Tag / Second Coming

by Andy Fuqua

Children of Light

This Advent, I’m using my Monday devotional emails to encourage us all to pray God’s Word back to Him. Below is a passage of Scripture and a prayer I’ve written from that text. I invite you to read the Scripture, pray the prayer, and then say your own prayer from the passage. Also, I’d love to pray your prayer, too. Send me your personal prayer at andy@lakevc.org, and we can pray through Scripture together!

In Christ,
Pastor Andy

“Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.” (1 Thessalonians 5:1–6, NIV)

Lord, I am waiting for Your return with anticipation. I don’t know when it will be, but unknown is not the same as unexpected. I pray for those who do not know You as their Lord and Savior because the Day of the Lord will not be a good day for them. Those who do not expect You to come again will be caught unawares, and it will be too late at that point for them to put their trust in You for salvation. Holy Spirit, I specifically name ******, ******, and ****** (names removed for confidentiality) and pray for their salvation. Speak to them today and draw them to Christ so that He can bring them out of darkness into His marvelous light!

Thank You, God, for saving me. Grant to me the power of Your Holy Spirit to live as a child of the light, awake to the spiritual realities of our world. Help me to not be distracted this Christmas season by parties, presents, visits, vacations, food, or fun. Rather, let me live in light of Your return, fully expecting You to come again at any moment, and shining Your light in the dark places of this world.

Amen.

by Andy Fuqua

The Second Advent

Yesterday was the first Sunday of Advent, and I’m inviting all of you to join me in praying through Scripture during the Advent season. To do that, I will be sending out a passage of Scripture each Monday, along with a prayer I write based on the Scripture. Read the passage, think about what it means, and then pray from the Scripture. Feel free to use my prayer if it’s helpful. If you write your own prayer from the text, I’d love for you to send it to me (andy@lakevc.org) so you can pray my prayers, and I can pray yours as we both pray through God’s Word!

Below is the first passage, Mark 13:33-37, along with my prayer.

In Christ,
Pastor Andy

Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: “Watch!” (Mark 13:33–37, NIV)

Lord, I believe You will return, just as you promised in Your Word. Yet, even while You are gone, You are present through Your Holy Spirit. You have called me and others to be Your servants and Your stewards while we await Your return. Thank You for the great honor and privilege of serving You! Thank You for having a plan and a purpose for me, for calling me, and for pursuing me even when I ran from You.

I ask now for Your grace and for the Holy Spirit’s power to live a life worthy of the calling I have received while I await Your second coming– the second Advent. May I never grow complacent in my mind or sleepy in my devotion. Stir up a fire in my heart to pursue Your glory and Your will. I long for Your return and for Your Kingdom! Knowing that it could happen at any time, help me to be prepared to meet You, God my Savior.

“Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash