Fool's Gold

The Holy Spirit said to me this morning: "Fool's Gold"

As I meditated on this word today I began to understand what the Lord was saying to me.

First let's define the word 'fool'.

1: a person lacking in judgment or prudence (Merriam Webster)

So what is 'Fool's Gold'

Wikipedia says:

"The mineral pyrite, or iron pyrite, is an iron sulfide with the formula FeS₂. This mineral's metallic luster and pale-to-normal, brass-yellow hue have earned it the nickname fool's gold because of its resemblance to gold."

When a prospector went mining for gold sometimes they would find the mineral pyrite that resembles gold and they would think that they had struck it rich, but to their dismay what they found was 'fool's gold', which is absolutely worthless!

When we contrast 'fool's gold' with real gold we find a big difference in value and substance.

This also reminds me of the wheat and the tares (darnel). They both look alike and you can't tell them apart until they are fully grown.

We can also contrast those who call themselves Christians and those who are genuine Christians in the eyes of God. Many people say they are Christians, but don't obey the words of Jesus who they say they love and follow. They quote scripture, go to church on Sunday, pay tithes, give to the needy etc... but yet their hearts are far from God, I call them modern day Pharisees, and I should know because I was one of them!

Matthew 23:23-27

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness."

Paul, before he was called and chosen by the Lord had alot of 'fool's gold'. He thought he knew God and he thought he was doing God a favor by persecuting the saints, he even stood by holding the other Pharisees coats and giving his approval while they stoned Stephen to death!

Imagine his shock on the road to Damascus when he found out that all he had was 'fool's gold'!

Acts 9:1-6

"Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

What a wake up call that was! And this will happen to many today who have been deceived and follow another jesus, thinking they know God but they really don't. Instead of receiving the genuine Jesus Christ that the scriptures testify of, many receive a false jesus who is all love, and tolerant of man's sin.

2nd Corinthians 11:4

"For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!"

Do you have 'fool's gold'? Or do you have the real deal?

In His Love,
Tyrone

Julgamentos de Deus

Por: Cynthia R. Palmer

Sexta-feira, 18 de fevereiro, 2011

This message is also written in English on Feb 18th, 2011

Eu gostaria de compartilhar algumas palavras com aqueles que têm ouvidos para ouvir a verdade sobre os julgamentos de Deus, porque eu sei que há muitos que fecham os ouvidos para este assunto, eles podem fechar os ouvidos agora, mas seus olhos não serao fechados para ver esta realidade que vem de Deus.

Alguns dias atrás, eu estava orando sobre todos os cristãos e tambem não crentes que definitivamente nao estao cientes de todas estas coisas que estão por vir sobre a terra e muitas coisas que já estão acontecendo e eu estava tendo uma conversa com Deus sobre isso.Eu estava perguntando ao Senhor como Ele estava se sentindo sobre tudo isso e eu também disse em minha oração que devia ser muito difícil para Ele ter que enviar os seus juízos para a terra e também Ele devia estar muito triste com todas essas iniqüidades e desobediência e esta é a palavra que eu ouvi do Espírito Santo:

Jeremias 9:24-25

^".....mas o que se gloriar, glorie-se nisto: em entender, e em me conhecer, que eu sou o Senhor, que faço benevolência, juízo e justiça na terra; porque destas coisas me agrado, diz o Senhor. Eis que vêm dias, diz o Senhor, em que castigarei a todo circuncidado pela sua incircuncisão."

Estas palavras foram para mim uma revelação de Deus naquele momento porque eu estava pensando que  Ele estava triste e tudo mais, e Ele disse que estas coisas eram um "prazer" para Ele porque Ele se deleita, se agrada do juízo, benignidade e justiça.

Salmo 147:11 

O Senhor se compraz nos que o temem, nos que esperam na sua benignidade.

Provérbios 11:20

Abominação para o Senhor são os perversos de coração; mas os que são perfeitos em seu caminho são o seu deleite.

Salmo 7:11

Deus é um juiz justo, um Deus que sente indignação todos os dias.

Salmo 9:8

Ele mesmo julga o mundo com justiça; julga os povos com eqüidade.

