Money Matters part 1

Sermon Nuggets Mon Feb 28 Money Matters

Prov 17:16

16 Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom?

(NIV)

Money Matters

I decided to do my meditations these next two weeks on Money. The Bible is very practical when it comes to material things as well as spiritual things. There is much that could be said about money management.

I knew a man who took very seriously his commitment to Jesus Christ. When he read that he was suppose to leave everything and follow Jesus. He quit his job, and starting preaching in parks. It was suspected he was having a mental breakdown. The pastor talked to him about his responsibility as a father and husband to take care of his family. 1 Tim 5:8 If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

God’s will can be carried out by both earning and living and sharing a witness for the gospel. Which is correct? He quoted the verse on his mind, Matt 19:29 “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.”

Did that mean he should no longer work? Did that mean he was in disobedience to God and not worthy to be a disciple of Jesus? At what point is the conflict of human responsibility and radical devotion to Jesus God’s will?

That man’s possessions, nor his responsibility for his family, kept him from following Jesus Christ. There are others however who are in persecuted countries where a believer in Christ might have to leave everything behind, even family. I’ve talked to a friend of Dr. Pat named Markos who was defying threats on his life and family and through God’s protection so far has seen hundreds of thousand come to Christ through the Jesus film. He had taught people how to disciple new believers when they are new Christians themselves.

I have to admit I believe most Christians are on the other extreme. They are not desiring to give up everything to follow Christ, but rather wanting to follow Christ without any change whatsoever especially in the way they handle their money and possessions. Since finances and money management is a private thing it is considered offensive for anyone even to question how people chose to handle material matters. I don’t like some of the things that the Bible says about finances because it brings conviction to my heart asking myself if indeed I am living the way the Lord wants me to.

An overwhelming portion of the Bible teaching and stories revolve around money and possessions. It affects everyone’s life. An important part of our Spiritual commitment to God is what we think about money and how we handle it. This week I want to look at four areas of how to look at money from a Christian perspective.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Mon March 1 Foundation of Money Management

Verses- Luke 16:11 If therefore you have not been faithful in the use of worldly wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you.?”

Matt 6:24-25

24 "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?

Recognize the Foundation of Money Management

Finances are still the number one reason for marital conflict. If we were to go over your receipts and checks each family would have their own story of values, and commitments, of decisions, and recreation, of who you are as individuals. And what type of marriage you have. When Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there is your heart also.” That was an extremely insightful comment of how to tell what people are made of.

Howard Dayton in his book, Your Money Counts, mentions three important principles

1) How we handle our money affects our fellowship with the Lord. Luke 16:11 Jesus was saying how to handle money does affect our spiritual relationships.

2) Possessions compete with the Lord. What we own and what we want to own compete with Christ for Lordship over our lives. Jesus says we must chose to serve one of two masters. God or money Mt 6:24. Many people who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ will let the Lord control every area of their life except their financial area. That area we want to be in charge of, not the Lord.

3) Much of our lives are centered around the use of money. During the week how much of your time is spent earning money? How much of your time is spending deciding how to spend your money. How much of your time is spend paying bills, buying food, clothes, and goods in the shopping centers, and other stores. How much of your time is spend discussing what you can and can’t do because of money and it’s limitations, or shopping on the internet, or auctions, or how much of your time is spend cleaning and sorting and moving, and caring for your possessions, whether it is a house, or lawn, or making beds, or doing dishes. There comes a time when people need to ask a most important questions. Do we own our possessions or do our possessions own us?

There are two parts to handling money, God’s part and our part. God owns it all, The term than God uses to refer to himself most often when it comes to money is Master. After Job lost all his possessions and even all his children, there was one thing left that could not be taken away, God. And He worshipped. Moses forsook the treasures of Egypt to be identified to suffer with his people of Israel and wander the next 40 years in a dessert. Both knew their foundation of life was in the living God, not in what they owned or how much they had.

When you talk about God being master you must recognize the concept of ownership. “The earth is the Lords and all that is in them.” The Lord is the creator of all things and as never transferred ownership to us as mankind. Never. He has only given to us the responsibility of taking care of the earth and everything. Job understood an important financial principle. “Naked I came from my mother’s womb and naked I shall return, blessed be the name of the Lord.” When you die you own nothing. All the resources go to heirs. So the greatest lesson is to give your heart to the Lord that you may inherit the treasures of heaven. “What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses is own soul.” Mark 8:36

I was reading about an unusual inheritance request of one lady that wanted to buried in her Ferrari and if her family would follow her request they could inherit her money. They placed her body in the car and incased the car in cement so no one would dig up the car at some later date. You might think what a waste of money. I think also what a waste of life to think that somehow your casket being a Ferrari is any different when you are dead than a gunny sack. Your possessions means nothing if you do not have the Lord Jesus Christ in you life. When we have come to terms with the foundation of the ownership question then our attitude is not ‘Lord what do you want me to do with my money’, but rather, “Lord, what do you want me to do with your money?”

I remember an illustration Bill Gothard made in one of his seminars, He gave his car to the Lord and it was the Lord’s car. He was wondering why the Lord was allowing his car to stall on the highway. He looked up in his rear view mirror to see another car coming over a hill and failing to stop in time. Gothard was hit from behind. He got out and said, “Lord look what happened to your car.” And he walked away freely because it wasn’t his. It was the Lord’s.

But what God wants you and I to learn more than anything else is He will provide for our needs. Do we see him as being a provider? For 40 years he provided food for his people who were where He wanted them to be in the dessert. He provided quail. He provided shelter, not according to their wants, but according to their needs. It is a faith walk to believe that God will provide.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds March 2 Faithfulness

Verses- Matt 25:23 "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

Eph 6:5-8 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.

6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.

7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men,

8 because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.

Recognize the Faithfulness of Money Management

Foundational is the understanding that God owns it all and we are stewards of His possessions he entrusts to us. We are to be faithful stewards, or money managers. In order to be faithful we need to know what we are supposed to be faithful doing.

We are in charge of handing anything that God gives us. Some people think that 10% belongs to God, whereas 10% tithe is a reminder that 100% is all His. The parable of the talents shows us that it doesn’t make any difference if we have 1 talent or 5 talents or 10 talents. It doesn’t make any difference if we have 100 dollars 1,000 dollars or 10,000 dollars we are suppose to be faithful with what God had given to us. He who is faithful in little things will also be faithful in much.

I like to think of how I handle things differently when they are borrowed than when I buy them myself. Generally I treat them with better care in hopes of returning them in as good a condition as when I borrowed it.

Eph 6:5-8 tells us to be faithful at work. Laziness and cutting corners on the job are simply forms of stealing from our employer. Lets’ not be guilty of stealing. Be willing to work for your income. The normal means of income ordained of God is supplying our needs through work, inheritances, or investments.

But be scrupulously honest in all business matters. Be honest in the little matters as well as big ones. I bid on something on ebay. I realized others were bidding and upping the price I originally offered. Since there was more than one item for sale I matched their price and it was accepted. I noticed I had gotten it at my original bid whereas the others got it at the increased bid. I wrote him back and told him of his error and I should be charged the greater price. He thanked me for my honesty and but gave it to me less than the others anyway.

Likewise I sold something on ebay for $21.00 but the buyer gave me $22. I returned the $1.00 informing him of the approved bid. He told me to keep it. Other vendors have taken advantage of me and other vendors have given me good deals. I am not responsible for what others do, but want to do what is fair or agreed upon to my knowledge as unto the Lord.

Now I am happy to do business with those people again because they were honest and they are happy to do business with me because of the same. We live in an age of relative honesty in which people formulate their own standards of honesty with change with circumstances.”When it comes to being faithful I believe God honors being faithful even if at times you are taken advantage of. It is only for a time. If you believe God will disciple you then why cheat?

To be faithful also means seeking to live within your means. Treat others financially the way you would want to be treated. The Bible also says Prov 20:23 “The Lord loathes all cheating and dishonest” and Lev 19:11 “You shall not steal or deal falsely, nor lie to one another."

Being faithful implies more than just money management. It is faithful in all that the Lord gives to us. One of the concerns we can’t ignore is our natural resources. God has given to us the responsibility of taking care of the earth, water, and environment. It is not a political issue, it is a spiritual issue. We have seen the abuse of eroded farmlands, and dry wells and poisoned lakes, and stripped forest land and unbreathable air. We have seen the abuses of use without responsibility or renewal. The diminishing rain forests and the extinction of animals is part of the greedy desires to live without regard to God’s world and only ours.

How much trouble has been caused by unfaithfulness in money matters? Are you in trouble? Are you headed for trouble? Determine today that for Jesus’ sake, you’ll be right and honest about money matters.

Society says you have earned your money spend it, however you want. The Bible says you will be satisfied when you have been a faithful manager of handling money from God’s perspective.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs March 3 Fruitfulness

Verses- 1 Tim 6:6-10 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.

10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

1 Tim 6:17-19 “As for the rich in this world, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on uncertain riches, but on the Lord who richly furnishes us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good deeds, liberal and generous, thus laying up for themselves a good foundation for the future so that they may take hold of the life which is life indeed “

Recognize the Fruitfulness of Money Management

Jonathan Edwards compared living on earth is like a business man on a trip who was given an expenses account by his employers for his travel and food. We are on a business trip, sometimes a vacation, paid by our employer- God to carry out his business and pay for our needs along the way.

Money is a means of exchange for goods or services to help us along this life’s journey. It is a means of value for work done and goods and services received. Its main purpose is used to provide for needs and helping others, serving the Lord, and enjoying the abundance God provides without selfishness, gluttony, or pride.

The Lord desires our thankful spirit recognizing even the food we eat and purchases are every day provisions from his grace. God wants us to us see our blessings and respond in thanksgiving. The earth’s resources are abundant.

Now dear people I get bothered when I see Christians preach extremes. I hear some preachers talk about how guilty we should feel if we have possessions. Some will exhort us to live a life of poverty. Jesus called the rich young ruler to sell all he has and give to the poor and follow him. The Bible teaching wants to wake up rich Christians to stop living selfish non giving lives. But on the other hand I see others who claim to be people of faith preaching a health and wealth gospel that teaches the reason we are not rich is because of our lack of faith or obedience.

Teaching on wealth requires us to look at all the passages. Are there rich people in the Bible whom God blesses and is in God’s will? Absolutely! Are there poor people in the Bible whom God sets up as examples of faith and righteousness? Absolutely!

Why did God fill the earth with abundance and make it fertile and filling it with thousands of different plants and animals good for food? Why did He fill it with color and precious metals and gems and raw material that can be made into tools and houses and cars and telephones and computers and air conditions and musical instruments? None of this was really necessary if He had intended us merely to survive in half naked state.

I believe the biblical answer is that God gave us an abundant earth for our enjoyment and our management and our entertainment allowance so that in skillful developing and thanksgiving we can use these gifts to glorify Him not glorify ourselves. I Tim 6:17 “He is the God who richly furnishes us with everything to enjoy.” “For everything created by God is good and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving. ( 1 Tim 4;4 ) Is it wrong to enjoy a hot fudge sundae on a hot day, or a nice dinner at Mr. Steak, or an orchestra concert? These too can be gifts of God if they are not used in over indulgences and we are faithful to Him first in our gifts and tithes and used in obedience to carry out his word and will

Part of the fruitfulness we enjoy is to be share with those who are going through crises of weather, war, unemployment and especially circumstances beyond their control. It is not wrong for Christian to be rich, nor is it wrong for them to be poor. There were rich people in the NT churches and the apostles never rebuked them for being rich.

