Resolve To Be Transformed in 2026
Today’s Passage – Your Favorite Passage
(Second Milers also read – Proverbs 31)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – 1 John 4:7 & 8
Read the “1231 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
As we step into 2026 tomorrow, many are making resolutions—but here’s a better resolve: let God transform you from the inside out.
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
Problem with Traditional Resolutions
Tomorrow begins the New Year, which is traditionally the time that people make all kinds of resolutions regarding things that they want to see changed in their lives. Some want to lose weight, others want to become more organized, and some want to quit some bad habit; the list is endless. In the past, I would make many resolutions but, unfortunately, was unable to keep many of them. This year, I have resolved not to resolve. You may be asking, “what do you mean by that preacher?” What I mean is that I have resolved to stop trying to fix the myriads of things in my life that need fixing. No, I have not thrown in the towel on trying to live the Christian life. On the contrary, I have discovered a better way to see the necessary changes take place.
God’s Better Way: Transformation from Within
This year, instead of exercising my will power to change things in my life, I have opted to turn the whole process over to God. I have figured out that the closer I get to Him, the more He will chip away at the things in my life that need to go. Let me give you a verse that has been on my mind a lot lately:
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)
This verse tells me that God works with our will. Our will is really the problem, isn’t it? Paul said that the inside of him was no good thing, “for to will is present with [him].” Resolutions are about our will, but transformation is about the will of God. We may desire to see things fixed in our lives, but then our will changes and the fixing stops. However, when transformation takes place from the inside, God not only changes our will but also implements the changes that need to take place.
Your Part in God’s Process
You may be thinking: “what do I have to do?” This is too good to be true. I don’t have to do anything? God does all the work? Well, you do have to draw nigh to God. He says that if you do that, He will draw nigh (get close) to you. To get close to Him, you are going to have to spend more time with Him, reading His Word, and praying. You will also have to spend less time with the world. The world also desires to conform you to what it wants you to be. You see, the world will also mess with your will. If you spend enough time pursuing the things of this world, your thinking will also change; your desires will change. The same is also true with God. Get with Him. Saturate yourself in prayer and the Word, and God will begin to chip away at all the rough edges in your life, and you will gradually become a vessel more “meet” (fitted) for the Master’s use.
Things That You Can Do
- Commit to a daily Bible reading plan
- Set a goal to read the Bible through – follow the daily plan used on this site, which includes a regal daily reading through the entire Bible and also some “second miler” passages.
- Set aside dedicated prayer time each morning
- Keep a prayer list
- Limit screen time or social media to reduce worldly influences
- Join a discipleship program
Your Three Choices This New Year
This New Year, you have some choices to make. You can decide to do nothing: throw in the towel and wait out the return of Christ. You can also decide to make a long list of things that you want to see changed, goals that you want to see accomplished, etc., and set out through your will power, your tenacity, to implement those things. You may even be successful in fulfilling some of them. Door number three is the option that I am choosing. I am going to take some tangible steps this year to get as far away from the world and as close to God as I possibly can. Then I am going to sit back and watch what He does in my life. No goals this year, just God.
Questions for Reflection
- What ‘worldly’ influence could you pull back from this year to make more room for God?
- What is your plan for reading the Bible through completely this year?
Posted in Devotions and tagged Bible Reading Plan, New Year's, resolutions, trancformation by Phil Erickson with 5 comments.
Out with the Old and In with the New: Reflections on Revelation 21:5
Today’s Passage – Revelation 20 – 22 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 146 – 150; Proverbs 30)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – 1 John 3:1
Read the “1230 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Read previous posts from today’s passage – “The Great White Throne,” and “You’re Invited.“
“And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.” – (Revelation 21:5)
As fireworks light up the sky and calendars flip to a new year, do you long for a truly fresh start—one that lasts forever? Our final Scripture reading for 2025 shows us that God will someday “make all things new.” It will truly be “out with old and in with the new.”
A New Jerusalem
The context of Revelation 21 is the unveiling of the heavenly city, New Jerusalem. This is the beautiful place that God has prepared for his Bride, the Church, to live in for all eternity. We will not get to move in until after the end of the 1000-year Millennial Reign of Christ on the earth, but I assure you, it will be worth the wait. As we read about the description given of this city in the chapter, we see that it is unlike any earthly city. It is a place of exquisite beauty. It also is unique in its dimensions. Apparently, it will be a perfect cube, which means that law of gravity will no longer be the same there. There will be no night there, and the light for the entire city will be the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. What a place! I can’t wait to get there.
A New You in Christ
As we consider the approaching New Year, the phrase in verse 5 is especially relevant: “Behold, I make all things new.” God is a master at putting away the old and creating something new. The chapter above speaks of the passing away of the old heaven and earth, and the revealing of the new. People who have trusted Christ as Saviour are said to be “new creatures” in Christ (2 Co 5:17; Gal 6:15). God gradually purges out the old unprofitable us and recreates us into His image, and someday, we will have a glorified new body to spend eternity in.
