Faith

2 Peter 3:14-18

English Standard Version (ESV)

14 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. 15 And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, 16 as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. 17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=II+Peter+3%3A+14-18&version=ESV)

I love these final words of Peter.  They are so encouraging to the believer.  There are things in this life and in our life to come that we do not understand.  The very nature of God is beyond our comprehension.  The way to salvation is through a faith and a belief in Jesus Christ it is not about understanding Him and His ways.  Understanding and knowledge come as we grow in Him yet some things are left as a mystery far beyond our human minds; that is called faith.

There are people that scoff at this concept of salvation.  They believe if they do not understand it, that it cannot be true.  They believe life is for the here and now and when we are gone then life will be over.  They pour every ounce of their being in this belief and do not even want to hear the truth because they do not understand it.  These are the people that are building their own destruction.  Do not let these people bring you down but rather let God guide your heart and mind.

We are able to do this through the study of His Word and through prayer.  I love the fact that no matter where I am I can talk to God.  It is better than texting!!!!  He knows my thoughts, so, if I think a prayer to Him, He hears me!!!!!  Wow, I cannot imagine how that works but it does.  A friend gave me a plaque to hang in my house that reads: “Prayer, the world’s greatest wireless connection”.  How true that is!!!!  There are some things I just don’t understand in life, like the television, the cell phone, navigation systems, even the light bulb.  I am glad there are people who care enough to learn how these things work because I like to turn on the switch and have light.  The same, plus much more, is true with our God.  He knows exactly how things work and I need to trust Him to fix if it is broken because I cannot do it on my own. 

As you seek Him today, take Peter’s advice, “grow in the grace and knowledge of Him”.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

Seeking Him With All Our Hearts: The Day Will Come

Seeking Him With All Our Hearts: The Day Will Come: 2 Peter 3:8-13English Standard Version (ESV) 8  But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand y...

The Day Will Come

2 Peter 3:8-13English Standard Version (ESV)

8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you,[a] not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies[b] will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.[c]

11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=II+Peter+3%3A+8-13&version=ESV

Our God is so patient that He has tarried over 2000 years to return to this earth.  Why so long?  According to His word, 2,000 years is merely 2 days.  What is 2,000 years in eternity.  I have to think of the old hymn, Amazing Grace, “When we’ve been there 10,000 years bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we first begun.”  So it is with God, He isn’t in a hurry, He is waiting patiently for us to bring His Word to everyone.  With technology and travel, there is really no excuse for us to not reach all ends of the earth. 

Just think, if the Lord would have returned shortly after the writing of this scripture, none of us would have ever experienced life, let alone a life with Him.  The Native Americans that were on this earth at that time would not have ever heard of the saving grace that Jesus gave to us on the cross.  No one even knew they existed or they probably would have been on their way to evangelize.  They strove to spread the Word as far as they could take, being shipwrecked, beaten, stoned, and even killed but they did not reach America for many years to come.  It seems, from history, that the Pilgrims tried to evangelize the Native Americans but at the same time they were looking for a new country of their own, their purpose was not to Evangelize, thus conflict ensued.

I was struck by verse 12, “waiting and hastening the coming day of the God”.  I have heard people pray that the Lord come quickly but this verse seems to stress that we need to be doing our part in this hastening.  We need to be spreading the Gospel to those around us who do not know Him.  We need to be vigilant in our purpose of spreading the Gospel.  If we want the Lord to return quickly, we need to be acting as though it depends on us while knowing that it depends on Him (Something I took from The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson, if you haven’t read it, you should).  We need to be doing our part to make sure others are given the opportunity to meet Jesus. 

There will come a time when God will know that it is the end.  It will not be a joyous day for Him because not all of His children will live in His presence but at the same time it will be a glorious reunion for all of us.  That is why He waits and gives us a chance to spread His light to all.  As you pray for His return, think about what you may be doing to help speed it along.  Seek Him today and ask Him whom He wants you to share with this day and in the coming days.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

The End Will Come

2 Peter 3:1-7

English Standard Version (ESV)

3 This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, 2 that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, 3 knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 4 They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, 6 and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. 7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=II+Peter+3%3A+1+-+7&version=ESV)

The closer it comes to the end, the more we see scoffers, those who laugh and reject the Word of God.  Their end is coming but not by the work of man but by the work of God.  It will come in His perfect timing, not ours.  They may think that evidence points to no God but they are so wrong.  They may think that all they have to live for is themselves but they are mistaken. 

God does not want any of us to suffer, so, He gives us evidence of His existence in many ways, yet people reject Him.  I can look up at the stars and the moon and know that my God created each and everyone of them.  I can stare into space not knowing what more He has created far beyond my eyes.  I can look in a telescope and see things that exist that I never knew existed, yet I still cannot see all that He has created.  There is so much more that He has done that we have no clue of.  I must praise Him, the creator and destroyer of all things. 

I certainly do not want to be on the side of the scoffer when the Lord reveals Himself to all mankind.  When every knee will bow and tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord, it won’t be my first time.  I will praise Him on a daily basis for all the great things He has done.  I want my trust and hope to be in Him so I do not have to fear.  Yes, the end will come, fire will destroy, but those who know the Lord will stand forever. 

Seek Him, Know Him, Bow Down and Worship Him, the ONE TRUE GOD.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

Run Don't Walk

2 Peter 2:14-22English Standard Version (ESV)

14 They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! 15 Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, 16 but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet's madness.

17 These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. 18 For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves[a] of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. 20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=II+Peter+2%3A+14+-+22&version=ESV)

As we continue in our picture of those who are fallen, let’s look at some of the descriptors of them.  They are adulterous as they no longer have a one and only love for the One True God.  They love money, fame, attention on themselves more than they love the God who saves.  Have you even known or do you know someone like this?  If so, be aware of the destruction that they can bring.  I once knew someone once who fits this description.  This person even deceived me for a time but I was so thankful that the Father opened my eyes and I did not become enslaved to this person and their way of thinking. 

As Christians we need to be on the look out while not being judgmental.  Not everyone who seeks fame and fortune are necessarily evil. It is a very tough call and is difficult to know when to turn and run and when to witness.  As I read these scriptures today, I underlined some key points to be on the lookout for.  Here is a list:

            -unsteady souls – you can see this in the way they talk and act, always searching             but never finding satisfaction in anything they do; 

            -greedy – always a need for more and will destroy anyone that come within their path;

            -freewill- they forsake what is right for their own pleasures;

            -follow false prophets/religions –such as religions that do not put Christ first and          recognize Him as the Beloved Son of God and a part of the trinity.

            -promise much and deliver nothing- they always have a plan and nothing ever   comes to being in the way that they promise, they draw you in to try to destroy.

I am sure that many of us have found ourselves at one time or another in one of these states of mind.  Take for example, “unsteady souls,” there are times that I feel that way but the difference is in how we respond.  When I feel defeated, dissatisfied, and discouraged I focus on the One and Only One that can satisfy me.  I begin to delve deeper into the Word, pray harder, and seek His face.  My situation may be unsteady but my soul is devoted to Him.  Whereas a false prophet/teacher, after knowing the ways of the Lord, refuse to accept them and choose rather to go against them.  They will search but will not find.

I trust that those reading this blog, seek to honor Him.  I trust that you do not want to find yourself on the other side of the battle.  The only way to ensure this is to continually seek Him with all your heart and know that His way is the only way to the day of glorious reunion and celebration with Him.  Run, don’t walk, from those who try to deceive.  Run, into the arms of Jesus.  Don’t find yourself on the other side where only doom and gloom will be your end.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila