The Coming of Christ

 

“You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.” Matthew 24:44 NLT

The Gospels talk about the first time Jesus came to earth. John 1:14 (NLT) says, “So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” Over two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ, our precious Lord and Savior, lived on this earth. He healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, helped the deaf to hear, and He showed love and compassion to everyone. But the cross showed the greatest love of all, because He sacrificed His life so that we could live receive salvation and live forever with Him. Jesus came then so we could know Him now.

Jesus promised that He would come again, and this we often call this “The Rapture.” The Bible teaches that one day He will return for His people—those who believe in Him and follow Him. 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 (NLT) says, “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.” You may have already heard about the Rapture at church or from your family, but here’s the important thing: it could happen at any time.

That’s why Matthew 24:44 (NLT) says, “You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.” We can’t wait until “later” to take God seriously. Jesus could return at any moment, so every day matters. We need to live each day ready for Him—trusting, loving, and following Him with all our hearts.

One way we stay ready is by turning away from the sins we keep repeating and messing up with. We should humble ourselves, ask our Heavenly Father for forgiveness, and not act like He doesn’t see or is okay with it when we keep doing wrong. 1 John 1:9 (NLT) says, “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” God isn’t looking for perfect people—He just wants hearts that keep running back to Him.

Another way to stay ready is by sharing our faith. If we know Jesus is coming back, we shouldn’t keep that to ourselves! This is the time to invite friends, family, or anyone we can into God’s kingdom.

But we also need to be careful. The Bible warns us that in the end times there will be people who try to trick believers. Matthew 24:24 (NLT) says, “For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones.”

 This means not everyone who talks about Jesus is truly following Him. Some will even pretend to beHim! That’s why we must know what God’s Word says, so we won’t be fooled.

A while back, there was even a rumor on social media that the Rapture was going to happen on September 23rd. Some people believed it so much that they sold their homes, cars, and even quit their jobs. But the Bible says in Matthew 24:36 (NLT), “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.” That shows us that we have to be careful who we listen to and stay close to Jesus.  

As followers and believers of Christ, we need to stand strong in God’s Word. We need to keep our focus on Him, and not let anything else come before Him. The best way to prepare for Jesus’ return is to walk closely with Him every day. When we do that, we’ll be ready whenever He comes. 

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“The Coming of Christ”, written for aheartforchristdevotions@blogspot.com by Kraiapril©2025. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord!

Being Greedy

 

Being greedy is a trap that a lot of people fall into, especially when it comes to money, fame, or food. Greed can pull people away from God whenever their desire for things becomes stronger than their desire for Him. It can pull so hard on us that we start to only focus on getting more. It can lead to selfishness, fighting, and even hurtful choices. This is a path that only leads to destruction.

Luke 12:15 (NLT) says, “Then he said, ‘Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.’” This verse reminds us that having lots of things doesn’t make life meaningful. Think of it like this: having the latest gaming console, the trendiest clothes, or a ton of followers on social media doesn’t automatically make you happy. You could have all that—and still feel empty inside. Only God can really fill your heart and make you feel complete—no amount of toys, money, or fame can do that.

The wisdom of Proverbs 28:25 (NLT) tells us, “Greed causes fighting; trusting the LORD leads to prosperity.”Greed might seem exciting—like, “I want it all right now!”—but it usually brings drama, fights, and stress. Trusting God is where the real win is. When we focus on Him instead of chasing stuff, that’s when blessings actually show up.

So remember, it’s okay to enjoy things, but never let wanting more take over your heart. God is the only one who can truly satisfy you. He knows what truly makes your heart happy.

Prayer

Dear Father God, 

Help me to trust You more than material things, popularity, or anything else. Keep my heart focused on what really matters. Please remind me that true happiness comes from You. When I start wanting too much, help me pause and turn to You instead. Thank You for filling my heart with what I really need. In the powerful name of our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“Being Greedy”, written for aheartforchristdevotions@blogspot.com by Kraiapril©2025. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord!

Being Prideful

You’ve probably met someone who always seems arrogant or prideful, the kind of person who’s a headache to be around. You might wonder why they think so highly of themselves. Most of the time, it’s because they believe having something “special” automatically makes them better than everyone else.