Salmo 75:7

Mas Deus é o que julga; a um abate, e a outro exalta.

Salmo 96:13

^...diante do Senhor, porque ele vem, porque vem julgar a terra: julgará o mundo com justiça e os povos com a sua fidelidade.

Salmo 110:6

Julgará entre as nações; enchê-las-á de cadáveres; quebrantará os cabeças por toda a terra.

Apocalipse 20:13

O mar entregou os mortos que nele havia; e a morte e o hades entregaram os mortos que neles havia; e foram julgados, cada um segundo as suas obras.

João 9:31

^...sabemos que Deus não ouve a pecadores; mas, se alguém for temente a Deus, e fizer a sua vontade, a esse ele ouve.

Provérbios 10:2

Os tesouros da impiedade de nada aproveitam; mas a justiça livra da morte.

Provérbios 11:19

Quem é fiel na retidão encaminha, para a vida, e aquele que segue o mal encontra a morte.

Assim, vemos claramente que há um livro onde todas as obras que fazemos nesta terra estão sendo escritas e todos nós vamos ser julgados pelo que fazemos e nada é escondido à vista do Senhor!Andemos em retidão pelo poder do Espírito Santo nesta geração corrompida pois a nossa recompensa é certa! Vamos temer ao Senhor e obedecer aos Seus mandamentos e sermos perfeitos em Cristo, pois Ele está voltando para uma noiva sem mancha e sem mácula.
Que esta mensagem possa incentivá-lo a caminhar em retidão e ser irrepreensível na presença do Senhor e se você não está andando assim ainda: se arrependa, confesse seus pecados, entregue o teu caminho ao Senhor, obedeca Seus mandamentos, seja batizado nas águas e receba  o Santo Espírito de Deus para ser um filho do Deus Altíssimo!

Com muito amor em Cristo,

Cynthia R. Palmer

Wisdom

By: Cynthia Palmer

Written on June 11th, 2011

The peace of the Lord to all,

As I knelt down to pray at 10pm on June 11th, 2011, the Holy Spirit started reminding me the words in Proverbs He was giving to me many days in a row some days ago. And all the words were about "Wisdom".

The Lord was telling me how much since I was a little child I have been in the midst of older people and Tyrone the same, but since I came to Christ the Lord only put me around older people who are supposed to be wiser than younger people. But the Lord  has always used me to teach something to older people. And He was reminding me of how many older couples and people He has been putting in our path since me and Tyrone got married.

So the Lord said that He would put us in the midst of those who think they know, who think they are right, who think their knowledge is saving them to confuse them, to show through our vessels that He is powerful and He knows the depths of everything and He can use whoever He wants , even the young to confuse the old, for His wisdom is amazing! He uses the least expected to give us lessons and also to correct us, advise us, help us. Not everything the Lord does will have the standards of age, beauty, closeness to us or expectations we have, but many times this is what He does to bring us to completion of His purposes and we cannot miss these visitations.

The Lord said He would confuse the wise using me and Tyrone in His wisdom.

Let us check what wisdom means:

Wisdom (Wikipedia) – Wisdom is a deep understanding and realizing of people, things, events or situations, resulting in the ability to choose or act or inspire to consistently produce the optimum results with a minimum of time, energy or thought. It is the ability to optimally (effectively and efficiently) apply perceptions and knowledge and so produce the desired results. Wisdom is also the comprehension of what is true or right coupled with optimum judgment as to action.

***Wisdom:  is a God given gift and can also be searched by prayer, by crying out to the Lord.

Proverbs 2:6

For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

James 1:5-6

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Psalm 90:12

So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Ephesians 5:15-16

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

My comment: We definetely need to redeem our time, we need to use every second wisely, we need wisdom to count our days, so we may do everything the Lord has for us to accomplish in this earth as wise servants.
Commentary of Life Application Bible: Wisdom is both the ability to discern what is best and the strength of character to act upon that knowledge. Applying wisdom to life demonstrates our discernment.

2 Peter 3:15-16 - God gave wisdom to Paul to write

...and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.

