I Prayed have prayed
Jesus, we thank You for Your promise to return to us. Help us to prepare for Your arrival and to bring more souls into Your kingdom. Give us strength as we run the race until it is finished!
Reading Time: 5 minutes

Everywhere I go I find people commenting “I can’t believe how time is flying. Life seems to be going by so fast!” They tell me, “Days and months seem to be zipping by almost in a blur.”

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Is this a fantasy or reality? Is it our imagination or is something actually happening? Recall Buffalo Springfield singing, “There’s something happening here. What it is ain’t exactly clear…stop, children, what’s that sound? Everybody look what’s goin’ down.”

Seriously, what is goin’ down?

“Seems like summer just got started – it’s already over… I can’t believe kids have been back in school for weeks! …Costco’s gonna’ start putting up Christmas stuff… where’d the time go?”

Before we know it, they’ll begin stocking shelves for Super Bowl Sunday!

If you’re still planning to get in that late season Holy Land tour are you prepared to run where Jesus walked?

Used to be we went out with family for a leisurely dinner. Then we moved to fast food. Next came drive-through… then use the app and it’s ready for pick up… now just tell Siri to order your meal and it’s delivered to your door. What’s next? Throw it in your window as you pull into your driveway?

Things to Ponder

The older we get the quicker time seems to pass. Why is that? When we were five it seemed like an eternity as we eagerly counted days until Christmas. That represented about 20% of our life. When we’re 50 it represents about 2%. Hence, the gap shortens and everything seems to come quicker with the pace ever quickening.

Additionally, scripture speaks of the acceleration in pace of living in Daniel which is a prophetic book for the End Times that Jesus cited. The last chapter alerts us to something interesting happening prior to His Return. “Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase” (Dan. 12:4).

Is “He who changes the times and seasons” (Dan. 2:21) doing something supernatural in these last days? God stopped the sun and moon for 24 hours to alter a battle (Josh.10:12); super-charged Elijah to miraculously out pace a chariot (1Ki. 18:46); suspended laws of nature when Jesus walked on water, walked through a wall and arrived ahead of his disciples who arrived by boat! Also, Satan “knows that his time is short” (Rev. 12:12) and his end time emissary will work to “wear out the saints of the Most High and plan to change times and law” (Dan. 7:25)

The Book of Daniel also alerts us that “there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation even to that time” (Dan.12:1).

The Bible teaches that the Return of Jesus Christ to earth will be similar to a woman in childbirth (1Thess. 5:3). Having been at my wife’s side for three children’s births we learned two characteristics of birth pangs preceding the baby’s arrival: increase in frequency and increase in intensity. There’s definitely a quickening of pace as the baby is about to be born.

Christ’s Return

It certainly is good news in these turbulent times to reflect on His promised Return “as we await the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us…” (Titus 2:13).

During World War II, General MacArthur was forced to evacuate from the Philippines as Japan invaded. He promised, “I shall return!”  When the war was finally over, he returned just as he’d said. Jesus pledged the same to us (Jn. 14:3) and He will also keep His word!

In the meantime, whether time seems to go swiftly or slowly, we have a mission to carry out. The mandate of our Master is for us to be found not sleeping passively but serving passionately in these climactic days of history.

There are numerous signs pointing to the end of the age and His Return but the primary one remains our sacred responsibility: “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, then the end will come” (Matt. 24:14).

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As the pace is picking up for all of us, the Bible tells us to be wise. “So teach us to number our days (I’m at 27,010!) that we may apply our hearts to wisdom” (Ps. 90:12). And how do we do it?

“He who wins souls is wise” (Prov. 11:30) and “Those who are wise shall shine as the brightness of the expanse of heaven and those who turn the many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever” (Dan. 12:3)

I also want to encourage you to take a few more minutes to read and reflect on a pertinent passage for such a time as this.

Peter’s Parting Shot

Peter was an apostle martyred for his faith who passed along these divinely inspired exhortations for us to ponder and put into practice in order to “hasten” (speed along) the day of Christ’s Return (2 Pet. 3:12).

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: with the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promises, as some understand slowness, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You are to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed it’s coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with His promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found, spotless, blameless, and at peace with Him” (2 Pet. 3:8-14 NIV).

How are you preparing for Christ’s return?

Larry Tomczak is a cultural commentator for more than 50 years, an IFA board member, a bestselling author, and a public-policy adviser with Liberty Counsel. His innovative video/book, BULLSEYE, develops informed influencers in 30 days (see www.bullseyechallenge.com). Hear his weekly podcast here. Photo Credit: Agê Barros on Unsplash.

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B.H.
September 18, 2023

Teach me to number my days LORD and help me to always be ready for YOUR return! We have so many disheartening things going on daily! We have 24/7, usually lying, news! Set fires! The illegal alien crisis! Biden, an illegitimate president (in my opinion) stealing taxpayer money, community buildings, and land from taxpayers for illegal aliens! The abortion and trans crises! Ukraine receiving billions of tax dollars, so Putin is angry with biden which threatens all Americans! Human trafficking of our children! Strange diseases put into the atmosphere! All available land being bought up by strangers in our communities! People struggling to pay mortgages, or rent, and to keep food on the table! Our days just seem shorter with what is packed into them! Some days we all may need to turn off TV, and phone and spend days reading our Bible and communicating with our GOD! FATHER GOD all of the above situations that I have named, I give to YOU! Thank YOU for being our FATHER and taking such good care of us in JESUS NAME! Amen!

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Joy Almendarez
September 17, 2023

Yes. So much faster. Last year was the first in my life, that I was too exhausted to get ny Christmas 🎄 cards made, sent. It grieved me but I am in a strong crisis in my home so it wasn’t a priority . As a mom I feel a huge weight to prepare my kids, and feel ill equipped lately. I have a deep relationship with Jesus and am leaning in. Looking up.. but the heaviness of home stuff is hard. I want to teach. And we can He says whoever asks for wisdom will receive it. We must seek it from HIM. The world is carrying on at a frenetic pace. I want the world to stop. Just like the sun did years ago. But it’s Hie world and time, not mine. Lord help us to make the most of our time, treasures and talents TODAY 🙏 🙌 ✨️

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Darlene Estlow
September 17, 2023

Looking forward to your coming, Lord Jesus. Thank you that it is coming!

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