A New Year to Live for Christ
New Year’s is a time when we reflect on the old year and determine to yield to God’s will as He makes the necessary changes in our life that He wants to make. For the Christian, I believe the greatest resolution that we can make is to surrender our stubborn wills to the will of God and to quit resisting His Holy Spirit as He conforms us to the image of Christ. The great goal for all Christians in the New Year should be to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. However, there may be some other secondary goals, or resolutions, that will help us achieve the greater goal. It may be that we will resolve to spend more time in the Bible or in prayer. It may be that we will determine to witness to all of our friends and family. These are all good resolutions because they all point to the greater goal of Christlikeness.
Out with the Old
Did you notice what it said about The New Jerusalem in Rev 21:27
“27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Rev 21:27)
There are many defiling characteristics about the Jerusalem that we know today, and the same is true for the rest of the world. The New Jerusalem will not have anything about it that is wicked or sinful. As we think about the coming new year, let us strive to purge out of our lives anything that we know is not pleasing to the Lord.
A New and Deeper Relationship with Christ
As you consider the approaching New Year, make your relationship with Christ your number one priority. As Paul the Apostle said:
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” – (Philippians 3:10)
If you’ve never experienced this new life in Christ, today is the day—visit the “Are You Saved?” page to learn how.
“Heavenly Father, thank You for making all things new through Your Son. Help us surrender to Your transforming work in 2026, drawing us closer to Christ until we see the New Jerusalem. Renew us today, and use us for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Reflection Questions:
- How will you pursue knowing Christ more deeply this year?
- What “old things” in your life is God asking you to let go of this year?
- How can you better surrender to the Holy Spirit’s transforming work in 2026?
- Who in your life needs to hear about the ultimate “new” God offers through salvation in Christ?
What’s your top resolution for knowing Christ more in 2026? Share below!
Posted in Thoughts from Revelation and tagged A New Year's Devotion, Behold I make all things new, Christian resolutions, New Year devotion, Revelation 21, Revelation 21:5, spiritual renewal, The New Jerusalem by Phil Erickson with 2 comments.
No More At All: Lessons from Babylon’s Fall in Revelation 18
Today’s Passage – Revelation 16 – 19 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 141 – 145; Proverbs 29)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – James 4:10
Read the “1229 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Read previous posts from today’s passage – “It Will All Be Gone Someday” and “Supper’s Almost Ready.”
“And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. … And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.” (Revelation 18:14, 21-23)
The Context of Revelation 17 and 18
The prophetic context of these chapters in Revelation is the Great Tribulation Period, which is a time yet future when the true Church of Jesus Christ will already have been removed from the earth via the Rapture of the Church (1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 17; 1 Corinthians 15:51 – 52; Revelation 4:1). If you are saved, you will not have to worry about all this crazy stuff that is prophesied here because it will all happen after we are gone. Praise the Lord!
In Revelation 17, the focus is on the fall of religious Babylon, which I believe is a reference to the religious system, an ecumenical and apostate church that will be in place during the first half of the Tribulation Period. This system will be destroyed by Antichrist and replaced by a system of worship headed up by his false prophet (the second beast) and will be centered in the worship of himself (Antichrist). In chapter 18, the focus is on on commercial Babylon.
Is “Babylon” Literal or Figurative?
The question arises as to whether “Babylon” here refers to the actual geographical location on the Euphrates River where the city of Babylon was once located when it was the capitol of the world back in the seventh and sixth centuries B.C. Or, is Babylon a symbolic reference to the capitol of Antichrist’s kingdom. It is possible that wherever Antichrist’s headquarters is located geographically that it could be given the name, “Babylon.” While the actual location of this capital city may not be precisely known, we do know that it will be the center of both religion and commerce during the Tribulation Period.
Nothing Left!
My focus for this devotion is on the repeated statement in Revelation 18:9 – 19, “no more at all.” In these verses we see that all of the things that people think to be supremely important – the “merchandise” along with the wealth that could purchase it, was all stripped away, until there was nothing left. Everything that they valued was taken from them.
The Supply Chain Glitch During Covid
In recent years, during the Covid-19 pandemic, we saw grocery stores shelves stripped of their merchandise. Toilet paper and cleaning supplies were all being rationed, and there were shortages of food items as well. Perhaps, that was just a small glimpse of what is coming someday in the Tribulation Period. Possessions and pleasures are so important to people, but God will someday take away all that these people hold so dear.
Beware of Covetousness
The Apostle Paul warned Timothy about the love of money and possessions:
“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (1 Timothy 6:10)
Jesus also taught extensively about covetousness.
“And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:16-21)
What Do You Value Most in Life?
