Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- February 21, 2014
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9, NKJV
Our gracious God desires all to know Christ through repentance, forgiveness, faith, and a lifetime of loving intimacy. Jesus came the first time to earth as our Savior. After His resurrection, as He ascended back to heaven, He promised to return. Christ will come again as our judge. However, our heavenly Father’s patient mercy delays His son’s return. Jesus waits, so the unredeemed have time to believe and become sons and daughters of the Almighty. God’s will is salvation in Jesus.
Like the door to Noah’s ark eventually closed, so our opportunity to trust Christ is slowly slipping away. The flood waters of judgment will one day drown us in death. Will we be ready? Salvation and safety can only be found in our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord’s patient love invites us to repent, trust and not perish. Yes, we still have time to warn others of the judgment to come. Some will mock, others will act apathetic, but a few will find refuge in Jesus.
“Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance” (Romans 2:4)?
Moreover, the patience of our heavenly Father is the model for us to follow. We are surrounded by a sea of those who need salvation. They are drowning in their sin and sorrow. By offering them the life preserver of faith, hope and love for Jesus we can rescue the perishing. A life preserver is useless unless it is deployed. Therefore, we pray daily how we might bless those we encounter with a buoyant belief in Jesus Christ. Once saved, we help others be saved.
Lastly, regularly receive the Lord’s great love, so you can be a great lover. When you are loved well by Jesus, you can love well for Jesus. Love is patient. Love is kind. Patience and kindness are twins that draw the lost into a loving relationship with Jesus. People away from Christ, have no context for Christ, so be kind. An unsaved soul is an insecure soul, so be patient. We know a better way to salvation than do strangers. God’s will is for those without faith to find faith.
“Who [God] wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4).”
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thanks for Your patient love that allows others to repent and not perish.
Related Readings: Habakkuk 2:3; Romans 11:14; Hebrews 10:37; 2 Peter 3:15; Revelation 2:21
Post/Tweet today: Receive the Lord’s great love, so you can be a great lover of the lost. #God’swill
Blessed by these readings?: pray about giving a donation, click… http://bit.ly/KArLE5
Check Out Boyd’s 12 devotional books over the past 10 years … http://bit.ly/Tv6y9a
Free eBook when you sign up 5 friends for the free email devotional… http://bit.ly/1hNvIe8
© 2014 by Boyd Bailey. All rights reserved.
Wisdom Hunters Resources / A registered 501 c3 ministry info@wisdomhuntersdevotional.com / www.wisdomhunters.com
