The Promise to Return

 2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

The Lord promised that someday He would return. Scoffers and unbelievers throughout time have doubted that Jesus will return to earth again. It has been a long time since this promise was made, and one can be tempted to doubt if His return will happen. But time is not relevant with God. God does not count time that way we do. A hundred years may seem like a long time, but to God it is but a vapor in light of eternity. It is God’s desire that everyone come to the knowledge of His love and grace. He patiently waits for His creation to turn their heart toward Him. God waits even for the scoffers to see their sinful ways and repent from their unbelief. Our present culture, especially in the US, has turned their hearts away from God. The concept of Jesus returning back to earth to rapture His church is viewed as religious fanatic idealism. But His promises are true, and someday He will split the eastern skies, and we who believe will be caught up in the air, and so shall we ever be with Him. He will not fail to keep His promise.

The Great Physician

 Matt. 2:17
 “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

The job of a doctor is to diagnose an illness and determine what needs to be done to bring healing. Humanity has been struck with the disease of sin. An illness that brought about the fall of Adam and Eve in the garden. Jesus came to bring healing and  provide the remedy for sin.  Healing can only happen when one realizes that they are sick, that sin has caused the heart to be dark and broken. The cure for sin is available for all, but only those who realize their condition and are willing to accept the cure can be healed. The righteous, those who don’t feel a need for healing have blinded and denied their sinful condition. Christ is not able to heal those not willing to accept the cure. We all must realize that we are sinners, and in need of a Savior. Jesus came to save those who are sick and desire the touch of Jesus. Jesus says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Are you sick with sin, He is the Great Physician, He will heal you of all your diseases.

Shadow of Death

 Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me..
Walking through the valley of life we often find ourselves traveling through dark places. Places unknown and uncertain. The shadows of death are places where we fear for our lives or the lives of others, financial uncertainty, broken relationships,  the shadows that are cast in our journey cause apprehension of what the future holds and fear that we will not be able to handle the burden set before us. We are grateful for the support and prayers of others around us, but the pain is still real and we may fear that we will not make it. The enemy is tempting us to doubt God’s love and care for us. But in the mists of the dark shadow, God is there, He has promised never to leave us or forsake us. He is there in the good times and in the bad times. He is the Great Shepherd, and He will take care of His sheep. He will guide and protect us as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death.

Reward Evil With Good

 Prov 25:21,22

If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,  and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.

It should be the goal of every Christian to befriend everyone that they meet. It is not our goal to make enemies, but it is inevitable that there will be people who will consider you their enemy. Their heart is darkened with sin and the carnal nature is an enemy of God. “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” (James 4:4) Taking a stand against the sin of this present day is not a popular position. You will have enemies that will make you out to be evil and incentive. The action we take as Christian is critical to the work of the Kingdom of Christ. The teaching of Christ makes it clear that we are not to retaliate with animosity and hatred, yet we are not to compromise the teaching of God’s Word. The principle of “Turn the other cheek” is demonstrated in the words of Solomon. Return evil with good, do good to all men regardless how they may treat you. Let your life reflect Christ in such a way that their hearts are convicted with guilt of their deeds and believe God that they will come to know the truth and repent of their wicked ways. God rewards the faithful who not only are faithful to keep God’s word, but to demonstrate the love of God to a world who is blinded by the darkness of our day, and needs Jesus. Let us return evil with good.

A Higher Standard

 1Tim 3:3
Not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
A higher standard is always given to those in high positions. They are put into a position of responsibility, and must lead by example. It is especially important that those in leadership live above reproach. This does not mean that they are above human failure or fault, it is an admonition that they live their lives carefully. Their charge is great and failing to live up to the standard of God’s word can have dire consequences. In many respects, we are all overseers of someone. There are people who are watching our lives and following our example. Therefore, the charge is given in all who desire to live godly in Christ. The behavior of Christian goes beyond the outward standards of lifestyle. It goes to the behavior of the heart. The things we desire in life. Seeking power, pleasure, control, or money out of greed will diminish our effectiveness as a Christian and lead us down a pathway of destruction. The scripture is full of examples of those who were found wanting for being greedy. In the end, their sin found them out, and the sad words of the Christ at the end of life will be, “Depart from me you worker iniquity, I don’t know you.” Let us be seekers of God, and live a life that will lead others to Christ.

Work in Progress

 Philippines 1:6
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion on the day of Jesus Christ.