Christian, we know that these Tribulation verses do not apply to us in the Church, but let’s try to make a practical application from the passage. The people in Revelation 18 are mourning because all the things that they lived for – the things that were most important to them – were taken from them. How about you? Do you place an unhealthy value on the things that this world has to offer? Do possessions even matter at all when compared with eternity? We need to be careful that we do not get to the place where our possessions become idols. We need things to live, but the things that matter most are not the tangible trinkets that commercial Babylon produces. The things that are really important in this life will follow us into eternity.
Take a moment today to evaluate your priorities—what “treasures” are you storing up? Share in the comments how this passage speaks to you.
Posted in Devotions and tagged Antichrist, Babylon, covetousness, materialism, Rapture, Revelation 18 by Phil Erickson with 3 comments.
Before It’s Too Late
Today’s Passages – Revelation 11 – 15 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 136 – 140; Proverbs 28)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Deuteronomy 32:4
“And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” (Revelation 14:6 & 7)
I have always been fascinated with the Book of Revelation. In it, we see the final destruction of the earth, and the judgment of all of those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ. However, in the midst of all of the judgment and destruction are many invitations for people to come to Christ. Chapter 14 in particular reveals this truth. The last verse in the chapter is traditionally understood to be about the final battle in the Tribulation Period known as the Battle of Armageddon. Not much of a battle really. Christ is going to return and completely destroy all that oppose Him. Notice, though, that prior to this great battle, even right before the final destruction, God was inviting people to come to Christ. The chapter begins with a discussion about the 144,000 who are evangelists covering the earth with the gospel of Christ. Next, we read about three angels that are flying around the skies warning people about the impending judgment, and inviting them to trust Christ. You see, God is not willing that any should perish. Even at the very end, He is inviting people to turn to Him.
I am no history expert, but I think I remember hearing that before we dropped the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki we warned the people of the coming destruction by dropping leaflets from planes. I may have my facts mixed up a little, but I have heard that our government is known to warn the innocent, so that they can be saved. It kind of reminds me of what God is doing here in these passages. Yes, the judgment is certainly coming, but God is willing to save any and all that will come to Him before that day comes.
How about you? Have you heeded the warning from God regarding the coming judgment? You see, my friend, the wages of our sin is eternal death; but God in His mercy and grace is willing to save anybody who is willing to turn from their sin unto the Saviour. If you haven’t yet trusted Christ, I encourage you to read the “Are You Saved?” page on this blog.
Now to those of you who are saved, don’t ever give up on your unsaved loved ones. Keep praying for them, and preaching to them. As we have seen in this passage, God is going to keep giving them opportunities to repent, even at the very end. We should have the same attitude. Keep trying to win them, keep inviting them, keep reaching out to them, keep loving them, even until the end of our earthly lives. It may be that last try that convinces them that Christ is their only hope.
Posted in Thoughts from Revelation by Phil Erickson with 3 comments.
The Invitation: An Examination of Revelation 3:20
Today’s Passage – Jude – Revelation 3 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 126 – 130; Proverbs 26)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Ephesians 4:32
Read the “1226 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Read a previous post from today’s passage – “Compassion Makes a Difference”
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” – (Revelation 3:20)
The context of Revelation 3:20 regards the Church of the Laodiceans, which was a literal and local church that existed in Asia Minor at the end of the first century when God gave His Revelation to John during his imprisonment on the Isle of Patmos.
The Problem in Laodicea
Jesus did not have any positive things to say about this church. The name “Laodicea” means “the peoples rights.” This was a church that belonged to the people, not the Lord, which is perhaps why Jesus was positioned outside the door of the church. This church was an historical church, but it also seems to picture the condition of so many of the Christian churches of our day. Many churches today are no longer concerned whether or not the Lord is pleased with them, as they have directed their attention on pleasing the people. Modern churches are predominantly “seeker sensitive,” meaning they tend to prioritize being culturally appealing over being biblical faithful.
We are certainly living in that “perilous” time that Paul spoke of in 2 Timothy:
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” – (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
Christ’s Personal Invitation
Nevertheless, even though the churches by and large have turned their backs on the Lord, He is still inviting the individuals within those churches to repent and turn to Him. Revelation 3:20 may have been written to a church, but the invitation to “open the door” is written to the individual – “if any man.” I thank the Lord that He invited me to receive His free gift of salvation. If you haven’t yet trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, please turn to Him today. Click here for more information from the Bible regarding salvation.
Is Jesus standing outside the door of your heart today? Can you hear Him knocking? After celebrating His birth yesterday, today He extends the invitation for you to know Him personally.
PS – I do not think that all churches today are “Laodicean churches.” We work hard at Jersey Shore Baptist Church to please the Lord, and though we love people and desire to see them saved, our desire is not to compromise the Truth in order to reach them. We are certainly not a perfect church, and I would be less than honest if I said that this carnal world had no effect on us, but we are trying to hold the line. I believe that a church can stand firmly today on biblical principle and still reach people. I believe that we can still be a separated (not isolated) and holy people while making an impact on the world around us.
