2 Peter 1:3 (HCSB), "For His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires."
Do you remember your school days when teams were arranged by 2 "captains" picking one by one? Were you ever the last one picked? Sometimes, like a draft in a professional sport, the ones who don't get picked don't get to play at all. Now let's take that n a different direction. Imagine you are at an event with 100,000 spectators and they are drawing from the ticket holders to give away a wonderful prize. You are the one called our from the crowd and awarded the prize.
That's what Peter is talking about. As a child of God, you are a ticket holder. Your ticket was a free gift, given to you when you accepted Christ as your Savior. The prize is "everything required for life and godliness". God called you out "by His own glory and goodness." You did nothing to earn it and you certainly don't deserve it. Yet, you get the prize!
Why would He give to anyone such a precious prize? Included in the prize are "very great and precious promises." Jesus was the promised Messiah. He paid the price for your ticket. Among the great and precious promises are: eternal life with the Father; having the Holy Spirit in and among us to guide us as we follow God; gifts provided by God to equip us along the way; the knowledge and assurance that God is able and faithful to complete all that He starts in us; and the list could go on and on.
Take refuge that you are a prize winner. YOU have been called by God. And in responding to His call, you will receive "very great and precious promises."
Friday, March 11, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
1 Peter 5 - The Blessing
1 Peter 5:10 (HCSB), "Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little."
In this chapter, Peter talks about how believers will suffer, just as Christ suffered. And, in the closing of this letter, Peter gives a blessing to the church reminding us all, once again, of the promise that Jesus has provided for us.
It doesn't matter what you have gone through. You may be a Christian with a miraculous testimony of how God saved you from a life of sin. You may be a Christian who grew up in a Christian home, accepted Christ at an early age and has always lived your life for Christ. Whatever your story, whatever your struggle, Jesus understood them all.
Regardless of our struggle, we can claim the promise 1 Corinthians 10:13 (HCSB), "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it."
Take Refuge in your struggle remembering that Jesus knows what you are going through and He will be there to go through it with you.
In this chapter, Peter talks about how believers will suffer, just as Christ suffered. And, in the closing of this letter, Peter gives a blessing to the church reminding us all, once again, of the promise that Jesus has provided for us.
It doesn't matter what you have gone through. You may be a Christian with a miraculous testimony of how God saved you from a life of sin. You may be a Christian who grew up in a Christian home, accepted Christ at an early age and has always lived your life for Christ. Whatever your story, whatever your struggle, Jesus understood them all.
Regardless of our struggle, we can claim the promise 1 Corinthians 10:13 (HCSB), "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it."
Take Refuge in your struggle remembering that Jesus knows what you are going through and He will be there to go through it with you.
1 Peter 4 - Use What God Gave You
1 Peter 4:10-11 (HCSB), "Based on the gift they have received, everyone should use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God. If anyone speaks, [his speech should be] like the oracles of God; if anyone serves, [his service should be] from the strength God provides, so that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen."
We are reminded throughout the writings of the New Testament that the Body of Christ is equipped with gifts. There are many of them and they are intended for the edification and glory of God through their use. In this passage Peter is also reminding us to using the gifts that God has given us is being a good manager "of the varied grace of God."
What are your gifts? Have you ever taken a test or read a book to determine how God has uniquely gifted you? Romans 12:6-8 (HCSB), "According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the standard of faith; if service, in service; if teaching, in teaching; if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness." Whatever your gift is, do it with gusto to the best of your ability.
God gave each of us a unique gift or gifts so that we could be all that he had planned for us to be. It is part of the "abundant life" that John talks about in John 10:10. God wants us to be fulfilled in all that we do and he provided the skills for us to do that. It is our responsibility to find out what those skills are and to hone them to be our best for Him.
Take Refuge and use what God gave you. God gave each of us the gift or gifts that is best for us. He knows us well.
We are reminded throughout the writings of the New Testament that the Body of Christ is equipped with gifts. There are many of them and they are intended for the edification and glory of God through their use. In this passage Peter is also reminding us to using the gifts that God has given us is being a good manager "of the varied grace of God."
