence.
What excuses and lies are keeping you existing, but not living? Be ready for Jesus’ return by making the time to plant life experiencing truths into your life.

Jesus sees all of you – inside and out.
After turning water into wine, Jesus went to Jerusalem where He performed more miracles. At this point, John 2:23 says many people believed in Him.
Shouldn’t He be ecstatic? Nope, as seen in the very next phrase. Jesus didn’t entrust himself to them. He knew they could turn on Him just as easily as they had believed in Him. In fact, in just a few short years, many of these same people would call for Him to be hung on a tree.
Jesus was secure in who He was as seen in His “I am” statements. He didn’t need others to validate Him. Numbers didn’t impress Jesus either. What did was loving His Father through His daily choices. It was His Father who He said, “This is My Son. And I’m very proud of Him!”
We don’t need others or numbers to validate us! Jesus sees deep into our souls and still says, “I love you. Come walk with Me, right now.” This should result in less “beat me up” time and more loving Jesus. Less down time and more walking with Jesus. Today is the day and now is the time to love Jesus through your next choice. As you do, you’ll be ready for His return.

Don’t move the bullseye. Let the Spirit enable you to hit it!
The little girl in the comic shot an arrow toward her yard’s all white fence. After putting down her bow, she ran toward the fence and proceeded to paint a red bullseye around where the arrow entered the fence and then two red circles proceeding outward.
I can only guess at the writer’s point, but it was dead on when it comes to Western Christianity, let alone culture. We love to lower God’s standard of holiness thinking we’re freeing ourselves from God’s constraints in order to reduce our guilt in the hopes of living happier lives.
Yes, God’s standards are high. Yet, reality continually shows that living up to higher standards actually makes us feel better than does living down to lower ones. Think about it. How do you feel when you’ve earned something rather than when you’re patted on the head and given something you know you didn’t earn? Achievement helps not hurts, though it may hurt to achieve it.
Yes, God’s standards are high, which is why He knew way back in Genesis 3 He’d have to send Jesus to meet them for us! Yet, if the mark of holiness can be lowered, why not lower it to non-existence? And if that happened, Jesus didn’t need to come at all!
Yes, God’s standards are high. Yet, Jesus met those standards for us. He is also making us into those standards, holiness. Don’t move the bullseye. Hit it in the Spirit’s power! As you do, you’ll be ready for Jesus’ return.

Change is painful, but pleasantness will come.
We can become tired, irritable, edgy, frustrated, and the list of negatives goes on and on while letting God change our lives. Why would anyone put themselves through such an ordeal? Faith that something better will replace it.
This is what the writer of Hebrews expressed in 11:6, “Without faith it is impossible to please God and rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”
Yet, if we thought God was cruel, we wouldn’t come to Him, let alone want to please Him. And, if we didn’t think He’d reward us with a better life tomorrow, we’d certainly not bother listening to and following Him today. Instead, we’d just white-knuckle this ride called life all the way home/heaven.
Yes, the process of allowing God to change your life (unless He steps in and does a miracle) is painful. It’s like stepping on stickers with your bare feet. Ouch! But know this, He promises that the ahh will come on the other side of the process; and, God always keeps His promises.
If you’re in the middle of the “ouch” keep going. Becoming like Jesus will happen with all its increased fruit. And rejoice and be thankful if you’re in the “ahh” phase. Either way, you will be ready for His return.

Shadows are not real.
As I was taking this picture of a mountain’s shadow, it hit me. I’m standing right next to the real mountain that caused that shadow, but I’m admiring the shadow instead! How often do I focus on living, the shadow, and not admire the giver of life, Jesus, who is standing right next to me?
Jesus is returning, are we letting the shadow of time lull us into laxness? We will not be found ready and a faithful servant when He returns if we let the shadow of time get in the way of Jesus.
Admire the reality, not the shadow, and you will be found faithful on His return.