2 Peter 3 Scoffers Abound

2 Peter 3 NIV
Scoffers abound! Peter wrote: "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare." (vs 10) The disciples expected an almost immediate return of the Lord. 2000 years later, we are still waiting and watching for the final judgment on the world. It's a fairy-tale, a fable, a myth, I am told. Just because you do not believe; that does not make it an untruth. "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (vss 8-9)

Scoffers abound! I'm not sure if people have forgotten that the Lord will come again or maybe they just don't believe. The world lives as though they have eternity to live for their own pleasure. Some might even live under the delusion that they can repent on their death beds and they will be saved. That is true, if one truly turns to the Lord. But, one never knows when our final moments will come. It would be wise to be prepared before that day comes. He will come like a thief, without warning, except for the word which we already have.

Be prepared and be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of the lawless. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to the glory of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

2 Corinthians 6:3-13 Love and Affection

2 Corinthians 6:3-13
I have known way too many pastors who have come straight out of seminary ready to serve the Lord in every way possible. They are ready to open their hearts to the entire congregation and the whole community. They think that because they love, they will be loved in return. That is no necessarily so. Many will open their hearts to those whom God has called to love and serve them and the Lord. Others will not. Some pastors will not even make it three years because of this lack of love and affection from people they have opened their hearts to. They will resign from the ministry or they will move on hoping that the next congregation will be more willing to open their hearts.

This is not a new thing. Paul loved the people of Corinth; yet, not all of them loved him. Jesus loved the world so much that he was willing to give his life for all who would believe. Yet, not everyone loved him. His ministry, too, lasted only about three years. Those whom he came to love crucified him. The world hasn't changed that much. Many still do not love him. Even many who  claim to be his followers do not truly love him. Nor, will they all love everyone who follow in his footsteps.

May God open wide the hearts of all believers so that we might receive and give love - a fair exchange.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Isaiah 37 - The Kingdom Thrives

Hezekiah finally figures out that he needs to turn to the LORD. He humbles himself and prays for help. The LORD answers. He will deliver Israel from the hands of Sennacherib and within three years their land will once again be fruitful. 

The LORD blesses the people. He blesses the land. The promise of the LORD through the prophet Isaiah is this:

"“This will be the sign for you, Hezekiah:

“This year you will eat what grows by itself,
and the second year what springs from that.
But in the third year sow and reap,
plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
Once more a remnant of the kingdom of Judah
will take root below and bear fruit above.
For out of Jerusalem will come a remnant,
and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this."  (Isa 37:30-32 NIV)

 

Have you ever had to learn the same lessons twice or thrice or even more times? Over and over again, God's people turn to other gods; things start going really bad and a portion will have enough sense to humble themselves and repent. They are blessed. And, then... they start worshipping themselves or the work of their hands, again. Since, they are doing so well they leave off from trusting in God for all things, above all things. And, once again they are brought to their knees in humility and repentance.

 

It is awful that we should desert our God who loves us so quickly. But, He does not desert us. Over and over again, He provides a way back on the Way for each and all of us. 

 

I think of it this way: Adam walked with God in the garden. How awesome is that! But, Adam chose another way. He chose to do what God asked him not to do. He lost the opportunity and privilege of walking with God. We often do what we ought not. But, through Jesus Christ, we are delivered from sin. All of humankind is invited to walk with with God, to talk with (not just to, but with) God. That is the greatest blessing of all. In fact, it is the good news. You are invited to live in His presence, to walk in His way, in His Kingdom for all eternity (beginning even now). We have been reconciled to God and with one another, in His Kingdom, through Jesus Christ, our LORD. 

 

God's Peace - Pr. J.