Advent - Waiting for God's Promise

Daily Advent Lectionary Readings - Sunday December 10th 
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 
Isaiah 40:1-11
Mark 1:1-8
2 Peter 3:8-15a

But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God's righteousness. And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight. And remember, our Lord's patience gives people time to be saved. 2 Peter 3:8-15a

Just as people were waiting for the Messiah before Jesus was born, we are waiting--anticipating His return. Here in this scripture passage God's giving us instruction to live pure and holy lives before Him. What is this? The heavens will go away with a Big Bang? Is that how it sounded when the earth was created....as some people think that everything began with a Big Bang? Will we ever know? Will it matter? Lots of questions. God has promised to create a NEW Heaven and a NEW Earth. That is a wonderful promise--and as we lying to that promise we need to read closely what He expects of us during thi time of waiting. Make every effort to live in peace--pure and blameless lives. Listen and obey. God doesn't micromanage us--He just occasionally tells us what He expects us to do. In this case...live pure and peaceful lives.

Prayer ~ Heavenly Father, I trust You and Your plan for mankind. I'm waiting--like You--patiently. You are waiting for people to believe and repent. I am waiting for Christ's return. This Advent season brings us again to the crossroads of our lives. Judgment is ahead. I choose to make every effort to live a peaceful life that is pure and blameless before You.

Daily Bible Reading: Romans 11-13
Advent Random Act of Kindness - Complement at least five people today. 

© 2017 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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