Closing Message “So That” On-Line Study
Sweet friends, thank you for sharing your verses and “so that” messages this week. What a blessing it has been to journey through this study with you!
I love how so many of you are praying for strength and for ways to live a “so that” life. We live our lives with the promise tucked away deep in our hearts that one day CHRIST IS COMING BACK!!
He came first as a Savior, but His Word promises that He will come again.
For as lightening that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man…At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. Matthew 24:27, 30-31
The next time He will return as a Judge, a Warrior and a King.
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Revelation 19:11-16
Christ is coming back, my friends. When He does, it will not be quietly. Every eye will see. Every ear will hear. Every nation will fear. Every knee will bow. And every tongue will confess that He is Lord.
How this will happen? We cannot fathom. What will it sound like? We do not know. What will it feel like? We cannot imagine. When will it be? The date is not known.
But we are told one thing. We must be ready. Our final “so that” comes from Luke 12.
Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. Luke 12:35-36
In Jesus’ time, Jewish weddings were held at night. The bridegroom’s servants would wait late into the night for their master to return home with his bride. The servants never knew the exact time of the arrival, but they would never make the master wait, so they stood, with their robes girded up, ready to welcome and serve them as soon as they arrived.
We are to do the same. We are to keep our lamps burning.
Remember our memory verse for this week? It says to let our light shine before men. We are to continually let our lights shine by loving and serving others. We are not to “let up” because the master is away.
Living this way keeps us close to the heart of God. It ensures that we are continually looking and listening for His voice, for ways He can minister to and use us. He desires that we have an acute awareness of His presence 24/7. By living this way, we will not be caught off guard when He comes. We will be ready.
Luke 12:37 (NIV) says,
It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.
I could barely take in the words as I read the end of this verse. It says that when the Master returns, those He finds ready and waiting will recline at a table and He will wait on them. Remember in the Jewish tradition, the servants treated the bride and groom like royalty. The servants served them. It would never be expected that the groom would serve the staff. Yet Luke tells us that our King, the King of kings and Lord of lords, will minister to His faithful servants. He will reward the ready and faithful ones. The Master reverses the roles. He will serve the servants!
This verse gives us another message as well. It is yet another message to “be alert,” “to watch.” We are not to be caught by surprise by the Lord’s Second Coming. He has told us He will come. He will be like a thief, unannounced and unexpected. But He will come. (Matthew 24:43; 1 Thessalonians 5:2). Matthew 24:36 tells us that no one knows the day or hour, not even the Son, but only the Father.
We must be ready!
We have spent five weeks studying God’s call to “Living So That…” We have completed “Calls to Action.” These are ways we can be working in the wait. Friend, we must be about God’s business so that we can be found faithful when He comes again. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 4:2,
So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it
is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
God desires readiness and faithfulness. Let us make it our heart’s desire to live in this ready state so that we will be found faithful upon His return.
Remember and never forget BLESSINGS follow OBEDIENCE!!!
Now to announce our Christmas Giveaway Winners. Please e-mail me at deuteronomysix@aol.com with your full name and mailing address.
Melissa Waters posted on December 11 at 1:28 pm – Target Gift Card
Mattie C posted on December 12 at 8:44 am – Target Gift Card
Sabrina posted on December 13 at 12:01 pm -Target Gift Card
Judy Redden posted on December 13 at 5:18 am – P31 Gift
KarenG posted on December 14 at 6:01 am – P31 Gift
Sweet Christmas Blessings to you,
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Beautiful! Beautiful! Beautiful Wendy!
What a gloriously beautiful way to close LIVING SO THAT… I will stay the course, I will be alert! I am keeping watch and waiting! I so desire to be ready! May I have oil burning in my lamp with the anticipation of our Coming King and Lord!
Wendy, Your words and the Word of God that you share here flow like sweet honey.
