Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Readings:
Psalm 126
Isaiah 19:18-25

2 Peter 1:2-15
Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.
10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters,[a] make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble,11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
12 So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. 13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, 14 because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.
 
Remember these words? “Class, time for some fun! Put your books under your chair or in your bookbag! It’s time to take a short test.” You and I both know the test was not fun, and it was not short. I must share the same words with you, now. Time for a quick test. Books up, no looking around….how are you doing? 

After two years of questioning, wondering, fear, angst, isolation….how are you?  How are you when you hear the words; goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, love. Do you think you’re doing well? If we could all be honest with one another, I think we can all use a moment to reflect and embrace this time of Advent. I want to not stumble. I want that rich welcome to be with Jesus.  

One more note, just as Peter is saying in verse 13, don’t keep it to yourselves. Tell your kids, your neighbors, your enemies, tell everyone you know the importance to remember these things. We won’t have forever. Time is fleeting. 

Thank you, God, for this season. I need to seek and listen. Do you?  

Charles Morrow
Director of Music Ministries, Huntersville UMC
14005 Stumptown Rd.
Huntersville, NC 28078
(704) 875-1156
3910 North Highway 16
Denver, NC 28037