We all are a work in progress. Paul writes that some of us are still being fed milk, babies in Christ, and others are eating meat. Everyone starts their Christian walk at different points in their lives. It is easy to judge others based on our personal journey. There are some that develop into mature Christian quickly, and others that struggle with old habits and need more time to be established and grounded in the Word. It is the Lord’s will that we all come to completion, whole in Christ. It is not His will that we remain immature Christian, always fed the milk of the Word. (1 Corinth 3). God desires that we come to live a holy life. (Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God). We struggle with our human frailties, but it is God’s will that we continue to grow. “This is the will of God, even your sanctification” (Heb. 12:14). Even after experiencing the work of sanctification in our lives, we still have a lot to learn. The work that God has started in our lives is done daily as we pick up the cross of Jesus and follow Him in obedience.

Through Faith

 Heb. 11:33,34
...who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,  quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 

Men and women of the Bible were just ordinary people. They were human beings that faced  the daily struggles of life. They were really no different from you and me. It was their faith in a big God that made them extraordinary. They refused to give in and quit even when faced with imprisonment and death. They were not perfect and their humanity sometimes failed them, but through faith they were able to overcome their human weakness and were made strong by the power of God. They allowed God to work through them, and God was glorified in them. We live our lives each day doing ordinary things that appear to have insignificant impact, but God honors those who dare to believe Him. Like the father of the son with the unclean spirit we pray, “I believe, help my unbelief.” In the face of what seems impossible, Jesus says, “If you can! All things are possible for one who believes.” Have faith, trust God to do the impossible. He did it then, He can do it again!

A Nation Forsaking God

 Lamentation 1:1
How lonely sits the city that was full of people! How like a widow has she become, she who was great among the nations! She who was a princess among the provinces has become a slave.

The consequences of sin will bring down the tall and mighty. A great nation will fall if it fails to stay one Nation under God. America, once a Christian Nation, is now a Nation ruled by ungodly men and women who have forsaken God’s word, removing the Ten Commandments from the governing halls of our country. The abomination of evil prevails in our White House and sits in the seats of Congressman and the House of Representatives, making laws to legalize unions contrary to God’s commandment all in the name of tolerance and equity. A Nation made up of people who elect leaders that don’t regard His word have fallen from grace and are lost to the political correctness of our culture. A Nation once full of people who loved God and desire the approbation of God now are fighting for their freedoms to worship God by the dictates of their conscience. Like Sodom and Gomorrah, unless the people humble themselves and confess their sins, she who was once mighty will become a nation of slaves. Have mercy on us O Lord! 

Disobedience to God

 Gen. 2:17
​​ But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

The fall of Adam and Eve points to a tree placed in the garden. The tree was put there for a purpose. God does all things with a purpose. The tree of knowledge tested man’s obediences to God, the one who created them. The command was simple, “Don’t eat this fruit”. God’s commandments are given for man’s good.  A tree with fruit that God forbid them to eat. The fruit was no doubt a fruit to be desired. Eating of the forbidden fruit would open Adam and Eve to the dark evil ways of sin. It was not so much the fruit itself, but the disobedience of Adam and Eve that caused them to plunge into darkness, causing their hearts now to seek the pleasures of evil.  God made man a free moral agent, the ability to choose right, or wrong. God did not predestine Adam and Eve to make the wrong choice, they could have abstained from the temptations of Satan, but they choose to listen to the deceptive lies of Satan and disregard God's words. We all have choices to make each day. Sometimes choices are made without all the information, but such choices are not willful disobedience to God’s word. But, “Thus saith the Lord.” are made clear in His word. Our human judgment may falter, but we can have a heart perfect toward God. Draw close to God, and He will draw close to us. Follow the Holy Spirit’s leading and do what He saith. 

The Feebleminded

 1Thess 5:14
…comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, and be patient toward all men.
There are those around us that don’t have the ability to make good judgment. They may have been born with a disability, or they may have a lack of education and training to make good decisions. The feebleminded can easily be confused and disoriented. They often need someone to help guide them in making a good decision. It is easy to lose patience with someone who does not understand things that are common sense to most people. It is our duty and responsibility to help and support those who struggle with mental illness or depression, and give them the guidance they need to do what is needed. Patience is a virtue that does not always come easy for most people, especially those who don’t understand the nature of disability orders. The concept of equity, to give everyone the opportunity to be what God wants them to be is demonstrated in our love and patience to help all men regardless of their human weakness, or position in life. Follow that which is good and put aside your biases and reach out to those who need your help.