Eyes on the prize

Friends,

Each day takes us deeper into these last days. Make no mistake, as difficult as circumstances appear now, they can - and likely will - get much worse. But throughout history, the LORD has been telling His people that there is day coming that will surpass the greatest of all days ...

Joel 3:16
The LORD also will roar from Zion,
And utter His voice from Jerusalem;
The heavens and earth will shake;
But the LORD will be a shelter for His people,
And the strength of the children of Israel. [NKJV]

For God's people, the shaking of heaven and earth will not be a time of dread. It will be a time of joy and anticipation. It will signal the return of our King. We will take refuge in Him.

Keep looking ahead, sisters and brothers. Live through these present circumstances, but do not dwell upon them. They are not the end of the story. Our Savior's return is closer now than ever.

Be encouraged, Jose

How you see it

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; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 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? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
2 Peter 3:10-13 (NKJV)

The above scripture aptly described the day of the Lord. To some, this will be a day of terror and dread, to others it will be a day of joy and fulfillment. The issue isn’t about focusing on the burning up and melting away of our world and the material things we have conscientiously amassed over the course of our lives, but making daily concerted efforts towards holy conduct and godliness in our walk and activities of life.

It’s about our our outlook to the world and our clinging onto His promises for the new life. The day of the Lord must not evoke fear and dread for the believer, instead with a different perspective must inspire us into a renewal and re-dedication of our lives to Kingdom causes and activities. After all, since all these other things will be ‘definitely’ given up (at our last breadth) or just burnt up on the Lord’s Day, it’s thus better to change our perspectives and divert our attention and energies to things that will endure.

Be Encouraged,

Afolabi