Additional Information regarding the seven churches of Asia Minor, which are the subjects of Revelation 2 & 3:
The seven churches in Asia (western Asia Minor – present day Turkey) are named in Revelation 1:11. They are Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. These churches will be the subjects of the second section of Revelation in chapters 2 & 3. (See Map below courtesy of Logos Bible Software)
These churches were literal geographical churches that existed at the end of the first century. John was particularly familiar with the Church of Ephesus because he spent a lot of time there, but he was also well acquainted with all these churches as they were relatively close to Ephesus. These churches, though literal churches, were representative of all churches that have existed since that time in that we find the same strengths and problems in churches throughout the Church Age and continue in our churches today. For example, today there are solid churches that closely resemble the Church at Philadelphia. Unfortunately, however, there are also “churches” that are as apostate as The Church of the Laodiceans.
It may also be true that, in a general way, these churches are representative of the overall condition of Christianity during different periods of time since the time of Christ. The problem with this theory, however, is that it lumps all churches within a given period into one group, which is not historically accurate. In every century since the first century, there have been doctrinally sound, faithful churches; but unfortunately, there have also been unfaithful and apostate churches. Along with these, there have also been churches that had other similar characteristics and struggles as these churches in Asia Minor.
However, many sound Bible expositors have expressed their support of the theory of each church representing periods of time within the Church Age. Harry Ironside, the pastor of the great Moody Church put forth a fascinating parable, which illustrates this theory:
Before we begin our study of “The Things which are,” let me give you this parable. Sometime ago, rummaging through an old castle, some people came across a very strange-looking old lock which secured a stout door. They shook the door and tried to open it, but to no avail. They tried one way and another to move the lock, but could not turn it. By and by somebody picked up a bunch of old keys from some rubbish on the floor and he said, “Maybe I can unlock it.” He tried one key and it made no impression. He tried another and it gave a little; another and it gave a little more; and so on, but none would open the lock. At last, he came to a peculiar old key. He slipped it into the lock, gave a turn, and the lock was open. They said, “Undoubtedly this key was meant for this lock.”
You will understand my parable if I draw your attention to the fact that, in the 20th verse of the 1st chapter, we are told that there was a mystery connected with the seven lampstands. The seven lampstands are said to symbolize the seven churches of Asia, but there was a mystery connected with them. While some have tried one key and some have tried another (and there have been all kinds of efforts made to interpret this mystery), no solution was found until some devout students of Scripture weighing this portion said, “Might it not be that inasmuch as this section of the book presents ‘the things which are,’ God has been pleased to give us here a prophetic history of the church for the entire dispensation?” But would the key fit the lock? They compared the first part of the church’s history with the letter to Ephesus. Here it fitted perfectly. They went on and compared the letter to Smyrna with the second part of the church’s history, and the agreement was most marked. They went on right down to the end, and when they came to Laodicea, they found that what is written to the church of Laodicea answers exactly to the condition of the professing church in the days in which we live, and they said: “There, the mystery is all clear. The lock has been opened; therefore, we have the right key.”[1]
If Mr. Ironside is right, then this first Church of Ephesus would be representative of the Church in the First Century, and the Church of the Laodiceans represents the generally apostate state of Christianity in the present day.
J. Vernon McGee calls these Letters to the seven churches “contemporary, composite, and chronological” in that they represent seven literal contemporary churches from John’s day, but they also corporately deal with all churches from all ages; and, they give a chronological history of the Church from the first century to the present:
The panoramic history of the church is given in these seven letters, from Pentecost to the Parousia, from the Upper Room to the upper air. There are seven distinct periods of church history. Ephesus represents the apostolic church; Laodicea represents the apostate church. This prophetic picture is largely fulfilled and is now church history, which makes these chapters extremely remarkable. [2]
[1] Ironside, H. A. (1920). Lectures on the Book of Revelation (pp. 35–36). Neptune, N. J.: Loizeaux Brothers.
[2] McGee, J. V. (1997). Thru the Bible commentary (electronic ed., Vol. 5, p. 898). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Posted in Thoughts from Revelation by Phil Erickson with 3 comments.
The Saviour of the World
Today’s Passage – 1 John 3 – 3 John 1 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 121 – 125; Proverbs 25)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Ephesians 4:32
Read the “1225 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
“And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.” (1 John 4:14)
If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator.
If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist.
If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist.
If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer.
But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior.
I submit two thoughts for your consideration this morning from 1 John 4:14:
1 The Exclusiveness of Candidates for Saviour – Notice the definite article “the,” indicating that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, is the only Saviour for the world. There are not many ways to be saved, only one.