Paul writes to Timothy to instruct the rich to be humble about their riches and not haughty. Some are given the spiritual gift of giving generously and used as a means to help others. They are to always be mindful of the heavenly riches that await us all.

There were also poor people in the churches. Their poverty is not an indication of lack of blessing from God. “Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Lk 6:20 and “Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to those who love him?” James 2:5

I do not really trust God for my daily bread. I have enough food stocked up in my house to feed everyone in church one meal a day for a week, I’m sure. The key is not how much you have, but contentment with what Gods gives to you.

Many times it is ignorance or social, political, and religious strife that is the main cause of famine and starvation. In India millions of people starve, while cows are allowed to eat half of the annual grain production. Yet the animals cannot be killed, or even eaten for they are sacred in Hinduism. This is satanic bondage to a system that cruelly destroys human life and impoverishes it. Oh that the people would be open to truth of the good news and the provisions of God properly handled.

Some are impoverished due to ignorance, lack of education, or training. Our responsibility is to teach people to be self sufficient. Some are lazy and don’t work.

Material rewards are necessary as an incentive to work. The Bible teaches that the laborer is worthy of his hire. Luke 10:7 The plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of a share in the crop. 1 Cor 9:10. But we must not use these resources for sin. Too often Gods’ good food is used for gluttony, chemical for drug abuse and extortion, printing presses and television and videos and computers for pornography and factories producing modern day idols that turn our affections from the living God. To enjoy the fruitfulness of money management is to rejoice with thanksgiving and obedience to our Creator.

Part of money management is living with fruitfulness that is given from above to carry on our journey in responsibility, work, rest, and entertainment for the glory of God and the help of others.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri March 4 Freedom

Verses Phil 4:11-13 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Matt 6:33-34 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Recognize the Freedom in Money Management

One of the principles of stewardship is don’t use what we do not have. Much more will be shared about this next week, but the basic principle is freedom from money worries begins with seeking to living within your means. Emergencies not withstanding, debt has bound people to creditors and enslaved families with worries that in many incidents could have been prevented.

To enjoy the resources God has given you also means don’t seek the things God has not given to you or allowed you to have. We are a nation in extreme debt and apeople in extreme debt because a great deal of effort is placed into buying things now and paying for them later. The credit card companies lure you to enjoy the good life today and then reality sets in when 1,000 of dollars in charges and fees and interest result with money we ill afford to pay.

To pay for the minimum balance on most cards at 14-22% interest is making banks rich and us poor. God would have us learn contentment in living within our means and enjoying what we have. That is why the apostle Paul could say he has learned the secret of contentment. It isn’t in the things we have or the discontentment in the things e do not have it is in Christ. We delight in his gifts to us and use them as on loan from him for a time.

Without debt we are free from worry or being overly concerned. Contentment is mentioned 7 times in the Bible. Surprisingly 6 of those times refer to possessions. We are not born with inner contentment it is something to be learned.

Our society says-Happiness is gained by how much you have and the ability to get what you want. But the Bible says that is not freedom. It teaches a more important principle as you learn to follow the Scriptural principles of how to handle money.

You will draw closer to Christ and learn by the power of the Holy Spirit to be content in any and every circumstance. That is freedom of Money Management.

I think one of the most important decisions you can do today as an individual and family is commit by faith your possessions, finances, bills, job unto the Lord.

By an act of faith let Him know that beginning today no longer do you own anything, but will give him the right to all of your possessions and finances and you will follow to the best of your ability and understanding what He wants you to do with is.

Pastor Dale

Day of the Lord - 2 Peter 3:9-18

Sermon Nuggets Mon Feb 21 Day of the Lord

Verses 2 Peter 3:9-18

Eph 2:8-10

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast.

10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

The Day of the Lord

As we have been thinking on 2 Peter for some weeks now previously we have seen how Peter encouraged us not to be troubled by those who scoff at the promise of the Lord's return. We are to remember the Word of God not the words of men. When we judge truth by the Bible it will be our anchor and our security. God has intervened in this world. The world events are in his hands. We see not only how the prophecies were fulfilled during Christ's first coming, but also how the prophecies are being completed in his second coming. But also remember that God's ways are not our ways. He is on a different time schedule that we are. For the Lord a 1,000 years is as a day and a day as a 1,000 years. Our task is to trust and obey to be ready and to be working.

As we are into another decade since our new millennium you will continue to be deluged with books and articles predicting the Lord's coming. The word is out by some calculations that it is suppose to take place in May of 2011. I caution you regardless of how well know or well intentioned the author or preacher is, to beware that they do not have any greater knowledge than the disciples of Jesus day when Jesus will return.

Are there signs that his coming will be soon? Yes! But I believe God has given to his church various signs so that we can always be expectant and ready. The first call of vs9 “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.”

The first step to be prepared for the Lord’s return is by repenting of sin and turning to trust Christ for your salvation by faith. His patience is to see the children of God prepared to enter into His eternal kingdom. Are you ready for the second coming by knowing you are saved by the grace of the Lord through faith? (Eph 2:8,9)

Repentance is turning from your way, your thinking, and your sin and facing Christ, giving up the past and embracing Him for the future. It trusts him with you life, your soul, your mind, your spirit, your body, your being.

Although many will give attention to the signs prior to His coming it is clear in this passage we will be looking at, Peter is calling us to be a people who live for His glory and live as examples of light in our dark world. Believing in the second coming of Jesus and awaiting that Day of the Lord should make a difference in how you live not just what you believe.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues Feb 22 Prophecy

Verses- 2 Pet 3:9-13

9 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.

