2 Peter 3 - God Is Waiting for You

2 Peter 3:9-12 (HCSB), "The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that [day] the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, [it is clear] what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness as you wait for and earnestly desire the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be on fire and be dissolved, and the elements will melt with the heat."

Peter warns of scoffers who think God isn't coming. And he warns of false teachers who will try to lead us away. But more importantly, he reminds us that, while God doesn't want any to perish, the day is coming when God will say, time's up. What are you doing with the knowledge of Jesus Christ? Have you responded to His call or are you still "thinking about it" and biding your time? Do you know others who are still thinking it over? Have you encouraged them lately to make a decision for Christ?

God is waiting, but the waiting will end. Knowing that, Peter reminds us how to live our lives "in holy conduct and godliness." When others see you, do they see Christ in you?

I could quote dozens of passages here giving examples of what God expects of us and what He has promised us. I challenge you to look through some of the other postings here and see examples of God's promises. But, the real question is, "What are you going to do about it?" Has God called you to a special task that you are not following? Have you chosen to live you life for your self rather than God? When others see you, do they think you look like you are just living in the world or do you look more like you are OF the world? God is waiting patiently "not wanting any to perish." What are you doing with the time?

As Joshua said, "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve ... But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" Joshua 24;15 (NKJV). Now is the time to respond to whatever God is doing in your life. There is no time like the present to put God first and follow wherever He is leading.

Take refuge in the knowledge that wherever you are right now, God will lead you from there. He is waiting for you.

2 Peter 2 - The Lord Knows

2 Peter 2:9 (HCSB), "then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment"

Peter talks of God being willing to destroy the world by flood and rescue Noah. And, how God rescued Lot before destroying Sodom and Gomorrah. God is just. He sees our heart and He is ready to "rescue the godly from trials." Our trials may be caused by Satan's attacks against us. But sometimes, our trials are of our own making. Whether it be rebellion against something God has taught us or ignoring God's calling to something greater in our life, we create for ourselves trials and problems.

God knows the unrighteous, the ones who stand against Him, the ones who would do us harm because we believe in Him. Even though we don't always see God's judgement of them as he did with Sodom and Gomorrah, we know God's promises and His faithfulness to do what he says. Knowing that, we know that the unrighteous will be judged and found wanting by a holy and just God.

Remember, that God's know the godly and the unrighteous. He knows our hearts and He will help us through whatever comes our way just as He promised in 1 Corinthians 10:13 (HCSB), "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it." Whatever the temptation, He is able to help us. Whatever Satan throws at us, we have a God who is greater. He has already won the battle.

Take refuge, the Lord knows your heart and He knows what is coming your way even before you do. He will prepare you for whatever comes.

2 Peter 1 - Prize Winner

2 Peter 1:3 (HCSB), "For His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires."

Do you remember your school days when teams were arranged by 2 "captains" picking one by one? Were you ever the last one picked? Sometimes, like a draft in a professional sport, the ones who don't get picked don't get to play at all. Now let's take that n a different direction. Imagine you are at an event with 100,000 spectators and they are drawing from the ticket holders to give away a wonderful prize. You are the one called our from the crowd and awarded the prize.

That's what Peter is talking about. As a child of God, you are a ticket holder. Your ticket was a free gift, given to you when you accepted Christ as your Savior. The prize is "everything required for life and godliness". God called you out "by His own glory and goodness." You did nothing to earn it and you certainly don't deserve it. Yet, you get the prize!

Why would He give to anyone such a precious prize? Included in the prize are "very great and precious promises." Jesus was the promised Messiah. He paid the price for your ticket. Among the great and precious promises are: eternal life with the Father; having the Holy Spirit in and among us to guide us as we follow God; gifts provided by God to equip us along the way; the knowledge and assurance that God is able and faithful to complete all that He starts in us; and the list could go on and on.

Take refuge that you are a prize winner. YOU have been called by God. And in responding to His call, you will receive "very great and precious promises."