December 31, 2025
“What sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God?”(2 Peter 3:11b–12a)
Dear friends in Christ:
26 years ago there was much uncertainty in the air with the coming of what was then described as “Y2K.” (stood for “year 2000” for those younger ones). Warnings had been sounded for quite some time and prophecies of what would happen because of glitches that could cause our computer driven society to fail miserably in several ways.
“Y2K” came and went with very few repercussions for modern man. Many people breathed a sigh of relief and some chuckled about all the hype that was really not all that justified.
Many years ago, our Lord issued a “U2B” warning. His “U2B” warning was and is backed by many prophecies of Holy Scripture and teachings and warnings such as the verses of 2 Peter above. Jesus’ “U2B” warning states, “U2B ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.” (Luke 12:40)
Similar to “Y2K,” Jesus’ “U2B” warning involves an event that is coming upon us whether we are prepared or not. But unlike “Y2K,” the day of Jesus’ return is not “unwarranted hype” that people will someday chuckle over. It is declared by God’s Holy and authoritative Word as an absolutely certain fact of history that will one day take place. Jesus says, “…the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.” (Luke 12:40) He is coming, “But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone." (Mark 13:32)
But much like “Y2k” Jesus’ “U2B” warning calls for preparations to be made. For instance, James 5:8 exhorts us, “U2B patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.” One reason for such patient strength is seen in John 16:32 “Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for U2B scattered, each to his own home…” This warning was given to Jesus’ disciples but certainly applies to Christians who suffer for their faith today.
Within the body of believers, we need to follow God’s guidance as well as we await Jesus coming. Note Paul’s prayer for the church at Rome: “Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant U2B of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,” (Romans 15:5). Paul saw the need for such a prayer on the basis of his experience with the church at Corinth. “For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find U2B not what I wish…that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances;” (2 Cor.12:20)
As Paul dealt with other issues in the church at Corinth he warned, “For I do not want U2B unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea;” (1 Corinthians 10:1-2) His point here was that those he referred to were under God’s care but they still turned from Him. So, he continues in verse 10 of 1 Corinthians 13, “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow U2B tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” (1 Cor. 10:13)
Finally, the Apostle also taught, in addition to the warnings, important truths to prepare people for Jesus’ return, “But we do not want U2B uninformed, brethren…” (1 Thessalonians 4:13a) Scripture shares much guidance to help us be prepared.
The day for “U2B” ready is coming. Peter reminds us in 2 Peter 3:9, “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.” We must be sure we are ready by repenting of our sin and accepting the salvation and forgiveness provided for and offered by our loving Savior.
Then we must focus on “…what kind of people ought U2B? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. …”
Many people were unnecessarily prepared for “Y2K.” They had gone to great lengths and expense to get ready—in most cases all for nothing. We cannot be unprepared for “U2B.” Jesus will return in all His glory! “However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8b)
April 21, 2025
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.” (Psalm 37:5-6)
Dear friends in Christ:
We have just celebrated the resurrection of our Savior once again and I pray that this, another Easter, has given each of us opportunity to reflect upon and grow in our understanding of the victory we have in Jesus Christ.
One of the familiar parts of the Easter account is the words of the women, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” (Mark 16:3) They recognized the obstacle to their efforts to serve Jesus with some of the proper burial customs of the day and in so doing remind us of the obstacles we face every day in our lives.
We know what happened there—an angel had taken care of their problem even before they discussed it. The stone was already rolled away! It is always good to remember that the stone was not rolled away so Jesus could get out—He didn’t need that (see Matthew 28:2). It was rolled away so that the women—and the world—could see in and witness the FACT of the empty tomb. Jesus had risen victorious over sin, death and the power of the devil.
But this reality recorded in Scripture is not only an Easter Sunday reflection—it should govern our daily lives—always! The word “commit” at the beginning of Psalm 37:5 above is most often translated “roll” in Scripture. Just as the angel “rolled” the stone away from the tomb, we should “roll” our obstacles—our troubles onto the Lord and then trust in Him to “act” in His way and on the basis of His wisdom and power!
Jesus’ followers were devastated by His death. Yet we know that all along (from eternity past) it was God’s perfect plan to save fallen mankind from our sin. In a similar way, we may be devastated by some of the difficult circumstances of our lives and led to ask, “Who will roll this or that problem away?” It is then that we can “roll” the problem over to God and rejoice in the way He acts. (We may not always approve of the way in which He acts—but we can be assured that it is the BEST way for us!)
God’s acting on our behalf is always consistent with the VICTORY He wants to share with us on the basis of Jesus’ finished work on the cross!
Some time ago the "ABC’S of Victory" were a blessing to me and I trust they will be a blessing to you as well. Let us live every day in the light of Jesus’ resurrection “rolling” our “stones of trouble” on to our risen and victorious Lord!
ABC'S OF VICTORY
A lthough things are not perfect
B ecause of trial or pain
C ontinue in thanksgiving.
D o not begin to blame,
E ven when the times are hard.
F ierce winds are bound to blow.
G od is forever able.
H old on to what you know;
I magine life without His love,
J oy would cease to be.
K eep thanking Him for all the things
L ove imparts to thee.
M ove out of "Camp Complaining."
N o weapon that is known,
O n earth can yield the power
P raise can do alone.
Q uit looking at the future;
R edeem the time at hand;
S tart every day with worship.
T o "thank" is a command
U ntil we see Him coming
V ictorious in the sky.
W e'll run the race with gratitude;
X alting God most high.
Y es, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...
Z ion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!
RESPONSE
I am too blessed to be stressed!
PRAYER
Thank You, Lord, for the encouragement I receive from following Your ways.
In the love of our risen Lord Jesus Christ,