Dear readers,
September has arrived with some very warm temperatures. This is not unusual, as this month can contain a variety of weather conditions. This weekend was the final busy weekend here at the lake. There were activities for all ages enjoyed by all. Things will be much slower now until next spring when the summer season begins.
Labor Day is one of those events that calls for early copy for the newspapers, and I am challenged to put my mind in gear a little sooner than normal. So here goes…
There are crazy things going on in our country and around the world. I am drawn to the scriptures that tell us of things concerning the end times of which Jesus spoke. He told us despite these signs, we are not to be alarmed. It is easy for us to be anxious about things we don’t understand, but He is in control and we need to trust Him.
His disciples asked at one point, “Tell us when this will happen, and what will be the sign of your coming at the end of the age?”
Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ, and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains” (Matthew 24:3-8).
It does no good to speculate on the timing of His return. Many individuals over the years have predicted His second coming, but they have all been wrong. Jesus said, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matthews 24:36).
The Lord wants everyone to accept His salvation, but some day He will keep His promise and return. We are told, “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:8-9).
For Him,
Pastor Jerry
sandhillspastor 