This Day in History: 0000-06-28

June 28 – 1 Peter 4:7-8 

The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. 

Do we believe it? Do we live like we know the end of the world is coming? Do we trust that it will indeed be soon? Most importantly, does that knowledge inspire a sense of urgency in us to both see the church unified and His message spread before its too late? Friends, though I do believe it, I must confess I can’t honestly answer yes to any of the other questions – and of that I am ashamed. 

We don’t know God’s time table, but we know He told us He will come again, and we know He said it would be soon. So as His children we absolutely MUST live a life that demonstrates our faith in that truth. 

I know it’s hard. I’ve confessed I fail far more often than I succeed, but I want God to change me. I want to be a fierce and trustworthy warrior in His battle against the enemy! Praise God the text tells me exactly how to get started – I must pray with devotion and discipline, and I must show deep love for my brothers and sisters in Christ.  

Friends, discipline is not a strength of mine. I LOVE to start things. I’m not so good at finishing them. I have about a million good ideas floating around in my head, but focusing in and spending significant time centered in prayer? That’s tough. Even more difficult for me is doing so in a way that is intentional and well organized. But as I’ve recognized my weaknesses, and asked God for help, you know what? He has been faithful to answer. He has greatly helped me in setting a prayer routine first thing in the morning. He has aided my focus and led me to several resources available to help me organize this time. He can and will do the same for you. You need only ask… and then take each step out in obedience as He leads. 

Finally, the last part of this command is to love our brothers and sisters deeply. That one isn’t always super easy either, is it? We are flawed. Every last one of us. It is HARD to love flawed people. Nonetheless, it is what we’ve been called to do. So let’s look to our Lord and allow Him to show us how to love like He does. Deeply. Sacrificially. Completely! As His dearly loved children ourselves, His love has become a part of us, and we must ask Him to help us learn how to let it flow out.