The Lord Promising a New Heaven and New Earth

The Lord Promising a New Heaven and New Earth
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance…Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:9, 13)

In our previous meditation, we considered Jesus' promise to return for His people. "I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:3). Many centuries have come and gone with that promise remaining unfulfilled. Consequently, some are inclined to scoff at this promise. The Scriptures have prepared us for this by giving us another promise. "Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days…saying, 'Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation'" (2 Peter 3:3-4). Nevertheless, we who believe God's promises are convinced that He will keep His word and return for us. When He returns, He will fulfill another promise as well: the promise of a new heaven and new earth. "Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells."
Two insights are offered here concerning the Lord's delay in His return. The first one pertains to God's compassion and patience in allowing more opportunity for people to repent and not perish. "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise…but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." The second insight pertains to God's perspective on time. For our eternal Lord, it is as though He made the promise of His return only a couple of days ago! "But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day" (2 Peter 3:8).
Yet, some day the Lord will fulfill His promise to return for us. Then, the new, eternal reality will come. "Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." It is delightful to consider! "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth…And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away'" (Revelation 21:1-4).
Dear Lord, I eagerly await Your appearing.. I rejoice at the place You have prepared for us—a place of righteousness, joy, and peace. Above all, I anticipate dwelling in Your visible presence forever and ever, Amen!

GOD'S WILL: SANCTIFICATION

GOD'S WILL: SANCTIFICATION

1 Thessalonians 4:1-7
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+Thessalonians+4:1-7

Dear Father, sanctifier of families,

Help us to learn how we ought to live and how we ought to please
you. Help us give greater attention and effort to this. Your will
for us is our sanctification, so enable us to abstain from all
immorality.

Many people around us glorify and romanticize lust. Help us to
reject this way of looking at things. Guide believers into
marriages of holiness and honor, giving themselves to each other in
spiritual union with Christ along with the joining of personalities
and bodies.

Help our marriages to be established as the gathering of two in
your name. Help our families to be your church in miniature. Help
every follower of yours respect the marriage relationship of others
and defraud no one in this matter.

You have not called us to uncleanness, but holiness. Thank you,
Father, for this high calling. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

The Lord Promising to Return for Us

The Lord Promising to Return for Us
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:1-3)

Jesus' promise to return for His followers was given to bring them heavenly comfort. How comforting to us, in this troublesome world, to know that Jesus will be back for all of us who have followed Him here on earth.
When the Lord Jesus spoke these words, He would soon be leaving His disciples. He knew that the cross, the resurrection, and His ascension were close at hand. As He spoke of His departure, they were troubled. "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me." One purpose in His leaving was to make ready a heavenly home for those who believed in Him. "I go to prepare a place for you." Then, the promise that followed brought Jesus' ultimate comfort. "I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." Jesus would be returning to take His beloved followers to be with Him again.
After His atoning death and victorious resurrection, the Lord instructed the disciples for a brief season in the matters of His kingdom. Then, it was time to depart. "Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight" (Acts 1:9). Their gaze remained upon this one whom they had come to love. "They looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up" (Acts 1:10). Then, angelic messengers repeated the promise of His return. "This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11). What hope this must have stirred in their yearning hearts.
Throughout the history of the church, loving hearts have longed for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. The apostles were inspired by the Spirit of God to bring us comforting promises of His return. "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). This is the promised hope we are to live in day by day: "looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13).
Dear Lord Jesus, I find sweet comfort in Your promises to return for me. I long to see You face to face. It is inexpressible joy to anticipate being with You forever. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Answered Prayer Promised in Jesus' Name

Answered Prayer Promised in Jesus' Name
"And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." (John 14:13-14)

We who belong to the Lord have a great invitation to thoroughly express our hearts to Him in humble, dependent prayer. "Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him" (Psalm 62:8). We also have a great need to speak to Him. "Without Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). We also have great promises of answered prayer. "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do…If you ask anything in My name, I will do it."
When the people of God are prayerless, they do not receive from the Lord all that He wants to give to them. "You do not have because you do not ask" (James 4:2). At times, God's children pray, but they still do not receive from the Lord. "You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures" (James 4:3). Their prayers are anchored in their own wills and interests. True praying is to be anchored in the will of God. "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him" (1 John 5:14-15).
At this juncture, the Scriptures are vital in our daily prayer life. God's word directs us in praying according to the will of God. "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you" (John 15:7). As we are abiding in (depending upon) Christ, we will want His word to have full sway in our lives. As we consistently get into His word, the Scriptures shape our thoughts and our desires. Consequently, we ask what the Lord teaches us to desire. In that beautiful biblical setting, He promises to give us whatever we ask.
All of this describes the essence of praying in the name of Jesus. Praying in Jesus' name is not merely a formula of words with which to conclude our prayers. Whether we verbalize that phrase or not, it is about praying as Jesus would pray (always concerned with the will of His Father). It is about praying based on all that the word teaches concerning the person and work of the Lord Jesus on our behalf. Those who pray this way enjoy the certainty of these great promises of answered prayer, and they see much glory brought to God. "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it."
Lord Jesus, thank You for these great promises of answered prayer. Teach me to pray in Your name. Please shape my praying by all that Your word reveals concerning Your will and Your work on my behalf. In Your precious name, I pray, Amen.

CARE FOR ABSENT LOVED ONES

CARE FOR ABSENT LOVED ONES

1 Thessalonians 3:1-13
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+Thessalonians+3:1-13

Dear Father, our partner in caring,

How hard it is to be far away from those we want to encourage to
walk in your ways. We leave them in your hands, Lord, and ask you
to send your angels to guard their ways. Keep those that we love
from the power of the tempter. Grant us good news from them. We
long to hear that they are learning more and more of your will and
growing in your grace. Let us know that they are standing firm in
truth.

What thanksgiving we send before your throne, what joy we feel
for them before you, our God. What a torrent of prayer we pour out
before you that whatever is lacking in their faith may be supplied!

Make us the agents who will supply their spiritual needs. Let
there be many times for us and our loved ones to be together for
times of refreshment in your word and in prayer.

In the name of Jesus I ask. Amen.

Jesus answered and said unto them,

Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this [which is done] to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. (Matthew 21:21)

We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us! With the Lord of all sovereignty behind us, we can be confident that He will ever enable us to accomplish His will.

My Prayer: Help me, Lord, to grow in faith! I thank You for granting us Your power to trust ever more deeply in You!

A MARVELOUS MESSAGE

A MARVELOUS MESSAGE

1 Thessalonians 1:2-8
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+Thessalonians+1:2-8

Dear Father,

Thank you for the great numbers of believers in Jesus Christ, for
their works of faith, their labors of love, and their steadfastness
of hope which they have in Christ. Thank you for choosing all of us
and calling us to yourself by the Good News about Jesus. Thank you
that this marvelous message came to us not only in word, but in
power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. Thank you
for the example of your apostles as demonstrations of what the Good
News about Jesus can do in human lives.

Help us to imitate their labors, suffering, and joys in the Holy
Spirit so that we may become examples to others.

Let our faith, like theirs, go forth everywhere to all men so that
all men will turn from vain idols and self-worship to serve you,
the living and true God.

In the name of Jesus I pray and give thanks to you. Amen.