Devo 2 Peter 3

8But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a
thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9The Lord is not slow in
keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not
wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a
roar; the elements will melt in the heat.  11 Since everything will be destroyed in
this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly
lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will
bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt
in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new
heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

Meditation:
1. Many in Peter’s audience were concerned and dismayed that Christ’s second
coming had not yet occurred.  Peter reminded his readers that a very long
time for us is a very short time for God.  Peter comments that God’s patience
is responsible for the long wait for His coming.  God has no desire for anyone
to “perish” (v9).
2. Someone has commented that transformation into the image of Christ “is
the slowest of all human movements.”  Too easily we become impatient with
ourselves, confused, disappointed, and angered over how long it takes to
change.  Will I ever conquer this habit?  Will I ever learn to love?  Will I ever
be willing to leave my comfort zone?  Will I always be so fearful?  Or selfish?
Or self-deceived?  Peter’s words remind us that God is in no rush.  He knows
what we are made of.  The spiritual life is more a marathon than a sprint,
and God is more than willing to run alongside of us or to walk with us if we
grow weary.
3. Reflect.  What is the area of my spiritual growth that is the slowest to change?
Thank God for His patience for me.  Ask God to help me cooperate with Him
to finish the enormous life transformation project going on in my life.

Personal Note:
I would like to be courageous and faithful to your calling.

Hebrew 6:13-20

13When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater
for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14saying, “I will surely bless you and
give you many descendants.” 15And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received
what was promised.
 16Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what
is said and puts an end to all argument. 17Because God wanted to make the
unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised,
he confirmed it with an oath. 18God did this so that, by two unchangeable things
in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope
offered to us may be greatly encouraged. 19We have this hope as an anchor
for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
20where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become
a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

MEDITATION
1. Slowly read the passage aloud twice, note the emphasis on “promises” and
“hope”.
2. Reflect on the role of hope in my life.  The opposites of hope are despair,
suspicion, doubt, and cynicism.  What does this passage tell me about hope?
3. Read the passage aloud one more time.  Among the phrases, such as “swear”,
“unchanging”, “take hold of the hope”, “firm” and “secure”, what words or
phrases stand out to me?  Why are they important for me today?
4. Walk through this day with an attitude of greater hope – expectancy,
anticipation and trust.  This is what everyday life in the kingdom of God looks
like.

Personal Note:
We need hope in everything.  Hope is defined as future certainty grounded in present reality.  Everything in this world is uncertain.  We may hope to enter into a good university.  We may hope to enter into a good career.  We may hope to find a soul mate.  We may hope to have good friends.  In reality, all those things are uncertain.

The only source of hope is from God.  Practically speaking, I am planning for the strategic direction of PGC English ministry.  At times, I fear and worry that I will fail as a leader.  My hope is in God's promise, God's character, God's power at work in the lives of the teenagers.  The culture and the circumstances are beyond what my human wisdom can handle, but I trust that through God's grace, I can love them and lead them.

Romans 4:16-25

 16Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be
guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but
also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. 17As it is
written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight
of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls things
that are not as though they were.
 18Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many
nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 19Without
weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—
since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.
20Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was
strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21being fully persuaded that
God had power to do what he had promised. 22This is why “it was credited to
him as righteousness.” 23The words “it was credited to him” were written not for
him alone, 24but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who
believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25He was delivered over
to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

Meditation
1. How does Abraham illustrate our own hopeless predicament as non-Christians
and the solution provided in Jesus Christ (vv.18-25)?
2. What situation am I currently facing that requires faith in the God of resurrection and creation?
3. How can I demonstrate faith and hope in that situation?

Personal Note:
God promised Abraham to be the father of all nations.  He had no offspring until he was 100 years old and his wife's womb was barren.  He had faith in God's promise and God miraculously delivered His promise to them.  We live in a hopeless and meaningless world, and God promised us life to the fullest through faith in His son Jesus Christ.  I believe that God is the creator of the universe and He came to us and paid for the penalty of death and he resurrected and overcame death and sin.  The situation I am facing is living out this truth from the bottom of my heart.  Most brothers and sisters know about the fact of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Faith requires me to know (believe and accept) this core truth of God's love to me.  I am called to multiply disciples and my only hope in leading and bringing young people to become followers of Jesus Christ is the hope of God's power and grace in the ministry.  I can demonstrate faith and hope when I persistently pray for the hearts of the young people, continue to love and spend quality time in building their relationship with Christ, and faithfully plan and prepare in all lessons and messages.