Marching Orders for the Last Days

 ⁷ Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. 

The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, 

being patient about it, 

until it gets the early and late rains.  

⁸ You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, 

for the coming of the Lord is near.  

⁹ Do not complain, brethren, against one another,  

so that you yourselves may not be judged; 

behold, the Judge is standing right at the door. 

(James 5:7-9 NASU). 

                                        Be Patient like the Farmer

The above verses were part of my Bible reading this morning. Such a timely reminder from James, the Lord's brother for the day in which we live.

The Apostle Paul wrote similar words to his young disciple, Timothy: “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come (2 Timothy 3:1 NASU).

Are the times we live in difficult? Indeed they are. We are living in the day of a pandemic from a virus that has no certain prevention or treatment. Natural disasters are many and deadly; uncontrolled forest fires in California and hurricanes out of the Atlantic Ocean take lives and homes. Swarms of tornados in the Midwest and the South; Tension and war between nations; Israel surrounded by enemies and threatened by terrorism; rampant immorality around the world; racial tension, protests, riots, and looting in the cities of America; the most contentious presidential campaign in my lifetime; and a president who is ill with Covid 19—these are perilous times. Anxiety and stress are at record levels and suicides are increasing.

What am I, a follower of Jesus, supposed to do in these days? Jesus was asked a similar question by His enemies. A Pharisee asked Him, “What is the greatest commandment?” He might as well have asked, “What is the most important thing I must do to please God?” Jesus gave an answer that echoes down to our day. His words are our marching orders today, tomorrow, and until He returns. In Matthew 22:37-40 we read His answer.

“  ³⁷ You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  ³⁸ This is the great and first commandment.  ³⁹ And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  ⁴⁰  On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

Our Commander has given us marching orders for these last days. First of all, while He walked among us Jesus said, “Love the Lord; love your neighbor!" Look around you, beloved friends, do you see believers loving God and loving each other? How about you, are you loving God and loving your brothers and sisters in the Lord and your unbelieving friends? Sometimes God’s people focus less on the message of the Bible and more on the message of division found in the news and social media? 

The first order for our journey toward godliness is love and that love should reach out, not only to our friends but also to those whom we perceive as enemies. It should reach to those who wear masks and to those who do not wear masks. It should reach to those who are on the right side of the political aisle and those who are on the left. It should reach out to those whose words we agree with and those whose words we believe to be false. Love is the key that makes the life of every believer shine. It is the only action (and it is an action, not an emotion!) that can change the world

James gives us a second mandate for these last days. He says, “Be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord.” We are to wait like a farmer waits for his crop to be ready for harvest. He must wait patiently for the rain to come at its proper time. He must be patient when the rains are delayed or when they come at a time that threatens his crop. He cannot hurry the harvest or it will be worthless. Do you find patient waiting easy? I surely don’t. 

And then James gets even more meddlesome. He says, “Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door.” I hear a lot of complaining these days. There is complaining about people telling us what to do: wear masks; social distance; close your business; don’t sing in your worship; okay, you can sing but only if you meet outside; And on and on it goes. I will not express my opinion about any of these things. However, I will go back to James’ advice and remind you that whatever position you take, you must love, be patient, and not complain against your brother who may see things differently than you do. This difficult time is a time to come together in love, not a time to create division and alienation within the Body of Christ.

The Lord’s coming is soon. The Judge is standing at the door. God’s got all the disasters of our world under His direct control. He has His hand on President Trump as he works from the hospital and He has already decided who will be President of the United States for the next four years. We may or may not get the president we want, but we will get the person who will accomplish God’s plan for this nation.

Now, imagine with me what would happen if every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ would demonstrate love and patience and train his tongue not to complain. Would our world be transformed? Indeed it would. Of course, you and I can’t change the behavior of other Christian brothers and sisters, but by God’s grace and with His resurrection power we can be obedient to the Word of God. We can love God and others, and we can be patient and quit complaining.

By the power of the Holy Spirit who indwells me, I intend to walk in love and obedience and I ask God to hold my tongue when the thought to complain enters my head. How about you? Will you join me?

God's people worship together at Ripon Grace, Ripon, California

UNDER THE BIG OAK TREE

Many years ago when my Grandma Grover (Ida) was residing in a skilled nursing facility because of age related disabilities, I visited her there almost every day. It was good for me and it was good for her. I took my current crochet project and sat and chatted with her while she lay in her bed unable to get up or even sit up straight. Occasionally a nurse or an aide would stop by to see how she was and she would tell them, "This is my granddaughter; we're just keeping company." 

Today I'm sitting at my computer wishing I could go "keep company" with Grandma for one more afternoon, but she has graduated from her earth-life. There are many saints who lie out in the graveyard on Dakota Avenue in Modesto whom I would love to "keep company" with one more time. My son, Stephen, my best friend, Linda, Aunt Mary Ellen (who was like a second mother to me when my mother was ill), my dad and mom, and many others lie there. It's too late--such sad words.

But when I leave my computer I will go to keep company with my very best friend, Jesus. I meet Him many places and carry Him with me always, but one of my favorite places to meet Him is under the Big Oak Tree in Wilma Park. It's a wonderful prayer place. Our back gate opens to the park and because of the Covid-19 pandemic I usually have the park all to myself. I take a lawn chair and open it in the shade of that lovely tree, and then I relax, breath deeply, and meet my Savior. 

The temperature is usually 10-20 degrees cooler there in the shade of the big oak--very comfortable. My foot will be on a stool, (still recovering from my broken leg). My Bible (on the phone) will be in my hands, and I will be spending a little time talking to Jesus and hearing from Him through His Word. 

It's not quiet there under the Oak Tree; there's a scrub jay somewhere in the top of that big tree that calls to me. The jays are not happy when I'm sharing their space. They show their displeasure by flying low over our swimming pool. Our great-grandson loves to watch them zoom dive us. I don't mind sharing the Big Oak Tree with them. I  praise God as I watch them for the gracefulness with which He has created them. 

The times with loved ones are precious but limited. We will all die physically someday. But time with my Savior Jesus Christ will never end. The author of the book of Hebrews says, ". . . but he holds his priesthood permanently because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:24-25). Jesus won't ever die and He is forever carrying my needs and yours before the Father in Heaven.

If you are anxious and depressed about the times we live in, perhaps you need to find a spot (it can be inside or outside, your choice) where you can keep company with Jesus. He promises that He will meet you there. You can talk to Him about anything--the big things and the little things--He cares about everything that touches His children. You can trust Him! He is eager for you to find a moment or two in your busy schedule to spend time with Him. If you are like me, easily distracted by laundry, dishes, or a dirty kitchen floor 😕, maybe you need to find a spot like my prayer tree to meet with your forever Friend. 

He is waiting for you today. You can depend on His faithfulness. When all the world seems to be collapsing around you, He is a firm foundation, a stronghold that cannot be shaken.

 

If you see me under the Big Oak Tree and you need to talk, stop and join me. We'll keep company with Jesus together, social distancing and masks included. 💙

His Servant  Lois

"FOR HE LOVES US"

It was an uncertain time for the Jewish people. Think about it! How would you like to wander around and around in the wilderness for 40 years, setting up your tent only to tear it down and move on. How would you like to bury all of your grandparents, fathers, and mothers in the sands of the desert in unmarked graves?  Finally the time comes to cross the Jordan River, which is in flood stage, and face the kings of Canaan. You are exited but terrified! 

It was, indeed, a scary time. There were giants in the land, well-fortified cities, and strong armies. The people of Canaan would be fighting for their homes and for their lives. In spite of all the uncertainty and fear, Joshua led the people to victory and settled them in Canaan, a land flowing with milk and honey. 

It had been a long and difficult struggle, a time of violence and war, but they were home. Perhaps some of them patted themselves on the back and bragged about the strength of their armies and the bravery of their soldiers.

Many years later one of the music directors at the temple in Jerusalem pinned these lines to describe the time of the conquest of Canaan:

 "It was not by their sword 

that they won the land,

nor did their arm 

bring them victory;

it was your right hand, your arm,

and the light of your face, 

for you loved them." 

(Psalm 44:3 NIV)

Today we face frightening times. We are struggling with the Covid-19 pandemic; people are dying. We are facing massive wildfires in the west, strong hurricanes in the south, protests, riots, and looting in our biggest cities, political division, and tornados in the Midwest. Believers around the world are being martyred for their faith. Many of the things facing us are beyond our control. What to do? Can we depend on politicians to solve our problems? Can we worry the issues away? Will we succumb to depression, belligerence, or fatalism?

There is only one solution to the big issues of 2020 and the solution does not lie in us. It lies in the loving hands of a faithful God. We will not win the victory because of how smart or strong or determined we are. We will be victorious because our God has a strong arm to save. He turns His face to us and we have light and joy. He rescues us because He loves us!

We can rest securely through every disaster because our God is able to hold us in His right hand of power. He is able to save us through the Lord Jesus Christ who became one of us and understands what it is like to live in our world. We have assurance and comfort through God the Holy Spirit who actually lives in us and feels with us every concern and anxiety. We are well protected by the Triune God.

We can rest in Him. 

 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,

 and I will give you rest. 

 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, 

for I am gentle and humble in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls. 

 For my yoke is easy 

and my burden is light." 

(Matthew 11:28-30 NIV)

GOD WALKS

 My mother's life was dark and stormy at times. She was bi-polar. She wasn't diagnosed until she was in her 80s--she only knew she was

When dark storms characterize my life
I remember there is no darkness with God

"different". I remember many nights lying in my room listening to her sob in her room. Often  I arrived home from school to find her in her bed with the covers pulled over her head. Her deep depression, despondency and sadness impacted the entire family. I also remember times when she was the life of the party. Some days I would arrive home to find her tearing out a wall in the kitchen or tackling a major re-landscaping of the garden. It was not something we talked much about with other people. When mom wasn't able to be in church or at school functions we just said she was "not feeling well". Very few people understood her struggles. When Mom was diagnosed as bi-polar she was thrilled. She said, "I knew there was something wrong and now I finally know what it is!"

During one of the stormy times of her life, when she felt the darkness closing in on her, she wrote a poem of faith. When storms trouble me, I read it again and feel my mother's heart once more.

GOD WALKS

If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me:

even the night shall be light around me."

Psalm 139:11 (KJV)

O, weary child, upon life's rugged way,

With shoulders bowed beneath a crushing load,

And bleeding feet from thorns along the way

That tear and cut all through the blazing day--

If sun and flowers are faded now from sight,

And  moon and stars reluctant give no light, 

Remember still--

God walks the velvet blackness of the night..

God walks--He ever searches all the ways

To find His child, in cheerless toil along the road;

To wipe the tears from eyes that blinded gaze

On weary miles of ever winding ways--

To softly speak his name, as healing light 

Like gentle rain illuminates his flight;

Remember still--

God walks the velvet blackness of the night.

God walks--oh, never think you are alone!

Or that He doesn't care about your cries;

There's not a child of His to Him unknown--

He knows, God knows, the ones who are His own.

So put your hand in His, walk in His light,

And everything one day will be made right

Remember still--

With God there is no blackness in the night.

~~Vera Miller

Mom is in Glory now. All the dark nights of her life are past and all the storms are stilled. Soon we will join her where there is no darkness--God is the light of that future home. 

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." Revelation 21:4 (KJV)

Sunrise is coming!

LEARNING FROM THE GIANTS

If you know me at all you probably know that the Coastal Redwood forests are one of my favorite places in the whole world. If you come to the west coast, I will encourage you to take time to wander through these amazing trees. Their official name is Sequoia Sempervirens, Latin for “forever living,” and they can live for over 2000 years. They are found only in Northern California, nowhere else in the world. This is part of God’s creation you won’t want to miss.


My favorite place in the redwoods is a short trail in the Humboldt Redwood State Park called the Drury Cheney Trail. The trail winds about 2 ½ miles through old growth redwoods surrounded by an abundance of redwood sorrel and ferns taller than my head. The trail is well marked and starts near the north end of the Avenue of the Giants.

When God created these massive giants He was surely thinking of the lessons they would teach all who bothered to observe them carefully. I hope the lessons I have learned in the land of the north will help you appreciate these giants as you walk among them.

The first thing you will noticed about the Coastal Redwoods is their height. They can grow to over 300 feet tall (the tallest known living redwood is 379.7 feet tall) and they point straight toward heaven. They may be 8 to 20 feet in diameter. The tops of the redwoods are inhabited by many living things, most of whom never will touch the ground. Hundreds of different plant species live high in the air where we can’t see them, nurtured in the branches and trunks of the great trees. There are many birds, insects, and bats that live off the trees as well.

In spite of their height, redwood roots go only six to twelve feet deep making us wonder how these giants stay standing when the winds blow on them and when other trees fall against them. They have a secret. They send those shallow roots out fifty to one hundred feet, digging into the crevices of rocks and intertwining with the root systems of other trees. The forest is interdependent. They know they need each other.