10 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.

11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives

12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.

13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

The Prophecy of His coming

Prophecy is prevalent in Scriptures. Some things happen because God said they would. And some things were given as warnings that might happen if a nation or a person did not change his ways. Many nations including Israel were warned in specific details of things that would happen if they did not repent. When they did not repent those prophecies came true. But another important aspect of prophecy is forth-telling God's word so the people might have a response of repentance, assurance, joy, hope, or whatever.

Often at Christmas time we look at Old Testament prophecies predicting the coming of the Messiah. Jesus was to born in Bethlehem, he was to escape to Egypt, he was to be born of a virgin, he was to be from the tribe of Judah, he was to grow up with powers of healing, he was to be despised and rejected, he was to be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver, he was to be killed, pierced, without breaking of any bones. He was to rise again, and ascend to heavens. All of these predictions accurately occurred. We couldn't put all those details together to figure out his life before hand. Hindsight brought about the awareness of how carefully all of history was in the hands of God. He carried out exactly what he had planned. That is also the case with prophecies yet fulfilled.

Peter uses this phrase "The Day of the Lord". There are different teachings regarding this. Some teach "the coming of Christ" and "the day of the Lord" are actually two separate events. Some will teach because Peter says it will be like thief in the night there will be secret rapture. Others indicate it refers to the final judgment day after the Millennium. Now some think it includes all the Millennium, while others believe it refers everything related to his coming.

If you read other passages from Paul's letters you will see similar expressions are used interchangeable. In 1 Thessalonians Paul speaks of the coming of the Lord for the righteous and calls it the "day of the Lord" as he discusses the timing of these events. You might study that there are different phrases used in the Bible- the day of the Lord, the Day of Christ, the day of Lord Jesus Christ, God, that day, the last Day, His day, the revelation of Christ, the appearing of Christ, the coming of Christ. For those who want to distinguish between the Day of Christ and the Day of the Lord, I think they run into trouble with the many passages that use both terms in the same context and calls it the Day of the Lord Jesus Christ.

There are four Greek words: Parousia which means coming or arrival. Epiphanias, meaning appearing or shining, being made visible. A third word is apokalupto- meaning disclosed or unveiled, revealed or revelations. And the last term is Hemeria "Day".

The context of the passage is the best way to understand their various interpretations. It seems to me that instead of thinking these are four different events it refers to four aspects of the same event.

We have the gospels which approach the same events of Christ's first coming with four views- Jesus as King, Jesus as Man, Jesus as divine and Jesus as the fulfillment of the coming Messiah.

There are times Paul and other N.T. writers want to show Christ's certainty and reality in his literal coming thereby using the word parousia. There are time when the emphasis of His coming is on his majesty and Jesus is revealed as King of Kings and Lord of Lords then apocalypto us used. There are times when the writer wants to encourage the hearts of those undergoing persecution to hang in there with perseverance. That visible return of his bodily presence gives that emphasis with Epiphanias. The context of the word gives various views of how we should see Jesus coming again, as he fulfills various roles of prophecy. So I do not think by this context that we are talking about a 24 hour day, but the event that beings the end of this world and the beginning of the next, prompted by the return of Jesus.

Although there are different teachings on this, for what it is worth that is my read. More tomorrow.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds Feb 23 Peril

Verses: 2 Peter 3: 10 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.

11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives

12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.

13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

The Peril of His Coming

In the prophecies of the second coming of Jesus there will be peril and great destruction. It will be a sudden surprise, unexpected for many, yet it is visible to all, heard by all. Someone asked me last week how that is possible. In our day and age did not the whole world watch the downfall of Egypt? Or previously over and again there was the replaying of the crashing of the Twin Towers on 9-11-01? What will be invented in the future will be even more mind bogging as the world closes in to the Day.

There will be judgment. Peter reminds us of the cosmic explosion the destruction by fire, and even the heavens, the stars, like stated in Joel's prophecy will be blackened. It will be catastrophic. The heavens will pass away with a great noise. While "the heavens" could refer to the atmosphere, I believe it could also refer to the ways we see the universe including the stars.

The peril toward the earth is elements will be destroyed by fire, and earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Listen to a couple similar passages Mk 13:24,25 "But in those days following that distress the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; The stars will fall from the sky and the heavenly bodies will be shakened."

Jesus further tells John to write in Rev 6:12-14 "I watched as he opened the 6th seal there was a great earthquake, the sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to the earth, the sky receded like a scroll rolling up and every mountain and island was removed from its place." That certainly sounds to me like total destruction. That is the end of this world as we know it.

Doyle Evans an astrophysicist of Los Alamos Scientific Lab in New Mexico noted that an explosion occurred in a nearby galaxy known a N- 49 of a gamma radiation that lasted for only 1/10 of a second. If that had occurred in our galaxy, it would have instantly vaporized earth.

Should this be cause for despair? Not at all, for Peter also tells us that it will usher in a new order. We look forward to this "new heavens and new earth" because of God's promise.

Two ants were walking on this beautiful spring day on a golf course. A duffer came along and set up his ball right by them and swung several times hitting the dirt around the ball. Each time the ants were shaken. Finally one ant turned to the other and said, "If we want to stay alive, we'd better get on the ball."

Friend, that's the point of Peter message. If you want to escape destruction you better get on the ball. The words of this prophecy are not conditional. It isn't that it might happen if we do not straighten up, but that it will happen this is a promise just as assured and real as Jesus first coming. If destruction is complete and inevitable then how are we to invest our energies? This is the Lord's call for personal holiness, inner peace, evangelistic zeal, doctrinal steadfastness by growth in grace and knowledge.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs Feb 24 Preparation

Verses- 2 Peter 3: 11 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. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.

