An important exhortation from Apostle Peter for those living in “the last days”… “Since you are waiting for these things [the “day of the Lord,” the “2nd coming of the Lord” as well as “the new heavens and the new earth” – cp. 2 Peter 3:11-13) be diligent to be found by Him without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count the patience of our Lord as salvation… Take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability! But Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!” (From 2 Peter 3:14-18 ESV)
I read the following description of a truly wise person in the Bible today – one who exhibited wisdom with selfless concern! I found myself saying, “Oh Lord, I want to be more like that!”
“I HAVE SEEN THIS EXAMPLE OF WISDOM UNDER THE SUN [here on earth – “this side of heaven”], and it seemed great to me. There was a little city with few men in it, and a great king came against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it. But there was found in it a poor, wise man, and HE BY HIS WISDOM DELIVERED THE CITY. Yet no one remembered that poor man. But I say THAT WISDOM IS BETTER THAN MIGHT, though the poor man’s wisdom is despised and his words are not heard.” (From Ecclesiastes 9:13–16 (ESV)
After reading and reflecting on that description and display of wisdom I jotted these words in my Bible… There are things more important than recognition and reward! May I display true “wisdom” in the public interest and the common good, regardless of its personal benefit or whether I am noticed or not!
Just thinking today about some “BIG MOMENTOUS EVENTS” in Christianity and the life of the Church…
An angels appearance to a very young lady – a virgin named “Mary” with a very special announcement of the coming “supernatural” birth of our Savior, “Christ Jesus the Lord!”
The crucifixion of Jesus – the “Lamb of God” – who died for our sins and his cry – His declaration from the cross… “It is finished!”
Oh, and that wonderful day after His death and burial, when the women, and then a bit later Peter and John, go to the tomb where Jesus had been buried and heard and saw a wonderful reality… “He is risen!” – The resurrection.
Then there is that special day after the resurrection, when Jesus commissioned His disciples to take the gospel to the entire world, promised to empower them with the Holy Spirit, and while they were watching ascended into heaven, leaving them with the promise that He would one day return!
Pentecost was a powerful day as well – a turning point – the empowerment of the Holy Spirit! “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance!” From that day on the power of the Holy Spirit has been the dynamic that has empowered believers and resulted in the spreading of the Gospel around the world!
All of these (and more) were wonderful days! But there is one more, often overlooked, that has been incredibly significant for us all! It was a part of my Bible reading today…
The day that God “poured out His Spirit” in the home of Cornelius, a Roman centurion, upon Gentiles! God powerfully convinced Peter through a vision that he should “not call any person common or unclean!” So when representatives from Cornelius’s house came, Peter went with them and preached the gospel. “While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word… and they were all amazed because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles! Then Peter declared, ‘Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?’” (From Acts 10:44-48 ESV) And they were all baptized.
And it is because of what happened on this day, many of us, who are not Jews, are included in God’s wonderful plan of salvation! In fact, at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) Peter spoke up with Holy Spirit inspired words to what happened at the house of Cornelius… “You know that …God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and He made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their heart by faith… We believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will!! (From Acts 15:6-11 ESV)
Wonderful, wonderful events – days of God’s grace and goodness! What a wonderful treat and delight this morning to reflect with gratitude upon each of them!
Coffee With The Lord 