God’s Time

“But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 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.”
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3:8-9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Hello everyone. I hope this week’s blog finds everyone doing well. This week I am going to talk about God’s time. In our everyday lives, we are so busy or should I say rushed to get our list of chores finished. We often do not get our list completed due to numerous reasons, most often we run out of time.

This weeks passage is full of information, Important information. The first thing we can see is that time has no meaning to God. ”A day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day.” Talk about getting your honey-do list finished! God does not face the time constraints as we do. After all, God created time (Gen 1:3-5). Next, we read that God is not slow in fulfilling His promises but is patient. Let that sink in for a second. How frustrated do we get when things take longer than expected? We have become an instant gratification world. We want it, and we want it now. I am as guilty of this as anyone. I’m the guy in the express lane at Walmart with twenty-two items in his cart. Why? Because I think it is faster, which it usually is not.

As we come down to the meat and potatoes of this message we see why God is patient with us. So that none will perish (Die), and all would reach repentance. Let’s look at repentance. Just what does that mean. According to dictionary.com, ”1. deep sorrow, remorse, or contrition for a past sin, wrongdoing, or the like. 2. regret for any past action.” What Peter is telling us here is simple. God does not want us to perish without repenting of our sins. God created us in His image and does not want to see harm come to us. God has given us free will to make our own choices. Our creator wants us to choose Him, that’s why He is patient with us.  God wants us to have a personal relationship with Him, to follow Him, and to share His good news.

As this passage states, the time of Christ’ second coming is unknown, so it is up to us to be prepared for that day. Because after that day will be too late!

How do you prepare for this day?  It is as simple as ABC. For my brothers and sister in Fire/EMS that is not Airway, Breathing, and Circulation!

A-Admit that you are a sinner and that you need the grace of God to change you, because you cannot do it on your own (Ephesians 2:8)

B-Believe. You must believe that Christ (The Son of God) walked this Earth in human form. That He was beaten, mocked, and crucified not out of choice but obedience to His Father so that we could have a clean slate. The blood of Christ was sufficient to cover our sin debt. And also Believe that Christ died upon that cross and was buried and on the third day was resurrected and now sits at the right hand of God as our intercessor.

C-Confess. You are then to confess your sins to God. God cannot be in the presence of sin, and when we come before Him, we are to lay or sins down, leave them, and pick up His cross and share His message of Love and Compassion.

What is that message? Just what is this Good News?

Creation: God created the heavens and the Earth and all that is upon it.

The Fall: Sin entered the world in The Garden of Eden and messed everything up.

Redemption: Christ was born to Mary and Joseph and lived His life on Earth. He began His ministry, teaching the way to heaven.

Restoration: Christ died on the cross for you and me so that we may never perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). The gap has been closed.

If you would like to repent (I would love to know if you make this choice) just find you a spot and pray this short prayer:

Dear God I admit that I am a sinner and I know that I need your help to change. God. I realize that I have made a mess of my life and that I need you, I cannot do this on my own. I believe that you sent your only Son as a sacrifice for me. That I can have a chance to know you. Lord I believe that Christ was laid to rest in the tomb and on the third day the stone was rolled away and death was defeated. Lord I confess all my sins before you and ask that you be my personal Lord and Savior in all aspects of my life. Lord lead guide and direct me In your ways. For this, I pray in the name of your Holy Son Jesus Christ, Amen

As always if you have any comments, questions, or concerns I am available to talk. There are multiple ways to contact me, so please do.

Prayerfully,

Chaplain Howie