I was thinking the other day about the time that we spend in keeping our material possessions from fading away. In order to keep things running, there has to be some time allotted to maintaining “stuff.” The question is, “How much time are we spending on keeping things running that will eventually dissolve?” How much time are we spending on temporal things that only have a short term life expectancy? A day is coming when all the material possessions you own and hold to be dear will be dissolved.
“10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. 14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.” 2 Peter 3:10-14 The only things to survive this life will be what we do for Jesus Christ and the Word of God. We tend to think that our houses, buildings, and the things we construct in life will live forever. But the truth is, even the structures that are built to survive through the ages of time and any storm that rages will eventually pass away. Since the only thing that is done through the Word of God and for eternity will last, we can see why Peter asks the question, “What kind of people ought you to be?” Peter is alerting us to the fact that nothing we presently own will last. To stretch it even further, even our empty words will not have a lasting impact. So how should we prioritize our lives? Although, we must give attention to the basic things that are necessary to live, we make a huge mistake if we focus on these temporal matters while neglecting the eternal spiritual issues that will pass from this life into the next. Only what is done in the spiritual for the Lord will last. Everything else will be left behind in a world that will one day be consumed with a fervent heat. So it makes sense. Investing in our spiritual future is also investing in our physical present. You can even reverse that sentence. So rephrasing Peter’s question, why not ask yourself, “Since the heavens and the earth and everything said and done are temporary and will one day pass away, what should have my greatest attention and devotion? Are you investing in eternal thoughts and things? Do your priorities reflect the temporal or the eternal? I have spent several weeks focusing our devotions on memorizing Scripture. Can I remind you that the Truth of God’s Word will last forever? Spend time today internalizing the Word of God. Let it come up in conversation. Stake your life on it and God will transform you wherever you are. I love how our church is hungering and thirsting for more of God. I see it everywhere I turn. Keep on hungering. Let God continue to be the church through us. We are experiencing great days. On Sunday night there were several people who prayed and settled the Lordship issue. As the song says, “God is on the move!” May God richly bless you today as you seek Him with all your heart. Joy in Jesus! Pastor Mike
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Rev. Mike McClurgSenior Pastor, Findlay First Church of the Nazarene Archives
March 2020
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