8 BOCNEWS.com MAY 2018 1. Brian C. Wilson - A Great Work 2. Kelontae Gavin - Higher Experience 3 Maranda Curtis - Open Heaven 4. Jordan Feliz - Future 5. Jason Crabb - Unexpected 6. Snoop - Bible Of Love 7. Brooklyn Tabernacle - I Am Reminded 8. Jonathan Mcreynolds - Makeroom 9. Williams Brothers - Timeless 10 Todd Dulaney - Your Great Name Eagerly Waiting Iam so excited about the Soon Coming of our Lord (Jn 14:1-7). As a matter of fact, I can't WAIT! I'm heaven bound, and looking to get out. I thought to myself, is it normal for me to feel this way. I could not help but notice as I read through the Word, that it's more pleasing to God to be heavenly minded instead of earthly minded. As a matter of fact, the apos- tles were always eagerly WAITING for Jesus to come. As I started to do more research just to make sure I wasn't losing it, I found out something very interesting. It appeared as I took a closer look, that Jesus is only coming for those who are eagerly waiting and LOVING His appearing. I also noticed one more thing. Jesus has a major BLESSING for those who are truly waiting for Him. Those who are not, a major curse. Let's take a look. In Matthew 25:1-13, the wise virgins who were ready and who are keeping their lamps burning went in with Him to the WEDDING BANQUIT and the door was shut. Wow, Major blessing! The foolish virgins who were not ready were LEFT BEHIND! Luke 12:34-40 says to those who are keeping their lamps burning, "It will be good for those servants who's master finds them WATCHING when He comes. I tell you the truth, He will dress Himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them." Major blessing! Turning the pages to the right to Luke 21:34-36, I read how Jesus will keep those who are "watchful" from the coming judgement. They will escape ALL that is about to happen. 1 Corinthians 1:7 teaches that true believers will not lack any spiritual gift as they EAGERLY WAIT for their Lord to come. Major bless- ing! Philippians 3:13-21 teaches that those who are eagerly waiting for Him to come will be blessed with their new heavenly and glorified bodies. Man am I needing that. 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 says, "they tell how you turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God, and to WAIT for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, Jesus who RESCUES us from the coming wrath." 2 Timothy 4:1-8 teaches that those who are longing and loving his appearing will receive the CROWN of RIGHTIOUSNESS! Major blessing. And, Hebrew 9:28 teaches that God will bring SALVATION to those who are WAITING for Him. Big Blessing. Why is it that God will richly bless those who are eagerly waiting, remain- ing ready and staying watchful for His appearing? Lets take a look. God spoke through the Old Testament Holy prophets a total of 332 prophesies concerning the first coming of Christ. Jesus came and literally fulfilled them all with 100% accuracy. If that's the case, why did the majority of the "religious" people not recognize the visitation of thier long awaited Savior? You will see if you read 1 Timothy 6:3-14 and 2 Peter 2:1-3 that it is the love of money that is the root of all kinds of evil, and, it is worldly wealth that blinds so called believers. Just as Jesus was sold out for the money, modern day preachers are selling Him out again as they preach their world- ly wealth instead of heavenly riches. Always finding an excuse to take up another special offering, the building fund, a special anointed speaker. Jesus gives many examples through- out the entire New Testament illustrat- ing the wise and foolish virgins. The wise are heavenly minded, looking for the Lord to come, and the foolish are continuously commiting spirtual audultery with the money and with the love of this fallen world. What does the Word say? "For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead to suit their own desires, they will gather around a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths (foolish virgins). But you, keep your head in as l situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. For I'm already being poured out like a drink offering and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the CROWN of RIGHTEOUSNESS, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have LONGED and have LOVED his appear- ing (2Tim 4:3-8, 1Tim 6:3-15, 2 Pet 2:1-22). Philippians 3:17-21 says, "For as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many LIVE as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their God is their stomach, their glory is in their shame. Their minds are on earthly things (foolish virgins). But our citi- zenship is in heaven. And we EAGERY AWAIT a Savior from their, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will TRANSFORM our lowly bodies so they will be like His glorious body" (wise virgins)! I want my new body! "Since you have been raised with Christ, set your HEARTS on things above, where Christ is seated at the the right hand of God. Set your hearts on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hid- den with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory" (Colo 3:1-4). Finally, for years preachers have said, "Yes, we should live as if Jesus could come today, yet at the same time, live as if he woun't come for another 100 years" (2 Pet 3:1-13). What does Jesus have to say about that? "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are LUKEWARM-neither hot or cold-Im about to spit you out if My mouth" (Rev 3:14-22). Until next time, Jesus is coming soon! Are you going to be READY, or left behind?!!! By Michael Forti END TIMES Michael Forti Why is it that God will richly bless those who are eagerly waiting, remaining ready and staying watchful for His appearing? Lets take a look.