260 in 2012 DEVOS - Day 230 - 2 Peter 3: The Lord’s Day & Our Response

The Word of God helps us think differently (1). And when we think differently, we then act differently. This is Peter’s second letter and he is reminding his readers of the Bible truths. He begins by saying, “in the last days scoffers will come……They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised?” Some day every prophecy of God will be fulfilled, but right now we are still waiting on the remaining ones and that can bring out the skeptics. It’s all about God’s mercy & grace. It’s not as though God has forgotten: “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” We are confined to time, and often, to our generation – God is not. Why then has He waited almost 2000 years since Jesus died & rose again? Mercy & Grace! “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.” God is giving people time to turn to Him. One day that time will end and He WILL return and everything He said WILL happen. How are we to live in this “in between” time? “Holy and godly lives….spotless, blameless, at peace with Him…..be on guard…..grow in grace and Knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Well, that ought to keep us busy for a while! SO WHAT?! *Ever pray to God and feel like you’re getting nothing? Yeah, me too. But the Bible reminds us that God hears our prayers and is answering each one of them. We just always like them to be yes & now, instead of no & wait! What requests are you regularly bringing to God that you haven’t seen answered yet? I believe God is saying “Bring It”. We just need to persevere and trust. I prayed for God to bring us to a new church and ministry to students and He did! I also prayed for over 25 years for God to save my dad. He passed away in 2005 and I won’t know ‘til heaven if that one happened! *When was the last time you thanked God for His mercy (not getting sentenced to eternal punishment for my sins) and His grace (getting eternal life in heaven instead because of my trust in Jesus)??? You and I are better off than we deserve and we must never forget it!