This is absolutely a wonderful way to close and yet begin to LIVE so that as a CALL to ACTION on each of our lives! Keeping our hearts prepared and our eyes on Him! The call of the Master and His final return for a hopeful Bride that is ready, waiting, filled with love and such an honor to serve Him whenever and however He leads and guides. May our eyes, our hearts, our minds, our ears and our thoughts be open and ready! May our lamps be burning and full!!! READY! Great Word and touching message as we celebrate the King of kings, and the Lord of lords. He is so worthy! May all who stand before us be faithful SO THAT we too may be faithful til the end.
Congratulations to all the winners and a blessed and merry Christmas to all of you! With much love and sending the peace of Christ from Mexico back home to all of you in the USA and if there are any from other parts of the world, may you feel the long distance embrace and the love of God always,
Peggy
Abba… I love Peggy’s words, “This is absolutely a wonderful way to close and yet begin to LIVE so that as a CALL to ACTION on each of our lives! Keeping our hearts prepared and our eyes on Him!” You know that this is coming from a girl who is in the midst of great trials, yet her focus is on You and she exudes joy that can only be Holy Spirit driven. Father, would You take that as Peggy bringing her whole heart’s and mind’s tithe to Your storehouse? In Jesus’ Name, would You open the floodgates from heaven and pour out so much blessing she will not have room enough to contain it? In Jesus’ Name, draw her husband to You. Let him desire the most intimate relationship with You. That of course will overflow into their marriage. Would You prepare a physical home for them, after the recent devastation of their home being lost to a fire? Lord, You love this girl! Thank You for the gift of Peggy… for her rich insight throughout this study… for her desire to love and know You more… and her desire to teach all of us as she received each revelation. I lift our beautiful friend to You right now and trust her to You alone. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
I love you girl!
xoxo
This was a beautiful close to our study, Wendy.Thanks again for leading us on another journey through God’s Word.
I want to wish you and all the ladies a very happy and festive Christmas and may the New Year be filled with blessings in abundance from our Lord and Saviour. Be blessed everyone!
Ditto Dale!!! The same to you! Thank you so much!!!
Wendy, I guess I was hoping that if I didn’t post, maybe the study wouldn’t end 🙂
Abba,
How do we thank You enough for the gift of Wendy Blight?! Thank You for this study. I know that every one of us will read Your word differently. All of the “so that’s” will draw our eyes to see what came before and what comes after those two words! Thank You for the gift of the internet. I still can’t get over how we can all sip coffee and have girlfriend time together, yet be spread all across this world. Thank You for each girl who was in our “small” group of thousands.
Lord, we lift Wendy to You and ask that You would bless her and her family abundantly. She continues to be a role model to us. She multiplies her talents. In Jesus’ Name, increase her influence! Bless her upcoming published study as well as “Wendy’s Street Team.” Bless any and all studies she continues to write and teach. Hem her in on all sides. Place Your perfect hedge of protection around this mighty grace-filled warrior. Continue to establish the works of her hands and let the outcome be countless saved souls and richer relationships with You!
We love You Abba. Give each of us an unquenchable thirst for Your word and Your truth as we have our self-directed studies until we join again for another one of Wendy’s studies!
In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
I love you Wendy!
Have the most blessed Christmas to all of you lovely girlfriends! Hugs from California!!!
Great words Noelle and a powerful prayer, one I’m privileged to pray as well! Thank you for your insight, prayers and encouragement thru the study as well!
Just an update on my grandma – she is out of the hospital with a feeding tube and still not much strength. She is staying with my aunt and beginning to feel like a burden – I pray as she depends on others she will come to depend on Christ! She is scheduled to start radiation in January. Thank you for your continued prayers.
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas as well!!
Amen! Jill, praying for your grandma and aunt and you, too! Strength in Jesus as she faces the radiation and hope to depend on Jesus alone (and not feel like a burden at all). May Jesus carry the burdens for each one!
Thank you for all your wonderful insights and comments!
I wish you the most wonderful Christmas and many blessings for you and all your family! may Iowa feel the Presence of God mightily this year and in the years to come may His favor follow!
God bless! and take care! Peace, love and joy,
Peggy
(I will get over to your blog someday as I said)!