The redwood trees do not cease to be useful when they die. One of the things I love about the redwood trees is the fact that when the giant falls, it becomes nourishment for other parts of the forest. Ferns, redwood sorrel, and little trees dig their roots deep into the fallen giant and are fed as they grow. Walking in the forest you will frequently come to a large circular area surrounded by small to medium size redwood trees. That bare spot is the area where a giant once stood. Although it is no longer standing and there may be no sign of it left, all the trees surrounding the area where it once stood are drawing nourishment from the decaying roots of their fallen parent.

Some botanists suggest that if a redwood tree becomes diseased or malnourished it will draw nourishment and energy through its roots connecting with the roots of the trees around it. Those neighbors will feed the tree until it is healthy once again.

God intends that those of us who are members of the body of Christ be very like those redwoods forests. He has given us giants who provide comfort and encouragement to those of us newer in our faith and He has made us dependent on each other and on Him.

I look around my church and see faithful men and women who live, not for this world and all they can accumulate for their own comfort, but to serve God and others--the folks who pick up the elderly on Sunday morning and get them to church, the couples who make themselves available to counsel with those who are struggling in their marriages, some who clean house and pull weeds and fix cars for the single mom or for one fighting terminal cancer, those who take meals to the bereaved and those who are willing to just listen. The list could go on and on. As each of us does our little part the forest becomes strong and nurturing.

Then there are the giants who have fallen--men like Gilbert, Warren, Ed, Jack, and many others. They were gifted men who prayed powerful prayers, served sacrificially, and taught us to live by and treasure God’s Word. Women like Eunice, Bernice, Jackie, and Sophie taught us to love and serve our husbands and children and to spread that love out to cover others who were not blessed with Christian homes and godly examples to emulate. They taught us how to read and study God’s Word and how to apply it to our daily lives. Although they have passed from our sight into the presence of their Savior, their impact lingers as young ones who have been touched by them grow up to take their place and the forest continues to grow strong.

In God’s family we need one another. Like the redwood tree sends out its roots to twine around the roots of its neighbors in the forest, so we must draw close to other believers and depend on them when we are weak. God wants us to be there for each other. If one is weak, someone will step in to share the burden and strengthen the struggling. If one falls into sin, someone will confront in love and draw the straying one back. By loving one another, encouraging one another, being kind to one another, and instructing one another, we each contribute to the health of the body. We don’t always do it well—in fact, we often fail to do it at all—but we, too, are yet imperfect. God is still working on us.

In eternity we will see the entire forest at last. We will finally understand how the forest was blessed and strengthened by the small part that we played as we submitted to the Holy Spirit and allowed Him to work through us. Surely the mighty redwoods have many lessons to teach us.

The Woman of Samaria: An Outcast Brought In

Taken from the book, "Women Just Like Us"

  (Matthew 1, 2, 26-28; Luke 1 and 2; John 19-21; Acts 1 and 2)

Mary, what an amazing woman she was--she is regarded as almost divine by many but in fact, she was a woman much like you and me. She had struggles, worries, emotions, and thoughts much like those you and I face daily. Let's take time this Christmas to remember Mary and imagine what her pregnancy and the birth of Jesus were like for her.

The Names

Mary means "bitter, grieved, rebellious," an interesting name for the woman who would be the mother of the Messiah.

The name Jesus means "Savior"

Mary's Story - Read Luke 1:26-38 and Matthew 1:18-25.

Out in the countryside of Galilee life was going on as usual. In the little town of Nazareth, nestled among the hills, the seasons came and went, the crops flourished or failed and life was pretty ordinary for the teens in town. All except Mary, that is. Mary was excited. She went about her daily chores with cheerfulness and occasionally broke into song as she contemplated her coming marriage.

As long as Mary could remember she had known that her family had an arrangement with another family in town that would provide her with a husband. She knew her father had promised her to Joseph and whenever she had the chance she watched this strong man go about town. She wondered what it would be like to be married to him. She wondered if he would like her. Neither she nor Joseph had had any say in the original agreement to marry them to each other, but neither of them would have considered objecting to the arrangement. This was just the way it was done in Israel.

