Encouragement for the Days Ahead

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat;…Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of person ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,…” 2 Peter 3:10-11

My heart has been pretty overwhelmed recently with God’s amazing and wonderful goodness to me. I am so thankful for His great care for my soul that has given me peace and contentment for many years. His kindness has blessed me with the richness of family and friends in abundance. Now as I look ahead to the coming year I am filled with anticipation of what He has in store. Having spent the past couple of weeks studying some great portions of the Bible concerning the end of time, I continue to be encouraged because of the security I have in knowing God will be caring for me no matter what happens in my personal life, or in the world at large. “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 Without a doubt, rough days lie ahead of us; peace of soul can only be found in the great Sovereign of the universe.

I’m looking forward to this coming Thursday morning at 9:30 as our Ladies Bible Study comes together to discuss 2 Peter 3 and to be encouraged concerning the year ahead. See you then.

How Should We Then Live?

“Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?” 2 Peter 3:11-12

Birthdays and beginnings of new years have a similar impact on my life—a fresh start. In both cases I look with eagerness towards the year ahead with the thought of walking more closely with the Lord than the previous year. And so now we have stepped into 2022 and we have twelve months of opportunities to choose a flourishing life, or one that drags along with selfish decisions. Peter wrote the words at the top of the page about 2000 years ago with a challenge to all of us to keep in mind that this world is not going to continue on as it is. The thought should motivate all of us toward “holy conduct and godliness.” “The King is on his way, and almost here; you are at his door; he is at yours. What manner of people ought ye to be? How can ye sin against One who is so close at hand?” (Spurgeon)

I cannot think of a better way to start the year well than to be together studying God’s Word. To make this coming Thursday even more full of anticipation we will be particularly focused on end times and “how we should then live.” Plan to join us at 9:30 Thursday morning as we study 2 Peter 3.

If snow becomes a problem, I will make a post to you by 8 am Thursday morning. So, if you have questions, look for my comments on that.

Pondering

Luke 2:19 “But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.”

What an outstanding verse for all of us to consider during the crazy, hurried days of the Christmas Season. Following the humble birth of Jesus (really Immanuel—God with us) and the exuberant visit of the astonished shepherds Mary had some time of calm to think about what had just happened. No doubt she meditated on the report the shepherds brought of the angel’s announcement to them. “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:10-12 An insightful note from John MacArthur further helps us understand what Mary was pondering. “‘Christ’ is the Greek equivalent of ‘Messiah’ …’Lord’—The Greek word can mean ‘master’—but it is also the word used to translate the covenant name of God. Here (and in most of its NT occurrences), it is used in the latter sense, as a title of deity.” The long awaited Savior/Messiah had arrived and slept in the arms of Mary. So much to ponder!

How much are we “pondering” the amazing birth of God to our world? How much are we meditating on His perfect life and sacrificial death that paid the penalty for our sins? How much are we thinking about the truly awesome One who should be the center of our Christmas celebrations?