13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

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.

15 Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.

The Preparation of His Coming

People do not expect it when thieves come to rob you. During the Holidays a movie often shown is "Home Alone". Remember the story of a boy left accidently by himself while his family flew to France? Some robbers are hitting homes that are vacated during the holidays and this home was on their list. They were surprised this little boy was there to meet them with all his various inventions of to do battle with them. I asked the obvious, "Why didn't he just go to the police since he knew the thieves were coming?" But then you wouldn't have this Hollywood story.

If you know thieves are coming you are prepared. There will be some who are prepared and some who are not prepared for Jesus coming. All are not surprised. Many are looking forward to it. Others will be blind sided in their sinful ways.

Rev. 21 speaks of the new heaven and earth. Prophecies are not just predictions they are also proclamations that are to have an effect on us primarily for the here and now. The reason the Lord tells us as much as he does about the second coming is that we might be prepared for it spiritually and live lives that will assure us of the rewards of his saints.

When I was growing up a popular question I would hear asked by ministers is what would you want to be found doing when the Lord returns? Although it made good preaching, Christ is with me all the time. It isn't as if it will be a surprise to Him what I am doing. I bring Christ into all of my activities now. But the challenge was to live a life for eternity not concentrating on things that pass away.

But the point is preparation, which isn't only having Christ as your savior; it is living a life to receive the rewards. Our call is to be holy, not happy. WE are to live fully and wholly unto Him and set apart from ungodliness.

If you received God's gift of salvation by grace through faith you have made your peace with God. You are ready to grow in his grace, to love and serve and help one another. What happened when you and I cannot live that type of life? Peter fell lots of times, but here is where the grace of God comes in. Forgiveness is a wonderful gift. The Holy Spirit begins working in us to make us more like Jesus. I get so impatient I want to be free from all temptations of sin right now. But I am not. God shows me that I am accepted by His work and when I stay focused on Him He'll do the rest. That is why personal prayer and Bible reading is so important for our spiritual health. It reminds us of truth and the will and ways of God in our lives.

How do we look forward to the day of God and speed its coming? Well holy living as something to do with it. Living out Christ in our world will affect our world.

When we read in the book of Revelation that there will be people of all tribes and all peoples and all nations, there is no question that it is our job to spread this truth world wide. It is a clear motive of the US Center of World Missions in California to spearhead a united effort to evangelize the unreached peoples groups of the world who have never heard the gospel message. It does not mean each person comes to Christ, but the nations have received the message of Christ We are part of that plan to help unreached peoples get reached. Sending missionaries is part of that plan. Evangelism is part of that plan. We are part of that.

D. L. Moody tells the story that when General Sherman went to Atlanta for more troops he left the fort, in Kennesaw Mountains with a little handful of men to guard some rations that he had brought there. General Hood however attacked the fort. For a long time that battle raged fearfully. Half of the men were either killed or wounded. The general in command was injured 7 times in that battle. When they were about to run up the white flag and surrender the fort, they had seen a signal on a mountain some 15 miles away. "Hold the fort; I am coming" W. T. Sherman.

That message fired up the hearts of those who remained and they were able to hold out until reinforcements came. They kept it and the supplies from going into the hands of their enemies.

So our heavenly commander has given us that same signal message of challenge and assurance. Let us hold the fort with patience and courage and hope, for the battle will soon be over and victory will be complete.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri Feb 25

Verses 2 Peter 3: 15 Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.

16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

17 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.

18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

The Purpose of His Coming

I want to comment that Peter tells us that Paul wrote about Jesus coming too. Paul spoke of it in all his letters. Peter says Paul includes some things that are hard to understand. (Boy, am I glad he put that in there. First, I agree with Peter. Some of what Paul says is hard to understand.) But notice how Peter treats Paul's writings. He uses the term "Scriptures" and so they are. Peter realized Paul's guidance was from the Holy Spirit and his personal walk with Christ.

Although they had some earlier differences as recorded in Galatians 2, Peter and Paul were on the same team. It was important for them to preach teach and see others saved for the glory of Jesus Christ. Peter was even encouraging the church to read and follow Paul's inspired letters as Scripture. He warned that many are misinterpreting them and making them say things Paul did not intend. Even though they had different audiences, God’s truth ultimately united them and corrected Peter.

I think Peter is mentioning three simple but real purposes behind Jesus return. The first two reasons we have already mentioned. He is coming to judge he wicked and to reward the righteous. Many parables talk about the separation of the wheat from the chaff, the sheep from the goats the wise virgins and the foolish virgins, those with the garments and those without. We will be separated from God or live forever in his presence base on our faith in Christ alone.

But there is also evidence that there are further rewards for the believer, which I think are jobs and tasks we will be given based on our faithfulness to our work on earth. What we have done for Christ is part of a different type of judgment.

Thirdly, Jesus Christ will be glorified and honored and worshipped. We come to worship Him corporately as well as privately. There will be the final performance when Jesus will become completely glorified by all of creation. So now we need to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

How can you grow in grace? That does not mean we will be given more grace. You will not have more of Christ than you already have. You cannot have more salvation than what he has already given you. You cannot be more justified or more forgiven than you are or were on that day of your salvation. You will never be more accepted by Jesus than you are now, nor any more or less than any other Christian. Jesus cannot love us more than he does already.