“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” (1 John 5:12)
The disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus once and asked Him if He was the one that they were waiting for, or “look we for another” (Luke 7:20). Jesus replied emphatically that He was the One who fulfilled all of the Biblical requirements for being the Messiah, and He also added that we should not be “offended” in Him. Jesus is “the” Saviour, and He is also “the” Lord.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)
2 The Inclusiveness of Candidates for Salvation – Notice the word “world” – it is the same word that is used in John 3:16:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17)
The word, “world” (κόσμος [kosmos]), does not mean just a select few; it means everybody. God wants everybody to receive the gift of the Saviour. He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pe 3:9). Unfortunately, not everybody will come to the Saviour for salvation because they reject “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), choosing instead to be the god of their own lives. What a shame.
What a gift God gave us when Jesus came to this earth 2,000 years ago to redeem us!
“13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Tit 2:13-14)
Thank You, Father for sending us Your Son, the Saviour; and thank You, Jesus, for being willing to come.
Cindy and I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas!
Posted in Thoughts from 1 John and tagged 1 John, Christmas, Daily Devotions, Devotional, Salvation, Savior by Phil Erickson with 2 comments.
The Wonder of Bethlehem: He Already Came!
Today’s Passage – 2 Peter 3 – 1 John 3; (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read –Psalms 116 – 120; Proverbs 24)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 34:1 – 4
Read the “1224 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
I was a little anxious as I approached the daily Bible reading and the task of expressing a thought from it for today’s post. Frankly, I wanted to write some thoughts regarding Christmas, but I also want to keep to the format that we typically use, which is sharing thoughts that come directly from the daily reading. I prayed that God would give me something from this passage that I could connect with the celebration of Christmas, and I believe He has answered that prayer.
1 Peter 3 deals with the second coming of Christ which is a two-part event beginning with Christ first returning to the earth to remove His Bride (the Church) from the earth through the Rapture (1 Thes 4:13 – 18; 1 Cor 15:51 – 58). After seven years of Tribulation on the earth, Christ will then return with His saints to set up His earthly kingdom and put down all those who rejected His offer of forgiveness and rebelled against His lordship.
Scoffers and the Promise of His Coming
- “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after 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 the creation.” (2 Peter 3:3 & 4)
In Peter’s day, scoffers mocked the idea of Christ’s return—and the same doubt echoes today. Some even within the church struggle to believe His coming is imminent. I strongly believe it could happen at any moment and frankly, it concerns me greatly. Don’t misunderstand, I am certainly looking forward to spending eternity with my Lord and with my loved ones who are saved, but my problem is that I have many friends and loved ones who do not yet know Christ.
God’s Longsuffering: A Gift of Salvation
God’s delay isn’t indifference—it’s mercy. He patiently waits, giving more time for people to repent and be saved. God wants my loved ones to be saved more than I do:
- “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
- “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;” (2 Peter 3:15)
It is my prayer and hope that the longer He delays His coming, the more people will be saved. I have some folks in my life that I love dearly that I am not sure about. I want to see them trust Christ.
Christian, this Christmas season is a wonderful time to be a witness to our friends and family members.
Tying It to Christmas: He Already Came!
It just may be that this year at Christmas they will see the importance of Christ’s first coming, which was to die for the sins of the world. We talk a lot about the second coming, and we should, but we also need to remember that it is Christ’s first coming to Bethlehem’s manger that brought about the blood atonement and our forgiveness. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if somebody you love was to see a manger scene or hear a Christmas song, and somehow get ahold of the true meaning of Christ’s first coming and thereby be prepared for His second.
A Call to Witness This Season
Jesus came first to Bethlehem’s manger, to die for the world’s sins and offer forgiveness through His blood atonement. A manger scene, a carol, or a simple conversation could help someone grasp His first coming—and prepare them for the second. The Christmas season is a wonderful time to speak to our loved ones about the Lord. Why not invite your family and friends to come out to church with you this evening for a Christmas Eve candlelight service.
Questions to Ponder
Who in your life needs to hear about Christ’s first coming this Christmas?
How does God’s patience in delaying encourage you to share the Gospel?
What unsaved friend or family member will you pray for—and reach out to—today?
Leave a comment below: Share your witnessing stories, prayer requests, or thoughts—I’d love to hear them!
Posted in Thoughts from 2 Peter and tagged Bethlehem, Christmas, Christmas Eve, Incarnation, Rapture, Second Coming, Witnessing by Phil Erickson with 3 comments.
Why Christians Suffer: Lessons from 1st Peter
Today’s Passage – 1 Peter 1 – 5 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 111 – 115; Proverbs 23)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Matthew 6:33
Read the “1223 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” (1 Peter 1:6 & 7)
Have you ever wondered why God allows suffering in the life of believers? And, did you notice all of the references to suffering in this first letter from Peter?
