There is a vital relationship between love and truth. There are truth people and there are love people. Then there are people who, like Jesus, are both. 1 John focuses on authentic connection with God and others. 2 John focuses on guarding those connections by protecting the truth from the basis of love.

Friendship is a powerful force in our lives. When you think of your best friend you think of somebody who you have shared meaningful time with. The reality is the best portion of our lives will be seemingly insignificant moments smiling with people who matter to us. Through friendship God invites us to know him and to make him known. John carries a wonderful revelation of friendship with God because he was arguably Jesus’ closest friend.

God’s plan is to awaken his dreams in our hearts causing our lives to flourish for generations to come.

We can all relate in one way or another to the idea of basing decisions and conclusions on information that was wrong. This is the story of anybody’s life that neglects the life-producing truth of God’s Word. 2 Peter is all about ensuring believers believe that which is true.

Peter walked with Jesus for more than three years. He observed firsthand the greatest example of being completely set apart to God yet still gaining entrance into the lives of others because of a loving, caring attitude.

James was written to encourage Christians who are suffering highlighting wisdom, faith, endurance and devotion to the needs of others. Jesus is revealed in James as the one who authenticates our faith.

Hebrews crystalizes the ministry transition from the Old Testament priests to the present priestly ministry of Jesus in the life of every believer. All these sacrifices made at the temple were fulfilled in the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

If you look closely you’ll see that Philemon, Paul’s shortest letter, reveals Transformation and Forgiveness.Slavery existed in Biblical times and here we find Paul asking Philemon to forgive Onesimus a slave who had run away. Not only was he asking him to forgive him but to receive him not as a slave but as a brother in Christ and release him to the work of the Gospel back with Paul.

Paul’s letter to Titus is a message to awaken flourishing lives resulting from right living through careful attention to theological truth. False teachers and immature Christians embracing divisive ideas were a threat to the church. Paul directed Titus establish group of faithful elders to oversee doctrinal purity and bring clear instruction about healthy conduct of believers.

Paul wrote to Timothy from a prison cell. The great fire of Rome in 64 AD burned half the city. With residents in an uproar, Christians became a convenient target for Nero. Paul was one of those caught up in this and was beheaded by Roman officials soon after writing this letter.

71% people between 18-23 drop out of church for at least a year even if actively involved in roles of youth leadership, etc. If an older adult stays in touch with them this drops dramatically. A text every other week is enough of a contact to cut that statistic by 50%! Paul embraces next generation leaders to encourage them forward in the call of God. 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus are known as the three pastoral letters.

The biggest question I have any time I hear anybody talking about these things is, “What are we going to do about it?” The ultimate conclusion of end times study should simply be encouragement to love God and love others as effectively as we can. No need to get in an uproar just live and love effectively with greater intention in that direction.