Celebrity

We live in a culture that seems to be driven by celebrity. The famous and almost famous and even the infamous are given a tremendous platform of influence simply because they sing or dance or host talk shows or preach in big churches. The higher the profile the more credence we extend to them. Their sway over us can be so strong that we suspend our own insights and convictions to embrace theirs, because they have a level of celebrity. It would seem that because they have attained something we haven’t they are more valuable, more informed, more well versed and better equipped to think about and speak on the topic of the day.

Isn’t It Time?

Question: Are these the last days, the end times?

This question seems to be in the thoughts and conversations of many as we witness political, military, and financial struggles increase around the earth. Yet at the same time there have been large scale events and eras throughout history that have stirred this question deeply in years gone by. It would do us all well to spend careful, prayerful time in the Word of God, under the influence of the Spirit of God, before we glibly reply. And some would say that it makes sense since believers have been awaiting the return of the Lord for over 2,000 years. In their thought processes it should be about time, the wait has been long enough. As with many things in the kingdom of God, what we think is, thankfully, not the ruling influence.

“But you must not forget, dear friends, that a day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow is about His promise to return, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want any to perish, so He is giving more time for everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and everything in them will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be exposed to judgement.” 2 Peter 3:8 – 10 (NLT, 1996 Ed.)

The Lord is coming back and the Word clearly informs us of what the earth and its inhabitants will be going through prior to that wonderful day. There will be problems and issues that are far more escalated than what we see right now. And yet, all the passing of time until that day is a reminder of God’s merciful desire that, “He does not want any to perish”.  I am one who too quickly forgets the Love and desire for relationship with us that burns in the Father’s heart and stirs Him to great patience with us. May the Spirit of God remind us that regardless of when that day does come we are called to a lifestyle of pleasing the Lord, a life of love.

“And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to live a pure and blameless life. Be at peace with God.” 2 Peter 3:14(NLT, 1996 Ed.)

Too Alarmed to See Properly?

Following my previous post a really good and trusted brother sent me an e-mail that caused me to think about how I presented the work of God in our nation regarding our idolatry towards finance and national government.