The betrothal, which was the second step in the process of marriage, had been announced only recently. The betrothal period was formal and much more binding that the engagement period we are acquainted with. After the betrothal was announced, the union was legal and could only be broken by an official divorce. During the betrothal period Mary continued to live in the home of her father while Joseph began to build a house for them to occupy after the actual marriage ceremony. Sexual relations were not permitted during the betrothal even though the bride and the groom were legally bound to each other.

No one, not even Mary and Joseph, knew when the marriage ceremony would take place. It was up to the groom's father to determine when the couple's home was ready to be occupied and to send Joseph to collect his bride. It could happen at any time of the day or night and part of the fun was the secrecy. When Joseph's father gave the word, the official marriage ceremony would occur and the bride and groom would begin their life together.

Mary was patiently waiting for the day of her wedding when she received an unexpected visitor, an angel messenger who informed her that she would become a mother before her marriage was consumated. Think about it. Mary was just a simple peasant girl. She lived in a very small and unimportant village in a despised part of the Roman Empire. She was probably quite young, possible only 13 or 14 years of age. She was not of the upper classes, probably not well educated, and certainly not of the right background to be the mother of a king. She was surely very surprised that God had chosen her instead of someone higher up in the Jewish pecking order.

At the time of Jesus' conception Mary and Joseph were engaged and legally bound together. However, they were not yet living together and had not been sexually intimate. Mary knew enough about the facts of life to know that a child must have a father and a mother. No wonder she responded to the angel, "How shall this be since I am a virgin."

It's interesting what Mary didn't say. She didn't say, "Don't be ridiculous, that's impossible." She didn't say, "Absolutely not! I'm not that kind of a girl." She didn't say, "Can I have a little time to think about this? After all, it is going to cause a major disruption of my plans." Mary said, "I am the Lord's servant, may it be to me as you have said" (Luke 1:38).

I wonder if Mary had any concept of how much her submission to God would change her life. First of all, she was giving up her good reputation. Nazareth was a small town. Everyone knew everyone else's business. Mary would be whispered about and snickered about and gossiped about as the girl who got pregnant before she got married.

In our century a pregnancy out of marriage is not such a big deal. In fact, it is common and hardly noticed. In Mary's culture it was a very big deal. Mary was asked to become pregnant out of wedlock in a culture where such a pregnancy was grounds for stoning. Even if she was not executed as the Law of Moses required, she would be ostracized from the Jewish community as an immoral woman. For the rest of her life she would hear rumors and innuendos about who the father of her baby might be. The women and girls of Nazareth would tut-tut and whisper behind her back. At the very least, she could expect that her marriage to Joseph would never be consumated. I'm sure Mary was aware of these things but they didn't enter into her response. God had called and she was willing.

How do you respond to God? Sometimes God asks us to do things that seem just a little bit much. Perhaps they seem difficult or unreasonable, humanly speaking. Perhaps they just don't make sense to you. Do you obey such instructions as Mary did with no hesitation in spite of the potential cost to you personally?

The fact that Joseph agreed to wed Mary was not the end of her difficulties. When her pregnancy was full-term she was required to make a seventy mile trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem. In spite of the many pictures of the young couple with their donkey, it is possible that Mary and Joseph traveled on foot. They were poor folks and it is doubtful that they could afford a donkey to carry them. Soon after they arrived in Bethlehem the Son of God was born in a place where animals were sheltered, probably a cave in the rock. His birthplace was surely not like the bright pleasant stable that is pictured in nativity scenes with clean straw and well-kept animals. More likely it was dark and dirty and smelly, full of spiders and animal droppings, hardly the place where one would wish to give birth. The manger in which Jesus was laid was probably a trough cut into the rock walls of the cave. His clothing was rags wrapped tightly around Him in the custom of the times and His obstetrician/midwife was probably His stepfather, Joseph.

Have you ever thought of how Mary felt as she and Joseph made the long and tiring journey and then delivered Mary's baby all alone? They had to be exhausted and we don't know if either of them had attended a delivery before. It must have been a frightening experience. They would have been concerned about the health of their baby and His mother in those lowly accommodations. Perhaps they wondered about the financial future of their family. How would they provide for a baby so far from home? Surely God asked a lot of them that night. They are an example of the deep and abiding faith that trusts when life is confusing and difficult.

The story of Mary does not end there. We think she was widowed while still young because Joseph is not mentioned in the Bible after Jesus' childhood. She became the mother of a homeless, traveling Rabbi who was out of favor with those in power. She saw Him falsely accused, maligned, arrested and crucified. In her later years she lived in the home of Jesus' friend John. Her life was anything but normal and she experienced deep pain and loss.

