The following devotion was written by Michael Martin for Nursing Home Ministries. We hope to include many more of these wonderful devotions in the future.

Greetings Anticipating Saints and Friends,
​”Johnathan, since the time God created us, I have never heard another angel play the trumpet quite like you. I think God created you with a trumpet ready to play.” “Thank you, James. I want to be ready for the role God has given me.” “Well, it’s evident. God created you to be the one to blow the trumpet to signal Christ’s return! And I am excited about what God has for us to do soon!” “Me, too, Johnathan! Though we do not know exactly when, next to Jesus, we will be the first to know! Of course, everything will happen so quickly it may seem as though everybody found out at the same time! As angels, I think we have a better understanding and appreciation for what is about to take place than many people do.” “I agree, James. Here we are in heaven serving God continually and on a high alert of expectation at all times.” “Yes, we are. Johnathan, don’t you think more of God’s children could live in a similar way so not to be disturbed by the ways of the world and the things going on around themtoday?” “I certainly do. After all, Jesus tells them to be ready at all times because He is coming at an hour they do not expect.” Luke 12:40
“At the same time, it’s wonderful to know that there are many heaven-bound saints on earth who are just as excited as we are. They are living in constant anticipation of His return. Remember when we brought Fanny Crosby home to heaven?” “Oh yes! The joy in her voice as she sang all the way, ‘I’ve been watching and waiting, looking above, born of His spirit, washed in His blood! Here I come, Jesus!'” “What a difference there is between the people we bring home to heaven every day who have been anticipating His return – compared to those who are surprised when we arrive.” “So true, James. What do you think makes the difference in their lives?” “That’s easy. Those who are actively trusting and talking to Jesus every day are much more likely to be anticipating Him in their lives each day. They are doing what they can for Jesus their Savior until the moment we arrive to bring them home or until we go with Jesus to gather them up.
Then there are those who seem to have relegated Jesus to the back of their mind, instead of keeping Him the center of their life. They are caught up in the things of this world and even living in fear because of what is going on in the world today. But Jesus said these events would take place before He returns. And since they are happening all around, I am keeping my trumpet close at hand!” “I’m sure you are, Johnathan, especially after what God instructed Paul to write: ‘For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the “trumpet of God”. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.'” 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 “James, those are wonderful words of comfort for those waiting for the Lord!” “They sure are. And God always has a reason for everything He says and does. And when He tells those who are trusting in Jesus to be salt in the world and reflect the pure light of Jesus into the dark world around them, it means He has plenty for them to do until it’s time for them to meet the Lord in person. One of my favorite sayings I heard from someone I recently brought home to heaven is, ‘I’d rather be caught doing something for the Lord, than something I shouldn’t be doing, when it’s time to go.'” “That sounds like a great motto for many of God’s people to live by. It could keep them focused on what matters most to God in their lives.” “It sure could. And though all people who trust in Jesus as their Savior are going home when it’s time, the ones who are living daily for Him in anticipation of His soon return are the ones who are going to do the most good for God. And that pleases Him.” Are you pleasing God who loves you? ‘God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.’ John 3:16 Trusting in Jesus is essential to pleasing God. Tell Him, ‘Thank You, Jesus, for paying for my sins when You died for them and rose again. Help me to live in anticipation of Your soon return. Amen.’