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Monday, March 30, 2009

Storm coming
Late yesterday afternoon a large storm, hail and all, passed through our area. I took this farm photo near Strasburg looking west as the storm was coming.  

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"What Kind Of People Ought We To Be?"

"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming" (2 Peter 3:10-12).

Photo of Three Mile Island nuclear power plantThirty years ago the area in which we now live was in the midst of a gripping fear. There had been an accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant, which is only 10 miles away from where we live. At that time I was just beginning my ministry in another part of Pennsylvania, but I remember the fears and speculations being made as to what might happen.  I recall my older brother, Mike, calling from California and expressing concern. In retrospect living over 200 miles away from the accident site I don't recall sensing any urgent fear at that time, but was listening intently to any news regarding the potential disaster.

However for those who lived in close proximity to the plant it was a very stressful time. Pregnant women and children were urged to leave the area. There was concern about the release of radiation or even a catastrophic meltdown. Thankfully the situation was contained and here we are thirty years later. I have a friend who was one of the technicians working at the plant at the very time of the accident.  He shares an interesting perspective as to his being impounded on the island during the entire event.*

Our daily text speaks of a future catastrophic event. "The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare." Now certainly there are various interpretations regarding what this will entail but it certainly speaks of a level of cataclysmic destruction barely imaginable.

My purpose in this encouragement is not to speculate as to what this event might be or just how it fits into an eschatological view. There are scores of books and various views written about the end times.  The Apostle Peter gives us no further details, but goes on to ask the rhetorical question, "Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be?"

The same thought is directed to God's people today. Whether living in view of our imminent death or uncertainties concerning world situations, financial upheaval, natural disasters, terrorist attacks or the most certain future destruction of the current order.  What kind of people ought we to be? We have the answer to this question answered by Peter. We ought to live holy and godly lives as we look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.

Image of Christ appearing in clouds
And how do we speed the Lord's coming?  It is hastened by our obedience in fulfilling the great commission (Matthew 28:19,20).  Peter wrote that God is not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (1 Peter 3:9). Another way we hasten the Lord's coming is mentioned in the Lord's prayer (Matthew 6:10).  Jesus taught us to pray, "Your kingdom come…"  And lastly, we speed His coming by living holy and godly lives.


Today, let us heed these solemn words from the Holy Scriptures. An event far greater than the worst type of nuclear accident, natural disaster or terrorist attack is forthcoming. Our call as followers of Christ remains to live holy and godly lives, to look forward to that glorious Day, and to do our part in speeding its coming.


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, You desire that we live holy and godly lives as we eagerly await the reappearing of Your Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Nothing here on earth compares with the anticipation we feel about that glorious day.  We want to speed Christ's coming by sharing the gospel message to those near and far.  Help us not to be timid or apathetic, but keep us enthused and eager to share the message of salvation so that we speed Your Son's return.  Amen.



* My friend continues to work at Three Mile Island. (It's called Three Mile island due to it being an island in the Susquehanna River) The unit that was involved in the accident is no longer used, but the other unit (which was not involved in the accident) still produces electricity.



Photo of tired kids!
Team horses!



Today's Suggested Music
and Supplemental Resources
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"Holiness Is What I Long For"  Video   Audio

"Take My Life"  Video   Audio

"Take My Life and Let It Be"  Audio

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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.

Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

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