Did Mary regret her decision to be the "handmaiden of the Lord"? I doubt it. She may have wondered and even doubted as her Son's life took a very different track than she expected. I'm sure her heart ached and she wept often. However, I'm sure her faith and trust in God remained strong. She was surely called to a difficult life but what a rich reward to stand before her Son and hear Him say to her, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" And perhaps, "Thank you, Mother."

Jill Brisco has written a thought provoking poem about Mary that challenged me and will touch you I'm sure.

​​​CHOOSING TO BE CHOSEN

​​​​​​​​How many Marys, Lord, were there? How many times did you try?
How often did Gabriel venture through the myriad stars of the sky?
How many miniscule humans? How many a devout little maid
Heard your request for a body and answered you thus so afraid.
"My love, Lord, you have it. My will, Lord is Thine.
I, to mighty Jehovah, my worship assign,
But my body, my body, my body, 'tis mine."

​How many Marys, Lord, were there, till Gabriel found her at prayer?
How many angels in glory, were wondrously envious of her?
And how did it feel, Lord, to see her, and watch at your feet as she fell?
As she yielded her soul and her spirit and gave you a body as well?
"My love, Lord, you have it. My will, Lord, 'tis Thine.
I, to mighty Jehovah, my worship assign,
And my body, my body, my body, 'tis thine!"

(From Heartbeat by Jill Briscoe, Copyright 1991, Harold Shaw Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, pg. 37)

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

1. What most impresses you about Mary's life and choices?

2. What does Mary's song reveal about Mary? (Luke 1:46-55)

3. Try to put yourself in Mary's position as she prepared to give birth in a stable (probably a cave in the hillside near Bethlehem. Think of what she might have felt, heard, smelled, and feared.

4. Simon said a sword would pierce Mary's heart. The following passages describe some of Mary's experiences that may have been very painful to her. After reading each passage determine how the experience may have impacted Mary.

• John 2:1-11
• Luke 11:27-28
• Matthew 12:46-50
• John 19:25

5. What a challenge—to willingly surrender all of us, soul, and spirit, even our body to Jesus. Can you make the commitment Mary made today? Or are you continuing to hold something back from the Lord?     

AND THEN THE SUN CAME OUT

Winter Fog in Our Valley

Ripon in the winter . . . I started out that January morning in a sweatshirt with a wool scarf and heavy gloves. It was chilly (don’t laugh, east coast friends). The fog hung over our town like a damp white blanket. One mile into my walk when I was just beginning to wonder why I hadn’t worn a heavy coat the sun came out. First I shed the scarf, tying it on the strap of my fanny pack. Then it was the gloves which went in the fanny pack. Finally, when I reached McDonald's I took off the sweatshirt and tied it around my neck while I enjoyed an iced tea with lots of ice. It’s only a forty minute walk from my house to McDonald's and I went from shivering to sweating in that short while. What a difference the sun makes.

I’m thinking of what a difference the Son will make when He appears to rule and reign for a thousand years and then usher in the eternal state. He will come to a world that is even darker than the world we live in today. He will come to a world of hearts that are cold and feet that hasten to evil. Men and women will be going about their business focused on their own selfish desires. And then the Son will come.

The Day of the Lord will be a day of judgment according to the prophets. However, the judgment will wipe away all the schemes of Satan and all the self-serving plans of wicked men and women. The earth will be cleansed and God will usher in a new age of righteousness. When the Son of God rules on earth there will be no terrorist threats, no corrupt governments, and no poverty or homelessness. There will be no gang fights and no prison walls to incarcerate the lawless. There will be no abortion, divorce, or child abuse. There will be no lack of water, no lack of food, in fact there will be no lack at all.

I’m watching and waiting for a time when the Son of God will gather His bride home. Darkness will reign for a time and wrath will be poured out on an unrepentant world. Then the cold darkness of this world will be pierced by the Son of God as He arrives triumphant. When He comes to reign in righteousness I will be with Him, part of a great throng of the redeemed of all ages whom He has gathered to Himself. I wonder what this world will look like when it is restored by its Creator. I’m certain that it will be far more remarkable that any of us can imagine.

It won’t be long now. Jesus said in Revelation 22:20, “Yes, I am coming soon.”

And we say, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”