2.  Many “negatives” in this world and many aspects of the gospel are negative (Acts 20:29- 31; Gal. 1:6; Rev. 20:15).  But there are many, many overwhelmingly “positives” in the gospel message!  Knowledge of the “negatives” is critical, but over emphasis on them can be depressing.  Our teaching and preaching must be balanced (Prov. 12:25). 2

4.  “Be still, and know that I am God.”  Life is not always a “bowl of cherries”!  Ever felt like throwing your arms up and shouting “I give up!”?  In such times we must “Be still, and know that I am God.”  God is alive! He is in control! He will win!  Doesn’t always seem so, but God and His people will ultimately vanquish all of their enemies! Psalm 46 4

5.  “…it is impossible for God to lie…”  Truth is a scarce commodity in today’s world.  But we can place our complete trust in God with confidence (Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8).  We can take comfort that God’s will for us never changes (Psa. 119:89).  We have access to “all truth” (Jn. 16:13), it has been written down and divinely preserved (Eph. 3:1-5; 1 Pet. 1:23) so that with confidence and certainty we can come to know all there is about “the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3; cf. 2 Pet. 1:3; Jn. 6:68). 5

6. 6  “The Lord is…longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish…”  Why did the sun come up this morning?  Only one reason! (2 Pet. 3:9).  God’s desire is for no one to be eternally lost! 1 Tim. 2:4  God has proven this is true by giving us the ultimate gift! Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:6-10

7. 7  “God…will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able…”  What wonderful news!  No temptation too big!  Always a “way to escape”!  Hebrews 4:14-16; Eph. 3:12 Jesus lived in our skin; He is sympathetic! Jesus lived in our skin; He is sympathetic! When tempted we don’t have to crawl on our knees! When tempted we don’t have to crawl on our knees!

8. 8  “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment…”  Suffering is common to all men (Job 5:7).  Christians alone are able to put suffering into the proper perspective (2 Cor. 4:16-5:1). Others…  Don’t have hope as an anchor of the soul (Heb. 6:19).  Therefore, impossible to view suffering in the proper perspective (Jas. 1:2-3).  We need to meditate on the glories of heaven (Rev. 21 & 22).

9. 9  “If God is for us, who can be against us?”  Life has many formidable foes!  Vicissitudes of life.  Wiles/schemes of Satan (Eph. 6:11; 2 Cor. 11:14; 2 Thess. 2:9-11; 1 Pet. 5:8).  Romans 8:31-39 The only possible thing that can defeat us is ourselves! The only possible thing that can defeat us is ourselves!

10. 10  “…for if you do these things you will never stumble…”  Life has no guarantees except death and taxes.  Peter says differently! 2 Pet. 1:10-11  But, what are the “things” we must “do” to “never stumble”? 2 Pet. 1:3-11

11. 11  “I will come again and receive you to Myself…”  Living in a world full of sin can be distressing and discouraging (2 Pet. 2:7; Acts 17:16; Gen. 18:16-33).  John 14:1-4 Regardless of the distractions, disappointments and depravity:  We must fight the good fight! 2 Tim. 4:6-8  Be faithful even unto death! Rev. 2:10

12.  Don’t be discouraged!  Be encouraged! “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort” 2 Corinthians 1:3 12