What are your gifts? Have you ever taken a test or read a book to determine how God has uniquely gifted you? Romans 12:6-8 (HCSB), "According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the standard of faith; if service, in service; if teaching, in teaching; if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness." Whatever your gift is, do it with gusto to the best of your ability.
God gave each of us a unique gift or gifts so that we could be all that he had planned for us to be. It is part of the "abundant life" that John talks about in John 10:10. God wants us to be fulfilled in all that we do and he provided the skills for us to do that. It is our responsibility to find out what those skills are and to hone them to be our best for Him.
Take Refuge and use what God gave you. God gave each of us the gift or gifts that is best for us. He knows us well.
1 Peter 3 - Be Prepared
1 Peter 3:15-16 (HCSB), "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."
Day by day, I've looked at the chapters that I've been reading with an eye toward how we can take refuge is some aspect of God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit or our relationship with them. Today, I want to take a little turn. Peter challenges us all to be prepared to give an answer. As you examine your life and consider all the wonderful, miraculous, self-less sacrifices that Jesus has made for you, are you ready to tell others what He has done?
Acts 17:17 (HCSB), "So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there." Paul was always available to "reason" with whomever he met, wherever he was. It is important, as we take refuge in what Jesus has done for us, that we are also ready to tell others about that sacrifice.
In his visit to Cornelius, Peter said, "He commanded us to preach to the people, and to solemnly testify that He is the One appointed by God to be the Judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about Him that through His name everyone who believes in Him will receive forgiveness of sins." - Acts 20:42 (HCSB) This doesn't just apply to the apostles of the early church. It applies to all of us.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 (HCSB), Paul writes, "Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." In this way he is admonishing us to always keep our eyes on God. The same is true with what Peter is trying to tell the church, "always be prepared to give an answer..."
Take Refuge, my friend, you have an answer to give. Jesus Christ made a sacrifice for you and for me so that through His sacrifice our debt was paid. Give thanks to God in everything because of everything He has given you.
Day by day, I've looked at the chapters that I've been reading with an eye toward how we can take refuge is some aspect of God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit or our relationship with them. Today, I want to take a little turn. Peter challenges us all to be prepared to give an answer. As you examine your life and consider all the wonderful, miraculous, self-less sacrifices that Jesus has made for you, are you ready to tell others what He has done?
Acts 17:17 (HCSB), "So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there." Paul was always available to "reason" with whomever he met, wherever he was. It is important, as we take refuge in what Jesus has done for us, that we are also ready to tell others about that sacrifice.
In his visit to Cornelius, Peter said, "He commanded us to preach to the people, and to solemnly testify that He is the One appointed by God to be the Judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about Him that through His name everyone who believes in Him will receive forgiveness of sins." - Acts 20:42 (HCSB) This doesn't just apply to the apostles of the early church. It applies to all of us.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 (HCSB), Paul writes, "Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." In this way he is admonishing us to always keep our eyes on God. The same is true with what Peter is trying to tell the church, "always be prepared to give an answer..."
Take Refuge, my friend, you have an answer to give. Jesus Christ made a sacrifice for you and for me so that through His sacrifice our debt was paid. Give thanks to God in everything because of everything He has given you.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
1 Peter 2 - Living Stones
1 Peter 2:4-5 (HCSB), "Coming to Him, a living stone—rejected by men but chosen and valuable to God — you yourselves, as living stones, are being built into a spiritual house for a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
Peter encourages the church that although they have been rejected by men, they are valuable to God. God is using them to build a spiritual house that will be vibrant and full of life. A house where spiritual sacrifices are presented and acceptable to God. When we look in Romans 12:1 (HCSB), "Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship." we see that we, personally, are the spiritual sacrifices that God wants.
Picture for a moment a "stone" house. In today's times it is really a wooden house with a stone face. Some of those faces come as a facade that just looks like stone and, as such, has no real depth to it. However, sometimes the stone face is built, one stone at a time, by a master craftsman. He will go out and check his sources attempting to find stones that are the right color, shape and mixture of sizes to construct the perfect wall. Generally, they are able to build the wall by positioning stones in a seemingly random fashion, but sometimes they have to search their pile of stones to find the one that fits perfectly in a particular place.
