1 Pet 4:7 - 5:14

Goals for 2011:
1. Live as though earth is not my "home."
2. Heaven is my home - therefore, I cannot get comfortable here.
3. Make each day count for my future home.
4. Value this life God has given and take care of my earthly body.

Overview:
Since the end is near, take Christ's 2nd coming seriously! Live as Christ taught - live a godly life without grumbling or complaining. Use the gifts that God has given you for the good of other Christians. (4:10) Do your best!!
Don't be surprised when terrible troubles come your way. Nothing strange is happening - God has not left you, rather these difficulties are to test you. Don't suffer for doing wrong, that doesn't bring God's blessing, But if you suffer for being identified with Chirst, you will be blessed. Furthermore, rejoice because God has called you worthy to suffer for Him!
Serve one another with a spirit of humility, considering other's well-being as more important than your own. Put all your worries and troubles on God because He can bear them and He cares for you.
Be on guard for the devil who is prowling about seeking to entrap you and keep you from doing what God wants you to do. Resist his temptations and stand firm in your faith. Any suffering you are going through remember other brothers and sisters in Christ are going through the same things all over the world.
Promise: (5:10) After you have suffered a little while, Christ will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you!

Application:
I have not been promised an easy life here on this earth. Rather I am to follow in Christ's footsteps - a Man of Sorrows and acquainted with grief. He led a life where He was mocked and and suffered for His beliefs. If I am following Him, I must expect that this will be my lot as well.
God does not want me to be comfortable here, therefore, He may have to stir up my "nest" so that I long for heaven - my true home. If I am making this home comfortable and am satisfied with "here," then I am not living the way He wants for me to live. I need to be looking toward heaven and my eternal reward. This world is temporary, and as one said, a clean bus station at best. I am wasting my time trying to make this the best it can be. It will never be close to being heaven and all the rewards that are promised me there. Why settle for a hovel, when God wants me to have a palace?!
Difficulties, death and desolation are what I need to expect here. Stop being surprised when that is what I encounter! This is not heaven - this is not perfection!! It never will be.