This is so amazing! Wisdom is just so much for the ignorant and unstable that they distort wisdom to their own destruction!

1 kings 3:12
behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you.

The Lord gave wisdom to Solomon when He asked but let us see what He did to it. He used wisely to judge in his kingdom righteously, but in his personal life ( all the women who worshipped idols that He had as wives) he did not use the wisdom God gave him and it was a mess. This is the same with us today, we can pretty much be using the wisdom we received from God in some areas of our lives,  but leaving other areas aside and acting up like fools. Therefore not obtaining the results we wish we had in those areas.

Acts 7:10 -God gave Joseph wisdom and he used it well:

...and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.

Let us think about this wonderful man of God: He was hated by his brothers, was sold as a slave by them, but the favor of the Lord was upon Him and everything he did was a success! Joseph used the wisdom the Lord gave him in all the aspects of his life and he was always blessed by the Lord even in the most difficult moments of his life like the prison.
God's Wisdom

1 Cor 1:8-25-27

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “ I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”[a]20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks[b] foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. ²⁷ But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty.

Commentary of the Life Application Bible: Many Jews considered the Good News of Jesus Christ to be foolish, because they thought the Messiah would be a conquering King accompanied by signs and miracles. Jesus had not restored David's throne as they expected. Besides, he was executed as a criminal, and how could a criminal be a savior? Greeks too, considered the gospel foolish: they did not believe in a bodily ressurection; they did not see in Jesus the powerful characteristics of their mythological gods; and they thought no reputable person would be crucified. To them, death was defeat, not victory.

My comment: Think about that: God (invisible) came in flesh through Jesus Christ (the Word, who was God Himself). Mary was the one who was chosen to carry the pregnancy of Jesus Christ (God) and she was virgin! Then, Jesus (God),the Savior of human kind because of the preaching of the kingdom of God was persecuted and crucified as a criminal! Doesn't God really love to confuse the wise? That is why I love God!!!! To believe Him and everything He did, does and will do needs faith and faith that even He is the only ONE able to GIVE to mankind! Aleluia! Praise the living God, the One who nobody can give advices for He knows it all!

1 cor 2:6-8

However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Wisdom from Above

James 3:13-17

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. ¹⁵ This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. ¹⁶ For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. ¹⁷ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

Value of Wisdom

Job 28:12-28

“But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?
¹³ Man does not know its value, Nor is it found in the land of the living.
¹⁴ The deep says, ‘It is not in me’;
And the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’
¹⁵ It cannot be purchased for gold, Nor can silver be weighed for its price.
¹⁶ It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir,
In precious onyx or sapphire.
¹⁷ Neither gold nor crystal can equal it,
Nor can it be exchanged for jewelry of fine gold.
¹⁸ No mention shall be made of coral or quartz,
For the price of wisdom is above rubies.
¹⁹ The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it,
Nor can it be valued in pure gold.
²⁰“From where then does wisdom come?
And where is the place of understanding?
²¹ It is hidden from the eyes of all living,
And concealed from the birds of the air.
²² Destruction and Death say,
‘We have heard a report about it with our ears.’
²³ God understands its way, And He knows its place.
²⁴ For He looks to the ends of the earth,
And sees under the whole heavens,
²⁵ To establish a weight for the wind,
And apportion the waters by measure.
²⁶ When He made a law for the rain,
And a path for the thunderbolt,
²⁷ Then He saw wisdom^[b] and declared it;
He prepared it, indeed, He searched it out.
²⁸ And to man He said,
‘ Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,
And to depart from evil is understanding.’”

Proverbs 3:13-18

¹³ Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding;
¹⁴ For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,
And her gain than fine gold.
¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies,
And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
¹⁶ Length of days is in her right hand,
In her left hand riches and honor.
¹⁷ Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace. ¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who retain her. 

Wisdom of words

1 Cor 1:17

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.

My comment: Many people today try to be an ambulant dictionary, preaching with so many difficult words, words that people commonly do not even hear, words that people cannot comprehend the meaning just to impress the crowd, just to show their knowledge, but Paul was the contrary, he did not use wisdom of words, but he carried the power of God with him and he preached the cross, he preached Jesus Christ in a way people could understand and choose what way they would like to take.

