7-3-20   THOUGHTS

We talked yesterday about END THINGS.  There are passages in God’s Word that are easy for us to avoid because we just don’t want to consider the possibility that we might end up there!
I believe one of those is below.  There is great difficulty in these words, but there is also GREAT ASSURANCE!  
I look at my world and quite frankly, I don’t like what I see.  I must work to let optimism overcome pessimism.  In humble begging, I ask God for my grandchildren!  I labor to “cast my care upon the Lord”.  I’ve been here before, but the source of my fears have never been so SYSTEMIC.  My “Sweet Land of Liberty” begins to feel like a ride on the Titanic.
As an old man with the responsibility to assess RISK to the body of Christ in the future, I’m concerned that our future could literally BURST UPON US?  Our world is changing rapidly.

So a few other thoughts on END THINGS.  
1Pet 1:13  Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober [in spirit,] fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1Pet 4:12-19     Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13  but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 14  If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15  Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; 16  but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.
17  For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18  AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER? 19  Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

It’s a time for us to “Prepare our minds for action”...  To “stay sober...”   And to “Fix our Hope completely” on the COMING OF OUR LORD!  

My Prayer:
All powerful and eternal God, we need your presence in our lives now more than ever. We pray for our nation as it seems to want evil and not good.  We are embarrassed Lord.  Revive a spirit of love in every man Oh God.  For the sake of our children, we ask you to preserve this land.  Thy will be done.  Help us to fix our hope totally on you Oh Rock of our salvation.  Teach us to take deep root in YOU in this hour.           

                   In Jesus name we pray                     Amen