Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In Second Peter chapter 1 and 2 today we see…

* What God has given us in Christ…

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness” (1:3),

* How to live out our new identities…

“Be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities (faith, self-control, godliness, love) you will never fall” (1:10),

* What to do when we lose focus or wander…

“Have we forgotten that we have been cleansed from our former sins, so stir each other up by way of reminder” (1:13),

* And what to watch out for to avoid distraction and destruction…

“There will be false teachers among you that many will follow, who secretly bring in destructive heresies, and blaspheme the way of the truth” (2:1-2).

🙏 Heavenly Father thank you so much for preserving us with a faith of equal standing to the apostles, and granting to us as adopted children your very great and precious promises.

🙏 Lord Jesus we praise you today for being the Way, the Truth, and the Life for all who would put their trust in you – Please keep us from partnering with the lies of this world, but instead let us firmly fix our eyes on you and the truth of your Word until you come again and we see you face-to-face…

✝️ “For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ…But we have the prophetic Word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts!”

2 Peter 1:16,19

Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In First Peter chapter 5 today we see faithful living and obedience to Christ being ignited by (and connected to) several corresponding and guaranteed Gospel promises…

“Humble yourselves before God…and He will exalt you in due time” (vs 6),

“Cast all your cares on Him…because He cares greatly for you” (vs 7),

“Be sober-minded and watchful…God will protect you and keep you” (vs 8),

“Stand firm and resist the adversary… Knowing that God is with you, and you are not alone in the battle” (vs 9).

🙏 Heavenly Father thank you so much that all your paths are steadfast love and faithfulness, and that every promise you have made to us has found its yes and amen in Christ.

🙏 Lord Jesus we praise you today for your costly sacrifice and merciful plan of redemption, as you restore all things in your perfect timing – Please strengthen us that we may persevere to the end, and let the “Little while” of our lives be focused on the eternal glory that you purchased for us as blood-bought sinners on mission for you…

✝️ “After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To Him be the dominion forever and ever, Amen!”

1 Pet 5:10-11

Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In First Peter chapter 3 and 4 today we see God’s difficult but necessary call for His people to follow Jesus and suffer well in the midst of adversity…

“For Christ suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God…And since Christ suffered in the flesh for us, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking…Do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice as you share in Christ sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed!” (1 Pet 3:18, 4:1,12-13).

Q. Do you consider the storms and trials in your life as unfair burdens, or windows of opportunity?

Q. Are hardships and thorns seen as destructive enemies that lead to despair, or catalysts that lead to maturity and sanctification?

Q. What is your belief about seasons of suffering in the life of a believer – God’s punishment, or His favor?

🙏 Heavenly Father we are lost, blind, foolish, and deceived without your Word and your Spirit – Please give us the proper perspective when it comes to suffering in this life, and help us all to use the trials you allow as a platform to proclaim your goodness to the world, and bring much glory to your name…

✝️ “If you are insulted or reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you…And if anyone suffers as a Christian, let them not be ashamed, but let them glorify God in His name…May all those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to their faithful Creator while doing good.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:14,16,19

Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In First Peter chapter 2 today we see numerous and glorious INDICATIVE & IMPERATIVE Gospel truths, stemming from our grace-given identities in Christ…

INDICATIVES: (who we are)

“You yourselves are living stones being built up as a spiritual house, chosen and very precious in the sight of God…a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people for God’s own possession by His great mercy” (vs 5,9,10).

IMPERATIVES: (our manner of life)

“Likewise put away all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, & slander…and abstain from the passions of the flesh which wage war against your soul. Conduct yourselves honorably so that others may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation” (vs 1,11,12).

🙏 Heavenly Father I confess to you the many times I have stumbled and disobeyed your Word, failing to answer your IMPERATIVE call – Please help us all to live and act in accordance with who you have made us to be (blessed & favored children of the Most High God), and make it our true aim to love others as we have been loved, honoring you in all things.

🙏 Lord Jesus we praise you today for calling us out of darkness and into your marvelous light, immersing us in the permanently INDICATIVE truth – “That all who put their trust in you will never be put to shame”…

✝️ “Jesus Christ committed no sin, neither was there deceit found in His mouth…He bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds we have been healed, for we were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls.”

1 Pet 2:22-25

Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In First Peter chapter 1 today there are far too many Godly gifts, Word gems, and Very Great and Precious Promises to choose from and write about – Truly feeling like a kid in a candy store today!

Q. Can you imagine having a clear understanding (and being the eternal recipients of) the ultimate mystery concerning Gospel grace and blessing that even the “Angels of Heaven marveled at and longed to behold”?!!!

🙏 Heavenly Father please let your amazing grace and transforming Word pierce our hearts today towards joy, holiness, and a living hope, for you have surely blessed us with a bounty of gifts and a treasure trove of favor and mercy…

✝️ “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. And because of this we have an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for us, who by God’s power is being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time…In this we rejoice with a joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of our faith, the salvation of our souls!”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1:3-5, 9

Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In James chapter 5 today we see the absolute necessity of confession and prayer for healing, restoration, salvation, and action by a gracious and merciful God who is constantly on the move for the good of His people…

“And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (vs 15-16).

Q. Have you become frustrated or grown weary of engaging with and praying for unsaved family members, loved ones, or friends that show no sign of transformation or interest in Jesus?

