"They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity--for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him." 2 Peter 2:19
False teachers promise freedom in lustful pleasures but in fact they lead people into slavery. We may imagine that freedom is living without boundaries, doing what we want, but in the end we become slaves to our pleasures and we are never able to satisfy them.
As much as we may desire to be the master of our own destiny the truth is "a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him." I can either be a slave to sin or to Jesus Christ. Peter declared himself "a slave of Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:1; although the NIV translates 1:1 with the word "servant" it is the same Greek word for "slave" that is used here in 2:19). I too declare myself "a slave of Jesus Christ" for under the mastery of Jesus I am truly free to live. Within His boundaries is true freedom.
Father, I gladly call myself a slave of Jesus Christ. Help me to live today mastered by Jesus and so to walk in Your freedom.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
"For if you possesses these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:8
"Ineffective and unproductive." What an epitaph to have written over one's spiritual life! May it not be mine or yours.
To keep from being ineffective and unproductive we need to possess and grow in the qualities listed in verses 5 through 7: "Add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love."
Are you adding? Are you building on the foundation of faith that God has given you (see v.2)? Those who do not rest content with faith alone but build on their faith a vibrant, Christ-like life will never be found to be ineffective and unproductive. Let's build!
Father, may the words ineffective and unproductive never be Your assessment of my life. Help me to build on the faith You have given me a life that is effective and productive to Your glory.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
NOTE: After we finish reading 2 Peter on Thursday, we will begin the Gospel of John on Friday. Remember that we skipped over John earlier in the year to save one of the Gospels for the end of the year.
"Ineffective and unproductive." What an epitaph to have written over one's spiritual life! May it not be mine or yours.
To keep from being ineffective and unproductive we need to possess and grow in the qualities listed in verses 5 through 7: "Add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love."
Are you adding? Are you building on the foundation of faith that God has given you (see v.2)? Those who do not rest content with faith alone but build on their faith a vibrant, Christ-like life will never be found to be ineffective and unproductive. Let's build!
Father, may the words ineffective and unproductive never be Your assessment of my life. Help me to build on the faith You have given me a life that is effective and productive to Your glory.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
NOTE: After we finish reading 2 Peter on Thursday, we will begin the Gospel of John on Friday. Remember that we skipped over John earlier in the year to save one of the Gospels for the end of the year.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
ANXIETY
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
These words speak to me in so many ways (and I often need them to).
CAST all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Throw it as far as you can.
Cast ALL your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Don't hold on to any of it.
Cast all YOUR anxiety on him because he cares for you. Most of our fears are of our own making.
Cast all your ANXIETY on him because he cares for you. Receive peace instead of stress.
Cast all your anxiety ON him because he cares for you. Big problems look small in his hands.
Cast all your anxiety on HIM because he cares for you. Almighty, everlasting, holy GOD.
Cast all your anxiety on him BECAUSE he cares for you. One reason is enough with God.
Cast all your anxiety on him because HE cares for you. Your personal, loving Savior.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he CARES for you. God is active on your behalf.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares FOR you. Indicates the object of God's attenion.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for YOU. Even with all your flaws.
Father, thank you, thank you, thank you for your abiding care.
Praying that you will find everything in Christ,
JIM
These words speak to me in so many ways (and I often need them to).
CAST all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Throw it as far as you can.
Cast ALL your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Don't hold on to any of it.
Cast all YOUR anxiety on him because he cares for you. Most of our fears are of our own making.
Cast all your ANXIETY on him because he cares for you. Receive peace instead of stress.
Cast all your anxiety ON him because he cares for you. Big problems look small in his hands.
Cast all your anxiety on HIM because he cares for you. Almighty, everlasting, holy GOD.
Cast all your anxiety on him BECAUSE he cares for you. One reason is enough with God.
Cast all your anxiety on him because HE cares for you. Your personal, loving Savior.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he CARES for you. God is active on your behalf.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares FOR you. Indicates the object of God's attenion.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for YOU. Even with all your flaws.
Father, thank you, thank you, thank you for your abiding care.
Praying that you will find everything in Christ,
JIM
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Dispensing Grace
"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10
As we use our God-given gifts to serve others, God is dispensing His grace through our lives to those whom we serve. What an awesome thought! God working through us to manifest His grace to another person.
God has deposited His grace into us in the form of a spiritual gift. He means for His grace to pass through us in service. Service is not just an obligation we must fulfill. It is high privilege to handle God's grace and dispense it to others in His name! Who would God have you to grace today?
Father, thank you for your gifting and the high calling to serve up your grace to those around me. Help me to be a faithful dispenser of Your grace in the name of Jesus.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
As we use our God-given gifts to serve others, God is dispensing His grace through our lives to those whom we serve. What an awesome thought! God working through us to manifest His grace to another person.
