(Jesus Predicts His Death)
…31 Now judgment is upon this world; now the prince of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw everyone to Myself." 33 He said this to indicate the kind of death He was going to die.…--John 12:31-32 -- Berean Standard Bible 

Today is Good Friday. It's good, because our good, good LORD Jesus chose to give His life in the most horrible sacrifice that could ever be made--so we could be free and have Heaven on earth now! 

He rose again after three days and rules and reigns in Heaven at the right hand of Father God--awaiting the Moment in Time when He can come back and get us, His Beloved Ones; to rescue us from this horrid world system, and take us to Paradise with Him forever! Halleujah!

He is calling us. Do we want to be with Him Who gave it all for us? Will we hear Him? Will we take time to be with Him?

As one who has taught online for almost four years now, I find it disappointing when I open a portal of a meeting room, go to a lot of preparation, excited to have specific things to teach my student(s)--and no one shows up. Usually, I wait several minutes, and text and email and call--and it's particularly not fun when I get no response.  I pray they are safe, and of course people forget sometimes, because of the busyness of their lives. 

I'm experiencing that right now, as I write this. (I've learned to use "wait" time much more wisely, and praise the LORD I can have several browsers open at once, and work, or at least communicate with loved ones!)

I forgive them. Some just have forgotten the appointment. I've done such myself on a very rare occasion.

As I have been waiting (The portal is still open, but no one but me is in the room right now.), it occurred to me that this must be like what the LORD Jesus, the Holy Spirit, feels like; He is eager to meet with us very often, always has a lot of important things to say, and wants to communicate with us (which involved both speaking and listening, by the way!).

So let us ask the LORD to help us spend more time with Him, starting today--even five extra minutes before bed, or upon waking, and it will grow from there! He is very patient, loving, and has a good sense of humor! 

Sometimes, I've been awakened in the very early hours of the morning, with the understanding the LORD wants to communicate with me. Very often, this includes praise and worship (me singing softly, or using earbuds to listen to worship, so I won't wake my wonderful husband), praying in the Spirit, and proclaiming the Word over us and our loved ones, and situations. Sometimes, He gives me divine directions on specific things to write, and sometimes, it's strategies to move forward otherwise. 

There are times, of course, when I've ignored this, and just went back to sleep. 

I can picture the LORD sitting there, waiting for me, and realizing that I'm not coming. 

Jesus understands more than any of us about being 'stood up'. One example is Matthew 22:1-3 (ESV):  22 And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, 2 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, 3 and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come..."

King Jesus is coming very soon. We true Believers have the honor of partnering with Him to live the good life He's provided for us (Jeremiah 29:11, John 10:10, Ephesian 2:10), so our lives will proclaim His goodness.

Let us take advantage of the opportunities He gives us to directly tell others of His goodness, by walking in love, peace, joy, generosity, wisdom, victory, using our gifts, talents, and other resounces to lift Him up, so "all men will be drawn to Him"!

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.--I Corinthians 10:31, Berean Study Bible

Let us ask others, "Are you coming to the Wedding Feast of the Lamb, the LORD Jesus Christ, the King of Glory?"

Then the angel told me to write, "Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." And he said to me, "These are the TRUE words of God." --Revelation 19:9, Berean Standard Bible

Amen and Amen!

Tonja and her husband live to exalt God. They lift Him up in books (P.O.W.E.R. Girl!; LEGACY; Visions of the King; Your Holy Health; more); presentations; service in church, community, and the world; and via the "River Rain Creative" (309 videos) and "POWERLight Learning" You Tube channels.