A. Consider these Scriptures for fuel to continue, and NEVER give up…

“I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the Gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭9:22-23‬

‭“Keep yourselves in the love of God…And have mercy on those who doubt; saving them by snatching them out of the fire, showing mercy with fear, and hating the sin of the flesh.”

‭‭Jude‬ ‭1:21-23‬ ‭

“God has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is in Christ, God is reconciling the world to Himself…And entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:18-20‬

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6:9‬ ‭

🙏 Heavenly Father thank you so much that you are mighty to save! And that you use our pleas and prayers as a means of grace to accomplish your will of redeeming lost sinners to a right standing with you in Christ.

🙏 Lord Jesus we praise you today for defeating and destroying all of our sin at the cross with your precious blood, and giving us a new life purpose as ambassadors for you – Please empower us to consistently and actively participate in your Spirit-driven work of saving human souls to the glory of God…

✝️ “My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”

‭‭James‬ ‭5:19-20‬

Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In James chapter 4 today we see a strong call for personal humility and repentance, laying aside self-righteous moralism as well as an over-exaggerated view of individual accomplishments, and casting ourselves on desperately needed grace and surrender in Christ…

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands you sinners, and purify your hearts you double-minded…Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you” (vs 7-10).

Q. What does James mean when he says, “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God”?

🙏 Heavenly Father please forgive me for self-serving ambitions and a self-exalting critical spirit towards others – Empower us all to have far more affections for your glory and the good of your people, than for our glory and selfish gain.

🙏 Lord Jesus we praise you today for being the model of ultimate humility, giving up the comfort and pleasures of heaven and laying down your life for our eternal benefit – Let us daily live in light of the temporary nature of this life, as we eagerly await the supreme honor of seeing you soon face-to-face…

✝️ “Make no self-willed plans for tomorrow, for you do not know what tomorrow will bring! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’ Do not boast in your arrogance, for all such boasting is evil. Whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”

‭‭James‬ ‭4:14-17‬ ‭

Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In James chapter 3 today we see the tremendous power and influence of spoken words and their positive ability to bless & uplift, as well as their dangerous potential to curse & tear down…

“So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things…It is a fire set ablaze and a world of unrighteousness…With our words we bless our Lord and Father, and with them we curse people who are made in the likeness of God… Brothers, these things ought not to be so” (vs medley).

Q. Have you ever experienced times in your life (both positive and negative) where you were radically affected by what someone said to you or about you?

Q. Do you have regret and remorse about words that you spoke to others in the past that you would like to take back?

🙏 Heavenly Father please forgive me for the many times I have used words in hurtful and unloving ways to cause pain, win an argument, selfishly fight for my rights, or make much of myself instead of you.

🙏 Lord Jesus we praise you today that you have always used your words for the sake of love, and for our eternal benefit…

“Not my will Father but your will be done”,

“Holy Father, I desire that those who you have given me may be with me where I am, please keep them in your name and protect them from the evil one”,

“Father, you love them even as you have loved me, that they may be as one, even as we are one”,

“It is finished!”

🙏 Holy Spirit please empower us to consistently speak peaceful words of life, and avoid poisonous words of death…

✝️ “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice of works and words. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

‭‭James‬ ‭3:16-18‬ ‭

Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In James chapter 2 today we see prejudice and partiality against specific persons or people groups being exposed as a major offense to God, and the grievous sin of favoritism violating the law of King Jesus – for God is no respecter of persons…

“My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ…and do not make distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts…For you shall love your neighbor as yourself…but if you show partiality you are committing sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors” (vs medley).

🙏 Heavenly Father thank you so much that you do not judge us on the basis of our ethnicity, ancestry, gender, appearance, education level, social standing, or financial status – And not even by our depraved and sinful past because of the perfect and righteous works of Christ for all who would put their trust in Him.

🙏 Lord Jesus we praise you today that although our sin has been grievous against you, and all have fallen short of your glory, we can all be equally redeemed and restored at the foot of your cross. And that by your once-for-all sacrifice we can have mercy and forgiveness instead of judgment and condemnation – Please empower us to overcome our self righteousness & sinful prejudice, and show no partiality towards others, loving all people the way you have so graciously loved us…

✝️ “Listen my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom, which He has promised to all those who love Him!…Fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture and love your neighbor. And be warned that judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. For mercy triumphs over judgment.”

‭‭James‬ ‭2:5,12-13‬ ‭

Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In James chapter 1 today we see “Gratitude” as the counter-cultural and God-honoring response to the trials of this life, as the Lord sovereignly gives and takes away for our good and His glory…

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (vs 2-4).

Q. Have you ever used discomfort, hardships, or stressful situations as an excuse to sin (doubt, anger, lust, despair, unkind words, gluttony, seeking worldly escapes & pleasures, etc)?

Q. Have you ever blamed God for the storms in your life, or do you see them as a means of spiritual growth & opportunity, and likewise a cause for joy?

🙏 Heavenly Father forgive me for the many times I’ve partnered with lies and embraced an anti-biblical perspective of how to respond to the trials you bring – Please grant all of us wisdom to know that you ordain the difficult seasons to sharpen us, refine us, mature us, and fill us with the fruits of your Holy Spirit.

🙏 Lord Jesus we praise you today that you willingly endured the greatest suffering and trial the world has ever known when you gave up everything for us at the cross – Help us to see our thorns as loving favor and gracious gifts from God, that continually sanctify and conform us to be more and more like you…

✝️ “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of His own will He brought us forth by the Word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures in Christ.”

‭‭James‬ ‭1:17-18‬ ‭