The Lord's Patience is Salvation

2 Peter 3:15-16 “Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom that God gave him.  He writes the same way in all of his letters, speaking in them of these matters.  His letters contain the same things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.  Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position.”


            Lord, You tell me to study to be an approved workman, not ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.   I find it fascinating here that Peter refers to Paul and his letters, and I can relate when he says about the Pauline Epistles.  Paul wrote like the scholar he was.  Peter was more direct in his letters because he was a fisherman.  He was not ignorant because of Your wisdom…just like Paul which put them on the same standing with each other as apostles.  He equates Paul’s letters with Scripture here, authenticating his letters to those to whom Peter is writing.


            Lord, the most important thing here is that Peter mentions that Your patience is salvation and we are to ever be on our guard against false teachers that would draw us away from the truth.  Please, dear Lord, protect my mind and heart from false teaching.  Make me a Barean when I hear a “preacher/teacher” from anywhere say anything.  Make me compare scripture with scripture to make sure what they are saying fits the truth before I believe it.

Make Every Effort to be Found Spotless, Blameless and at Peace With Him

2 Peter 3:14 “So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him.”

            Oh Sweet Lord, I do want to lead a spotless, blameless and peaceful life with You!
Thank You for my doctor’s appointment running late yesterday so I could hear Adrian Rogers on the radio.  He was talking bout David and his sin with Bathsheba.  He said the reason David , that great warrior and man of God sinned was because of three things:

·         An undiscovered weakness

·         An unexpected opportunity

·         An unguarded life

He spoke to us who have walked with You for years, just like David, and might be thinking that we will never fall.

            O Lord, I beg of You, please show me any undiscovered weaknesses in my life so when that unexpected opportunity arises I will not be unguarded.  If David could have this happen in his life and cause him so much grief and pain…certainly I am not above it either!  As he led a public life as a leader, so, in some ways, I do too in my job and even with the blog You have prompted me to share.  I know that opens me up for demonic opposition and without constant watchfulness and the Holy Spirit’s prompting and power I could fall at any time.

            I do not want to have a long list of unconfessed sin separating me from You when You come for me to take me home either in death or Rapture.  I long to live an empowered life for Your glory, not mine.    I live in perilous times and temptations are everywhere.  Lord, keep me from pride and remind me that anything You do through me is because of You, not me as I have been crucified with You and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me, so I give You the glory for all.

I love You, Lord!

Very Scary Day---Sweet Promise!

2 Peter 3:12b-13 “That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with His promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.”


Lord You are so AWE-some in Your power and in Your righteousness.  You are the creator and will be the destroyer when the time comes when You know that no more want to join Your Kingdom.  Then they and thus earth and heavens that even now groan under the curse of sin that has grown and plagued them now for some 6-7000 years!  The destruction will be horrible and complete, but the new heaven and earth- the home of righteousness…without sin at all…WOW!

            Lord, Thank You for Your great and precious promises.  Without them we would have no hope!  Thank You for Your sacrifice on our behalf for without it we would have no hope.  Thank You for Your creativity and Your creation…yes, Lord, even the stink bugs, chiggers, snakes and spiders, and for Your promise that they will no longer be harmful or irritating in Your new earth…if You have them on it at all.

            Lord, You alone are holy and the Righteous Judge.  You have given us the Spirit to teach, guide, prompt into action, and to give us the words to say when He prompts us to speak to other believers or to bring one into the Kingdom through the door of grace and mercy!

Thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We Ought to Live Holy Godly Lives

2 Peter 3”11-12a  “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be?  You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.”

            Lord, these verses refer back to chapter 2 where Peter talks about the judgments you brought on the unholy: angels, people in the time of Noah, and Sodom and Gomorrah do they not?  The righteous were preserved and the unrighteous banished (angels for destruction later) and destroyed.

            Not only should I be living a holy, godly life to escape the day of God, but also so others are drawn to You for repentance.  Lord, You have also taught me that trying to live a holy life without the power of the indwelling Spirit is fruitless and arrogant.  I can do nothing without You, Lord. If I try and as my best works in the flesh are like filthy rags in Your sight, it does not please You at all.

            Therefore; even the most morally upright men and women who have not become true “Christ Followers” and are not indwelt by Your Holy Spirit will fall under this judgment because they are not sealed for the day of redemption.  How terrifying and surprising that day will be for them as they will be expecting exoneration, but will  receive none.  They are being deceived.  The wicked will most likely not be surprised.  There is something that You have placed within each of us that warns us of our wrong doing, but in our rebellion, we ignore it.  Satan tells us, “There really will be no judgment, so live it up and follow your base lusts; fulfill them all to your joy for there is nothing else!”

            Lord, may I win some to You so they escape that judgment!

God's Patience, Fire, and a Thief

2 Peter 3:9-10 “ The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness.  He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.  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 in it will be laid bare. (Burned up)”

            Lord, first of all, thank You for Your patience toward me and my family so we could come to repentance, but Lord, there are so many more who need to come too!  As much as I long for Your coming, I must never be selfish, but love as many into the kingdom as possible.  Only this will hasten Your coming.

            Lord, thankfully, I have never had a thief enter my home, and I pray I never do, but I am positive of one thing: a thief does not call first or knock on the door and ask permission to enter.  Thieves are always unexpected; some are silent like the “Cat Burglar”, some are bold and brash like those who rob banks and convenience stores in broad daylight.  Either way, they come quickly with a single intent.  Your coming has been announced long ago, however.  We just do not know when it is on Your calendar.  Because of that, we should be about Your business daily.

            Lord, what an awful terrible day it will be when it happens!  I cannot imagine!  I know if we did not have the atmosphere above us, the sun would burn everything, or if You moved the earth even one degree toward the sun, we would all fry.  So the idea that this could happen is not at all unbelievable.  For those who are left here, it will be terrifying, if only for the instant before they themselves are consumed.

            Again, Lord, I do not want to be selfish with my salvation, but want as many as You give me to witness to to hear of Your wonderful salvation.