However, there is difference in the display of our grace and our understanding and appreciation and love and service of Christ in our lives. We do not all have the same knowledge of Jesus and aren't as close to Christ in love. We grow in love for him and in service of him and in obedience to him and in faith in trusting him and courage to stand up for him and in zeal of making him known. We grow in brotherly love and grow in humility. Grace is not dependent upon how many years we have been a Christian either. For there are young people that are more mature in their faith and in their life and in their knowledge of God than many Christians who have been saved for 30-40-50 years, but have not gotten beyond the baby stage of maturity.

The first century Christians underwent persecution. They got closer to Christ as they depended upon Him more. They grew in grace under suffering and hard times.

Jesus does not want us stagnant but growing in our faith and our understanding. We are not to be lazy, but working. Do you live for temporary pleasure? It will pass. But to Him be glory both now and forever; the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

Jesus is coming again, because in the first coming he came to earth to die, now he is returning to dwell as Lord forever, the first coming he came as man of sorrows and now as the Mighty God, before he came as the lamb of God now he will come as the lion of Judah. Before as the prince of peace and now as the King of Kings an Lord of Lords. Before he came as the author of salvation, now as the finisher of faith, before he came to atone for sins, now he is coming as the judge of the righteous and unrighteous. Before he came to accomplish our salvation, now he is coming to receive our praise.

Jesus is coming in glory to be glorified to the earth, to show Satan demons, those who pierced Him and those who ignored Him to show those who love Him and those who do not, that He is God and there is none else like Him. All creation will bow their knees before Him and worship.

We are to give him glory now as well as forever! Are you prepared?

Pastor Dale

Coming Day 2 Peter 3:1-9

Sermon Nuggets Mon Feb 14 Coming Day

Verses- 2 Peter 3:1-9

Coming Day

First, Happy Valentine's Day. We might be anticipating some things where love is expressed. Some might be disappointed because what they expect doesn't happen. Maybe it is a special gift. Maybe someone doesn't have money to give a gift. Maybe someone forgot. Outward expressions of love and appreciation can fall into two categories-Either real or empty.

When I was in grade school each student was to bring valentine greetings by some little card to each other student in the class. Out teaching collected all of them and divided them up by names and each person received a card from everyone. To be honest I did not want to give a card to everyone. I didn't like everyone in the room. I didn't want to receive a card from everyone in the room. My heart wasn't in it.

Of course I came to realize much later than love is something greater than feelings. God sent us the greatest greeting of love in the person of Jesus Christ. And his offer to receive his love is today to all who will respond to His Message. But one day his coming will be for his own. Those who have been set apart to live with Him forever. We anticipate his coming with longing and anticipation and wonder how long it will take.

Jesus is coming again. For many the wait has been too long. It is like the little girl going fishing for the first time holding the line in the water. Finally she throws down the pole and says, "I quit" What's wrong. "It takes too long to get waited on"

We Americans do not handle delays very well. Some feel that way anticipating an end to winter and anticipation of spring like weather. Some airline delays due to weather caused ire among customers who almost acted as if the airlines had something to do with the weather.

Our culture simply does not like to wait. Yet we wait less today than men have ever waited. We travel at high speed waiting less to arrive at a distant place. Communications which formerly took months now are completed in seconds. Meals which used to take hours to cook are now done in minutes in microwave ovens. People used to have to wait until they had cash to purchase a new car or home. Now these things are bought on credit. Fewer and fewer people are willing to wait until marriage to enjoy the intimacy of sex.

The truth is men have been waiting on God all through history. Noah waited a good 100 years or so for the flood to come upon the earth Abraham and Sarah waited 25 years for the birth of the son God had

promised them. Abraham did not even possess the Promised Land in his lifetime, and it was more than 400 years until his descendants took possession of it.

As Christians we have been given insight into the future. We will be commenting on the Day of the Lord next week, as we finish up our series from 2nd Peter. But there is one thing we can say with complete confidence. The future is in God's hand and things are going to get worse before they will get better. But for those in Jesus Christ there are great days ahead. The message of the second coming is an encouraging message for those who know Jesus as their savior and Lord and a discouraging tragedy for those who don't. The key element to dealing with waiting and scoffers who say he isn't coming can be summarized in one word: "remember".

Let’s remember some important truths regarding the second coming of Jesus Christ. How does that truth affect your life differently today?

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Tues Feb 15

Verses- 2 Peter 3:1-3 1 Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.

2 I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.

3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.

Remember God's Word

Peter tells the readers to bring to their remembrance things they have already been taught. Reminders are good. The more you hear something, see something, and say something, the more likely it sticks. Peter reminded them in both letters (1 &2 Peter) of their need to stay close to God. God will reward and keep them secure. He also reminds them not to be surprised when trouble comes their way. In both epistles Peter encourages their hearts with the truth Jesus is coming again.

As a good pastor, Peter remains faithful to the call of Christ when Jesus told Peter to feed his lambs, feed his sheep, tend the flock. We read about that in the end of the book of John. Peter is obedient to the command that Jesus gave him. In these letters he is seeking to protect them from false shepherds, evil in character, and empty in content. He warns of their condemnation forever.

In this passage Peter wants them to center their minds on the words shared in the past by holy prophets, as well as the commands of Jesus given through the apostles. What Peter is pointing them to is the Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments. How do you keep from being mislead by false teachers and preachers? Answer: Know your Bible. What will help you as you wait for the Lord's coming? Read and get your facts from the Bible. What will give you security when people will say the world is coming to the end? Your security will come as you act upon the truth of the Bible.

Look how Peter points to them to the Scriptures in this letter. "Grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ 1:3, know the precious promises 1:4,19 "We have the word of the prophets made more certain and you will do well to pay attention to it in your hearts. Understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by prophets own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."

