One of the Bible studies I lead is taking my group of ladies through Jesus’ parables one by one. We are learning that these parables are relevant in our lives and how we should use some of the principles we’re learning into our lives. It’s been a great study.

In the lesson we studied this week, we looked deeply into the lives of the 10 virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) and how we are to watch and be ready for when Jesus returns. While I am anxiously waiting for that day, I know there are plenty of things for me to keep busy with until His return.

One of the prayers I prayed this week was that I live what I know. I’ve studied God’s Word for a lot of years. I know where to find specific passages. I’ve used this blog to post most of God’s Word over the past two years.

But here’s the thing. If I’m not living what the Bible says, I’m not living what I know.

So one of my personal exercises this week was to write down most of what the Bible has to say about what I should be doing while I’m waiting for Jesus to return. Now while I haven’t been through the Old Testament yet, the New Testament has a plethora of commands from God. Care to take a look at some of them?

Matthew 5, 6, and 7

Matthew 28:20-21

Matthew 28:20-21

John 15:1-17

Acts 2:38

Acts 2:42

Romans 8:5-8

Romans 12:2

Romans 12:9-21

Romans 13:8-14

1 Corinthians 11:23-29

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

2 Corinthians 4:6

Galatians 5:16-26

Galatians 6:9-10

Ephesians 2:10

Ephesians 4:17-32

Ephesians 5:1-21

Ephesians 5:22-33

Ephesians 6:1-4

Ephesians 6:10-18

Philippians 4:4-8

Colossians 1:10-12

Colossians 3:1-17

Colossians 3:18-25

Colossians 4:2-6

1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

2 Thessalonians 3:6-15

1 Timothy 2:1-4

1 Timothy 2:9-15

1 Timothy 4:16

2 Timothy 2:15-16

Titus 3:1-2

James 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5

1 Peter 1:13-16

1 Peter 2:13-17

1 Peter 3:1-7

1 Peter 3:8-9

1 Peter 3:15-16

1 Peter 4:7-11

1 John 2:28

1 John 3:7

1 John 3:11

1 John 4:7-8

Jude 1:20-23

I didn’t even get into Revelation…but I’m sure there are a few ideas that I might need to include in my life from that book as well. And I limited my perusing mostly through the Epistles…Jesus had plenty more to say about what we should do while waiting for His return. And I can’t even say that this is an exhaustive list from the books that I did scour.

What I’d like for you to take away is that there is plenty to occupy our minds with. Plenty of ways Jesus wants us to act while we wait for Him. So let’s do it. Let’s look at this list of things that we know and live them.

I pray that your prayer today is my prayer. “Help me God to live what I know.” If we’re doing all the Jesus asked of us, we’ll be ready for His return.

“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” (Revelation 22:20 – NIV)

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna