Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - "Family Reunions" & "Getting Ready" – Friday, 21 & Saturday, 22 November 2014

Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - "Family Reunions" & "Getting Ready" – Friday, 21 & Saturday, 22 November 2014 - Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17The Anarchist
1-3 Now, friends, read these next words carefully. Slow down and don’t go jumping to conclusions regarding the day when our Master, Jesus Christ, will come back and we assemble to welcome him. Don’t let anyone shake you up or get you excited over some breathless report or rumored letter from me that the day of the Master’s arrival has come and gone. Don’t fall for any line like that.
3-5 Before that day comes, a couple of things have to happen. First, the Apostasy. Second, the debut of the Anarchist, a real dog of Satan. He’ll defy and then take over every so-called god or altar. Having cleared away the opposition, he’ll then set himself up in God’s Temple as “God Almighty.” Don’t you remember me going over all this in detail when I was with you? Are your memories that short?
6-8 You’ll also remember that I told you the Anarchist is being held back until just the right time. That doesn’t mean that the spirit of anarchy is not now at work. It is, secretly and underground. But the time will come when the Anarchist will no longer be held back, but will be let loose. But don’t worry. The Master Jesus will be right on his heels and blow him away. The Master appears and—puff!—the Anarchist is out of there.
9-12 The Anarchist’s coming is all Satan’s work. All his power and signs and miracles are fake, evil sleight of hand that plays to the gallery of those who hate the truth that could save them. And since they’re so obsessed with evil, God rubs their noses in it—gives them what they want. Since they refuse to trust truth, they’re banished to their chosen world of lies and illusions.
13-14 Meanwhile, we’ve got our hands full continually thanking God for you, our good friends—so loved by God! God picked you out as his from the very start. Think of it: included in God’s original plan of salvation by the bond of faith in the living truth. This is the life of the Spirit he invited you to through the Message we delivered, in which you get in on the glory of our Master, Jesus Christ.
15-17 So, friends, take a firm stand, feet on the ground and head high. Keep a tight grip on what you were taught, whether in personal conversation or by our letter. May Jesus himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech.
2 Peter 3: In the Last Days
1-2 My dear friends, this is now the second time I’ve written to you, both letters reminders to hold your minds in a state of undistracted attention. Keep in mind what the holy prophets said, and the command of our Master and Savior that was passed on by your apostles.
3-4 First off, you need to know that in the last days, mockers are going to have a heyday. Reducing everything to the level of their puny feelings, they’ll mock, “So what’s happened to the promise of his Coming? Our ancestors are dead and buried, and everything’s going on just as it has from the first day of creation. Nothing’s changed.”
5-7 They conveniently forget that long ago all the galaxies and this very planet were brought into existence out of watery chaos by God’s word. Then God’s word brought the chaos back in a flood that destroyed the world. The current galaxies and earth are fuel for the final fire. God is poised, ready to speak his word again, ready to give the signal for the judgment and destruction of the desecrating skeptics.
The Day the Sky Will Collapse
8-9 Don’t overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day. God isn’t late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn’t want anyone lost. He’s giving everyone space and time to change.
10 But when the Day of God’s Judgment does come, it will be unannounced, like a thief. The sky will collapse with a thunderous bang, everything disintegrating in a huge conflagration, earth and all its works exposed to the scrutiny of Judgment.
11-13 Since everything here today might well be gone tomorrow, do you see how essential it is to live a holy life? Daily expect the Day of God, eager for its arrival. The galaxies will burn up and the elements melt down that day—but we’ll hardly notice. We’ll be looking the other way, ready for the promised new heavens and the promised new earth, all landscaped with righteousness.
14-16 So, my dear friends, since this is what you have to look forward to, do your very best to be found living at your best, in purity and peace. Interpret our Master’s patient restraint for what it is: salvation. Our good brother Paul, who was given much wisdom in these matters, refers to this in all his letters, and has written you essentially the same thing. Some things Paul writes are difficult to understand. Irresponsible people who don’t know what they are talking about twist them every which way. They do it to the rest of the Scriptures, too, destroying themselves as they do it.
17-18 But you, friends, are well-warned. Be on guard lest you lose your footing and get swept off your feet by these lawless and loose-talking teachers. Grow in grace and understanding of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Glory to the Master, now and forever! Yes!
"Family Reunions" by J. K. Warrick
Family reunions are, at the very least, interesting. Getting together is good for everybody. My wife and I recently had reunions on both sides of our family and were reminded that our families are very different. Not that one is better than the other–they are just different. I guess, for the most part, I have to say I like them. It is good to see people I have not seen in a long time, sometimes in years. However, family reunions are a lot of work, and somebody has to plan them. That is not an easy job!
These gatherings also remind us that the family of God will someday gather together for the very best of all reunions (v. 1). This reunion will be a celebration of our Lord Jesus Christ. Not only has He planned the event, He will lovingly direct us to it. He will encourage us as we prepare to attend and strengthen us between then and now so that we won’t miss it. He has loved us with an everlasting love, and that love will endure to the end and beyond!
That is one family reunion I will not miss!
"Get Ready" by J.K. Warrick
A wedding is a big deal! There are many things to consider–the colors, the location, and don’t forget the flowers. What about the cake? Remember the dresses and tuxedos or suits. There’s the bridal gown, attendants, and rings–do not forget the rings! Oh, and the songs–what songs should be performed, and who should sing them? Where will everyone be seated, and by whom, and in what order? All these details are important at a wedding. A wedding is a big event that takes a lot of preparation.
Similarly, our Lord’s return is a big deal! He is coming, that is for sure. However, unlike a wedding, we do not know the day or hour it will happen. The Bible tells us how to get ready: “Live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming” (vv. 11-12). So though we do not know the exact time of His appearing, we do know how to prepare for it: simply live as a follower of Jesus Christ, and you will be ready for the great event!
Hymn for Today:

"Blest Be The Ties That Bind" by John Fawcett
1. Blest be the tie that binds 
our hearts in Christian love; 
the fellowship of kindred minds 
is like to that above. 
2. Before our Father's throne 
we pour our ardent prayers; 
our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, 
our comforts and our cares. 
3. We share each other's woes, 
our mutual burdens bear; 
and often for each other flows 
the sympathizing tear. 
4. When we asunder part, 
it gives us inward pain; 
but we shall still be joined in heart, 
and hope to meet again.
"Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus" by Charles Wesley
1. Come, thou long expected Jesus, 
born to set thy people free; 
from our fears and sins release us, 
let us find our rest in thee. 
Israel's strength and consolation, 
hope of all the earth thou art; 
dear desire of every nation, 
joy of every longing heart.
2. Born thy people to deliver, 
born a child and yet a King, 
born to reign in us forever, 
now thy gracious kingdom bring. 
By thine own eternal spirit 
rule in all our hearts alone; 
by thine all sufficient merit, 

raise us to thy glorious throne. 
Thought for Today: 

“God has given us a good hope that stretchesinto eternity"(Robert Branson).
"These were his last words. As they watched, he was taken up and disappeared in a cloud. They stood there, staring into the empty sky. Suddenly two men appeared—in white robes! They said, “You Galileans!—why do you just stand here looking up at an empty sky? This very Jesus who was taken up from among you to heaven will come as certainly—and mysteriously—as he left.”"(Acts 1:9-11).
Please Pray:
For the protection of volunteers who travel to minister within Mesoamerica.
For the Holy Spirit to empower believers in Mesoamerica to give generously of their time, talents, and treasure.
____________________________
WordAction Publishing Company
Beacon Hill Press
Nazarene Publishing Company
2500 Troost Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64108 United States[
Embrace holy living…visit reflectinggod.com.
____________________________