He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— John 1:11-12
Read Day One – A Family Member | PREPARING TO MEET JESUS
Watch Anne and Rachel-Ruth share more about this first characteristic:
Rachel-Ruth: This message is for the whole world. Anybody can become the bride for Jesus. Anybody can become a part of His family. But you have to accept that gift.
Anne : We are both very confident that this is really God’s message for the hour…that Jesus is soon to come back. But we need to be ready to meet Jesus face to face because sooner or later we will.
THIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE (click HERE to download the Journal Page)
If you don’t remember a time when you prayed a prayer like the one below, how do you know you are in God’s family? So on this first day, if you aren’t sure, pray this prayer now. Don’t wait another second! The Bridegroom is at the door. He’s coming in the blink of an eye. Make sure He’s coming for you!
Jesus, I believe! I want to be a member of Your Father’s family! I believe that You died on the cross to forgive me of my sins and cleanse me. I believe that You rose from the dead and now offer me eternal life with You and that one day You will return as my Bridegroom and receive me into Your kingdom in Heaven. I confess to You that I have done wrong things, and I’m sorry. I’m willing to turn away from them. I’m asking that You come into my life today. I receive the eternal life You offer. Be my Savior, the Forgiver of all my sins, the Lord of my life, and my soon-coming Bridegroom! Thank You, Jesus! Amen.
If you have the blessed assurance that God is your Father because you have trusted Jesus as your Savior and Lord, then take a moment now to thank Him for your place in His family.
Father God, Thank You for the confidence I have that I have met the most important criterion for being chosen as a bride for Your Son, Jesus. Not because of anything I am or have done but simply because I have placed all my trust in Him, I know I’m a member of Your family. Now I pray You will use the following challenges to make me more pleasing to You in every way. For the sake of the Bridegroom, And in His name—Jesus, Amen
After reading Day One | A Family Member, join our discussion in the comments:
August 21, 2023
Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Revelation 19:6–7
The One the Father Seeks
Jesus is coming! All indicators point to the fact that His return is imminent. While expectancy among people of faith worldwide is at a fever pitch, I wonder if you and I are actually prepared for that world-changing, history-altering, heart-stopping moment in time?
Again and again, the Bible tells us that Jesus will come suddenly . . . quickly . . . like a thief in the night . . . and that His followers need to be prepared to meet Him at any moment.
{LISTEN to Anne read a portion of her introduction HERE}
Please read Anne’s introduction to PREPARING TO MEET JESUS – The One the Father Seeks on pages 3-28 of your book or the PDF download. Then join our discussion in the comment section below.
Download PDF Version
After reading Anne’s introduction, what challenged or encouraged you? What stood out to you?
[Matthew 25:1-13; Hebrews 2:3-4; Hebrews 7:25; Galatians 2:20]
August 14, 2023
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory… 1 Peter 1:8
As I journey through life on my way to the Father’s house, the Holy Spirit, who is the Holy Servant, is teaching me about the Father’s Son.1 He has told me . . .
. . . about His miraculous conception and birth.2
. . . about His life on earth.3
. . . about His sacrifice on the cross when the Father provided His own Son as the Lamb.4
. . . about His resurrection.5
. . . about His ascension into Heaven.6
I have learned that He is the Father’s sole heir7 and that, as His bride, I will share in His wealth and power and glory.8 The Holy Spirit has shown me a vast variety of gifts from which He’s carefully selected specific ones to give me in the name of the Son.9 I have learned that the Son is seated at the Father’s right hand, thinking of me and praying for me right now.10
And I have been told that He is looking for me!
That one day I will look up and see Him coming to receive me to Himself so that I can live with Him in His heavenly Home forever.11 It’s no wonder that even though I have yet to see Him visibly, I already love Him! I believe in Him. And I’m filled with inexpressible and glorious joy at the very thought of Him.12
As my journey draws to an end—whether because I’m growing older or because the time for His return is near—my expectation of seeing Jesus is intensifying. I long to see the expression on His face when He sees me . . . and my children and grandchildren. I long to hear the sound of His voice speaking my name. And I long to feel His touch. My anticipation of being physically in His presence is at times almost a tangible ache.
Do you long for Him too?
Are you ready to meet Him face to face?
Would you join me as we kickoff our journey reading PREPARING TO MEET JESUS at the end of this month?
For more about the KICKOFF click here –> https://www.annegrahamlotz.org/preparing-to-meet-jesus-kickoff/
Blessings,
**Adapted from PREPARING TO MEET JESUS, 2023, pages 23-24
February 19, 2023
Therefore, be patient…until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. James 5:7
Recently Tucker Carlson, FOX News host, asked what was going on at Asbury University in Wilmore, KY. He showed clips of the chapel packed with students and others who were singing and praying.
I would like to attempt an answer to his question, using the words of my husband’s nephew, Dr. John-Paul Lotz, who was sent by Regent University to observe firsthand what seems to be revival.
December 23, 2022
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. Luke 2:4-5
What a busy time of year this is!
In the past five days I’ve had the pleasure of attending Keith and Kristyn Gettys’ Irish Christmas concert as the guest of a good friend.
