EVENING SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 2/1/2026
8:30 PM
My
Worship Time Focus:
“Faithful
Proclamation”
Bible
Reading & Meditation Reference: 2
Peter 3:15a
Message of the verse: “and
regard the patience of our Lord as salvation;”
John MacArthur writes: “Without question, Peter wanted his audience
to wait eagerly for Christ’s return. At
the same time, he did not want them to grow idle or detach themselves from
society, being so consumed with thoughts of the future that they forgot about
their compelling spiritual responsibilities in the present.” I have head a saying about what is being
talked about here “Don’t be so heavenly minded that you are no earthly good.” This also reminds me of what Paul wrote to
the Thessalonians found in 2 Thessalonians when they thought that the Lord was
ready to return to take His church to heaven and so they stopped working, just
sitting around doing nothing. Paul wrote
to them saying that if they did not do any work then they should not have any
food to eat. MacArthur goes on: “God’s judgment had not yet come; His wrath
had not yet been poured out. There was
still time to proclaim the good news to the lost. Thus, Peter reminded his
readers to continue in the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20), seeking
to reach others with the life-giving truth of the gospel.”
(2 Cor. 5:18-20)
“18 All this is from God, who through Christ
reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the
world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to
us the message of reconciliation. 20
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through
us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
“As noted in 3:8-9” which was seen
in an earlier SD. “The lord
delays His return in order to save the remainder of His elect. Thus, Christians should regard God’s patience
with joy, knowing that He is daily adding to His family until it is complete.
“In the parable of the prodigal son
(Luke 15:11-32), Jesus effectively illustrated the reality of God’s merciful
patience toward sinners. The story tells
of a rebellious son who abandoned his family for a life of immorality and
dissipation. For a long time he wasted
his opportunity passing up the privilege to serve his father. But one day he came to his senses, repented
of his sinful lifestyle, and returned home.
Instead of being rejected or disowned by his father—or received
reluctantly—the father embraced the son with love and compassion. The father pictures God who responds to penitent
sinners with mercy and grace—lavishly, joyously, and generously poured out on
those who repent and come to Him in faith.
And all heaven rejoices, as described by the feast the father had in
honor of his son.” I think that it would
be good to quote this story from Luke 15:11-32 to kind of fill in the gaps.
(Luke 15:11-32)
“11
¶ And he said, "There was a man who
had two sons. 12 And the younger of them
said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to
me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered
all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his
property in reckless living. 14 And when
he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to
be in need. 15 So he went and hired
himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his
fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was
longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him
anything. 17 "But when he came to
himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough
bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18
I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I
have sinned against heaven and before you. 19
I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your
hired servants."’ 20 And he arose
and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw
him felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have
sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your
son.’ 22 But the father said to his
servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on
his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And
bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again;
he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. 25 "Now his older son was in the field, and
as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked
what these things meant. 27 And he said
to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf,
because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His
father came out and entreated him, 29
but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you,
and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I
might celebrate with my friends. 30 But
when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes,
you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31
And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine
is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate
and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is
found.’”
“When Christians anticipate the day
of God, which for them will mean eternal blessing, they should also remember
the day of the Lord, which for the lost will mean eternal punishment. With that in mind, the opportunity of God’s
current patience should only heighten the church’s evangelistic zeal (cf. Phil.
2:15; Col. 4:6; 2 Tim. 4:5).”
(cf. Phil. 2:15; Col. 4:6; 2 Tim. 4:5)
“15 that you may be blameless and innocent,
children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted
generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,”
“6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned
with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.’
“5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure
suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
2/1/2026
8:54 PM
