The Cooling Stream

Of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven,  
but My Father only.  - Matthew 24:36 -

God the Father has kept us from knowing the actual time of Christ’s return.

But this helps keep us motivated in Christian service and spiritual growth all the time.

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Let us be assured, Christ’s personal return will take place.

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As we wait for that day, let us live our lives with holy conduct and godliness.

Let us be found waiting and watching for Christ’s return every day.

The nation of Israel was in big trouble.

But the Lord promised the nation’s new leader: “I will not leave you nor forsake you” (Josh. 1:5).

Joshua was taking over leadership of the Israelites after Moses’ death, just before they were to enter the Promised Land.

Trouble was on the horizon with numerous military campaigns against their enemies.

Without God’s presence, they couldn’t begin to acquire the land.

God graciously gave Joshua the reminder, so that he could be courageous because of His presence.

God promises the same to His children today (Heb. 13:5-6).

The Lord is always with us, even when we’re in much trouble.

It’s not always easy to maintain unity in the family of God.

We are all unique; we have different needs, abilities, and viewpoints.

But we are called to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Harmony with other Christians is important; it reflects the unity between Jesus and His heavenly Father.

Jesus prayed this for believers: “That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You” (John 17:21).

When problems arise within the family of God, we are to respond with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love” (Eph. 4:2).

As Christians, we need to give accurate direction as to how a person can get to heaven by having a relationship with Christ (John 3:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-5).

We need to help people see that following their own religious systems, such as good works or hoping to be good enough, won’t get them to heaven.

And as we share the true gospel of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, we must be sensitive to people’s beliefs.

Jesus is the way of salvation.

Let us share the gospel with love and truth.

Forgiveness is the very core of the gospel message.

We are Christians only because God forgave us everything.

There is no other ground on which we stand.

It was not our repentance.

It was not our praying the sinner’s prayer.

Nothing made us children of God except God forgave.

And God did it through His Son on the cross 2000 years ago.

Jesus took all that sin and nailed it to the cross.

And He commanded us to do the same.

We must keep to Jesus’ teaching.

We must learn to forgive.

Let us learn to let go of our right for revenge.

Let us try not to be bitter.

Let us forgive others their sins just as God had forgiven ours.

Seek love. Love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8; James 5:20).

The law can't stop us from sinning.

But love toward God can motivate us to do what the law can't.

If we exercise God's love, we will keep the commandments.

Love can motivate us to do the right things.

And if we really love another person, we cannot possibly injure him. Love stifles any thought that leads to adultery, murder, theft, or any form of covetousness because love cannot harm.

Love is supreme in providing the right kind of persuasion.

Seek love. Love covers a multitude of sins.