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Grow

When you were born, God gave you a unique and specialized DNA designed just for you. You were given a brain that can think, learn and interpret data. You were given a heart that can feel a whole range of emotions from anger and fear to joy and contentment. From the day you arrived in this world you have grown in size and stature while your brain has matured and acquired knowledge for life.

Today in our reading of 2 Peter 1 we learn that when you become a believer, God does something incredible in your life.

Everything we could ever need for life and godliness has already been deposited in us by his divine power. For all this was lavished upon us through the rich experience of knowing him who has called us by name and invited us to come to him through a glorious manifestation of his goodness.
2 Peter 1:3

Did you know that if you believe in God and have been born again, you are equipped to live for Him? The verse above tells us everything we could ever need for life and godliness has already been deposited in us.
Just like when you were born you physically grow and mature, when you are spiritually born again, you are given a new mind and a new heart. God gives you everything at that moment that you will need to grow spiritually. He equips you to be able to live a godly life. But, just having that ability inside of you is not enough. It is up to you to grow and develop your spiritual life.

How do we grow spiritually?

As a result of this, he has given you magnificent promises that are beyond all price, so that through the power of these tremendous promises we can experience partnership with the divine nature, by which you have escaped the corrupt desires that are of the world.
1 Peter 1:4

We grow spiritually when we read, study and apply the promises in God’s Word, the Bible. The Bible is the food we need that enables us to grow spiritually. We have to make an effort and discipline ourselves to grow.

So devote yourselves to lavishly supplementing your faith with goodness, add understanding, and to understanding add the strength of self-control, and to self-control add patient endurance, and to patient endurance add godliness, and to godliness add mercy toward your brothers and sisters, and to mercy toward others add unending love. Since these virtues are already planted deep within, and you possess them in abundant supply, they will keep you from being inactive or fruitless in your pursuit of knowing Jesus Christ more intimately.
2 Peter 1:5-8

We grow spiritually when we put all the above disciplines in practice. When put these into practice we will know Jesus more intimately. Knowing Jesus more intimately changes the way we live our lives. People will look at us and wonder what the difference is. The difference is that we have an intimate relationship with Jesus and seek Him daily.

Authentic Faith

Obadiah, Jeremiah 40-42, Psalm 147, 1 Peter 5

I recently had occasion to look at Louis Vuitton purses.  Yes, they are known for their style and elegance, but maybe more well known for their ridiculous prices.  As such, many people will do whatever it takes to carry one on their arm.  “Whatever it takes” means that many people will fake it.  That’s right, not every purse you see with the Louis Vuitton logo is made by Louis Vuitton.  Many of these fakes seem so real that it takes a trained eye to detect them.  This is exactly what the apostle Paul is helping us understand today in 1 Peter 1:5-11.  Just like designer handbags, there are many people that want all the benefits of faith without paying the price.

Would you like to know if your faith is real?  Paul begins this scripture with one simple way to be sure.  He says that we need to add virtue to our faith.  Other versions use the words ‘moral excellence’ and ‘character’ in place of virtue.  These are the outward appearance of our inward faith.  The Greek translations use words like purity and modesty to define them.  Of course, the full reflection of our faith requires more than just virtue.  Paul adds self-control, steadfastness, Godliness, brotherly affection and love to the list.  As I read through that list, I hear the word obedience in the back of my head.  Now, that’s not a word that I like to use, but I cannot think of a better description.  In other words, Paul is telling us that obedience, as displayed through our virtue, self-control, steadfastness, Godliness, brotherly affection and love, is the outward proof of our faith.  As we consider that truth, we must consider how these traits manifest themselves in our own lives.  In addition, are they growing?

Paul hits us between the eyes in verse 9.  He clearly states that these are traits that need to be developed.  In other words, they need to be growing, continually.  This is where it gets hard.  If they are not growing, Paul exhorts us that we have forgotten about the gift given us by Jesus.  Let me say it very directly, if these traits are not growing in your life, you have no faith.  Ouch!

No, I don’t like thinking that maybe I have put my faith on hold.  No, I don’t like to be reminded that sometimes I get off track, taking my life into my own hands.  Why?  Because it puts me face to face with inauthentic faith.  Thankfully, I have been created by a loving God who relentlessly pursues a relationship with me.  Paul gets it right in verse 4.  He says, “by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire” 2 Peter 1:4 (ESV).  There it is, God makes us authentic.  In fact, he promises authenticity to those who believe.  I don’t know of any other response to becoming authentic, than praise and worship.  Thank you Lord, for doing for me what I am not capable of doing for myself.

 

Israel, Tribulation, & Hope

Today’s Readings: Lamentations, Psalm 137, 1 Peter 4

Over the weekend, we observed the horrific acts of the terrorist organization Hamas, with their attack on Israel.  The “war” between the Muslims and the Jewish people is a battle since the beginning of time.  This is a religious war that knows no boundaries and likely will never be settled while man is still in control of earth.

Ironically, one of our readings for today describes the historical account of the fall of Jerusalem. The Jewish people have endured grave suffering throughout the history of time.  One our readings today, Lamentations, is an emotional scripture written by Jeremiah that described the “funeral of a city,” when Jerusalem was overtaken by the Babylonians.

Even in the deepest days of despair, Jeremiah exclaimed in Lamentations 3:21-26; 21 “Therefore I have hope. 22 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. 24 The Lord is my portion, says my soul. Therefore I hope in Him!” 25 The Lord is good to those who wait for him, To the soul who seeks Him. 26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”

As we look to live peaceful, happy, and fulfilled lives, we are reminded each day that our desire is only possible to a certain extent.  1 Peter 4:12 says “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you.”

How about that?  Scripture tells us we will not be spared from tough times.  The prophet Peter tells us to expect trials and challenges and not be surprised.  We should expect it.

In fact, Peter tells us in verse 13, “but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”

Peter is telling us to stand by our belief in Christ.  The challenges and sin of the world will test our faith, question our resolve to follow Christ, and ultimately pressure us to turn away from our Savior.  Pain and suffering can break us.  Despair and sadness can deject us to the point where we “lose our way.” Our worldly minds cause us to question the need or the reason for the suffering and sadness and “lay our sorrows at the feet of Christ” and question why He is allowing us to suffer, and ultimately questions whether our God exists.

We can live our lives in fear every day, that tragedy or calamities await us.  War, pandemics, violent crime, health issues, death…and the list goes on. We can spin ourselves into a life of despair and doubt, constantly worrying about the next bad thing that may happen in our life.

My profound belief that if we are right with God, we will not be afraid.  Our resolve and tenacity to persevere through the worst of times solely depends on our ability to focus on the faith we have in Jesus, that He has a plan, and all our suffering and trails will be revealed when we get to Heaven.   Fear not, God has got you!

The Hope

The anxiety settled in immediately after signing up for a road cycling event that was about twice as long as I’m accustomed to riding. What if I get too tired or there is too much pain and I can’t go on? What if I just do not like cycling for that long?

I raised these concerns with a friend who is much more experienced at road cycling than I am and his response reminded me why were are friends in the first place. First, he listened to my concerns. Next, he encouraged me and reminded me of some of my training and history which should indicate that I’d be okay. And the best part was that he took action, not just with words. He drove me to the event and rode alongside me throughout (and even loaned some of his equipment to me). We both completed the ride as planned and had a great time!

While reflecting on the cycling, I saw some parallels to the hope that I have in Jesus (with reference to 1 Peter 3:15):

  1. There was a decision to be made. Ride or not. Choosing to ride could bring joy and satisfaction that I hadn’t experienced. Choosing not to ride would leave me to wonder and worse, to resent not taking a chance. And in faith, we all have a choice: Trust in what we see here and now, or take a leap and trust in the unseen.
  2. I had to have faith that I’d complete the ride. While I had done some training to prepare, the only way to find out for sure was to let go of any fears and move forward. In the Christian faith, the more we let go of the things of this fleeting world, the more joy we experience and the less worry we have.
  3. I was mentored by someone with more experience and wisdom about cycling. We all need Christian mentors to encourage and equip us along the journey.
  4. There were indicators pointing me to the right decision. Historical longer rides, other training, acceptable physical examinations, the fact that there’d be help along the way. In faith, we have so many indicators pointing to our creator. Such as our beautiful planet and all of its wonders, the air we breathe is a perfect combination for our bodies, the feeling of love which oftentimes is unexplainable, the words of the Bible, and how they can be properly applied to all of life’s circumstances. There’s the fulfillment of prophecy through Jesus Christ, and the peace that has so many times overwhelmed me in times of crisis and times of certainty.

What are the reasons for the hope that is in you? Pray for an opportunity to share this with someone and be ready!

Today’s reading: 2 Kings 24-25; 2 Chronicles 36; Psalm 126; 1 Peter 3

Cornerstone

Today’s reading:  Jeremiah 38, 39, 52 and 1 Peter 2

For in Scripture it says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
    a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
    will never be put to shame.”

Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,

“The stone the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone,” and,

“A stone that causes people to stumble
    and a rock that makes them fall.”

They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for (1 Peter 2:6-8).

