The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat, both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.”  ( II Peter 3:9,10)
 
Here Peter speaks of the certainty of the day of the Lord, when all men will be judged and the earth destroyed.    Certain scoffers had ridiculed the idea of such a day.  (vs.4)  They reasoned that since all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation, no such catastrophic event would happen.  Thus, Peter wishes to remind his readers two forgotten facts.!

Fact #1 - God once destroyed this world with a flood.  He  is keeping this present world for another day of judgment. (vs.7)   Such judgment will be comprehensive.  Not  only will man be judged, but also the fundamental elements or building blocks of this world will “melt” or be unloosed or untied.  

Fact #2 - Some had forgotten that God is not bound by time (vs.8).  The very reason this world still stands is because of God’s patience.  He is giving us one more day to get right with Him.  But, mark it down, that day will come and the Lord will keep his promise.  (vs.10)

“Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness? “  (vs.11)  Today, may be your last day!  Are you ready to meet God? 

by George Slover
 

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended, but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward goal for the prize of the upward call God in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 3:13,14) 

Notice that here Paul (vs 14) speaks of the “goal”.  The context clearly identifies the “goal” (vs 7-10).  It is to live as Jesus lived and to walk as he walked.  The goal of emulating the life and character of Jesus is a lifelong process.  It is not attained over night and requires tremendous effort.  In the context Paul provide important helps for getting us closer to the goal.  Consider some of them.

First, do not procrastinate.  We must “reach forward”.   To procrastinate may ultimately result in such stagnation that will cause us to ultimately fall back into old habits. So, we are urged to put the past behind us, to reach forward, and to press on. 

Second, to get closer to the long-term goal, we must focus on the short tem attainments.  We must be patient and take it one day and one step at a time.  It involves a daily mental focus on the immediate task at hand and not getting frustrated when we are not where we want to be.  Spiritual growth comes in small steps.

So don’t delay, but “press on”!  Don’t get discouraged, but persevere!  At the end God promises a wonderful crown!

by George Slover

One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek:  that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.”  (Psalms 27:4)  Here the Psalmist suggests a focus and a single mind.  “One thing” implies the steadfast eye and a single purpose.  This resolve influences everything else.  It suggests that there is no other pursuit that will compare with this one thing!   This goal is loftier than the pursuit of gold and silver!  (Matthew 6:19,20) Next, this great prize will not be found without effort.  It must be sought!  The Psalmist states that he is willing to make the sacrifice to find it.  God commands, “seek my face”!  The Psalmist answers, “Your face Lord I will seek”. (vs.8) Furthermore, the poet implores, “Teach me, your way, Oh Lord”.  The writer is willing to make diligent effort to find his prize.    Next, the Psalmist’s seeks 1) to “dwell in the house of the Lord”, 2)  “to behold his beauty”, and 3) “to inquire in his temple”.   Here he expresses his desire:  1) to worship God, 2) to see all that about God that is awesome and gracious, and 3) to know his will.  The three may also be summarized as “fellowship”.  This sweet communion with God is the Psalmist’s single pursuit.   As a favorite hymn states “I want you more than gold or silver, only you can satisfy, you alone are the real joy giver and the apple of my eye.” Finally, he has assurance that his pursuit will result in God’s protection in troubling times, “for he shall hide me in his pavilion; in the secret place of his tabernacle.”   In verse 10, “When my father and mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me.”  When his world falls apart he knows that God will be his helper.  Therefore, he exhorts us to “Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and he will strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord.”  By George Slover

If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.”  (Matthew 5:29)

Here Jesus requires radical surgery: a step necessary to remove the habit of sin from our lives.

I am told that when one has heart surgery, the surgeon must break or cut the sternum or breast bone.  This radical intrusion is the only way to access the heart and thus solve the problem.  When one has a toothache it may need to be extracted.   One might mask the problem with pain killer, but the source remains until the diseased tooth is rooted out.

Sin also brings pain.  The Psalmist said of sin:  “When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long.  For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;  my vitality was turned into the drought of summer.”  (Psalm 32:3,4)   One may mask the pain by avoiding the reality, but each time he comes down off his “high” he once again must face the consequences.  The problem will never be fixed until he confesses his sin and accepts the uncomfortable steps necessary for its removal.

Though the task of removing sin is difficult, its rewards are well worth it.  Jesus says:  “it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” (Matthew  5:29)  This painful process will bring peace in this life and ultimate joy in the life to come.

By George Slover

Therefore He says: ‘Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.’”  (Ephesians 5:14)

In this section (vs. 8-14) of the letter to Ephesus, the saints are reminded of their new direction in Christ. They are to walk as children of light, and no longer in darkness, thus pleasing the Lord. They are to reprove the works of darkness.

Paul reminds them of two separate, distinct worlds – the world of darkness, and the world of light. The immoral, lustful practices of an adulterous, Gentile world would have been in mind here when referring to the world of darkness. Even today there is a clear distinction between the impurity of the world of darkness and the light of Christ. Christians are called upon to take an aggressive stand against anything contrary to Christ.

Apparently, some of the saints at Ephesus were asleep! It is easy to relax and to be unaware of the world around us. When one is asleep, he is totally unprotected from danger. Satan is lurking and the sleepy must be aroused.

The cry “awake“ is the voice of love and wisdom. The sleeper has his focus on material interest. He has fallen prey to spiritual apathy, and a neglect of his duty to God. He is in grave danger.  But out of genuine concern, God calls the sinner to arouse him out of his sleep.

Thankfully, there is something to wake up for. Christ is the light of the world. His people are light in the Lord. Instead of hopelessness and gloom, and the burden of pain and sorrow, the sinner finds hope in Christ. The Lord offers the beauty of purity, the steadfastness of truth, and the refreshment of joy.

Therefore, let us rise from slumber and live purely in the light of Christ.

By George Slover