Strong
But who will be able to endure the day when he comes? Who will be able to survive when he appears? He will be like strong soap, like a fire that refines metal. ~ Malachi 3:2 (GNT)
As you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. ~ 1 Corinthians 1:7-8 (NLT)
KEY IDEA:
Christ will take care of you until he returns.
PRAYER:
Lord, that is such good news -- that you are going to return -- and that you are keeping me strong until that time. Of course, I'm not always accessing the strength you give me. (You don't force anyone!) But please keep at it. I will eventually get with your program. I mean, I'm a bit slow. But I trust you and I'm going to be ready for you. Amen.
TRANSLATIONS
ABP = Authorized Boydston Paraphrase — my own freestyle biblical adaptation — somewhere between paraphrase, commentary, and sermon
CEB = Common English Bible (©2011, the Common English Bible)
CEV = Contemporary English Version (©1995, American Bible Society)
MSG = The Message (©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson)
NIRV = New International Reader's Version (©1996, 1998, Biblica)
NIV = New International Version (©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, Biblica)
NLT = New Living Translation (©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, Tyndale House Foundation)
