" Let's Stir Up Your Mind to Remember "

     If you are like me sticky notes have become a way of life. My calendar also is full of reminders of things I have to do, birthdays, Dr. appointments, dog grooming appointments and the like. I'm sure most young people reading this cannot identify with the use of sticky notes or calendars as reminder tools because they are so well versed in Smart phones, I-Pads or I-Pods.  My husband and I are "Old School" and we do just fine without the most updated methods used by others and by what I have heard we save a ton of cash by not having or using them !!!
     GOD in HIS great wisdom also knew that we would need a lot of reminding when it came to the "last days" that we are currently in. There are many places that identify as " written to stir up your pure minds by way of reminder," but we are going to start in 2nd Peter 3:1 thru 14 wherein Peter, inspired by the HOLY SPIRIT, reminds fellow Christians, True Born Again Believers, of the mockery that would go on in these last days. --

     Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets and of the commandment of us the apostles of the LORD and SAVIOR, knowing this first that scoffers will come in the last days walking according to their own lusts and saying, "Where is the promise of HIS coming ? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation."  For this they willfully forget that by the WORD of GOD the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water.  But the heavens and the earth which now exist are kept in store by the same word, reserved for fire, until the day of judgement and perdition of ungodly men.  But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the LORD, one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The LORD is not slack concerning HIS promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that ALL should come to repentance. But the day of the LORD WILL COME as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.  Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of GOD, because of which the heavens will be dissolved being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat ?  Nevertheless we, according to HIS promise, look for a new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by HIM in peace, without spot and blameless.... 2nd.Pet.3:1- 14

     In the book of Hebrews Chapter 11, the beloved chapter of faith, it reminds us of what other Christians and their families endured. Heb.11: 32 thru 12:3 reminds us - And what more shall I say ? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets; who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonments. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented - of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, GOD having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.  Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight , and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance, the race that is set before us, looking unto JESUS, the author and finisher of our faith, WHO for the joy that was set before HIM, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of GOD. For consider HIM, WHO endured such hostility from sinners against HIMSELF, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

     In the book of 1st.Thes.Chapter 4 & 5 GOD wants us to understand what happened to those who have died before us and what will happen to them and us at HIS coming for HIS Bride, the Church. I will not give you these 2 chapters verbatim in this blog, but will teach on this subject in another blog at another time.  But there is a theme of reminder in two verses ( 4:18 & 5:11)... Therefore comfort one another with these words.   Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

     GOD's WORD is full of reminders, encouragements, warnings, and comforts that help the world weary Christian stay on track in his pilgrimage from this life to the next.  Wonderfully, GOD's WORD also gives hope, peace and love to those who, currently, are enemies of GOD, who do not, personally know HIS SON, the LORD JESUS CHRIST as their SAVIOR.  When GOD the FATHER sent GOD the SON, JESUS CHRIST to earth as a lowly baby, to grow and mature, still 100% GOD but also 100% man, HE required a perfect, sinless sacrifice to pay the final price for the sin of all mankind.  We are sinners !! We are not sinners because we sin, but we sin because we are sinners, and JESUS loved us so much that as the verses above from Hebrews state - HE endured the cross, despising the shame. And in John 3:16, HE wrote, " For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believes in HIM shall not perish but have everlasting life."

     So if you're a Christian, take courage, keep reading HIS WORD's of reminder to you and if you're not one of HIS children, bow your head in prayer and take responsibility for your sin and ask JESUS to come into your heart and save you, that you believe with your heart that HE died for your sins.  HE will, HIS forgiveness has no limits, just like HIS love !!!!
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie