Jesus is Able

“… for I know whom I have believed

and am persuaded that He is able

to keep what I have committed to Him

until that Day.”

(2Timothy 1:12 NKJV) [1]

As a believer in Jesus Christ, Paul was in Christ and Christ was in him.

(John 14:19-21)   In spiritual union with Christ, Paul had a saving knowledge of Him.

Paul had committed himself fully to Jesus.  He trusted Christ to keep his immortal soul in His hand until “that Day.” (John 10:25-30) 

Paul wrote 2Timothy while he was imprisoned in Rome.  He was expecting to be executed. (2Timothy 4:6-8)  Paul believed that when he died he would immediately be in the presence of the Lord in heaven. (2Corinthians 5:1-8)

The most common interpretation of "that Day" is that Paul was referring to the Day of Judgement. Those who refuse the salvation provided by the Lord will be punished. Those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will also be judged to determine their reward.
(Revelation 20:11-15, Matthew 25:31-46, 1Corinthians 3:13-15)

Along with the Apostle Paul, those who believe in Jesus can rejoice in the assurance that they have been saved and will enjoy everlasting life. (John 3:16)  In glory we will receive our reward for those things we have done in Him.  Then we will have the privilege of laying our rewards at His feet in worship and praise. (Revelation 4:9-11, 7:9-17) 

Join us in eternity with the Lord.  Believe in Jesus Christ and be saved.

 

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[1] https://biblehub.com/nkjv/2_timothy/1.htm

Three Cats

Years ago, I heard this joke in a Psychology class or read it in a textbook.  I can’t remember which.  It’s about three cats, and it goes something like this: 

An experiment was done using three cats; a German cat, a French cat, and an American cat.  Each cat was placed in an identical cage.  There was no food or water in the cages, but food and water was placed just outside the door of each cage.  Inside each cage was a lever.  If the cat hit the lever with its paw, the cage door would open so the cat could get to its food and water. 

The German cat sat quietly contemplating its cage until it figured out how to hit the lever and open the door.  The French cat complained long and loud until one of the scientists opened the door for it.  The American cat thrashed about madly until it hit the lever by accident. 

Let’s hope congress stops thrashing about madly and hits the lever soon to fix the border crisis, (ZERO illegal entries, drug smuggling, and sex trafficking), and to provide aid to Taiwan, Ukraine, Israel and other friends who are desperately fighting for their freedom.

"Be Merciful to Me, A Fool"

 The Fool’s Prayer 

By: Edward Rowland Sill 

The royal feast was done; the King

Sought some new sport to banish care,

And to his jester cried: “Sir Fool,

Kneel now, and make for us a prayer!” 

The jester doffed his cap and bells,

And stood the mocking court before;

They could not see the bitter smile

Behind the painted grin he wore. 

He bowed his head, and bent his knee

Upon the monarch’s silken stool;

His pleading voice arose: “O Lord,

Be merciful to me, a fool! 

“No pity, Lord, could change the heart

From red with wrong to white as wool:

The rod must heal the sin; but, Lord,

Be merciful to me, a fool! 

“’T is not by guilt the onward sweep

Of truth and right, O Lord, we stay;

’T is by our follies that so long

We hold the earth from heaven away. 

“These clumsy feet, still in the mire,

Go crushing blossoms without end;

These hard, well-meaning hands we thrust

Among the heart-strings of a friend. 

“The ill-timed truth we might have kept—

Who knows how sharp it pierced and stung!

The word we had not sense to say—

Who knows how grandly it had rung! 

“Our faults no tenderness should ask,

The chastening stripes must cleanse them all;

But for our blunders—oh, in shame

Before the eyes of heaven we fall. 

“Earth bears no balsam for mistakes;

Men crown the knave, and scourge the tool

That did his will; but Thou, O Lord,

Be merciful to me, a fool.” 

The room was hushed; in silence rose

The King, and sought his gardens cool,

And walked apart, and murmured low,

“Be merciful to me, a fool!” [1] 

How often have we looked back at the things we have done and felt the sting that comes with the knowledge that we have done wrong?  Thank God that he has provided a way for us to receive the mercy we do not deserve. If we accept the salvation Jesus Christ has provided for us, it is possible to stand confidently before Him at the judgement, covered by His righteousness – rather than our sin, or reliance on our own good deeds; that are too inadequate and too few to earn salvation on our own. 

Please accept Jesus as your Savior today.  Be filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered to become more and more like Jesus each day.

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[1] https://dailypoetry.me/edward-rowland-sill/fools-prayer/