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Hear the devotional read here: https://bit.ly/33wsY2i
8 But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. 9 The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed. 11 Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? 13 But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. 14 Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; 15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. (2 Peter 3:8-15a NRSV)
Happy Tuesday dear ConCafe Family! And a super blessing of God's health upon you dear Friend! I had the privilege of speaking with Mr. Pal Lester who is now eating and regaining his sense of taste after spending some time in isolation. His wife Bethel was able to rejoin him yesterday after some days with family. Some family members now also have Covid-19; please pray for the Lester and Morgan families that God's healing and deliverance from Covid-19 leave them. Prayers for The Rev. Pamela Dykehouse, pastor of FUMC- Corpus Christi, who is also slowly recovering from this dreaded virus. She's on the mend, but she has had it a bit harder than the others. Friends, we're seeing the numbers rise as this third wave of the virus continues to plague not only our nation, but our world. Please be kind in helping not spread the disease. Please wear a mask, wash your hands, and keep a safe, social distance from others. Use antibacterial hand soaps often, and pray for one another. I ask also prayers of healing during recovery for my colleague and brother, The Rev. Scott Bradford who underwent surgery yesterday in San Angelo.
Time is precious. I had a precious time on Sunday as what was a sad goodbye to Nellie as she is on grandma duty in Houston, and I dropped her off in Columbus and our daughter Caitlin picked her up. We also were carrying our grandson Liam who was dropped off in Seguin from his Thanksgiving holiday with his father and family; and from Columbus he was to ride with Mom to their home. I suspected Liam wanted more time with his aunt Carli and heard a whisper of something to that effect. At the appointed time we met Caitlin and baby Eli at the Whataburger in Columbus, and we said our goodbyes. Liam's request to return home with me was denied. So, I started west on I-10 and as soon as I was on the freeway, my phone rang and Nellie informed me that Liam wanted to go home with me. I said, "Perfect timing; I'm nearing Hwy 71, which is the first exit and I will exit there and make my way back." Time was not important as spending time with any of my grandchildren is precious. Soon, he and I were on our way home. Liam then asked a question I never expected, "Grandpa, what have been some of your greatest accomplishments?" So, I shared with Liam about my faith story, my call story, and how among the greatest accomplishments were meeting and marrying his grandmother; having four wonderful daughters, and now six precious grandchildren. Time flew as he and I made our way home. So engrossed was grandpa in this dialogue that I did not notice we did not have enough fuel to make it all the way to our home. I began to silently pray and to remember what I had read about how many miles come after the countdown clock gets to 0 miles before empty. I believed in 17. The 1 mile remaining came on as I exited on the Hwy 90 exit off the interstate. I told Liam to pray and we nervously made it all the way to the HEB gas station. I laughed as I told Liam that my plan was to call Carli and have her bring gas to us; but we did not have to, thank God.
As Peter wrote this letter, he knew of the heartache and mourning that believers had in their hearts for those believers who had been killed because of their faith. They had all been converted by the preaching of Paul and the Twelve who preached a Christ who said He would come soon. As the death count rose, the clamor rose as believers asked, "Where is He? What's the delay?" And Peter begins by addressing what the psalmist had said and what is known as fact, "with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day." There is not much comfort in trying to fully understand time when loved ones are dying in violent ways. Peter has to say, "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance." There is a purpose, Peter declares, for the wait; we matter to God, and our right relationship with God matters most of all. As Jesus had foretold, "the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed." Uh oh. We don't know the day nor the hour, but God does, and God will also know what evil we have been doing and trying to hide, and this right after the dissolving of the elements. Peter says we should be living lives of holiness and godliness; this will quicken the Lord's coming. The result of this event will be the advent of the new heavens and the new earth, where righteousness will live. Our task then? Strive to live a life where peace will be found in us, and absent will be sin and the marks of disobedience, which will also bring about our patience of the Lord which we will realize is salvation.
We say again, the Lord is not slow; we are the ones who seem to be in a rush for all things all the while complaining we have no time for anything. Precious is time for those who enjoy it with loved ones and loved tasks related to God. Precious are the memories we make, and the lives we touch while we are still alive. Have you ever stopped to count the smiles you left on people? Have you counted the number of times you were regarded as thoughtful and kind? How many children have you blessed with faith and hope?
PRAYER: Loving God, we know You know the day and the hour of when this all will be; but hasten our hearts to love and righteousness, yes even in the midst of this terrible pandemic. May our lives reflect the hope and faith we have in You, and may our words and actions reflect the impact You have had on us. Lord, we pray for the end of this virus along with other incurable diseases, and comfort for those facing them. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Bring about the revival we talk about so much in your life; then impact another, then another.
Receive my blessings of hope and love,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
