Wait for it! It won't be late. - Soulfire Organisation

Good news for the Christian Youth

The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people’s conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance.
-2 Peter 3 : 9 (Amplified Bible)

The verb translated as “not slack” [is bradúnō, which] means to delay or tarry.

God’s so-called “tardiness” as viewed by some people [as some understand slowness] is only a delay with respect to their time schedules, not His. In fact God’s time schedule is modified by patience, which is a major attribute of the heavenly Father (as highlighted in Romans 2:4; 9:22).

Human demands about time do not apply to the promises of God.

Relevance to Christian Youth Organisations

In verse 8, Peter urged his readers to remember that the Lord is not bound by human time. For God, a thousand years is like a day and vice versa. Peter’s point is that God does not suffer the limitations of time, or confusion about it, the way we human beings do.

Here in this verse, Peter insists that we cannot apply human demands about time to the promises of God. He is not slow in keeping His promise. God is the one who made the schedule: He cannot be “late.”

Instead, God keeps every promise at the perfect time for His glory and for the good of those He loves.

May we avoid being swept into a mind-set that accuses God of inactivity. Let us instead glory in His amazing grace towards each one of us.

And even in terms of Christ’s return, verse 9 indicates God’s display of patience is motivated by His desire that none be lost. The reason why Christ has not yet returned is that every day before He returns is a day of grace and represents the possibility of more people turning in repentance toward Him.

It gets better!

God is never late. He is always on time. He is never delayed by outward circumstances or by others. He is always in control. His motive is always love.

So do not lose hope. Hold on to your faith.

As Habakkuk prophesied:
“The vision will still happen at the appointed time.
It hurries toward its goal.
It won’t be a lie.
If it’s delayed, wait for it.
It will certainly happen.
It won’t be late.” (Habakkuk 2:3)

Thank you.

Sermonette (Prim) 29 October 2023

I titled my message –
*DECISIONS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE*

What is the Basis of Your Decisions?

Is it What others think,
Is it What God Thinks?
Is it the path of comfort and least resistance?

The Latin of the word decision literally means, “*to cut off*.” Making a decision is about “cutting off” choices. – cutting you off from some other course of action.

One way or the other, to move and progress in life you need to decide.

Nothing rarely is ever accomplished without clear decisions!

You need to realise…

Many times no decision is a decision!

Remember decisions are more than what you say they are what you do.

*Deuteronomy 30 verses 11-15,19*
[11]For this commandment which I command you this day is not too difficult for you, nor is it far off.
[12]It is not [a secret laid up] in heaven, that you should say, Who shall go up for us to heaven and bring it to us, that we may hear and do it?
[13]Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, Who shall go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear and do it?
[14]But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your mind and in your heart, so that you can do it.
[15]See, I have set before you this day life and good, and death and evil.
[19]I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live

Our characters are the sum total of our habits. And our habits are formed by repeated decisions.
We never make an unimportant decision. NEVER! Even the smallest decisions you make are important. Because every decision is either positive or negative. It’s either building up or breaking down your character. And you cannot go through life habitually making wrong decisions and end up the right kind of person.

A miracle of God’s grace can set you free from your bondage, but God’s grace does not make decisions for you. You have to make them for yourself. So many people are waiting for God to do what God has told them to do for themselves. *God’s grace has made it available but it’s our decision that makes it effective.*

Some examples

No one else can make you humble. The Bible says humble yourself. Humility comes by an inward decision. That’s what it is. No one can make that decision for you.

*Another example*
At the Red Sea, it was Moses that stretched out his rod and the waters closed. And not one Egyptian could follow through the waters. You know what happens? A lot of people forget to stretch out the rod. And a lot of Egyptians sneak through the waters. And there they are, still making trouble. It’s a decision. Stretching out your rod is a decision.

Your first decision in every matter should be to fully obey the word of God.

Joshua challenged the Children of Israel to make a decision as to whom they would serve.

Food for thought

*Will you follow that which is familiar and comfortable in your life (which is more often than not – the easy road) or will you follow after the provision, protection, and favor of God (which is always the path less travelled)?*

You decide!

