From: December 2, 2023
“Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is” (1 John 3:2 NLT).
Do you ever ask questions of God like, “Why is this happening to me?” The apostle John answers saying not everything has been revealed yet, but one thing we can be sure of is that we are children of God and we shall “be like” Jesus. That’s God’s goal for us as believers. This is called sanctification. He is making us like Jesus.
Beloved, whatever suffering or difficulty you may be going through today may be endured by keeping this end in sight. Remember, God cares more for our character than our comfort. He often allows suffering and trouble to shape and mold us. God is at work in His children, conforming them to the image of His Son (Rom. 8:29).
When I was a young boy, I always wanted to grow up to be like my Dad. Now that I am man, I still admire my father, but more than anything, I want to grow to be more like Jesus, my Lord. Isn’t it wonderful that God has promised that very thing. For God’s Word promises that we shall be like Him!
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the promise of salvation. That not only have we received adoption and eternal life, but we are being conformed to the image of Your Son, Jesus. We shall be like Him. And one Day we shall see Him. Strengthen us to persevere in faith until that Day comes. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: December 2, 2022
HOW TO PREPARE FOR CHRIST’S RETURN
Determine to finish well. How? “Remain in fellowship with Christ.” Stay close. If you wander, come back. If you stray, return. If you sin, repent. Keep short accounts. “Remain.” Which is to abide, to stay, to live and walk in constant “fellowship” with Jesus. This is not working or earning. It is remaining. It is clinging continuously to the One who saves us.
If we stay in constant fellowship with Him, we won’t be ashamed when He returns. He has done all the work. He declared, “It is finished” on the cross. There is no work for us to do. It is done. Yet, we must remain in Him to finish well ourselves.
PRAYER: Dear Father, help us to abide in Christ today, continuously clinging to Him for strength and wisdom. We want to be fully present in every moment to see what Christ would do in and through us today. We want to remain in continuous fellowship with Christ at all times. Fill us with His courage. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: December 2, 2016
Many start life’s race well, but finish poorly. But I want to finish this life well for Christ. Don’t you? What is the secret to finishing well? “Abide” in Christ. Stay close. If you wander, come back. If you stray, return. If you sin, repent. Keep short accounts. “Abide.” Which is to stay, to live and walk in constant fellowship with Jesus. This is not working or earning. It is remaining. It is clinging continuously to the One who saves and keeps us. It is depending on Him for all things and being satisfied in Him at all times. If we stay in constant fellowship with Him, we won’t be ashamed when He returns. He has done the heavy lifting, declaring, “It is finished!” There is no earning, nor striving for us to do. Yet, we must continually abide in Him to finish well.
From: December 2, 2015
Do you ever ask questions of God like, “Why is this happening to me?” The apostle John answers saying not everything has been “revealed” yet, but one thing we can be sure of is that “we are children of God” and we shall “be like” Jesus. That’s God’s goal for us as believers. He is making us like Jesus. “Beloved,” whatever suffering or difficulty you may be going through today may be endured by keeping this end in sight. God is at work in His children, conforming them to the image of His Son (Rom. 8:29).
From: December 2, 2014
Determine to finish well. How? “Remain in fellowship with Christ.” Stay close. If you wander, come back. If you stray, return. If you sin, repent. Keep short accounts. “Remain.” Which is to abide, to stay, to live and walk in constant “fellowship” with Jesus. This is not work or earning. It is remaining. It is clinging continuously to the One who saves us. If we stay in constant fellowship with Him, we won’t be ashamed when He returns. He has done all the work. He declared, “It is finished” on the cross. There is no work for us to do. It is done. Yet, we must remain in Him to finish well ourselves.