May the Lord grant us His wisdom and may we use it wisely in all we do,
Cynthia R. Palmer

Devemos Ser Batizados

Domingo 31 de Janeiro de 2010
Por: Tyrone D. Palmer
Traducao: Cynthia R. Palmer
This message can be found written in English on January 31st, 2010

Você sabia que o batismo é mais do que apenas um ritual simbólico?

Neste estudo, vamos dar uma olhada porque temos que ser batizados com o batismo de água e o que realmente significa isso para novos seguidores de Cristo.

A palavra grega para batismo é baptizo e isso significa:

"Imergir , mergulhar (submergir), para fazer molhado (ou seja, completamente molhado), usado apenas (no Novo Testamento) de ablução cerimonial, especialmente (tecnicamente) da ordenança do batismo cristão:. - Batista, batizar lavagem" (Strong grego Léxico)

Mateus 28:18-20
"E, aproximando-se Jesus, falou-lhesl (aos apostolos) , dizendo: Foi-me dada toda a autoridade no céu e na terra. Portanto ide, fazei discípulos de todas as nações, batizando-os em nome do Pai, e do Filho, e do Espírito Santo (Jesus) ; ensinando-os a observar todas as coisas que eu vos tenho mandado; e eis que eu estou convosco todos os dias, até a consumação dos séculos.".

Pergunta: Será que Jesus ordenou aos Seus apóstolos para fazer novos discípulos e batizá-los ou ele deixou isso para os novos convertidos decidirem como eles seriam salvos?

Marcos 16:14-18
"Por último, então, apareceu aos onze, estando eles reclinados a mesa, e lançou-lhes em rosto a sua incredulidade e dureza de coração, por não haverem dado crédito aos que o tinham visto já ressurgido. E disse-lhes: Ide por todo o mundo, e pregai o evangelho a toda criatura. Quem crer e for batizado será salvo; mas quem não crer será condenado. E estes sinais acompanharão aos que crerem: em meu nome expulsarão demônios; falarão novas línguas; pegarão em serpentes; e se beberem alguma coisa mortífera, não lhes fará dano algum; e porão as mãos sobre os enfermos, e estes serão curados. . "

Jesus novamente diz a seus apóstolos para batizarem os que acreditassem na mensagem do evangelho do reino de Deus. Jesus deixa claro que o batismo na água é parte do plano de salvação de Deus para a alma.

Atos 2:36-41
"Saiba pois com certeza toda a casa de Israel que a esse mesmo Jesus, a quem vós crucificastes, Deus o fez Senhor e Cristo. E, ouvindo eles isto, compungiram-se em seu coração, e perguntaram a Pedro e aos demais apóstolos: Que faremos, irmãos? Pedro então lhes respondeu: Arrependei-vos, e cada um de vós seja batizado em nome de Jesus Cristo, para remissão de vossos pecados; e recebereis o dom do Espírito Santo. Porque a promessa vos pertence a vós, a vossos filhos, e a todos os que estão longe: a quantos o Senhor nosso Deus chamar. E com muitas outras palavras dava testemunho, e os exortava, dizendo: salvai-vos desta geração perversa. De sorte que foram batizados os que receberam a sua palavra; e naquele dia agregaram-se quase três mil almas..."

Aqui vemos Pedro fazendo o que Jesus tinha ordenado a ele e ao resto dos apóstolos para fazer; batizar os novos convertidos nas águas em nome de Jesus. Eles nunca alteraram a mensagem do evangelho que pregavam enquanto viveram, e nao permitiam os que cressem na mensagem ficassem sem o batismo nas aguas ou sem receber o Espírito Santo.