Christian Youth Must Learn Patience

The verb translated as “not slack” [is bradúnō, which] means to delay or tarry.
God’s so-called “tardiness” as viewed by some people [as some understand slowness] is only a delay with respect to their time schedules, not His. In fact God’s time schedule is modified by patience, which is a major attribute of the heavenly Father (as highlighted in Romans 2:4; 9:22).

Human demands about time do not apply to the promises of God.

While this scripture was referring to the return of Christ; it also applies to our everyday lives. There might be things around us which we have been praying about and might be getting discouraged thinking God is delaying in responding. Others around us might be asking us- Where are the promises of God? They are not evident in your life yet you profess Christ daily. They might even be saying It’s been too long. God will not do it for you.
In verse 8, Peter urged his readers to remember that the Lord is not bound by human time. For God, a thousand years is like a day and vice versa. Peter’s point is that God does not suffer the limitations of time, or confusion about it, the way we human beings do.
Here in this verse, Peter insists that we cannot apply human demands about time to the promises of God. He is not slow in keeping His promise. God is the one who made the schedule: He cannot be “late.”
Instead, God keeps every promise at the perfect time for His glory and for the good of those He loves.
May we avoid being swept into a mind-set that accuses God of inactivity. Let us instead glory in His amazing grace towards each one of us.
And even in terms of Christ’s return, verse 9 indicates God’s display of patience is motivated by His desire that none be lost. The reason why Christ has not yet returned is that every day before He returns is a day of grace and represents the possibility of more people turning in repentance toward Him.
God is never late. He is always on time. He is never delayed by outward circumstances or by others. He is always in control. His motive is always love.
So do not lose hope. Hold on to your faith.
As Habakkuk prophesied:
“The vision will still happen at the appointed time.
It hurries toward its goal.
It won’t be a lie.
If it’s delayed, wait for it.
It will certainly happen.
It won’t be late.” (Habakkuk 2:3)

*DECISIONS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE*
*What is the Basis of Your Decisions?*
Is it What others think,
Is it What God Thinks?
Is it the path of comfort and least resistance?
The Latin of the word decision literally means, “*to cut off*.” Making a decision is about “cutting off” choices. – cutting you off from some other course of action.
One way or the other, to move and progress in life you need to decide.
Nothing rarely is ever accomplished without clear decisions!
Many times no decision is a decision!
Remember decisions are more than what you say they are what you do.
*Deuteronomy 30 verses 11-15,19*
[11]For this commandment which I command you this day is not too difficult for you, nor is it far off.
[12]It is not [a secret laid up] in heaven, that you should say, Who shall go up for us to heaven and bring it to us, that we may hear and do it?
[13]Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, Who shall go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear and do it?
[14]But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your mind and in your heart, so that you can do it.
[15]See, I have set before you this day life and good, and death and evil.
[19]I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live
Our characters are the sum total of our habits. And our habits are formed by repeated decisions.
We never make an unimportant decision. NEVER! Even the smallest decisions you make are important. Because every decision is either positive or negative. It’s either building up or breaking down your character. And you cannot go through life habitually making wrong decisions and end up the right kind of person.
A miracle of God’s grace can set you free from your bondage, but God’s grace does not make decisions for you. You have to make them for yourself. So many people are waiting for God to do what God has told them to do for themselves. *God’s grace has made it available but it’s our decision that makes it effective.*
*Some examples*
No one else can make you humble. The Bible says humble yourself. Humility comes by an inward decision. That’s what it is. No one can make that decision for you.
*Another example*
At the Red Sea, it was Moses that stretched out his rod and the waters closed. And not one Egyptian could follow through the waters. You know what happens? A lot of people forget to stretch out the rod. And a lot of Egyptians sneak through the waters. And there they are, still making trouble. It’s a decision. Stretching out your rod is a decision.
Your first decision in every matter should be to fully obey the word of God.
Joshua challenged the Children of Israel to make a decision as to whom they would serve.
*Will you follow that which is familiar and comfortable in your life (which is more often than not – the easy road) or will you follow after the provision, protection, and favor of God (which is always the path less travelled)?*
You decide!