Wait for It…..

Read It, Learn It, Live It, Share It
“Why do you make me look at injustice?  Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?  Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds.” – Habakkuk 1:3

If I were God….

Really?  Do you really believe you can answer problems in today’s world more effectively than the Creator?  Certainly we are faced with unquestionable unrighteousness, debauchery, blasphemy, and intentional rebellion in today’s world.  Reading this scripture today though, I am reminded that Habakkuk had the same concerns in his day.  We are not unique in history.  Man has always battled against the control, the love, and the grace of God the Father, in pursuit of their own pleasure and “independence”.  It’s more evident today because of our social media, communications capabilities, and addiction to the superficial “likes” of those around us.  In reality, it’s always been this way, we simply found a way to celebrate it.

“God, where are you?  Why aren’t you stepping into the corruptness of our society and delivering justice to those who inflict evil on the world?”  Sound familiar?  Has this thought ever crossed your mind in the middle of watching the evening news or reading the daily diatribe of injustice on social media and happening all over the world.  One could easily take a position that God is absent, not interested or even worse non-existent.  Why doesn’t He defend Himself against the unrighteous, as in the days of old?  Have you ever asked yourself though, “Does God need to defend Himself?”

The Lord answers Habakkuk in chapter 2:3, “For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false.  Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.”  God is sovereign and we are to trust in His timing, His plan and His reign over all creation.  Nothing goes by without His knowing, and the evil that is in the world today will be brought to justice in due time.  Those that seek His love, His grace and mercy will find it; and those who chose to pursue their own gods and their own righteousness will be dealt with on His watch.  We are to trust in Him, and continue to do His work while we are able.  Keep in mind what we are told in 2 Peter 3:9, “…Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”   If God loves you enough to deliver you from the pit of hell, He actually loves your neighbor just as much.  And He loves that self-entitled, spoiled brat that whines on CNN or FoxNews or MSNBC just as much.  We need to come to the conclusion that you and I are not special in the eternal realm, but rather, we have simply chosen the righteous path.  We should be loving, caring and helping those who are not, so that they can also enjoy in the eternal freedom we are promised.  So ask yourself, who is my neighbor?  Because, in God’s eyes you have 7.3 billion neighbors, and the majority of them are not of the same mindset as you.  I believe we better get busy about sharing His love.


© Sondove Enterprises, 2019
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Heaven or Hell – You Choose?

“Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth” – 2 Timothy 2:25

It has been said that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” but I am going to change on of those words and state, “Truth is in the eye of the beholder.”  Some research (The Bible Society) indicates that over 6 Billion copies of the Holy Bible have been sold since 1816, and that was when their study was completed in the 1990’s.  This doesn’t include any instances of online bibles or software bibles that have been purchased.  As two people on different sides of the world read the bible in their native language are they discovering the same truth that is intended to be revealed?

Imagine you came upon a railroad crossing. The gate came down just as you come up to the tracks.  Stopping before the gate you looked to see the lights of the train in the distance, approaching at a relatively slow state.  As it proceeded through the intersection, the rumbling and wind could be felt, even though it was going so slow.  All of you in the car start counting the number of train cars that passed through the intersection.  Some in the car were bored with the counting and after 35 or so dropped off, but your daughter and you keep counting to yourselves quietly as the train seemed to go on forever.  As the last car was pulled through the intersection, she blurts out 114 cars – to which you answer “No, 112 cars”.  Both of you just observed the exact same train pass by less than 15 feet in front of you, yet come away with different answers.  Both undoubtedly believe your answer to be the correct one.  After all, both had carefully counted every single car that passed by.  Each thought carefully, avoided distractions and stuck with it, only to end with different results.

People are reading the same bible today, cover to cover, and walking away with different conclusions.  Each believing without a doubt that their opinion is the truth and that the others must be wrong.  We attempt to avoid distractions and focus on learning from God, yet still in many cases our answers are wrong.  Nothing in the Bible is wrong.  I believe it to be the Holy inspired word of God laid down on paper and printed for me to use as a tool to learn from and draw closer to Him.  Others look at the same book and think it is a history book, a fairy tale and a nice read.  Some look at the Holy Bible as a set of rules for those that lived thousands of years ago and irrelevant in today’s world.  Then there are those that believe it is a door stop, or nothing more than another book in their library right next to the Quran, The Book of Mormon, Bhagavad-Gita, Jonathon Livingston Seagull and books on spells and incantations.  Everyone has an opinion on what is written upon the pages of the Holy Bible and those opinions differ significantly from person to person.

One truth I draw from the Bible is that God’s love is available to everyone.  It is not restricted or hidden away from some, but freely given for all men to partake in.  Yet there are those who vehemently despise this love and what it stands for and without reserve seek out the opportunities to destroy the belief in this God of love.  The question must then be asked, does God love those who hate and despise Him, as much as He loves those who love Him in return?  I can only answer this in the manner by which I have learned from His scriptures, (2 Peter 3:9); “…He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance”. 

