From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Fri, Apr 22, 2022 at 6:02 AM

Subject: 4-22-22 THOUGHTS

4-22-22    THOUGHTS

I note on several calendars that today is “Earth Day”.  In the reading below it says ”and the earth and its works will be burned up. 11  Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,”.   If we know the end of a matter, we ought to bend our thinking and behavior presently, to give us advantage in the end!  Now that just makes sense.  By God’s promises, we are assured that there is something far better waiting for us in the end!  Our faith should be such that we look forward to that time and long for its coming.  We are to “hasten” it in our hearts and minds.  Finally, we are told to “be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,  15  and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation;”  
 
2Pet 3:1-15a    This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, 2  that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.  3  Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4  and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation."  5  For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, 6  through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. 7  But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.  8  But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 9  The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.  10  But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. 11  Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,  12  looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!  13  But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.  14  Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,  15  and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation;

Ps 89:15    How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound!   O LORD, they walk in the light of Your countenance.   

             [Song: We Have Heard the Joyful Sound, Jesus Saves]

My Prayer:
O God, we have heard the joyful sound that Jesus saves.  We praise you and lift up your majestic name.  We are grateful to be under your awesome power and might.  We groan to be in your eternal presence.  Your love, ending in our adoption, and your promises concerning our end, thrills our souls, O God.  Lord come.  

In the name of our Lord we pray,   Amen.