You are like that stone. You may have been looked over and tossed away. But as God is building his spiritual house, he is looking for you to fill the spot that is saved just for you.
Take Refuge in the living stones chosen by God to fit His purpose.
Peter encourages the church that although they have been rejected by men, they are valuable to God. God is using them to build a spiritual house that will be vibrant and full of life. A house where spiritual sacrifices are presented and acceptable to God. When we look in Romans 12:1 (HCSB), "Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship." we see that we, personally, are the spiritual sacrifices that God wants.
Picture for a moment a "stone" house. In today's times it is really a wooden house with a stone face. Some of those faces come as a facade that just looks like stone and, as such, has no real depth to it. However, sometimes the stone face is built, one stone at a time, by a master craftsman. He will go out and check his sources attempting to find stones that are the right color, shape and mixture of sizes to construct the perfect wall. Generally, they are able to build the wall by positioning stones in a seemingly random fashion, but sometimes they have to search their pile of stones to find the one that fits perfectly in a particular place.
You are like that stone. You may have been looked over and tossed away. But as God is building his spiritual house, he is looking for you to fill the spot that is saved just for you.
Take Refuge in the living stones chosen by God to fit His purpose.
1 Peter 1 - A Living Hope
1 Peter 1:3-5 (HCSB), "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by God's power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time."
1 Peter 1:18-19 (HCSB), "For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from the fathers, not with perishable things, like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish."
As Peter writes the church scattered abroad, he starts by reminding them of the living hope they have through Jesus and follows that with a call to holy living. What a combination. We have an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted and unfading which was redeemed by the precious blood of Christ.
From The Messge, 1 Peter 1:3-4, "What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now!" What a God indeed. His grace towards us and His mercy on us are immeasurable. And in that grace, He provided a redemption for us.
Take Refuge in the living hope of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:18-19 (HCSB), "For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from the fathers, not with perishable things, like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish."
As Peter writes the church scattered abroad, he starts by reminding them of the living hope they have through Jesus and follows that with a call to holy living. What a combination. We have an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted and unfading which was redeemed by the precious blood of Christ.
From The Messge, 1 Peter 1:3-4, "What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now!" What a God indeed. His grace towards us and His mercy on us are immeasurable. And in that grace, He provided a redemption for us.
Take Refuge in the living hope of Jesus Christ.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
James 5 - Be Patient
James 5:7-8 (HCSB), "Therefore, brothers, be patient until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth and is patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the Lord's coming is near."
One of the hardest phrases for a child to hear is their parent saying, "Be patient." It doesn't matter what they are waiting for, the patience to wait is always a challenge. But, if we just remember what we are being patient for -- "the Lord's coming" -- it will help. As it is written in Hosea 6:3a (HCSB), "Let us strive to know the LORD. His appearance is as sure as the dawn."
Romans 5:3-4 (MSG), "... We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next." Troubles develop patience and patience becomes virtue. Be patient, the Lord is coming.
Just as we talked about in James 4 and not doing what we know we need to do, we easily fall pray to the lack of patience. We want it now! We are the child and God is the Father and whatever we are praying for, we want now. But, being the father that He is, God knows what is best for us and only gives us what we are ready for at the time.
Take Refuge. We can be patient for the Lord's coming because we know it will come to pass. God is good, all the time. And, in His goodness, he will help us to be patient and wait for Him.
One of the hardest phrases for a child to hear is their parent saying, "Be patient." It doesn't matter what they are waiting for, the patience to wait is always a challenge. But, if we just remember what we are being patient for -- "the Lord's coming" -- it will help. As it is written in Hosea 6:3a (HCSB), "Let us strive to know the LORD. His appearance is as sure as the dawn."
Romans 5:3-4 (MSG), "... We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next." Troubles develop patience and patience becomes virtue. Be patient, the Lord is coming.
Just as we talked about in James 4 and not doing what we know we need to do, we easily fall pray to the lack of patience. We want it now! We are the child and God is the Father and whatever we are praying for, we want now. But, being the father that He is, God knows what is best for us and only gives us what we are ready for at the time.
Take Refuge. We can be patient for the Lord's coming because we know it will come to pass. God is good, all the time. And, in His goodness, he will help us to be patient and wait for Him.
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