Jesus Christ came and took the sins of ALL mankind upon the cross and to the grave.  This alone tells us that every single soul, every single person ever born has the ability to choose Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, despite their unrighteousness and hateful acts.  Those who do not believe in the Bible, or Jesus Christ are given this same opportunity, but refuse it to be the truth.  In doing so, have set their path for eternal separation from God the Father.  There is evil in this world and those that conduct themselves in evil have chosen to remain blind to the truth revealed in God’s scriptures.  They have chosen to pursue other means by which to achieve eternal life rather than believing in the Word of God as that truth.  These are people that we should be praying for.  Pray that God might remove the scales from their eyes, just as He did with Saul on the road to Damascus.  Join me today in lifting up the lost in this world, that they should find Jesus Christ before their time has drawn to a close.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
We lift up the lost and broken to You today.  We ask that Your hand of salvation be upon their heart and that Your wisdom be placed within their mind so that they might come to know You in a personal way.  Pour out Your love upon this world in a manner which exemplifies Your greatness amongst all of the universe and Your glory for all to see.  You are our Lord and Savior and in You only, do we trust for our eternal salvation.  In Your name we pray – Amen.





© Sondove Enterprises, 2019
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The Only Purpose

Read It, Learn It, Live It, Share It

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9

 

When we bury our head in the sand and ignore the facts, we are doing a disservice to the fabric of our society.  This complacency and decision to turn the other way is allowing the acceptance of worldly perspectives rather than Godly perspectives.  Let’s face it, there are mornings I wake up and read the news and become completely discouraged with the current state of the world.  I look at the poverty, the wars, the corruptness, greed and scandals; and ask myself how much longer.  Have you been there?  Have you found yourself at times wondering, “How much longer God.  How much longer must we wait for your return?”  It’s so hard to look upon all of the evil in this world and not be overwhelmed by the challenge before us as believers in Jesus Christ.  Daily we hear of violent crimes against children, abuse of spouses, murder in the streets, oppressive governments, incurable disease, increases in homelessness and unemployment and the deception of world views on our youth, drawing them away from Christ.  There are days I wake up and feel sick to my stomach as I hear the stories of what is happening around the globe to those that stand up for their faith.

Jesus Christ came for all mankind.  The scriptures are clear that God’s desire is that all of mankind would return to Him.  In the most popular verse of the Bible: John 3:16, we see that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whomever should believe in Him would not perish, but have eternal life.”   By the sacrifice of His only Son, God set a path in motion for ALL of mankind, not for some, not for a few, but for “all that believe in Him”.  This is the only requirement, yet so many in today’s world have chosen to refuse this gift, and remain in their sin and unrighteousness.

According to the scriptures, Jesus will return one day to take His children home (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).   Those who believe.  There is no other path to salvation represented in the scriptures for those who refuse the act that has already been demonstrated.  No good works, no charity, no financial gain, no position of power or authority, no relationship, and no wisdom will bridge the chasm between this world and the next.  Many have tried to twist the scriptures to accommodate other paths and define salvation in a way that brings comfort to their life-style, but the Holy Word of God cannot be twisted or conformed to our way of thinking.  Rather, we must accommodate our lifestyle to align with His Word.

A simple question and answer session:

• Do you believe in God?
• Do you believe that God created the heavens and earth?
• Do you believe that God gave the 10 Commandments to Moses as law for mankind?
• Do you believe that God flooded the earth during the days of Noah?
• Do you believe that God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for the evil that dwelt within?
• Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?
• Do you believe that Jesus Christ was born to a virgin, died, and was raised again as the salvation for mankind?

If you can answer Yes to all of these questions, than do you also believe that Jesus will come back one day to bring His own home?  Peter, Paul, John and the other disciples believed this as well.  They suffered terrible deaths holding onto this truth, and the belief that it would be in their lifetime.  Just because it did not happen in their lifetime, doesn’t change the fact that it will happen.  1 Thessalonians 4:16 tells us that the “dead in Christ” will be taken up first – this includes all of those who have gone on before you.  Peter, Paul, John, Mary, …. , Billy Graham, Mother Theresa, perhaps your parents or Grandparents, perhaps your spouse, or your child.  Verse 17 tells us that “we who are alive in Christ” will then be called to dwell with Him forever.

Does your life reflect this anticipation?  Are you impatiently awaiting the return of Jesus, and keeping alert and ready for His return?  If it were today, where would you be tomorrow?  Honestly reflect on this, for you are not going to “fake” your way through it.  God knows the truth of your heart, and regardless of your words or pleading, He will judge one way or the other.  By grace He has provided a plan of salvation, not because we deserved it, but because His love for ALL of mankind is so deep. 

He wants that all should be saved, so upon His return, can this world claim that ALL or saved?  Of course not, so does this not then require our patience and adherence to His teaching until that time has come?  If you can stand upon His truth and claim salvation, then you should be reaching to those that are lost with love and compassion, just as Jesus did, so that they too can come to this redemption.  I fear that we have turned salvation into a sporting event and as long as our team wins it’s all good.  That is not the heart of God.  It’s not a competition, it is a loving discourse of God’s truth.  Jesus came to share the truth, and left the Holy Spirit with us to help us share this good news. 

