Do Not Fear The False Prophecies

2 Peter 3:9-13 KJV; The end will not come by floods; but, by fire. Do not fear the end for all who trust in the Lord will not die but have eternal life.

In Word And Deed

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 

                                                                        (2 Peter 3:9-12 KJV)

As I was reading Gustaf Wingren's "Gospel and Church" last night it made me consider what kind of holy conversation and godliness we actually carry with us when we leave the church building after worship. Are our hearts and minds so filled with the Good News that we cannot help but carry the message (in words and in deeds) out into the community? Or maybe we've been waiting for the service to get over so we can get on our couches and watch a football game? Maybe you were in such a hurry for worship to be over so that you go and sit alone in your hunting blind so you did not hear the message the pastor was bringing to you. Leisure time is not a bad thing and it can even be a better thing if you are enjoying them with others. But, do not let them become the most important thing. Do not let them become more important than caring for and sharing the love of God with your neighbor.

For indeed, the more important thing is sharing the love of God with those who are in need of either physical assistance or spiritual food which is the word and love of God. That can happen with something as simple as being present for them.

In St. Peter's second letter we are reminded that the Lord is long-suffering and wishes that all people should repent and be saved. He is not willing that any should perish. How will that take if we are not sharing his love by caring for our neighbors and being in community with them?  How will that happen if we don't relieve the heavy burdens that they carry within themselves by reminding them that in Christ their sins are all washed away. They (and we) are forgiven. It definitely won't happen sitting on a couch alone watching very rich false idols. (Yes, I have been warning about these false idols for a few decades and have been asked by parishioners not to do that. LOL I will keep reminding them to beware of false gods.)

In this season of Advent let us not only prepare for the coming of our Lord; but, help others to prepare for it as well and to rejoice in the promised Kingdom of God for all who believe in him. 

May God help us to reveal to others the Kingdom of God through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Be Prepared

But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed. Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? (2 Peter 3:8-12 NRSV)

Who can tell when the Lord will come and take us to himself?

As we enter Advent, the time of preparation for the coming of the Lord, are we prepared? During this season prior to Christmas, I am often asked if I am ready for Christmas. My answer is always: "Of course, I am. After all; if I cannot be ready to celebrate the birth of the Christ child who has already come, how can I expect to be ready for him to come again?" 

We do not know the day or the time when he will come again. We are told that he will come like a thief in the night, unexpectedly. No one; but, God knows when that day will be. Do not wait thinking that there is still time for you to get to know the Lord and to love him. Be prepared, not with silver or gold; but, with a living faith, a love that is alive for our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. 

Be prepared, may the warm light of his love shine in and through you. 

God's Peace - Pr. J