July 2009 – Heltsley Home Page

God’s Timing: Different Perspectives. 2 Peter 3:8-9.

2 Peter 3:8-9

3:8. But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
3:9. 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.

This is a message that is being written to a group of believers who are growing a little complacent. They are letting some of the doubts of the world creep in, and having their patience stretched. Their minds need to be stirred up. Take time to remember the words of the prophets of old, the words of the apostles, the commandments, even the words of the savior himself.

It’s easy to say to ourselves that God spoke to early, ancient people, but they are long dead and the world keeps plugging along without much change. Seasons come and go, years come and go, and miracles seem to not happen anymore. Where are the things promised, When is the last days going to be? Don’t rush things. The earth was created long ago, and was designed to endure for a long, long time. In fact the promise is that seasons will continue for as long as it takes. the earth will continue, just as it has, preserved, until God destroys it with fire, when he comes to judge all people.

Relationship101: In Search of…

Statistically, most people will become married in their lifetime. Being married is how we pass on the family name and traditions, and leave a legacy behind us. Before a person gets married though, it takes getting to know that special person to share in your lifestyle. Maybe you are reading this and in a relationship, that’s a place to start.

The main purpose behind this writing today is for those who are not in a relationship, not dating anybody, and maybe have no clue about whether there is even anybody out there for you. No prospects at all, or know how to even get started in that direction.

You know who you are. You’re not married? Not even dating, or in a relationship? But you want to be? No garantees but here’s some tips and questions to ask yourself to help you focus.

Jesus: Eternal Creator

In verse 15 we find that Jesus is the image, or icon of God. God is spirit and invisible. Moses was told that nobody has ever seen the face of God, and nobody can and live. Have you ever wondered what God looked like? old testament prophets did. I’ve wondered that many times, and I’m sure most people have. If God had a tangible form that we could see, if God was to let people see him face to face, he would look like Jesus. The image of God that we can touch, taste, smell, see and hear.

God himself is invisible. In these few verses, between the words visible and invisible, there are three times they appear. Each one is based on a word that means to gaze at. Basically God is a being that exists. He is real, but we just can’t see him. A saying pops into my mind, “There’s gold in them thar hills!” The gold in the hills is real. You know it’s there. You can’t see it. If you dig in the dirt long enough, or stand in the river with a pan and sort through enough rocks, you’ll find it and be able to see it. It already existed, but wasn’t visible. That’s one way to think about God.It’s just that when we do get to gaze at him, we’ll have to wait until we’re dead. Until then, we have Jesus.

Jesus is the firstborn of all creation. Some people stumble over this. If Jesus is firstborn, who birthed him? Who are his parents? The more literal way this phrase might be read is “firstborn over all creation.” He is the first, tangible, touchable, person, place or thing before anything we have in our current created universe. Paul says that he existed first, because as in the verses that begin the gospel of John, Jesus is the one who created all things.

Society: Crime and Punishment.

In this key passage, the key point is in the last two verses. In the first part we have an outline of some finer points of doing things that defraud your fellow man. It contains a nasty mixture of lies, theft, trust, extortion, and other such things. The main point of these few verses is to point out that there are consequences for our actions. Sometimes the punishment for breaking a law are serious, and get the death penalty. Most have a lesser punishment such as this one about lieing and stealing Crime and sin have consequences, and deserves punishment.

We are told of these harsh things because unfortunately, in our society there are some people out there who just don’t abide by the ethical and moral teachings of either God’s law, or any law. The punishments need to be fair and fit the crime. The punishments also serve to protect the guilty party to a degree. Maybe the person will consider it a wake up call and learn to reform his ways. It should at least be fair based on the extent of the crime that was done. From the victim’s point of view, there might be a large amount of emotional sentiment attached to the item lost, or devastation at being violated. The punishment is to regulate the punishment and not punish the guilty person beyond the real weight of the crime.

Stewardship: A Token of Gratitude.

Stewardship is taking care of the things God has given us, and managing them well. Here Abraham gives money, a tythe back to God. OK, question time, but first read the entire chapter of Genesis 14.

What happened here? Abram is in conversation with a local priest of God named Melchisidek. The first phrase is the tale end of the words being spoken by this high priest. “blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” The short answer is that we give back to God not only for what he has given but also for the protection he offers to us.

Second Thoughts. Gal 1:6-10.

This passage picks up right after Pauls opening greeting to the Galatian church, and where he has come to them with Jesus as the sole authority behind his message. He cuts right to the problem the people were having with falling away from their faith.

Education: Listen and Do.

Let’s look at some keywords in this passage. Listen, observe, live, possess, given, add, take, keep, and command. If you notice, these are all verbs. All but two are things that we humans are to do. The others are A promise from God and his command that this is true, and the right things he wants for us.

Evangelism: Where It Starts.

Nobody is perfect, and we don’t have to understand all that the Gospel has to say before we tell others. A witness in a courtroom doesn’t have to study law, mechanics, engineering, forensics, or any number of specialties before they testify. All they do is tell what they witnessed. That’s all it takes to spread the word. Tell the part that you do know.

End Times: Righteous Judgement and Peace.

Here’s a well known verse that speaks to a future time when a worldwide peace will occur. Swords and lances being remanufactured and beaten into garden implements. Nations will no longer rise up against each other. and even the skills of the battlefield won’t be taught because that peace will be so secure.

What will it take to have all the diverse types of humans and nations to come together?