In leaving the Holy Spirit with us, we have God’s advocate dwelling within until the time of Jesus return.  Rest on this, be strengthened by this, and know that you are a child of God, left here only for a select time to share this love of God with others.  For in due time either He will return or you will reach your end of days.  In either case, our only task is to glorify the Father, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to expand His Kingdom and share His love.  This is the fruit that a child of God will bear, until the time of Jesus return.  

We get wrapped up in the worldly news, and the negativity of this life, and in doing so lose sight of why we are here.  Why are we so intrigued and captivated by the meaningless dribble that comes out of the news, social media, and the mouths of those in this world?  Nothing you do, no nothing, is more important than returning the lost to the Father.  You focus on your career, on your cars, your bills, your house, your sports, and your family; while those along your life’s path are suffering in their sin, with no understanding of the Father.  Your children, your spouse, your family, your friends are all a good place to start.  For in due time, when the trumpet sounds, they will no longer have a choice.  God’s grace is sufficient for the most disgusting of sinful actions, and His redemption is available to all, but they must come to an understanding that He alone is Lord and they must be saved from their worldly unrighteousness. 

 

 

© Sondove Enterprises, 2019
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Be Patient

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
 – 2 Peter 3:9

Let’s face it, there are mornings I wake up and read the news and become completely discouraged with the current state of the world.  I look at the poverty, the wars, the corruptness, greed and scandals; and ask myself how much longer.  Have you been there?  Have you found yourself at times wondering, “How much longer God.  How much longer must we wait for your return?”  It’s so hard to look upon all of the evil in this world and not be overwhelmed by the challenge before us as believers in Jesus Christ.  Daily we hear of violent crimes against children, abuse of spouses, murder in the streets, oppressive governments, incurable disease, increases in homeless and unemployed and the deception of world views on our youth, drawing them away from Christ.  There are days I wake up and feel sick to my stomach as I hear the stories of what is happening around the globe to those that stand up for their faith.

This isn’t a new feeling, as much as it seems to be getting worse each day.  Peter, Paul, Barnabas, John and the others struggled with it in the days of the early church as well.  Recall the circumstances at the time; Jesus had died, been resurrected and had appeared to them on numerous occasions.  Then there came that period of unrest as these mighty apostles of our Lord fought the customs and culture of the time, to propagate a belief in someone that had not appeared in 20 – 30 years.  Preaching the return of Jesus Christ was a part of their ministry, but there had to be a vision that it would be within their lifetime.  Their one on one relationship with the man Jesus Christ led them to this belief as I’m sure you can imagine.  They had experienced His physical presence intimately before He died as well as after His death.  To them it was only a short matter of time before they would all be taken up with their Savior.

Peter’s statement here in 2 Peter 3 is unbelievably difficult to grasp when we are faced with a population of over 7 billion.  We are told in Matthew 24:14 that the gospel will be taught to all nations before the end will come.  Are there remote areas of the world that have never had the gospel shared with them?  Certainly, there are.  Some would say that we should quickly take the message to these remote areas, and then Christ will return.  I don’t believe it is that simple.  I don’t believe you can drop a bunch of bibles off in the remote rainforests to jungle tribes and walk away satisfied that the world is now ready.  You see it’s not a checklist. 

Many of us are impatient for Christ’s return because we are unwilling to fight for His cause any longer.  I have discovered that many are tired.  It is not easy to spread the word and to stand up to the worldly views of atheism and other worldly religions.  By allowing ourselves to be drafted into the world perspectives we see the misery and challenges in the world.  We take our eyes off of the One who is above the world.  Do not forget the God to whom you serve.  If you, like me, believe that God is Almighty, Omnipotent and sovereign than you must also realize that He could step in at any moment and put an end to it.

If God chose for Christ to return tomorrow, I pray that you were in a relationship with Him and that you and I would enjoy eternity forever together.  What a unbelievably joyous day that will be for His children.  Of the billions of people in this world, less than 1/3 profess a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  If God came back today, what do you think happens to 2/3 of the world’s population?  Now ask yourself the more difficult question – Who do you know right this minute that, based on your limited view of their life, will not be taken up at that moment?  There is likely someone very close to you that does not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Perhaps there are many, even hundreds that you know.  Do you have compassion for them?  Do you long for them to find the love and forgiving grace that you have?  Are you okay with them being cast into the lake of fire for all of eternity?

God has incredible patience for them.  We must endure through our selfishness and desire to look after ourselves and focus our attention on those they are blinded by the world.  As the Christmas season draws upon us this year I want you to make a list of those you want to truly see the Christ child be born, and take the action to reach out to them during the next 7 weeks.  Let them find the baby in a manger that can bring them salvation one day.  It will be the greatest gift you can give this Christmas.

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