Suffering in the Early Church
Christians in the first-century Roman Empire were indeed put to the test often due to their allegiance to Jesus Christ. Look back in the text and notice the following verses:
- “But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;” (1 Pe 3:14)
- “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:” (1 Pe 4:12)
- “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” (1 Pe 5:10)
In fact, the word “suffer” appears 11 times in 1 Peter. These first century Christians certainly knew what it was like to bear the cross of the Lord Jesus. Today, there are people in other parts of our world who also are well acquainted with suffering for the Lord. They know what it is like to be persecuted, and in some cases prosecuted or even executed, simply for living out their Christian faith.
Suffering (or lack thereof) in America Today
In America, however, there is very little suffering being experienced by believers. We live in a land of freedom. We can still worship the Lord without fear of reprisal. We know little of “counting the cost” for our relationship with God. Yes, there can be cultural and family pressure here in our part of the world, and sometimes believers experience workplace discrimination, but generally the price we pay here for our faith in Christ is mild compared to what Christians are facing in some other parts of the world. Here, we are well fed, we are warm in the winter and cool in the summer, we sit on cushioned seats; we have it made. Yet, if you were to carefully examine the hearts and attitudes of many believers today, you would find that we really do not fully appreciate the freedom and luxury that we have. We don’t recognize the wonderful place of liberty that God has given us here in the good ole U.S. of A. This is not to say that we haven’t experienced other forms of suffering, such as illnesses, etc.; but I am merely trying to point out that we are not suffering at the hands of our neighbors or the government for worshipping Christ. Maybe it’s because we are very carnal here in America. Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:12 that all that live godly lives shall suffer persecution. Maybe we are not as godly as those first century Christians. This isn’t to condemn us, but to challenge us—perhaps our comfort has made us complacent.
The Real Battle: Fleshly Lusts
There is something that Peter wrote in this epistle that I think we can all identify with, however:
- “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;” (1 Pe 2:11)
Though I do not know any Christians here in our land that are being tortured for their faith, I do know of many that are tormented because of the battle going on in their own flesh. I know that for me, the flesh is my number one enemy. I can certainly identify with the Apostle Paul when he said that the things that he does not want to do, he does, and vice versa. Maybe that is why Satan isn’t attacking us with the frontal assault of persecution. He doesn’t need to because we are already losing the spiritual battle in our flesh and our lusts are keeping us from having the effectiveness and impact in the world that we could and should be having. See the list of the “works of the flesh” in Galatians 5:19 – 21 if you don’t know what I am referring to.
A Call to Spirit-filled Living
- “16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. … 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Gal 5:16, 25)
Maybe if we really started walking in the Spirit, and putting to death the lusts that are wreaking havoc in our lives, then we just might get the wicked one’s attention. Don’t misunderstand, I am not inviting, nor looking forward to suffering at the hands of the devil or the world, but I do wish I was living more of a “Spirit-filled life” that is worthy of their attention.
An Added Thought Regarding Suffering
As unpleasant as suffering is for believers, God uses it at times to glorify Himself in this dark world when the sufferer remains faithful to Christ through it. Peter tells us that God purifies the believer’s faith through trials and persecution:
- “6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” (1Pe 1:6-7)
Questions to Ponder
Have you experienced any real persecution because of your faith in Christ?
Do we truly appreciate our religious freedom?
What fleshly lusts are warring against your soul today?
Leave a comment below and let us know what battles you are facing today as you serve Christ.
[Post revised on 12/23/2025]
Posted in Thoughts from 1 Peter and tagged 1 Peter, Christian living, flesh vs. Spirit, persecution, suffering by Phil Erickson with 3 comments.
Don’t Budge
Today’s Passages – James 2 – 5 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 106 – 110; Proverbs 22)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Micah 6:8
Read the “1222 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
“Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” (James 5:8)
As I was reading this morning, my attention was drawn to the word “stablish” in verse 8. The context of this verse regards the believer enduring persecution and suffering seemingly at the hands of unbelievers. Verses 1 – 6 of chapter 5 are written to the rich oppressors of the world, but then, beginning in verse 6, the focus of the discussion is changed from the oppressor to the oppressed. James encourages these first century believers to be patient; to stay with it. I did a little study on the word “stablish”. The word means to establish, to strengthen, or to fix resolutely. It means not to budge, not even a little bit. James is admonishing these struggling believers to be resolute in their faith; to strengthen their resolve, so that they will not turn back.
Too many believers today are turning back. Too many are quitting. Recently, I have observed many that have thrown in the towel on their faith. In some cases, it was the allure of the world that pulled them away; but I have also seen many who became discouraged because of a trial that they were going through. It seems that they were not “stablished” in their faith. I like what Isaiah said regarding our Lord Jesus: “For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.” Jesus was resolute, unmovable and unwavering in his fulfillment of God’s will. As His followers, we need to be just as resolute, just as fixed in our faith. It is easy to have strength on the mountaintop but we often waver when we get into the valley.