Jesus is the cornerstone, the foundation, the linchpin, the entire basis of the Christian faith.  Without his death, burial and resurrection, there is no salvation.  Fortunately for us, his invitation is offered to all people.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

Despite Jesus offering an invitation to all, some people do not believe he is who he says he is.  Many refuse to put their faith in him.  1 Peter Verse 8 tells us that Jesus, in response to this unbelief, is the stone that actually causes some people to stumble and fall.  In other words, unbelievers bring God’s judgment upon themselves by stumbling over and rejecting the one person with the power to save them.

The most important decision a person can ever make is to put their faith in Jesus Christ.  Don’t delay and miss out on the gift of eternal life.  No one is guaranteed another day!

 

Sobriety Test

Jeremiah 30-33, 1 Peter 1

1 Peter 1:13 (ESV) Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ

 

Sober (nḗphō) – properly, to be sober (not drunk), not intoxicated; (figuratively) free from illusion, i.e. from the intoxicating influences of sin (like the impact of selfish passion, greed, etc.).

3525 /nḗphō (“be sober, unintoxicated”) refers to having presence of mind (clear judgment), enabling someone to be temperate (self-controlled). 3525 /nḗphō (“uninfluenced by intoxicants”) means to have “one’s wits (faculties) about them,” which is the opposite of being irrational.

 

Sober minded is not just about not being drunk on drugs or alcohol.  Many, many things intoxicate us.  Anxiety, lust and greed are a few.  The Greek dictionary includes things like dreaming and fantasies (illusions).  What do these things have in common?  They all have the ability to intercept every good thought, impairing our judgement.

Sobriety gives us presence of mind.  Only when present, are we able to set our hope fully on the grace of Jesus Christ.  The result is sincere brotherly love.  This love is exactly what Peter is calling us to when he says “Prepare your minds for action.”  Earnest love that flows from a pure heart (v22).

Father, reveal to us the things that intoxicate us.  Show us the thoughts and activities that consume our minds so that we can be sober-minded and put all our hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world 1 Peter 1:13 (NLT).

 

Today’s Readings: Jeremiah 21, 34, 37, Psalm 79, James 5

In each passage from today, I read about the daily prayers given and asked for others.  The true conversation with the Lord is available every day.

Dear Heavenly Father,

As I read these passages today, I feel grateful and blessed by the grace you have given us.  These passages remind me of your comfort in every conversation with You and how I feel security, strength, peace, identity, and hope. Lord, you have provided everything we need for this day.  You have provided a 24/7 time we can come to you in prayer.  Lord, I ask for those gentle touches when I stray.  When I think I have it figured out, when I’m too proud when I’ve lost my way.  Lord, please humble, comfort, and remind me to go to You in prayer and nowhere else.

Father, I come boldly before Your throne of grace, thanking and praising You for this day. This is the day You have made; therefore, I shall rejoice and be glad in it! You said that if we acknowledge You in all our ways, You will direct our paths in every situation. Let us commit everything to You, Lord.   Amen

God Only Knows

Today’s Readings: Jeremiah 24, 27, 28, 29 ; James 4 

 

…. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope….

 

This is the complete verse 

For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭10‬-‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

There is a difference between what we know, and what is actually there. For the majority of my life, I have known this verse in many many respects. In one of the lowest points of my life and my wife’s life, when my son, Oliver, was a baby and we did not know if he was going to survive the next day or the next hour, a friend of ours gave us this verse to meditate on and to find strength. This verse is very powerful and it has so many deep meanings as well. But as I was reading and meditating on these passages this week, it has a more profound meaning for me.  This has been a verse in my heart since my childhood, but really held a prominent place during this period of my life. 

The majority of the time we look at this verse in Jeremiah for strength in the midst of our adversities and our weaknesses. But when we really look at the full scope of this, it gives us even more peace. It shows us that God is actually preparing things way in advance for us. He knows what’s happening far in advance. At this point, Jeremiah is telling the people about their exile and  about the people who will come and conquer them, and how God will make provisions for them. God is also showing how He will bring the people out of the exile. He even tells them specific times and how God will release everybody from exile.  

In the 24th chapter of Jeremiah, we see how God is selecting us, who are his children to be protected in the midst of adversity. He shows that doing and before the exile how he protects his figs or his people.

“After Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had taken into exile from Jerusalem Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, together with the officials of Judah, the craftsmen, and the metal workers, and had brought them to Babylon, the Lord showed me this vision: behold, two baskets of figs placed before the temple of the Lord. One basket had very good figs, like first-ripe figs, but the other basket had very bad figs, so bad that they could not be eaten. “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Like these good figs, so I will regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I have sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans. I will set my eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up, and not tear them down; I will plant them, and not pluck them up. I will give them a heart to know that I am the Lord, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭24‬:‭1‬-‭2‬, ‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

In Jeremiah , we have a glimpse of what is happening to the exile individuals that go into Babylon. He specifically speaks about Nebuchadnezzar . When we reference back to Daniel, we see how God has provided for Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and Daniel, in the midst of their exile out in Babylon. In this passage in Jeremiah, he shows how he would already protect them from everything and in this passage and Jeremiah we also see that God uses Nebuchadnezzar for his benefit. 

Whenever I read Daniel, I always would see Nebuchadnezzar as the villain. But this passage in Jeremiah shows how God can use unlikely people in unlikely places to be blessings upon us for his benefit.  

“Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face and paid homage to Daniel, and commanded that an offering and incense be offered up to him. The king answered and said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.” Then the king gave Daniel high honors and many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.”

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭2‬:‭46‬-‭48‬ ‭ESV‬‬

This passage gives me hope, and makes me smile in the midst of adversity and hardships, which we go through on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. Sometimes it can feel insurmountable while we’re in the moment. But then God gives us peace in revelation, and how he will provide for us. In this moment, God is showing us that he has a plan for us before we even could understand it. He had a plan for the people 70+ years before they even knew what was going to happen.  He had a plan for us,  benefiting us through him. He’s not just going to leave it to chance. He has specific plans for us. Let us take solace in his plans for us.

Be Blessed

Chicken or the Egg?

Today’s readings are Jeremiah 22,23, and 26, Psalm 77, and James 2.

What comes first..the chicken or the egg? Most of us have probably heard this saying implying that you can’t have a chicken without an egg, but you can’t have an egg without the chicken. So, which comes first? James 2 digs into a similar question but with the topic of faith and works.

Christians believe that you go to Heaven by believing, or having faith, that Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness of your confessed sins and rose again on Easter (Romans 10:9-11). “Good deeds” don’t get you into Heaven and “good people” don’t go to Heaven if they don’t believe in Jesus. So, some can struggle with James 2:24 which says, “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” James 2:17 also says similar, “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Are these verses saying just faith in Jesus doesn’t get you to Heaven? Is this saying works get you into Heaven?

I believe Scripture can often best be interpreted by cross referencing other Scripture, and I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that our all-church study verses last week came from 1 John 4 which can provide some more context when paired with James 2.

What compels us to do good works? Put simply…love. 1 John 4:16 says, “God is love.” Reading on in 1 John 4, we see verse 20 states..

If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother, whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.”

1 John 4:21 follows up verse 20 also stating…

And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

If you truly have faith and love God, then it will show up in your actions. If you say you have faith and love God, but your works don’t show it…then do you really have faith and love God? James is telling us you can’t have one without the other..chicken or egg concept. Your faith in God is made complete by your actions just as in Abraham and Rahab who James references in James 2:23 and James 2:25.

Jesus gives us a great example of this when in John 13 He washed his disciples’ feet which was thought to be such a lowly task that Jews wouldn’t even let their Jewish servants do this for them, only Gentile servants. And of course, Jesus showed us the ultimate act of service when the next day He, the God of the universe in the flesh, gave himself up suffering one of the most gruesome and painful deaths possible through his scourging and Crucifixion on the cross, all so we could be forgiven and live with Him in Heaven.

We love because He first loved us.

1 John 4:19

Let us reflect personally.

  • How am I serving my family?
  • How am I serving my church?
  • How am I serving my neighbors or community?
  • How am I serving my friends?
  • How am I serving those who can do nothing for me in return?

Pick one you can improve on and let us complete our faith in action.

God is Near

Jeremiah, the prophet, had a difficult life. His family and friends were ready to rise up against him. They threatened to rise up against him if he continued telling about God.

I have heard the many rumors about me. They call me “The Man Who Lives in Terror.” They threaten, “If you say anything, we will report it.” Even my old friends are watching me, waiting for a fatal slip. “He will trap himself,” they say, “and then we will get our revenge on him.”
Jeremiah 20:10

But, there was something burning inside of Jeremiah, he simply could not keep quiet. He is what true ministry looks like. We are called, just as Jeremiah to speak the word of God when given the opportunity. We should not keep quiet, but speak boldly, just as Jeremiah did. Jeremiah knew that the Lord was with him.

But the Lord stands beside me like a great warrior. Before him my persecutors will stumble. They cannot defeat me. The will fail and be thoroughly humiliated. There dishonor will never be forgotten.
Jeremiah 20:11

Jeremiah’s faith let him see the nearness of God. He was in despair because he lost his friends, but his faith kept his heart on God. Above all else, he knew that God was with Him.

What an example Jeremiah is for us. When we feel fear, we need only to remember that the Lord stands beside us like a great warrior.