Signs

Did'ja ever see all the signs being posted for the coming election, regardless of being Republican or Democrat? I don't know if they got permission or not to put them there, but there they are!

As usual, my mind begins to think, where are the signs for our Lord? Wouldn't it be wonderful if there were all kinds of signs for people to see regarding our Lord? How about "Jesus is coming soon," "Jesus loves you" or "Have you reached out to Jesus?"

Maybe some signs should read "Are you ready for the Lord?" or "There is a great day coming!" and "The kingdom of God is eternal!"

Different signs could be some we would not want but need to see. "Pride is an eternal sin!" or "I am a sinner and need to be saved!"

Lack of forgiveness blocks access to the kingdom and to its marvelous power. More people lack forgiveness toward themselves than toward anybody else. Psalm 103:12 tells us, "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." I think a good sign here would be, "Jesus forgives!"

One day, as it says in Revelation 21:4, "And God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

Jesus is our healer! I can just picture God going to those with tears in their eyes from worry and hurt. When he does, then the worry and pain will disappear. What a promise that is! Are you hurting? "God will stop the hurt!" That would be another great sign.

"Have you accepted him as your savior?" Oh, what a powerful sign that would be. By the signs of things happening in this world, I believe with all my heart we are living in the last of the last days. I want to be ready when he comes. Don't you?

An event that most believe had to happen before Jesus could return was the reestablishment of the state of Israel. The original Israel disappeared from the globe centuries ago, but in 1948 the new state of Israel was reestablished. The regathering of Jews to Israel is a clear sign, in both the Old and New Testaments, that our age is just about over (Luke 21:24). On June 6, 1967, the Jews, for the first time since Jerusalem was captured by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 B.C., took control of the entire city of Jerusalem, thus signaling the approaching end of Gentile world power.

These are signs of the times. We are always to be ready for our Lord's return, but nobody knows the day and hour when that will be. Many of the believing people will grow cold in their faith (Matt.24:12). There will be persecution of Christians and a time of general trouble.

"I can be holy!" If it were not possible to live a holy life, God would not have commanded it. He said, "You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy (Leviticus 19:2). We are not made holy by doing good things. We are made holy by faith in Christ, just as we are saved by faith. Look to the Lord Jesus, think about Jesus, study about Jesus, pray to Jesus, and seek to follow his example.

"God is spirit!" "God is the father of all creation!" He is the source of all life and everything that is!

There are so many things that would make wonderful signs, but would people put them up like they do election signs and leave them up for a while? I really enjoy seeing big trucks with great signs about God or Jesus!

Last sign: "Elect Jesus!. He can take everything bad and make it good!"

I would like to invite you to attend my church, Grace Fellowship on Highway 34E, just 4 miles east of Marble Hill. Our Sunday morning worship is at 10 a.m. with Pastor Monnie Jones bringing the word from God. Our Wednesday service is at 6:30 p.m. I call it family night since there is something for everyone. And starting March 3, we will be having evening services that will start at 5 p.m. There is room at the cross for you!

LOUISE HUGHES is a longtime Bollinger County resident who has contributed to The Banner Press for more than 40 years.