2 Peter 3:9-10 NLT
The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.
How many chances are we going to get?
We are faced with challenges from the outside all of the time.
This one seems to be the most challenging as we sit and wait to see how the Coronavirus’s consequences change our lives.
Jesus was asked about sudden death and here is what He said:
Luke 13:1-5 NLT
About this time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple. ”Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?” Jesus asked. “Is that why they suffered? Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God. And what about the eighteen people who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem? No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too.”
The point is never about how this happens or why; the point is not if things like these things will happen, but when and the response should always bring about…
Repentance.
God uses events like these to get our attention. And here’s the truth, this is just the beginning. Unfortunately, we have given God no choice but to go to such extreme measures to get our attention.
The wonder of life itself was not enough.
The oxygen we breathe, the sunrises and sunsets we enjoy, the excellent technologies He has given us the ability to create and enjoy.
Our focus has been on profit at the expense of others instead of profit for everyone’s benefit. Fortunately, God has put enough faithful people in the balance to continue to allow us to turn to Him in repentance.
Our faith has been on the visible supply and our ability instead of where He wanted our willing faith to be, and that is in Him and Him alone.
But there is good news…
If you are still breathing and reading this there is hope.
1 Corinthians 15:51-58 NLT
But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? ” For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
If you are a Christian, stay focused on the work in front of us. The fields are ripe for the harvest, and the workers are few, so get busy; now is not the time to sit back, is the time to engage the world around us positively.
If you can’t call yourself a Christian, make yourself right with God right now and right here by making your heart right with God by asking for Jesus to come into your life and submit your life to His lordship and let Him in.
Revelation 3:20-22 NLT
”Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. ”Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”
Who are those who are ”victorious,” those who invite Jesus Christ into their lives.
”O death, where is your victory? Oh death, where is your sting?”
There is only victory with Jesus Christ.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus Christ. I pray that the challenges that we face will bring us closer to You.
I pray that my life continues to glorify You, with my thoughts, my words but more importantly, my faith and actions.
Let my life focus on the needs of those around me while having complete confidence in Your ability to meet all of my needs.
I know that You are faithful to those who call on Your name, let this event glorify You in every way.
In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray, in Your Holy Name, Amen!! 🙏❤️
