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. ~ 2 Peter 3:9 (NLT)
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Every day, we hear the bad reports on the news...
~ 2 dead after severe storms strike Plains
~ Lebanon apartment blast kills one, wounds dozens
~ Slain UNC student was kidnapped
~ Health officials question whether tomatoes behind [salmonella] outbreak
...and these are just a few of this morning's headlines on CNN.com!
We know this world is headed downhill -- we don't need to read the book of Revelation to know that all of creation isn't evolving --- we're DEVOLVING at an alarming rate! We lament over senseless violence and economic inflation, the war in Iraq and child abuse. And believers in Jesus cry out, Oh, Lord, how long? How long before You rescue Your children?
We wonder what God is up to, allowing things to go on and on in this degenerative state. We want change. We want out. But if we listen to ourselves, we have to know that's a selfish perspective. That's saying that we don't care about those who are dead in their sins and haven't come to a knowledge of Jesus and His offer of love. That's saying we're not interested in the eternal destiny of other people, just the earthly comfort of ourselves. Shame on us...!
God loves the whole world, and He doesn't want anyone ... anyone ... anyone ... to die in their sins. Not without having the opportunity to make a choice. Let me ask you something: What if God didn't care about you, and decided to pull the spiritual plug on humanity, without giving you a chance to repent of your sin-sick lifestyle? Is that love?
We need to understand God's heart for the people of this world. No matter how bad they are, He loves them and wants to embrace them. He constantly beats on their heart, asking to be let in. He is relentless in His pursuit, no matter who they are, or where they live. Americans, Iraqis, Ukrainians, Somalians. Rich, poor, middle-of-the-road. Liars, tax-evaders, murders. Can you get your head around the love God has for all of humanity? Probably not. Neither can I. As Paul said in Ephesians, it has height, depth, width and breadth that we truly can't fathom.
Thank God today that He waited for you to make your choice for Him. Be grateful today that He waits for your unbelieving neighbors, friends, and family members. Because when that Day of Judgment comes, it's over -- no more choices. God, in His unfathomable mercy, waits...and waits...and waits for people to choose Him. May we pray for the unsaved, and be bold to share with them who Jesus is and the love He offers them. Give them the opportunity to choose God. That is God's deepest heart cry -- let it be our deepest heart's cry, too.
Love,
Joelene
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