Atos 8:14-17
"Os apóstolos, pois, que estavam em Jerusalém, tendo ouvido que os da Samária haviam recebido a palavra de Deus, enviaram-lhes Pedro e João; os quais, tendo descido, oraram por eles, para que recebessem o Espírito Santo. Porque sobre nenhum deles havia ele descido ainda; mas somente tinham sido batizados em nome do Senhor Jesus. Então lhes impuseram as mãos, e eles receberam o Espírito Santo.  "

Romanos 6:1-7

"Que diremos, pois? Permaneceremos no pecado, para que abunde a graça? De modo nenhum. Nós, que já morremos para o pecado, como viveremos ainda nele? Ou, porventura, ignorais que todos quantos fomos batizados em Cristo Jesus fomos batizados na sua morte? Fomos, pois, sepultados com ele pelo batismo na morte, para que, como Cristo foi ressuscitado dentre os mortos pela glória do Pai, assim andemos nós também em novidade de vida. Porque, se temos sido unidos a ele na semelhança da sua morte, certamente também o seremos na semelhança da sua ressurreição; sabendo isto, que o nosso homem velho foi crucificado com ele, para que o corpo do pecado fosse desfeito, a fim de não servirmos mais ao pecado. Pois quem está morto está justificado do pecado.  "

Paulo diz aos santos romanos que o batismo é muito mais que um ritual simbólico, mas uma participação na semelhança da morte, sepultamento e ressurreição de Jesus. Quando vamos para a sepultura, estamos colocando à morte do velho homem do pecado, crucificando a carne e sendo levantados da agua água uma nova criação em Cristo. Por este ato de fé e confissão, entramos em contato espiritual com o sangue de Jesus que lava todos os nossos pecados.

Gálatas 3:26-28

"Pois todos sois filhos de Deus pela fé em Cristo Jesus. Porque todos quantos fostes batizados em Cristo vos revestistes de Cristo. Não há judeu nem grego; não há escravo nem livre; não há homem nem mulher; porque todos vós sois um em Cristo Jesus. ".

Colossenses 2:11-12

"Nele também fostes circuncidados com a circuncisão não feita por mãos, colocando fora do corpo dos pecados da carne, a circuncisão de Cristo, sepultados com ele no batismo, no qual também fostes ressuscitados pela fé no trabalho de Deus , que ressuscitou dentre os mortos ".

1 Coríntios 12:12-14

"Porque, assim como o corpo é um, e tem muitos membros, e todos os membros do corpo, embora muitos, formam um só corpo, assim também é Cristo. Pois em um só Espírito fomos todos nós batizados em um só corpo, quer judeus, quer gregos, quer escravos quer livres; e a todos nós foi dado beber de um só Espírito. Porque também o corpo não é um membro, mas muitos.  "

Quando somos batizados na água e recebemos o Espírito Santo, somos espiritualmente colocados no corpo de Cristo, o batismo nas aguas não é um batismo separado, mas parte do batismo que todos os convertidos a Cristo devem receber.

Efésios 4:4-6
"Há um só corpo e um só Espírito, como também fostes chamados em uma só esperança da vossa vocação; um só Senhor, uma só fé, um só batismo , um só Deus e Pai de todos, que é acima de tudo, e por todos e em todos ".

Jesus ordenou aos discípulos que fossem batizados em Seu nome para o perdão dos seus pecados, e eles receberiam o dom do Espírito Santo, que iria capacitá-los a viver o resto de suas vidas em obediência a Deus e mortos para o pecado. Quem crer e for batizado será salvo!

Em Cristo,

Tyrone D. Palmer, apóstolo de Jesus

Suddenly...

The Peace of the Lord Jesus Christ,

I would like to share a dream I had tonight which is very sobering for the times we are living. Me, my husband and another person who I do not know who it was were lying on the sand of the beach far from the water. And we were talking, when suddenly the waters rose up until where we were and I said: "Let's go, run". And while we were running, I was telling them: "These waters are the sign that from now on many things the Lord will do will be sudden, with no warning".

This dream brought to my attention again everything that is going on around the world which are not being predicted, which are not being warned, all the destructive things that are happening suddenly!

Luke 21:34-36

“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy^[c] to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”  

1 Thessalonians 5:1-10

But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. ² For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. ³ For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. ⁴ But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. ⁵ You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. ⁶ Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. ⁸ But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. ⁹ For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁰ who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

2 Peter 3:10-13

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.^{[c] 11} Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, ¹² 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? ¹³ Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

May God keep all of us vigilant,

Cynthia R. Palmer