Proverbs 16:18 (NLT) says, “Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.”

This verse shows us that being arrogant doesn’t just make others annoyed—it will bring us down spiritually too.

Instead of thinking you’re “higher” than the people around you, it’s important to humble yourself and ask God for guidance. When we seek Him, we can live in a way that pleases Him and obeys His commands.

Proverbs 11:2 (NLT) says, “Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”

That means when we notice our own pride and choose to let it go, we can grow in wisdom and become better people.

So in conclusion, keeping a humble mindset and avoiding bragging or arrogance helps us please our Lord and Savior. Humility opens the door for God to work in our lives and helps us grow closer to Him.

Prayer

Dear Father God, 

Thank You for showing me how important humility is. Help me to notice when pride sneaks into my heart and give me the strength to choose humility instead. Teach me to trust You and follow Your guidance so I can please You in everything I do. In the powerful name of our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. 

 

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“Being Prideful”, written for aheartforchristdevotions@blogspot.com by Kraiapril©2025. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord

Is Jealousy A Sin?

 

Have you ever seen someone get something you really, really wanted? Maybe it was the new phone, the spot on the team, or even the grade you worked hard for but didn’t get. I know I’ve felt that before, and honestly, it’s not fun. It’s strange how jealousy can sneak in, but it does sometimes. But we don’t have to let it take over our thoughts and feelings. But God showed me something important in His Word, and it’s this: jealousy doesn’t lead us anywhere good.

James 3:16 (NLT) says, “For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.” This verse makes it clear—jealousy doesn’t produce anything good. Instead of showing love, joy, and peace (the fruit of the Spirit), jealousy stirs up just the opposite.

It’s awesome when we think about how much our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, understands our emotions. Even when other people don’t “get it,” He does. Hebrews 4:15 (NLT) says, “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.”And because He understands, we can trust Him to help us through all the feelings and hard times we face.

Jealousy is a sin, and He doesn’t want us to go down that wrong path. That’s why He warns us about jealousy. He knows the root of it—how it can grow like a bad tree and end up pulling us away from Him. Galatians 5:26 (NLT) says, “Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.” God wants us to keep our hearts clean, so nothing blocks our friendship with Him.

Here’s the good news: God already has a plan for each of us. He knows the right time, the right season, and the right way to bless us. Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NLT) says, “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” That means your time is coming—you don’t have to worry or compare yourself to anyone else.

So the next time you feel jealous, remember this: God hasn’t forgotten you. He knows the desires of your heart, and He’s working it out in His perfect timing. Instead of being jealous, trust Him, thank Him for what He’s already given you, and believe that your blessing is on the way.

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for understanding my heart and my emotions. When jealousy tries to sneak in, help me to remember that You have a perfect plan for my life. Teach me to trust Your timing and to be thankful for the blessings I already have. In Your powerful name, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“Is Jealousy A Sin?”, written for aheartforchristdevotions@blogspot.com by Kraiapril©2025. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord!

Are You Excited About God?

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.”
—Psalm 37:4 (NLT)

Have you ever thought about how much you enjoy spending time with God? It’s an important question. Do you look forward to reading your Bible or praying? Or does it sometimes feel like just another thing to check off your list?

It’s okay to be honest. We all have days where we don’t feel as close to God, or we just don’t feel like reading His Word or praying. But the Bible tells us to take delight in the Lord. That means we should enjoy being with Him—not just because we have to, but because we want to.

The truth is, spending time with God blesses our lives. We don’t always know how our days will turn out. But if we think about it, the Lord is protecting and providing for us in so many ways we can’t see them all. Sometimes we have to ask Him to help us love Him more. We can pray something like, “Lord, help me want to spend time with You. Help me love Your Word. Give me a heart that really cares about You.” God hears that kind of prayer.

Do You Only Love God for What He Can Give You?

It’s easy to think about God when we want something—when we’re scared, need help, or want something to happen. But God wants us to love Him not just for what He does, but for who He is.

1 Peter 5:2 (NLT) says:
“Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.”

That means we shouldn’t follow God just to get blessings. We should love Him even if we don’t get anything in return. Just like you’d want a friend to love you for you, not just for your stuff—God wants the same kind of love from us.

