The Day the Sky Will Collapse
Don’t overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day. God isn’t late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn’t want anyone lost. He’s giving everyone space and time to change.
But when the Day of God’s Judgment does come, it will be unannounced, like a thief. The sky will collapse with a thunderous bang, everything disintegrating in a huge conflagration, earth and all its works exposed to the scrutiny of Judgment.
Since everything here today might well be gone tomorrow, do you see how essential it is to live a holy life? Daily expect the Day of God, eager for its arrival. The galaxies will burn up and the elements melt down that day—but we’ll hardly notice. We’ll be looking the other way, ready for the promised new heavens and the promised new earth, all landscaped with righteousness.
So, my dear friends, since this is what you have to look forward to, do your very best to be found living at your best, in purity and peace. Interpret our Master’s patient restraint for what it is: salvation. Our good brother Paul, who was given much wisdom in these matters, refers to this in all his letters, and has written you essentially the same thing. Some things Paul writes are difficult to understand. Irresponsible people who don’t know what they are talking about twist them every which way. They do it to the rest of the Scriptures, too, destroying themselves as they do it.
2 Peter 3:8-16 The Message (MSG)
Angry? Choose Your Words!
Many in North America (USA) worry that they are in a losing battle to preserve civility (politeness, courtesy, respect). The use of profane words- words which are full of abuses and curses is so much on the increase that many young people do not think it is wrong and most adults do not seem to notice it or even care.
Professor Timothy Jay of John Hopkins University Civility Project, reports that children begin using abusive words they hear from their parents and on television worldwide, it has been noticed that the use of profane and indecent language or words increased more than 500% from 1989 to 1999.
Have we been bitten by this curse and abusive words bug? Always remember that you are in this world BUT not of this world. Sharp or profane words can impact your respect negatively. Stop cursing and using abusive words on your children, staff, clients or even your spouse.
Profanity includes speaking evil of people in their absence. This is gossip! If you cannot praise someone when he/she is not there then don’t speak about him or her at all. Note also that the ability to lie is a liability. In the book of Mathew Chapter 5 and verse 22 (Amplified Version), Jesus said “Whosoever shall say to his brother, you cursed fool (You empty-headed idiot!), shall be liable to and unable to escape the hell (Gehenna) of fire”. The book of Colossians Chapter 4 and verse 6 says, “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt…”.
The children of the Kingdom should use the language of the palace. Being polite can open doors that fasting and prayers may not do.
A well-chosen word can speak volumes
Further study- Mathew Chapter 5 verse 17 to 26.
Source- Rev. Dr Chris E. Kwakpovwe of Our Daily Manna, 2013.
I Want it ALL!
I have been meditating a lot about wanting it all. Everything that God has promised me and has showed me his word. I have also been thinking on how to get this ‘ALL’ I so desire. That been said, I owe every success I have to date to HIM who made me and still enables me to prosper. However, some areas still need a breakthrough.
I was chatting with my husband and I wanted to get his own perspective on a complete and balanced life. I asked him if he thought that one person can really have it all, I mean, everything they really want and need on this planet earth. I asked him if he feels that there will always be something lacking?
I remember Paul in 2 Corinthians 12 verse 2, who passionately shared the scriptures, gave his all to serve the Lord, yet, he lived with an illness. Did he ask God to heal him? Yes! Was he healed? I am yet to come across that scripture but what I have read is that God left Paul with that illness, and yet the illness did not consume him. I am yet to have full understanding of Paul’s situation but it seems to me that Paul was still in service for God. The ‘thorn in his flesh’ did not limit his love for God. That is mind boggling.
My husband’s perspective is that something may always be lacking however it now depends on what is lacking. He goes on to say that, as long as it’s not a major lack, the process of ‘lack’ is designed for us (humans) to keep remembering God. His perspective left me feeling that we humans define what we call a ‘major’ lack and a ‘minor’ lack. A single and unmarried lady would see her situation of not having a husband a major lack while another lady may see it as a minor lack; A childless couple may see their situation as a major lack; a family with financial freedom and no peace/joy may see that as some degree of lack; An individual who happens to get into wrong relationships that burn may see that as an issue, hence a major lack. We individuals would define a lack based on what peer groups, culture, society, defines it as. Or do we define it by how we feel?
The grass is always greener on the other side, some would say. However the owner of the green grass puts a lot into ensuring that his grass seems greener. We all have various issues we are dealing with, however we need to appreciate what we have and not envy or covet others of what we think they have that we do not have.
My reflection on this article left me with one impression, and it is that God has pre-destined me for greatness; I have been blessed with ALL. I will come into it, eventually.
Do you have doubts where you are now and it seems where you need to be is far off? Be still and know him where you are, he will show you that he alone is GOD!