He reminded them of the days of Noah and Sodom and Gomorrah, as well as the fallen angels and now brings them to the Bible to illustrate His point and show condemnation of the evil ones. He reminds them of the story of Balaam and the men that turned their back on the sacred commandments. Then he quoted two proverbs at the end of Chapter 2. Peter is constantly confirming using and pointing out the truth by looking to the Bible as His source. He reminds them to do the same. It is the used as the foundation of the prophecies of Jesus, Since all were not completed at his first coming then it just confirms that what Jesus will do as he taught at this second coming as King.

Acts 1:7 is true. It is not for us to know the times or the seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority. We cannot claim to know when and how, but with assurance of the Word of God we can know that he will return.

Jesus became the authority for the New Testament. He showed his apostles many times how the Old Testament Scriptures were to be fulfilled by His first coming. He showed how the Messiah fulfilled the promises and then completed the work for the redemption of the world. It was important that God shows us by the Word that the apostles also confirm that is what Jesus taught us too. That is truth and they in boldness preached and wrote and so the apostle teachings are the word of God. We do not have any newer revelations that would ever go contrary to the Scriptures as laid down for us by the apostles as they were to pass on what the Lord had taught them, including the apostle Paul.

False teachers and prophets will want you to believe their revelations are just as authoritative as the apostles. The Romans Catholic church will tell us the Pope is Christ's representative on the earth and just as authoritative as the apostles. Some will have visions and dreams and say these are from God and on equal par with Peter's writings. When the apostles died, Scripture had been written and that is the last word on the subject until Christ returns. We don't need anymore revelation. What we need is to believe, trust and obey what is already there.

Jesus Christ is coming again visibly, bodily, triumphantly, regardless of people's books, films, videos and crusades that may say otherwise.

Listen to what one modern preacher taught about Jesus’ return, This will not be a personal return."

These are the voices of theologians and preachers, but remember God's word, not the words of men. Of course, their desire is not to determine truth, but to justify their lifestyle.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Weds Feb 16

Verses 2 Peter 3: 3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.4 They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation."5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water.6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed.7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

Remember God's World

One of the benefits of our nation is the freedom of speech. Baptist made sure people had the freedom to worship according to the dictates of their conscience, not because some ruler or government said you must believe this way. We believe that free faith is real faith. If someone makes you believe a certain way it isn't really yours. If you will take Christ at his word and believe in your heart you will be saved. If you take the faith of the church or parents, or preach or priest, but it is not your faith then it isn't real faith.

So it is easy to also see why there are so much weird and twisting thinking about God. Here Peter was addressing the rumor going around that Jesus is not coming again. Many Christians at the time were looking for his immediate return. There are indications in the New Testament that people expected it to happen within that first generation. Only careful study shows that is not what Jesus said. Peter knows that he would not live and would die before Christ's coming, but he is already hearing the mockers say, "See Jesus hasn't come yet, therefore forget it. He isn't coming".

This is an amazingly modern argument for rejecting the supernatural, bodily second coming. It simply states the laws of nature are constant and unchanging. The sun has come up and gone down, the seasons have followed each other; the tides have risen and fallen for thousands of years in perfect order. Therefore we must expect this constancy for the future, and any thought that the sky might be rolled up like a scroll and the earth purged with global, fiery judgment by the returning Christ is unimaginable and unwarranted. This is exactly the position of much modern science and there are hundreds of pastors and theologians in the churches and seminaries today who reject a physical second coming and future judgment for the same reason.

We will know the motivation behind their scoffing which is a way to soothe their guilty conscience. Remember that false teachers were guided by their own lusts, and the good apostles were guided by the Lord's word.

Peter goes back into the world history to remind them the world is not like the false prophets proclaimed. They said, "God is not involved with the world. He does not intervene. The world is the same as it has been right from the beginning of time." Look at Peter's arguments.

He says in fact the world is not a stable universe. It was created by water and destroyed by water. God is not delaying by His standards only by man's standards. He writes to them that God judged the world once and will therefore do so again according to his promise. God does intervene with judgment and will do so when moral principles are violated.

What does he mean that the world was formed out of water and with water? Apparently he is talking his thoughts from Genesis 1. “Darkness was over the face of the deep, and the spirit of God was hovering over the waters." That was its beginning. vs. 6 "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water." There was firmament. It was believed to be a mist like cloud. Why did things grow when it didn't rain? Why was it that people could live to be 400, 500 years old?

One hypothesis was before the flood this cloud kept people from direct sunlight and there was not the deterioration of the bodies that the sun causes now. There was atmosphere within the blanket of dew that hovered above allowing the moisture to make things grow without rain- now I'm not sure if that is true, but that is what one commentary said--but water was divided finally and separated from the dry land and out of and by and amidst it, the earth was formed by the power of God.

Peter goes on to show how it was also destroyed by waters as well. Why? Because of the moral evil and sin violating Gods laws. His anger and judgment was against the people who would ignore God's laws and live the way they wanted. Now the world is preserved for the wrath of God to be destroyed next by fire. It is the judgment for sin. So don't say that it was like this from the beginning and God wasn't involved. He was and is. Remember God’s world where there is change and there is intervention of Gods’ power to be displayed in ways that are not imaginable for mankind.

One wake up call is to see how our world has changed with massive earthquakes, storms, hurricanes, volcanoes, flooding. God is doing something. Peter says, don’t let the scoffers mislead you from truth for the future.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Thurs Feb 17-

Verses- 2 Peter 3: 3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.

4 They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation."

5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water.

6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed.

7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

Remember God’s Warning

Scoffers from Peter’s day did not believe in the second coming of Jesus Christ. Those who lived in opposition to the Christian truth would make fun of those who anticipating Jesus’ return. Yet, Peter, reiterates the coming of Jesus will also bring destruction to those who are not ready and judgment to those who mock the Lord.

