* Exhorting one another and even more as we see the day of the Lord approaching.

 (Comments by Joan Boney)

As we draw nearer to the return of Jesus, we can expect an increase of wickedness in humans and also rampant deception.

We and others open doors for devils to operate by the following:  anger, envy and strife

Jesus warns us about taking on the cares of this life and over indulgence (surfeiting). 

Jesus says:  

Luke 21

34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

***

Things can seem more important than they really are.

We must continue to focus daily on living in peace, without spot and blameless.

II Peter 3

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

13 Nevertheless we, according to HIS promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

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.

Is there anything at all that concerns you at this moment?

If so, you need to stop and pray.  For this is the way to live constantly in peace.  Taking all concerns to God in prayer.  Talking it over with God.  Letting your requests be made known unto God.

Philippians 4:6-7   Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

***

Romans 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

We renew our minds through prayer, asking God what HE wants us to do in the issues pertaining to this life, and also by Bible reading.

The way of God is so different from the way of this world.

***

And beware of anger and wrath:

If we are annoyed with someone, we need to talk to God about this and ask God to help us to go in the right way toward this person.

Psalm 51:10    Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Ephesians 4:26   Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

Make it a practice to settle the matter before sundown.  You may not be able to appease the other person in conflict, but you can take it to God and plead for HIM to settle the issue.

Don't let our heart be hardened.

***

We can do so much through prayer.

Beware of envy and strife:

James 3

16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

*****