Prepare For Eternity

Apostle John wrote the Bible book of Revelation from a prophetic vision.  The Lord gave John a glimpse into what the future holds for this world and it looks very, very bad.

No one knows for sure when these end time catastrophes will occur but since physical death is certain, everyone should be ready for their judgment, now.  If people prepare for their physical future with insurance, retirement and savings, they should want to prepare spiritually for eternity, also.

Spending an hour or so in church a week does not prepare us.  We must give our lives to God, so we follow His plan for spiritual growth because He knows best what we need.  Luckily for us, God's will is only a prayer away.

Pray For Spiritual Growth

Jude wrote this letter to warn others about the godless men among them.  These abusers lied, deceived, complained, boasted about themselves, flattered others for their own advantage and denied Jesus Christ.  

Jude told the believers to keep themselves in God's love with faith and prayer in the Holy Spirit.

Like most of the letters in the New Testament, Jude addresses problems in the church that are just as timely today.  Why has nothing changed in almost 2,000 years?

Believing the truth is only the first step.  For spiritual growth to occur, the truth of Jesus Christ must be applied daily, which takes awareness and work.  To begin, help is just a prayer away.

Really Follow Christ

The third letter Apostle John wrote was to a dear friend, Gaius.  John praised his friend for walking in the truth and love of Jesus Christ with hospitality for other church members.

If Christians really knew the truth and love of Jesus Christ, they would act nice.  All Christians are called to stand apart from the world with their patience, joy, peace, love, self-control and kindness.

Unfortunately, most of us do not.  But help for spiritual growth is only a prayer away!

Be Christ's Ambassador

Apostle John wrote in his second letter about how Christians should love one another and walk in obedience to the commandment of love.  He warned about deceiving leaders and stressed the importance of learning both the Father and Son's teachings.

Even Christians about 2,000 years later still need Saint John's wise advice.  History repeats because humans do not change enough, which includes most Christians.

Our Lord Jesus Christ calls us to great spiritual growth in thought, word and deed.  This means we no longer follow worldly values, beliefs and expectations.

To follow Christ, we must step out in sacrificial love, faithful obedience and a clear knowledge of God's Word.  Pray to become Christ's ambassador!

Be A Successful Christian

In Apostle John's letter to the Christians, he wrote proclaiming the truth of Jesus Christ and how followers obeyed His commandments.  As children of God, believers needed to test their spiritual input to discern if it had a worldly or holy view, so they were not deceived.

Since God is love, they needed to love one another to know Him and be complete in His love.  Also, Christians needed to ask for things according to God's will and pray for others.

What excellent advice!  Christians must follow Jesus Christ, test their spiritual input, be loving, only want God's will and pray for others.  This is definitely a formula for successful Christians!

Rise Above the World

Apostle Peter wrote to Christians on how to have holy lives by increasing their faith, knowledge, self-control, kindness, perseverance, godliness and love.  This spiritual growth would keep them effective and productive in their ministry for the Lord Jesus Christ.  

Peter, also, warned about the false prophets and teachers that introduced such destructive heresies that condemnation would result. Over 2,000 years later, Apostle Peter's advice is still relevant today.  

If all Christians grew spiritually by increasing their faith, knowledge, self-control and love, we would be such effective and productive disciples of Christ that this world would be very different.  However, it appears that the false prophets and teachers have won.  But Christ still calls His believers to rise above this world and follow Him!

Become Holy For Christ

As an important Christian leader, Apostle Peter wrote to the churches in Asia Minor addressing their persecutions.  

He explained that suffering tested their faith, so they needed to prepare for action, be self-controlled and set their hope on Christ Jesus.  

Peter challenged them to become holy by ridding themselves of all malice, deceit, envy, hypocrisy and slander, while becoming peaceful, gentle and submissive to all.

While Christians are still persecuted for Christ, this oppression should not be a needed reminder to gain holiness.  Any Christian can become self-controlled, peaceful, gentle and submissive.  

Why a Christian would want to stay a malicious, deceitful, envious, slanderous hypocrite is a question that can still be asked today.  Christ still calls us to set an example for this fallen world and not to be just a part of it.  He is available 24/7 to facilitate this holy change, so ask to rise above the world and not to just wallow in the muck here.