James admonished the believers to stablish their hearts. God would not command us to do it unless it was something that we could actually do. But how? What can we do to strengthen our faith? I believe that there are three steps that we can take that will help us to remain fixed in our service and devotion to Him:
1 Stay in His Book – “Faith cometh by hearing” The Bible will strengthen our faith. Read it, study it, memorize it, hear it preached.
2 Stay in His House – Get around a group of people that are “stablished” themselves. Stay away from the negativity and naysayers. Run with people in your church that are fixed in the right direction.
3 Stay in His Service – What I mean by this is be actively involved in serving others. If you have people that are depending on you, you will not be as tempted to get off track. If you know that people need you, and are following you as you follow the Lord, you will not want to let them down.
We need a whole lot more solid Christians in these last days who are stablished, fixed, resolute in their faith and devotion to the Lord. Why not ask God to help you be one of them.
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)
Posted in Thoughts from James by Phil Erickson with 6 comments.
The Parable of the Orange Tree
Today’s Passage – Hebrews 12 – James 1; (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 101 – 105; Proverbs 21)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 19
Read a previous post from this passage – “We Talk Too Much, But Say Very Little”
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” – (James 1:22-25)
One of the frustrating things about the ministry is the lack of application we see in the lives of people from the truths that are being preached and taught from the Bible. For example, I can preach a message on soul winning and hear people say “Amen!”, with some of them complimenting the message on their way out; but then see few actually talk to people about the Lord. I can teach on the need to be separated, and again have the congregation appear to be in agreement, but then see little change in the area of separation. I see people go to the altar week after week under obvious conviction about a truth that was preached that morning, yet go out and do again the same things that they were convicted about.
We need to do more than just agree with God. We need to put into practical application the things that He is revealing to us from His Word. I am beginning to make it a habit now at the end of my messages to ask people what specific actions they are going to take as a result of what they have heard. Agreeing with God about the need for soulwinning or even feeling bad about people dying and going to Hell is useless, unless you actually decide to go soulwinning and then do it; but a specific, tangible decision that will lead to a change of action is necessary. Isn’t this what true repentance is? Isn’t it a change of mind and attitude that leads to a change in action?
Let’s not stop coming to the altar, but let’s not leave the altar until we have found out what God specifically wants us to do with what He has taught us. Unless actual change takes place, all of the conviction and contrition in the world is really just vanity.
Years ago, I heard a preacher tell us the following parable, which I believe perfectly illustrates this point:
The Parable of the Orange Tree by Dr. John White
I dreamed I drove on a Florida road, still and straight and empty. On either side were groves of orange trees, so that as I turned to look at them from time to time, line after line of trees stretched back endlessly from the road. Their boughs were heavy with round yellow fruit. This was harvest time. My wonder grew as the miles slipped by. How could the harvest be gathered?
Suddenly I realized that for all the hours I had driven (and this was how I knew I must be dreaming) I had seen no other person. The groves were empty of people. No other car had passed me. No houses were to be seen beside the highway. I was alone in a forest of orange trees.
But, at last, I saw some orange pickers. Far from the highway, almost on the horizon, lost in the vast wilderness of unpicked fruit, I could discern a tiny group of them working steadily. And many miles later I saw another group. I could not be sure, but I suspected that the earth beneath me was shaking with silent laughter at the hopelessness of their task. Yet the pickers went on picking.
The sun had long passed its zenith and the shadows were lengthening when, without any warning, I turned a corner of the road to see a notice “Leaving NEGLECTED COUNTY – Entering HOME COUNTY.” The contrast was so startling that I scarcely had time to take in the notice. I had to slow down for all at once the traffic was heavy. People by the thousands swarmed the road and crowded the sidewalks.
Even more startling was the transformation in the orange groves. Orange groves were still there and orange trees in abundance, but now, far from being silent and empty, they were filled with the laughter and singing of multitudes of people. Indeed it was the people we noticed rather than the trees. People and houses.
I parked the car at the roadside and mingled with the crowd. Smart gowns, neat shoes, showy hats, expensive suits, and starched shirts made me a little conscious of my work clothes. Everyone seemed so fresh and poised and gay.
“Is it a holiday?” I asked a well-dressed woman with whom I fell in step.
She looked a little startled for a moment, and then her face relaxed with a smile of gracious condescension.
“You’re a stranger, aren’t you?” she said before I could reply, “This is Orange Day.”
She must have seen a puzzled look on my face, for she went on, “It is so good to turn aside from one’s labors and pick oranges one day of the week.”
“But don’t you pick oranges every day?” I asked her.
“One may pick oranges at any time,” she said, “We should always be ready to pick oranges, but Orange Day is the day that we devote especially to orange picking.”
