March 12, 2021Yesterday marked the one-year anniversary of the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring the coronavirus a global pandemic. Watching the news last night, I was reminded how we took so many things for granted before restrictive measures were put in place in recent months. Not being able to see or hug family and friends has caused many people to be stressed. Of course, that unease pales in comparison to the grief that many are experiencing after the passing of loved ones.
My thoughts this morning turned to the promise that Jesus will never leave us or forsake us (please see the Scripture for the weekend). The more friends and relatives that enter eternity, the more we realize that those who loved the Lord are now in His presence forevermore. The following video reminds me that we can only imagine the joy that they are experiencing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_lrrq_opng.
Have you heard the expression: “Some people are so heavenly-minded that they are no earthly good”? Dr. David Jeremiah talks about this and the importance of studying God’s Word in the following message: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34kctUN7yxc. Examining Peter’s final recorded words, Dr. Jeremiah notes five areas where we need to “roll up the sleeves of our mind” (a paraphrase of 1 Peter 1:13): (1) purity – 2 Peter 3:11; (2) the promises of God – 2 Peter 3:12; (3) our purpose – 2 Peter 3:14; (4) our profession – 2 Peter 3:17; and (5) our progress – 2 Peter 3:18. May we do all that we can, with God’s help, to point people to the Saviour.
Scripture for the weekend: “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’” Hebrews 13:5-6 (NKJV)
Thought for the weekend: “Aim at Heaven and you will get Earth ‘thrown in’: Aim at Earth and you will get neither.” – C. S. Lewis
Steve