God has deposited His grace into us in the form of a spiritual gift. He means for His grace to pass through us in service. Service is not just an obligation we must fulfill. It is high privilege to handle God's grace and dispense it to others in His name! Who would God have you to grace today?
Father, thank you for your gifting and the high calling to serve up your grace to those around me. Help me to be a faithful dispenser of Your grace in the name of Jesus.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Make Me a Blessing
"Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." 1 Peter 3:9
Our natural inclination is to repay evil with evil and insult with insult. Our sinful nature likes to get even. But the inclination of the life of Jesus in us is to repay evil and insult with blessing (cf. 1 Peter 2:23).
As they crucified Jesus, He prayed for their forgiveness. And so he charges us, "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you" (Luke 6:27-28). Our inheritance is a blessing in Christ and therefore we are to "dish out" blessing to those who are around us without regard to how they may treat us.
Father, "Make me a blessing, Out of my life may Jesus shine; Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray, Make me a blessing to someone today." (from "Make Me a Blessing" by Ira B. Wilson)
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Our natural inclination is to repay evil with evil and insult with insult. Our sinful nature likes to get even. But the inclination of the life of Jesus in us is to repay evil and insult with blessing (cf. 1 Peter 2:23).
As they crucified Jesus, He prayed for their forgiveness. And so he charges us, "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you" (Luke 6:27-28). Our inheritance is a blessing in Christ and therefore we are to "dish out" blessing to those who are around us without regard to how they may treat us.
Father, "Make me a blessing, Out of my life may Jesus shine; Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray, Make me a blessing to someone today." (from "Make Me a Blessing" by Ira B. Wilson)
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
In His Steps
"To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps." 1 Peter 2:21
"To this you were called" refers to doing good (God's will) at any cost, even suffering. Christ suffered in order to do God's will, which was our salvation. While obedience may cost us, we have the example of Christ suffering in God's will to inspire and strengthen us. Our call then is to "follow in his steps."
The phrase "in his steps" inspired a novel of that title written by Charles M. Sheldon in 1896. The novel inspired the WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) craze in the 1990s. Both the novel and the WWJD movement remind us of our calling to imitate Jesus by following in His steps even when it requires suffering. Will you follow at any cost?
Father, help me to walk in the footsteps of Jesus by obeying your will at any cost today.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
"To this you were called" refers to doing good (God's will) at any cost, even suffering. Christ suffered in order to do God's will, which was our salvation. While obedience may cost us, we have the example of Christ suffering in God's will to inspire and strengthen us. Our call then is to "follow in his steps."
The phrase "in his steps" inspired a novel of that title written by Charles M. Sheldon in 1896. The novel inspired the WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) craze in the 1990s. Both the novel and the WWJD movement remind us of our calling to imitate Jesus by following in His steps even when it requires suffering. Will you follow at any cost?
Father, help me to walk in the footsteps of Jesus by obeying your will at any cost today.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Monday, October 12, 2009
Called to be Holy
"But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written, 'Be holy, because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:15-16
What a rich chapter 1 Peter 1 is! The question is not what to highlight but what not to highlight. I chose the verses above for comment because of their impact on my spiritual growth.
As a college student, I struggled with a particular temptation. I memorized 1 Peter 1:15-16 to help me in that struggle because Psalm 119:11 says, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Every time that particular temptation raised its ugly head I quoted these verses to remind myself of God's call to holy living and then I would pray for God's strength to be holy in this area of my life. Through Scripture and prayer I found victory over sin!
God is holy and those who want to live close to Him must be holy. If we trifle with sin we will not walk close to God. But if we understand His character, take His call to holiness seriously, and rely on His strength we can be victorious over sin and walk close to our Holy God.
Father, I praise Your holiness and I desire to live holy. Grant me the strength and grace through Scripture, prayer, and the work of the Holy Spirit to be holy as You are holy.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
What a rich chapter 1 Peter 1 is! The question is not what to highlight but what not to highlight. I chose the verses above for comment because of their impact on my spiritual growth.
As a college student, I struggled with a particular temptation. I memorized 1 Peter 1:15-16 to help me in that struggle because Psalm 119:11 says, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Every time that particular temptation raised its ugly head I quoted these verses to remind myself of God's call to holy living and then I would pray for God's strength to be holy in this area of my life. Through Scripture and prayer I found victory over sin!
God is holy and those who want to live close to Him must be holy. If we trifle with sin we will not walk close to God. But if we understand His character, take His call to holiness seriously, and rely on His strength we can be victorious over sin and walk close to our Holy God.
Father, I praise Your holiness and I desire to live holy. Grant me the strength and grace through Scripture, prayer, and the work of the Holy Spirit to be holy as You are holy.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
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