Category: What do you think?

Living with Diligence and Hope in a Changing World

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ANDY ANDERSON

The book of Second Peter reminds believers to remain faithful in a world that is quickly moving away from God. Peter writes to Christians who were scattered and suffering because of persecution. These early followers of Jesus were forced to leave their homes and begin new lives in strange places. They faced new languages, unfamiliar customs, and at times open hostility. Yet Peter’s message to them, and to us, is that their faith could give them the strength to remain steady through it all.

Peter explains that one day “the heavens will pass away with a great noise,” and the earth and all its works will be burned up. Consider this description of the end and what that means to readers. Doesn’t this tell us that everything around us is temporary? Peter asks a simple but serious question: what kind of people should we be while we wait for that day? His answer: We must live in holiness and godliness.

God’s people must make time to study, pray, and think deeply on His word. In a busy world that pulls us in every direction, believers are called to slow down and stay close to Scripture. The Bible is the one thing that keeps us grounded when everything else changes.

The letter also reminds us that God is patient. Some people mock the idea that Christ will return, saying that too much time has passed. But Peter says that God’s sense of time is not like ours. To Him, one day is as a thousand years. The “delay” in Christ’s return is not a failure of promise; it is a sign of mercy. God’s timing is not always what we want, or what we think it should be..

Peter calls believers to live in three ways: to be diligent, to be hopeful, and to be informed.

To be diligent means to make every effort to live in peace, free from blame, and faithful to Christ. This kind of peace is not found in the world but in a right relationship with God. The peace of Christ allows a person to rest even when the world feels uncertain.

To be hopeful is to trust that God’s timing serves a purpose. Consider, every day that passes without Christ’s return is another day for someone to find salvation. This hope should comfort believers as they wait for the new heavens and the new earth, where righteousness will dwell.

To be informed means to stay grounded in the word of God. Peter warns that some people twist the Scriptures for their own gain or misunderstanding. Christians must take time to learn what the Bible really says so they can stand firm and help others understand the truth. A believer who knows God’s word can explain their faith clearly and live it out with confidence.

In the end, Peter’s message is steady and simple. The world will not last forever, but those who belong to Christ have a secure hope. Until that final day, we must live with diligence, hope, and knowledge.

Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:58

Finding Security in an Eternal God

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DON HEBERT

Many Christians know the hymn Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing. Its words are more than just poetry. They are a prayer, a story, and a reminder of God’s grace. The hymn speaks of wandering hearts, divine rescue, and the call for God to “tune our hearts” to sing His grace. It reminds believers that when we feel spiritually distant or dull, God can restore our voice in prayer and renew our hearts in worship.

Words: Robert Robinson Music: Traditional American melody; John Wyeth’s Repository of Sacred Music Vocalists: Hannah Park, Deb Victa, and Philip Webb Instrumentalists: Cathy Biagini – Cello, Sarah Biagini – Violin, Trina Hodgson – Cello and Ben Mason – Piano

Many believers go through seasons when they feel dry or disconnected from God. Psalm 90 helps us draw near again, reminding us of God’s eternal nature and our short lives on earth.

Psalm 90, written by Moses, is a prayer that contrasts God’s eternity with human frailty. It begins with praise: “Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.” God Himself is the home and safety of His people. Across all times and cultures, God remains a constant refuge. Though the world is unstable and uncertain, our true security is not found in material things but in the everlasting God who never changes.

Before the world began, God existed. Even the mountains, which seem ancient and unmovable, were formed by Him. From “everlasting to everlasting,” He is God. Because of that, there is no moment in history or place on earth where He is absent. He is the creator, sustainer, and protector of all life. This should give comfort to those who feel forgotten or unsettled. God is near and never loses sight of His children.

The psalm then reminds us that life is brief. Humans return to dust, as God said in Genesis 3. Even the longest human life is short compared to God’s eternal being. A thousand years to Him are like a single day to us. Our days pass quickly, like grass that grows in the morning and withers by evening. Recognizing how short life is should humble us and lead us to wisdom.

Moses also acknowledged that death entered the world because of sin. The wrath of God against sin is real. Because of this, unbelief and disobedience are moral matters. Sin is not only wrongdoing but rejection of the God who gives life. Yet the message also points to hope: through Jesus Christ, believers are freed from God’s wrath. Jesus bore that judgment on the cross so that those who trust in Him live under grace, not condemnation.

Later in the psalm, Moses prayed, “Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” This is a request for perspective. We should live with awareness of how short life is and to use our time well. Instead of chasing temporary things, we should seek to make our days count by serving God faithfully.

Moses also prayed that God would satisfy His people with His steadfast love. This is where lasting joy begins. Many people try to fill their hearts with distractions, pleasure, or possessions, but these things cannot truly satisfy. Only God’s love can fill the emptiness of the human heart. When believers focus on His steadfast love, especially as shown through Jesus Christ, they find joy, peace, and renewal.

The psalm closes with a prayer for God to bless and establish the work of His people. Moses asked that their short lives would still produce something meaningful. The message connected this to 1 Corinthians 15:58, where Paul wrote that labour in the Lord is never wasted. When we serve God, He makes our work endure beyond this temporary world.

Psalm 90 invites every believer to reflect on three truths:

  • Life on earth is brief and fragile.
  • Sin separates us from God, but grace restores us through Christ.
  • Real security and lasting purpose are found only in the eternal God.

When we feel weary, distracted, or spiritually distant, we can return to the Lord, our dwelling place. He alone gives refuge, wisdom, and peace that last beyond time itself.

For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.

Hebrews 13:14

Understanding time as God’s creation

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JOHN COPIC

The first chapter of Genesis describes how God began His creative work. On the first day, He said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. While some say God created time in the first verse of the first chapter, where God created the Heaven’s and the Earth, Others say it happened specifically with the creation of light. They see this as more than the creation of physical light. They believe this moment marked the beginning of time itself. The separation of light from darkness established a pattern of day and night, a rhythm that defines how we experience life. This passage, they say, shows that time is not random or accidental; it is part of God’s good design. I won’t pretend to know for sure; the Bible doesn’t speak to the science of all this. But there are some solid thoughts on this.

God created the Earth, formless and void. IRS Images, 2025

In the account of creation, the Bible is not only describing physical matter but also the establishment of order and purpose. When God called the light “day” and the darkness “night,” He defined what a day is, a measurable period of time. The first day is described using a cardinal number, meaning it sets a standard. The days that follow are described using ordinal numbers, like second and third, showing a sequence built on the definition of that first day. Some say this suggests that God created real, 24-hour days, not long ages or eras, which challenges ideas that combine evolution with divine creation. I respectfully disagree. I read this as God creating with order. If we were to have exact length definitions, I think the Bible would spell this out. But that’s me talking, not the Bible. Shouldn’t we all be careful not to add to the Bible by portraying what we believe about the Word to be the Word itself?

Time, therefore, is one of the first gifts God gave to creation. It is the foundation for everything that follows. Space and matter exist within it. Yet Scripture also reminds us that God Himself is outside of time. He is eternal, not bound by hours or days. I’ve heard pop physicists on TV speak of Time and the physical universe being parts of the same thing. If God created the universe, I would expect him to be independent of it; and that includes being independent of time. Still, He entered into time through Jesus Christ. The eternal Son became human and lived within the limits of our world. Because of this, we can know God personally. Our salvation happens in time because Christ lived, died, and rose again within history. This shows that time is not only a physical reality but also a means through which God reveals His love and redemption.

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.
A thousand ages in Thy sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.

The Bible often speaks of God’s relationship to time. In 2 Peter 3:8, it says that with the Lord, a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like a day. This idea also appears in the Psalms, where it is said that a thousand years to God are like a night that has passed. These passages remind us that while time feels long or short to us, God sees all of it at once. Time belongs to Him. It is His creation and under His control.

Scripture also teaches that everything has its appointed time. In Ecclesiastes 3, we read that there is a time for every purpose under heaven, a time to be born, a time to die, a time to weep, and a time to laugh. Life includes both joy and hardship, and God has made all of it part of His plan. The writer of Ecclesiastes also says that God has “put eternity into the human heart.” Unlike other creatures, people are aware of time passing and sense that there is something beyond it. This awareness calls us to think about eternity and what comes after this life.

The Bible gives several examples where God uses time in miraculous ways. In the book of Joshua, God made the sun stand still so His people could finish their battle. In the days of King Hezekiah, God caused the shadow on a sundial to move backward as a sign that He would deliver Judah. In the New Testament, Jesus walked on water, and when He entered the disciples’ boat, they suddenly reached the shore. Later, the deacon Philip was transported instantly from one place to another after baptizing the Ethiopian official. These moments show that God, who made time, can alter it whenever He chooses.

If time did not exist, change would be impossible. There would be no beginning or end, no growth, no redemption. But in time, God works out His plan. Salvation happens here, in the world we live in, not in some distant spiritual realm. Even the angels, who exist outside our physical world, do not experience salvation as humans do. They look upon it with wonder because it is something unique to us. It is God’s grace shown within time and history.

Time itself reminds us of our need for God. It shows that life on earth is temporary. We all have a past filled with sin and a future that can hold hope through Christ. The passing of time gives us the opportunity to repent, grow, and look forward to eternal life. Even death, which feels like the end, is only the beginning of life in God’s presence.

When we look back at the first day of creation, we see that the creation of time was not a small detail. It was a gift that allows life, history, and salvation to unfold. Time is not our enemy, though it may feel that way when we face pain or loss. It is part of God’s good creation, meant to bring order, meaning, and the opportunity to know Him more fully.

for He says,
“At a favorable time I listened to you,
And on a day of salvation I helped you.”

2 Corinthians 6:2

Faith and Promise over Law and Works

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ANDY ANDERSON

In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he warned believers about turning away from the message of grace. The early Christians in Galatia were being influenced by a group some today call the Judaizers. These men taught that faith in Christ was not enough for salvation. They said Gentile believers must also follow the laws given to Moses, such as circumcision and the ceremonial commands. Paul firmly rejected this teaching, explaining that salvation does not come through human effort but through faith in Jesus Christ alone.

Paul reminded the Galatians that the law was never meant to save anyone. Its purpose was to show people their sin and point them toward Christ, the only one who could fulfill the law perfectly. Relying on the law for salvation only leads to guilt and bondage because no one can keep it completely. Only faith in the finished work of Christ brings freedom and peace with God.

To help the Galatians understand, Paul used an example from the Old Testament: the story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar. God had promised Abraham that he would have many descendants, as countless as the stars in the sky. Yet years passed and no child was born to Abraham and Sarah. Doubting that God would still act, Sarah told Abraham to have a child with her servant, Hagar. Hagar gave birth to Ishmael, but this was not the child of promise. Later, God fulfilled His word, and Sarah gave birth to Isaac, even though she was very old.

Paul explained that this story shows two ways people try to relate to God. Ishmael, born through human planning, represents trying to reach God through human effort and the law. Isaac, born through God’s promise, represents salvation through faith and the power of God. Just as Isaac was born because of God’s promise, so Christians are saved by grace, not by works.

Believers should not try to “help” God or take control of His promises. This often leads to difficulty. Abraham and Sarah acted out of impatience, and it caused pain within their family. From Paul’s writing we learn that God’s timing is perfect, even when His promises seem delayed. Waiting on God shows trust, while acting out of fear or frustration can lead to regret.

Paul also reminded the Galatians that when they first believed, they received the Holy Spirit. This didn’t happen through keeping the law but through faith. The Spirit’s presence proved that salvation was by grace. Seeking salvation through the law would undo the freedom they had found in Christ. He asked them to think carefully: why go back to rules that had never saved anyone? In Galatians 5:4 he writes, “You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by the Law; you have fallen from grace.”

The same truth applies today. Many still believe that good works or religious traditions can earn favour with God. But the message of the gospel remains unchanged. No amount of effort, ritual, or rule-keeping can remove sin or bring eternal life. Salvation is a gift of grace received by faith in Christ alone.

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:1

A New Movement of Faith Among the Young

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NELSON NOLAND

As I write this in 2025, something is stirring among young people. For many years, those who worked in youth ministry felt that faith was difficult to plant in the hearts of teenagers. The message of Jesus often fell on hard ground. When a young person chose to follow Christ, it was rare. The world offered many distractions that seemed more exciting than faith. But over the past few years, there has been a noticeable change. Since around 2020, after the global pandemic, a growing number of youth and young adults have begun to seek what is real and lasting. During that time, many lost things they deeply valued, graduations, sports seasons, friendships, and normal routines. When everything stopped, many started asking deeper questions: What is life about? What is true? What can I trust?

This search has opened hearts to God. In colleges and universities across the country, students are choosing to be baptized and to live according to the teachings of Jesus. Many now believe that the way of Jesus is better than any other path. Those who work with youth are witnessing lives being changed more often than ever before. Conversations that once felt heavy and fruitless are now bearing fruit, as young people respond with soft hearts and sincere faith.

The story in Acts chapter 3 offers a clear picture of how the message of Jesus changes lives. Two of Jesus’s first followers, Peter and John, were going to the temple to pray. At the gate, they met a man who had never walked. Each day, people carried him there to ask for help from those entering the temple. When the man asked Peter and John for money, Peter replied that he had no silver or gold, but he did have something greater. In the name of Jesus Christ, he told the man to stand and walk. At that moment, the man’s legs became strong. He stood, walked, and even began to jump and praise God. Everyone around recognized him as the same man who used to beg at the gate. His life had changed completely. He was no longer defined by his weakness but by his worship.

The people watching were filled with wonder. They saw with their own eyes that the name of Jesus brought healing and power. Peter used that moment to explain that the same Jesus who had been crucified had risen from the dead and was still at work changing lives. Because of that truth, many believed. In this we see that following Jesus brings both a new direction and a new purpose. When Jesus called Peter and John years earlier, He told them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.” They left their fishing nets behind to follow Him, and in Acts 3, we see that calling fulfilled. They were no longer catching fish, they were helping others find life in God.

To follow Jesus means to change course. It requires turning from one way of living to another. It also gives clear meaning to life. Many young people today are drawn to causes that matter, and the cause of Christ gives the greatest reason to live. It is to help others find hope and reconciliation with God.

Parents have an important part in this movement. Churches and ministries can teach and encourage, but no one has more influence on a child’s faith than a parent. When parents live out their faith with sincerity and love, their children notice. A parent’s passion for Jesus often lights the same fire in the hearts of their sons and daughters.

I believe the book of Acts reminds believers that making disciples is not the job of a few but the mission of all. To do that well, followers of Jesus are called to four things. First, be with Jesus, a person cannot lead others where they have not gone. Second, be bold, faith grows when it is shared, not hidden. Third, be ready for opportunities, God often opens doors in everyday moments. And finally, be humble, it is not our power but God’s grace that changes lives.

Just as the man at the gate was lifted to his feet, many today are finding new life through faith in Jesus.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10