Loving God with Everything You’ve Got

In Luke 10:27 (NLT), Jesus tells us exactly what kind of love God wants from us: “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind. And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

That’s a big kind of love. It means loving God with your whole heart—not halfway. But the good news is, if we ask Him, He’ll help us love Him like that. He’s not asking us to be perfect. He’s just asking for a heart that wants Him.

Prayer

Dear Father God, 
Please help me to enjoy being with You. Give me a heart that wants to read Your Word and talk to You. Teach me how to love You—not just because of what You do for me, but because of who You are. I want to love You with all my heart, all my soul, all my strength, and all my mind. I pray this prayer in the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“Are You Excited About God?”, written for aheartforchristdevotions@blogspot.com by Kraiapril©2025. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord!

God Is Loving and Forgiving

 When we think about God’s love, we usually picture it as gentle and kind. And that’s true — but God’s love is also so much bigger than we can imagine. When we really understand how much He loves us, it changes the way we see everything.

Take King David for example. Even though he sinned against God, he admitted it and asked for forgiveness. The Bible says in 2 Samuel 12:13 (NLT), “Then David confessed to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ Nathan replied, ‘Yes, but the Lord has forgiven you, and you won’t die for this sin.’”God didn’t throw David away. He forgave him.

Or think about Jonah. God told Jonah to go to Nineveh, but Jonah ran in the opposite direction. Jonah 1:3 (NLT) says, “But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord.” Because Jonah disobeyed, he ended up in a storm and then swallowed by a giant fish. The Bible says in Jonah 1:17 (NLT), “Now the Lord had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights.” But even then, God didn’t give up on Jonah. Later, Jonah 2:10 (NLT) says, “Then the Lord ordered the fish to spit Jonah out onto the beach.”

Both David and Jonah remind us that even when we mess up, disobey, or try to run away, God still loves us and shows mercy. He forgave them, and He will forgive us too.

Sometimes we think we’ve messed up too badly for God to forgive us. But that’s not true. Psalm 103:12 (NLT) says, “He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.”That means when we confess and turn back to Him, our sins are gone — completely forgiven.

God showed His greatest love when He gave His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins. John 3:16 (NLT) says, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” That’s how much He loves us!

So when life feels hard or we feel guilty for our mistakes, we can still count on God’s love. He never turns His back on us. Instead, He opens His arms wide when we come to Him. That’s why we should always thank Him, praise Him, and never take His love for granted.

Prayer

Dear Father God, thank You for loving me even when I make mistakes. Thank You for always forgiving me when I come to You. Help me to remember that Your love never runs out and that You sent Jesus to save me. Teach me to trust You, obey You, and thank You every day. In the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ, I pray, amen. 

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“God Is Loving and Forgiving”, written for aheartforchristdevotions@blogspot.com by Kraiapril©2025. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord!

Loving How God Made You

 

Sometimes it’s hard not to compare yourself to other people. You might look around and think, “I wish I looked like them,” or feel insecure about how you look. That can be really tough, especially if someone makes a mean comment. But God wants you to love the way He made you. Thinking you aren’t “pretty enough” or “good enough” can even affect your faith because it’s like saying God made a mistake when He created you—and He never does.

Psalm 139:14 (NLT) says, “Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.”

This verse reminds us that God made each of us special and unique. He doesn’t make mistakes. Everything about you—your smile, your hair, your personality—is part of His amazing plan.

Sometimes, people might judge you by how you look. But God sees things differently. 1 Samuel 16:7 (NLT) says, “But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.’”

This verse is telling us that what’s on the inside—the heart—is what really matters. It’s more important than how someone looks on the outside.

If you ever feel insecure, pray and ask God to help you see yourself the way He sees you. He wants to remind you that you are wonderfully made and help you believe in the special person He created.

So always remember: love yourself, trust God’s plan, and don’t let anyone or anything make you feel “not enough.” God made you exactly the way He wanted—and that is something to celebrate. ■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“Loving How God Made You”, written for aheartforchristdevotions@blogspot.com by Kraiapril©2025. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord!