One way to keep them a priority is by cultivating the expectancy of Jesus’ soon return. The Bible says, “Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as [Jesus] is pure” (1 John 3:3).
Do you want to be ready? Then spend time studying and meditating the scriptures about Jesus’ coming. Build your hope to the point where you wake up every morning looking expectantly for Him.
Live every day watching for His return. Don’t let it catch you by surprise. It’s not supposed to, you know. Even though God hasn’t disclosed to us the exact day or the hour, according to the Bible, if we’re alert we will know the season of Jesus’ return. In fact, Jesus Himself said in Matthew 24 that His coming would be like the Flood in Noah’s day (verses 32-33, 36-39). Think about that for a moment. That Flood took the world by surprise, didn’t it? They were just going about their natural business, not expecting anything unusual, when suddenly they were swept away. They were completely in the dark about what was happening.
But Noah wasn’t caught by surprise. He’d been working on the ark for years. He’d been expecting that Flood. He didn’t know the day or the hour, but he knew it was coming and he was ready. When it started to rain, Noah wasn’t in the dark, he was in the ark!
That’s how we’re supposed to be concerning Jesus’ return. We’re to be aware of the season (1 Thessalonians 5:1-6). If you’re watching and walking in tune with the Spirit, you won’t be in the dark. You won’t be caught unaware at the time of Jesus’ coming. You’ll know in your spirit He is at the door.
Personally, I believe that on the day He comes, I’ll wake up with the anointing of God flowing through me so strongly, I’ll know something is about to happen. Spiritually speaking, my hair will be standing straight up. And when I hear that trumpet sound, when I hear that joyful shout, “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh!” I’ve already made up my mind, I’ll be ready. Will you?
Kenneth Copeland Ministries