I left her and made my way further into the trees. Most of the people were carrying a book. Bound beautifully in leather, and edged and lettered in gold, I was able to discern on the edge of one of them the words: The Orange Picker’s Manual.
By and by I noticed around one of the orange trees, seats had been arranged, rising upward in tiers from the ground. The seats were almost full-but as I approached the group, a smiling well-dressed gentleman shook my hand and conducted me to a seat.
There, around the foot of the orange tree, I could see a number of people. One of them was addressing all the people on the seats and just as I got to my seat, everyone rose to his feet and began to sing. The man next to me shared with me his song book. It was called: Songs of the Orange Groves.
They sang for some time and the song leader waved his arms with a strange and frenzied abandon, exhorting the people in the intervals between the songs to sing more loudly.
I grew steadily more puzzled.
“When do we start to pick oranges?” I asked the man who had loaned me his book.
“It’s not long now,” he told me. “We like to get everyone warmed up first. Besides, we want to make the oranges feel at home.” I thought he was joking but his face was serious.
After a while a rather large man took over from the song leader and, after reading two sentences from his well-thumbed copy of the Orange Picker’s Manual, began to make a speech. I wasn’t clear whether he was addressing the people or the oranges.
I glanced behind me and saw a number of groups of people similar to our own group gathering around an occasional tree and being addressed by other large men. Some of the trees had no one around them.
“Which trees do we pick from?” I asked the man beside me. He did not seem to understand, so I pointed to the trees round about.
“This is our tree,” he said, pointing to the one we were gathered around.
“But there are too many of us to pick from just one tree,” I protested. “Why, there are more people than oranges!”
“But we don’t pick oranges,” the man explained. “We haven’t been called. That’s the Orange Picker’s job. We’re here to support him. Besides we haven’t been to college. You need to know how an orange thinks before you can pick it, successfully orange psychology, you know. Most of these folk here,” he went on, pointing to the congregation, “have never been to Manual School.”
“Manual School,” I whispered. “What’s that?”
“It’s where they go to study the Orange Picker’s Manual,” my informant went on. “It’s very hard to understand. You need years of study before it makes sense.”
“I see, I murmured. I had no idea that picking oranges was so difficult.”
The large man at the front was still making his speech. His face was red and he appeared to be indignant about something. So far as I could see there was rivalry with some of the other “orange-picking” groups. But a moment later a glow came on his face,
“But we are not forsaken,” he said. “We have much to be thankful for. Last week we saw THREE ORANGES BROUGHT INTO OUR BASKETS, and we are now completely debt free from the money we owed on the new cushion covers that grace the seats you now sit on.”
“Isn’t it wonderful?” the man next to me murmured. I made no reply. I felt that something must be profoundly wrong somewhere. All this seemed to be a very roundabout way of picking oranges.
The large man was reaching a climax in his speech. The atmosphere seemed tense. Then with a very dramatic gesture he reached two of the oranges, plucked them from the branch, and placed them in the basket at his feet. The applause was deafening.
“Do we start on the picking now?” I asked my informant.
“What in the world do you think we’re doing?” he hissed. “What do you suppose this tremendous effort has been made for? There’s more orange-picking talent in this group than in the rest of Home County. Thousands of dollars have been spent on the tree you’re looking at.”
I apologized quickly. “I wasn’t being critical,” I said. “And I’m sure the large man must be a very good orange picker – but surely the rest of us could try. After all, there are so many oranges that need picking. We’ve all got a pair of hands and we could read the Manual.”
“When you’ve been in the business as long as I have, you’ll realize that it’s not as simple as that,” he replied. “There isn’t time, for one thing. We have our work to do, our families to care for, and our homes to look after. We . . .”
But I wasn’t listening. Light was beginning to break on me. Whatever these people were, they were not orange pickers. Orange picking was just a form of entertainment for their weekends.
I tried one or two more of the groups around the trees. Not all of them had such high academic standards for orange pickers. Some held classes on orange picking. I tried to tell them of the trees I had seen in Neglected County but they seemed to have little interest.
“We haven’t picked the oranges here yet,” was their usual reply.
The sun was almost setting in my dream and, growing tired of the noise and activity all around me, I got in the car and began to drive back again along the road I had come. Soon all around me again were the vast and empty orange groves.
But there were changes. Something had happened in my absence. Everywhere the ground was littered with fallen fruit. And as I watched it seemed that before my eyes the trees began to rain oranges. Many of them lay rotting on the ground.
I felt there was something so strange about it all, and my bewilderment grew as I thought of all the people in Home County.
Then, booming through the trees there came a voice which said, “The harvest truly is plenteous but the laborers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest”, that he will send forth laborers. . .”
And I awakened – for it was only a dream!
Posted in Thoughts from James by Phil Erickson with 6 comments.