Is There Really Hope Of Eternal Life?

The people of Noah's day thought that things would continue as they always had.  But, the flood came and destroyed them all, except Noah's family.  The people of Peter's day thought that, since the Lord hadn't returned by then, he wasn't going to (See 2 Peter 3:4-6). But the Lord will return.  It may seem to us that, since it has been a long time since the promise of the Lord's return, that he may not be coming after all. Perhaps the hope of eternal life that we have held to for so long may not become a reality.  We may be asking, "Is there really hope of eternal life?"


That was the point of Peter's discussion in 2 Peter 3.  He tells us that, even though the Lord's return has taken a while, He will return.  In verse 8, Peter writes, ".... one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day."  In other words, God does not consider time as we do. Jesus will come again when the time is right in His  eyes. The remainder of the chapter tells us that we should be ready always. He says, in verse 14,  "Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless."  
So, our hope of eternal life will become reality when it is time in God's eyes.  We must always be ready.


For more on the hope of eternal life see our website:  http://www.strasburgchurchofchrist.webs.com


L. John Bost

Is There Hope In Today's world?

There are a lot of things wrong in the world today - a lot of things wrong in this country.   It is easy to acquire a sense of hopelessness. Is there hope in today's world?

First, let me say, The United States Of America is still the greatest country in the world!  Having said that, it is also obvious that it is not as great as it once was.  I don't need to tell you what is wrong in a specific sense.  In a general sense, many of the country's problems - and the world's problems - are rooted in a lack of faith, and dedication to God's Word and its principles. 

Our founding fathers recognized the need to trust God and be guided by His principles.  They made numerous references to this need.  Not a few of them made such references to God, but most of them did.  They knew that our country's chances of being free and strong depended upon our trust in God.  They framed the constitution, and added to it the Bill of Rights.  The First Amendment states:

  Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of   religion,    or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

This tells us that the founding fathers recognized the importance of the freedom of the citizens to be religous, and to freely excercise their religion.  They knew that a strong country depended upon its people trusting in and serving God. 

A strong country still depends upon its citizens trusting in and serving God.  Is there hope in today's world?  Yes!!  There is always hope.  This country, and others of the world, have gone through tough times before.  We will come out of tough times - but we must trust and serve God.

It may take awhile, but things will get better.  For more go to our web site at http://www.strasburgchurchofchrist.webs.com/. 

L. John Bost

Are You Ready To Meet Jesus?

The many deaths resulting from the recent earthquake and Tsunami in Japan are, indeed, tragic. Again the question arises, "Why Do Good People Die Tragically?" We have endeavored to answer that question as it relates to violence such as the Tuscon shootings (See Why Do Good People Die Tragically?). Many of the same truths apply in the case of natural disasters. 

Such tragic events also remind us that death often comes suddenly,through various causes. This truth should cause us to ask ourselves, "Am I prepared to leave this life?" The article for this week on the Strasburg Church of Christ Web Page is entitled, "Are you ready to Meet Jesus?" Have you asked yourself that question lately? You should! Where would you spend eternity if you were to die,or if Jesus were to return today? Jesus will return. The Savior says in Matthew 24:36,
"But of that day and hour knoweth no man , no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." Are you ready to meet Jesus? strasburgchurchofchrist.webs.com 

L. John Bost

What Does Jesus Offer Me?

You may think that Christianity is a system of "do's and don't's" - "Do this, don't do that, no freedom."  True, the New Testament is a law.  But James calls it, "The law of liberty"  (James 1:25; 2:12).  In Christ we are free from the burdens of strict law, such as the Law of Moses. 

You may also wonder, "What does Jesus have to offer me?"  There are many things that Jesus offers.  For one, he offers salvation from sin.  Upon announcing Jesus' coming birth to Joseph, the angel said,  Matthew 1:21, ".... he shall save his people from their sins." 

He also offers the answer to prayer.  John writes, 1 John 3:22, "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight." 

And, he offers eternal life.  He says, John 10:10,  "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." 

On March 6 I will post the new article for the coming week, "What Does Jesus Offer Me?"  Please go there to learn more.
http://www.strasburgchurchofchrist.webs.com/

L. John Bost

March 5, 2011