You may have heard that Brian Boquard is in the middle of chemotherapy treatment at Roswell. Somehow he developed a bacterial infection in his blood that required he be hospitalized immediately. Early Monday I decided to visit Brian. It was a moment I will never forget.
I had a bit of trouble finding his room, but after a brief search, I walked in unannounced. He had no idea I was coming. It was an unexpected visit. When he saw me, he smiled and said, “You will never believe this! I was just sitting here thinking it would be great if Pastor Pat came to see me, and you walked in!” That moment changed his life forever. God answered his prayers through an unexpected visit! We wept together over how amazing the Father is.
Unexpected visits are often divine appointments that lead to a life changing experience. I know that many of you have similar testimonies when you called someone or visited them at “just the right time.” The impact of that moment changed their life forever.
I have been preparing for Sunday’s sermon. The topic is “The Eastern Gate.” It’s amazing to see the tread that runs through Scripture concerning the Eastern Gate and His return.
We know that it will happen in the same way that He left;
- Acts 1:9–11 (NLT) 9 After saying this, He was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see Him. 10 As they strained to see Him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday He will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”
We also know that He will return to the Mt. of Olives, east of Jerusalem ;
- Zechariah 14:4 (NLT) 4 On that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem. And the Mount of Olives will split apart, making a wide valley running from east to west. Half the mountain will move toward the north and half toward the south.
We also know that everyone will experience the moment of His return:
- Matthew 24:27 (NLT) “27 For as the lightning flashes in the east and shines to the west, so it will be when the Son of Man comes. “
So Jesus tells us to watch and pray because He will come when we least expect it!
- Matthew 24:42–44 (NLT) 42 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. 43 Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. 44 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.
This Easter see the cross, celebrate His resurrection, but also watch and pray for His unexpected visitation that will change your life forever.
Love and blessings,
Pastor Pat