Heavenly Father, I come along side my sisters in Christ, and thank You profoundly for each one but especially for Wendy and her precious gift(s)!!! I stand in agreement with Noelle’s words and then Jill’s words also! You are exalted in the Word and the teaching that Wendy has imparted to us! I thank You for every “so that” and I look forward to more “so thats” that will continue to transform us into Your image! Thank You for the special gift of studying together wherever we are and that You meet us right where we are. You are more than enough! Bless each one of these women seeking more of You in their lives and in their homes and families.
I too ask for You to pour out Your blessings and the fruit of this study in our Call to Action. I thank You also for the delight of having Wendy’s study printed and made available and her upcoming Street Team and plans! may each one be guided by You and Your thoughts! Guard Wendy as she presses forward to serving You so completely in Your Kingdom and bringing others to Your Living Truth! I thank You for Noelle and her beautiful gift(s) and powerful prayers! Pour out an abundance of blessings, and open the heaven over her and her loved ones! Embrace Noelle and Wendy filling them with so much love that their cup continues to overflow. Keep Your Spirit flowing through them and may Your fire draw them to desire more of that power and flow through them and their ministry and their book(s), wherever You choose to lead, may they hear, follow and obey. Blessings follow obedience! I thank You for Wendy’s obedience to listening to You and following Your direction throughout her teachings. Thank You for the role model of Wendy and the gifts that each person has shared here! You are truly present when we are gathered in Your name! I can’t wait to see the fruit from this planting and the harvest yet to come! Please surround us with Your Protection, Your Provision and Your Almighty Presence in each area we serve and act according to Your Word! Thank You for the many lessons and Word that comes alive through Wendy’s teaching and each woman as they share You and what we are learning!
Be with us during this beautiful season, as we celebrate the Gift of Jesus! Unite our hearts as one! Anoint Wendy afresh and continue to supply all her needs in Jesus’ precious Name…we love You and give You all the glory honor and praise!
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Thank you, Noelle! Thank you so much for this powerful prayer for Wendy and the beautiful one that touched the depths of my heart that you lifted on my behalf!
I am so grateful for you and our connection! I thank you for how you willingly enriched my life double fold and then some! May God return the favor for you and bountifully meet your every need. Thank you for your encouragement and the beautiful way that you minister along side Wendy! I am so blessed by you and I thank God for you and our connection. I’ve meant every word from my heart. You are one unique and special sister in Christ! You have made my Christmas so blessed! I love you and send a BIG hug from Mexico to California!(((U))) :0)
Vaya con Dios…y Feliz Navidad,
Paz, Gozo, y Amor en Cristo…<3
Peggy
Wendy, Thank you so much for this wonderful study. It has inspired me to dig deeper into God’s word and live SO THAT others can see God at work in my life. I love your studies and I pray that God will bless you and your family throughout the new year. I look forward to our next study together. Thank you for your dedication and devotion to God’s calling on your life. You ARE a BLESSING!
To all my Bible Study Girlfriends, Merry Christmas and may God bless you abundantly in the upcoming year!
Much love,
Kim
Thanks Kim! Wishing you a Merry Christmas and an abundance of blessings from now into the New Year too! Remember blessings follow obedience! :0)
What a fitting end to a wonderful study…a reminder that it doesn’t end at all! I just shared a post on my blog about being ready and used Luke 12 as well. We can spend so much time and energy preparing for the celebration of Christ’s first coming, but how devoted are we to preparing for when He comes again? Thanks for playing a part in helping me get ready Wendy!
Thanks to all of my new Bible study friends for sharing your heart and insights…Merry Christmas to all of you!!
Amen! Thank you Jill! May you enjoy a blessed and merry Christmas with your loved ones!
Wendy, I just wanted to tell you that I became a monthly donor to Proverbs 31. I am in Canada so it is hard to access your products directly because of high customs duties, but Proverbs 31 has been a huge source of encouragement and teaching for me through the email devotions, Bible studies that you and others offer, encouragement through various blogs, and the books that the different speakers have written. You don’t charge for your studies so I thought that supporting Proverbs would be my way of saying thank you to you and others. If I lived closer I would mail you a jug of our maple syrup as a personal thank you! I don’t know if you would have to pay customs on that or not. Thank you again.