We all have an appointment with Jesus. Ask yourself if you are ready and how that appointment will go. Jesus calls us to a continual state of readiness. Even if you doubt how soon Jesus will return, we will all stand before the judgment seat of Jesus.

If you have ongoing struggles with immorality, pornography, other forms of addiction and sins that easily entangle, then you are not ready to meet Jesus either in death or in his return. If you are captive to bitterness, unforgiveness, greed, or selfish ambition, you are not ready to meet Jesus. Readiness is not a state of religious activity – it's a state of continual trust and surrender.

Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23) After our initial trust and surrender through faith and baptism, we surrender each day to Jesus by asking him to help us die to ourselves and live for him. Have you asked Jesus what you need to die to today? Have you asked Jesus what you need to do today to live for him and be ready to meet him either upon his return or when you die?

Dear Heavenly Father,

I give You praise and thanksgiving for Your faithfulness to me, even when I am unfaithful to You. Lord, I know in my heart that the end is near, and I have changes to make in order to be ready. I commit to You that from this day forward, I will follow Your will and Your plan for my life. I will delve into all the areas in which I need to make changes, pray through them, and seek out the answers from Your Word. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

As you work on areas of your life that you need to change, make sure you are reading what the Word of God says concerning those things. Seek God and ask daily for His wisdom in all that you need to do to be ready for His return. Be encouraged to read a proverb each day of the month, reading the chapter that aligns with the date.