Just like the world was destroyed by water in the days of Noah, now the prophecy from old is the next time it will be destroyed by fire. This warning is to repent and turn to Jesus by faith.

What do we know now of the earth that they didn't know in Peter's day? The earth is a ball of fire. One scientist compares it to an egg. A very thin shell or crust upon which we live that is covering a form of burning lava and volcanic substance. We also have the capabilities of nuclear war which by fire, fall-out and explosions could literally destroy this world. Fire from within and fire from without- the chemical make up and change of the molecules of hydrogen, even from water, can be explosive with the hydrogen in it I'm told. That is hard to imagine, but Peter says - God has promised to judge with fire, How he chooses to work that out we can only speculate. He used rain which they were unaware of in Noah's day. Maybe the manner will be unfamiliar to us all in his future world- but it will come.

We have many other incidences of God intervening continually in his world and in the lives of his followers. Certainly Peter and the apostles could mention several examples of God's intervention. The events related to Jesus and the miracles of Christ are the most vivid illustrations of the truth of the word and the world over the opinions by men. 587 BC God caused the Babylonians to completely destroy the temple of Solomon and the Holy City. He carted off the Israelites to another land. Then God restored them again to their territory. Inter-testimental period the Macabees fought off the Greeks and there was the miracles of lights, which is celebrated at Hanecha. In AD 70 there was the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple by the Romans.

But listen even to unexplainable events which point to the miraculous workings of God in his world. "There was the Great Wind that miraculously came and destroyed the Spanish Armanda. There was the unusual snowstorm that brought about the defeat of Napolean in 1812. During a time of British invasion during the Revolutionary war there came such heavy fog to blind them of the stranded Americans on one harbor and when the last rescue boat came the fog lifted, so when the British were ready to attack there was no one there. There was an unusual intervention in weather and nature to bring decisive losses to the Nazi regime during WW II. We see the events that are still considered miraculous with the 6 day war of Israel against he Arabs back in 1967. You see the problem isn't that the world doesn't give examples of God's involvement, but people hearts are filled with sin and refused to acknowledge or look at God's reality around them.

(see Colossians 1:16-17)

Or Sinclair Lewis who stood in one church and said "If there is a God may he strike me dead." And since he didn't die the newspaper picked it up as if that is some proof there is no God. In that editorial one writer said, "It is like an ant crawling in the dessert of Arizona RR track proclaiming if there is a president of the RR let him come and drive me over and kill me-if such a one exist. Lewis is proud to think God would answer his prayer at Lewis bidding. Gods' time will come and that is what Peter wants them to realize. Remember God’s warning.

Pastor Dale

Sermon Nuggets Fri Feb 17

Verses- 2 Peter 3: 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

9 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.

Remember Gods' Ways

Let us never be so proud as to think God is like us. God's clock is not our clock. His ways are not our ways. Lets face it friend, you and I will never understand the way God works as long as we are on this earth. But let me also add, He has given us enough of his revelation to know as much about Him as He requires us to know. "God is God and there is none like him and not one that will understand Him." That is what he tells Job when Job tries to figure out his ways and his purposes. It is enough to cling to Him and let him work out the details at his timing.

Peter is perplexed with the people that say, "See God isn't returning. He hasn't yet." Well one reason is that God looks at time differently than how we do. What is long to us is short to him. And what is short to us can be long to Him. 1,000 years as a day. Part of argument is from Scriptures Ps 90:4 "For a 1,000 years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night." He has eternal perspective. God is not limited to time. This is something of human limitation. He knows the beginning from the end. He is not bound by time.

Now many people will take this verse and make it say all types of things. Some want to spiritualize it. Others will think this becomes some secret means of interpreting God's time tables, both past and future as if it were a mathematical principle. Some are into numerology, which frankly comes from pagan religions. I would caution people that interpret through numbers like this.

You have heard it said, no doubt that the world was created in 6 days and God rested. Some will say it took God 6,000 years since each day represents 1,000 years. Or our Lord was in the tomb 2 days and arose on the third. Therefore he was to come back to the earth in the year 2,000. Some will give a few extra years depending how many hours he was in the tomb.

Friends, the very point of the Scriptures argument isn't a new understanding of interpreting God' ways, instead it is reminding us that to Him time means nothing. The point is simply that time is irrelevant to God. It was two thousands years before God fulfilled His promise to Abraham. It was at least four or six thousand years before He fulfilled His promise to the serpent and the woman bearing seed. Since God kept His promise about the first coming of Christ, we can expect Him to fulfill the promise of His Son's return!

Look at God's time table as eternity. How short lived our tears and suffering, how short lived are our heartaches and our trials. When life is compared to be a mist and a vapor quickly gone realizes that God's coming may be very soon and then it may be many thousands of years away. (Although I don't personally believe it would be that long, but it may). We need humility. God can accomplish a 1,000 years of work in one day.

Sometimes I read about the lives of great men and see how much they were able to accomplish in their lives. Martin Luther changed a 1,000 years tradition in such a short time. Charles Westly averaged 8,000 miles on horseback preaching place to place and spoke about 1,000 sermons a year. That is averaging 3 a day. Is it any wonder what God can do in our short time?

But the greatest of all things we are to remember is why God waits and delays Christ's coming. It is because of His character of mercy and kindness. He does not want any to perish, but all to be saved. The years that he has given us are for the purpose of repentance and turning to God or to be used as tool for his glory in that purpose for others.

Ezekial 33:11 "As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn ye from your evil ways for why will ye die? " I tim 2:4 says it this way "God wants all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth." The delay is meant to lead to repentance, not to unbelief. There is coming a day when the door of opportunity will be closed.

God wants us to trust Him and look to him in faith in Jesus. He is coming again, are you ready for his return?

Pastor Dale