"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. Remember that we skipped over John earlier in the year to save one of the Gospels for the end of the year.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
DEEPLY
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8
Two thoughts about this important little verse:
(1) The proactive work of love for each other becomes a firewall against sin. Without this love, we are like people who don’t follow Christ, and any number of wrongs could result in that scenario. With the love of Christ, we are protected from these sins.
(2) We are all sinners, and Christ’s love expressed to each other helps us see each other through God’s eyes. If, in the past, two individuals had sinned against each other, this love would cover any animosity that might have existed. Love buries sin. Deep love keeps us from even finding the hole where the sin is buried.
Father, thank You for Your love. Help me to love others deeply so that sin can be avoided and dealt with.
Grace to you
Jim
Two thoughts about this important little verse:
(1) The proactive work of love for each other becomes a firewall against sin. Without this love, we are like people who don’t follow Christ, and any number of wrongs could result in that scenario. With the love of Christ, we are protected from these sins.
(2) We are all sinners, and Christ’s love expressed to each other helps us see each other through God’s eyes. If, in the past, two individuals had sinned against each other, this love would cover any animosity that might have existed. Love buries sin. Deep love keeps us from even finding the hole where the sin is buried.
Father, thank You for Your love. Help me to love others deeply so that sin can be avoided and dealt with.
Grace to you
Jim
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Christ's Sufferings
"Because Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, to bring you to God, by being put to death in the flesh but by being made alive in the spirit." 1 Peter 3:18 NET
Let me continue in the vein of Matt's reflections yesterday. We as Christians need to be brought back to the cross repeatedly to reflect on, celebrate, and rely on the grace of God given to us in Christ. It was no small or simple thing our Savior did for us. He "suffered...to bring you to God." It was a large price He paid to redeem us from sin and reconcile us to God. Let this realization of Christ's sufferings create thanksgiving and faithfulness in our hearts toward Him.
Father, I thank you for the suffering Christ endured for my sake. "Amazing love how can it me that you my King would die for me?" Grant me strength "to live for Him who died for me" and even to suffer today if such is the cost of absolute faithfulness to my Lord.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Let me continue in the vein of Matt's reflections yesterday. We as Christians need to be brought back to the cross repeatedly to reflect on, celebrate, and rely on the grace of God given to us in Christ. It was no small or simple thing our Savior did for us. He "suffered...to bring you to God." It was a large price He paid to redeem us from sin and reconcile us to God. Let this realization of Christ's sufferings create thanksgiving and faithfulness in our hearts toward Him.
Father, I thank you for the suffering Christ endured for my sake. "Amazing love how can it me that you my King would die for me?" Grant me strength "to live for Him who died for me" and even to suffer today if such is the cost of absolute faithfulness to my Lord.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Put to Death
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. - 1 Peter 2:24
As Christians we frequently take time to remember, celebrate and proclaim Christ's crucifixion. When we reflect on what his death and resurrection mean for us, we focus the forgiveness of our past sins. What we forget is that we have not only been forgiven of our past sins, but we've also been set free from the power of sin. Peter says this was done so that we might, "live for righteousness."
Father, help me to remember that Christ's death did more than clean up my mistakes, but that his death put to death my sin nature. Lead me to live for righteousness. Show me the things that I do, think, say that aren't righteous. Convict me over those sins and fill me with the power of your Spirit so that I can live victoriously.
By His grace,
Matt
As Christians we frequently take time to remember, celebrate and proclaim Christ's crucifixion. When we reflect on what his death and resurrection mean for us, we focus the forgiveness of our past sins. What we forget is that we have not only been forgiven of our past sins, but we've also been set free from the power of sin. Peter says this was done so that we might, "live for righteousness."
Father, help me to remember that Christ's death did more than clean up my mistakes, but that his death put to death my sin nature. Lead me to live for righteousness. Show me the things that I do, think, say that aren't righteous. Convict me over those sins and fill me with the power of your Spirit so that I can live victoriously.
By His grace,
Matt
Thursday, October 7, 2010
The Forces of Nature
. . . your desires that battle within you? - James 4:1
Does it ever feel like there is a war going on inside your mind? As Christians our will and our desires are often at odds. We have the Holy Spirit but we can't escape our flesh. Our deepest longing is to honor God, but we also want to look out for our own interests, spoil ourselves with nice things, say mean things to the people we don't like, lie when it's more convenient than telling the truth, etc. The list could go on forever. Being a Christian doesn't exempt us from the desire to do these things.
The apostle Paul was very familiar with this inner struggle. In Romans 7 he speaks of not being able to do the things he wants to do, and instead doing the very things he hates.
So what hope is there for us? Are we to go on living tormented lives?
Paul answers that question for us in verse 24-25 when he says, "Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord."
In Galatians 5 Paul shines more light on this conflict of natures. He characterizes the sinful nature and he describes the fruit of the Spirit. Then in verse 25 he provides us with the key to victory, "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."
Father, I want to stand strong against my sinful nature, and I want to honor you with my life. Help me to "keep in step with the Spirit."
By His grace,
Matt
Does it ever feel like there is a war going on inside your mind? As Christians our will and our desires are often at odds. We have the Holy Spirit but we can't escape our flesh. Our deepest longing is to honor God, but we also want to look out for our own interests, spoil ourselves with nice things, say mean things to the people we don't like, lie when it's more convenient than telling the truth, etc. The list could go on forever. Being a Christian doesn't exempt us from the desire to do these things.
The apostle Paul was very familiar with this inner struggle. In Romans 7 he speaks of not being able to do the things he wants to do, and instead doing the very things he hates.
So what hope is there for us? Are we to go on living tormented lives?
Paul answers that question for us in verse 24-25 when he says, "Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord."
In Galatians 5 Paul shines more light on this conflict of natures. He characterizes the sinful nature and he describes the fruit of the Spirit. Then in verse 25 he provides us with the key to victory, "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."
Father, I want to stand strong against my sinful nature, and I want to honor you with my life. Help me to "keep in step with the Spirit."
By His grace,
Matt
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Living by the Book
"Then Jehoiada brought out Joash, the king's son, and placed the crown on his head. He presented Joash with a copy of God's laws and proclaimed him king. They anointed him, and all the people clapped their hands and shouted, "Long live the king!" 2 Kings 11:12 NLT
There were two essential pieces of "equipment" given to Joash to help him serve as king. The first was the crown symbolizing his authority. The second was a Bible ("copy of God's laws") to guide him in his personal life and leadership. Every king of Judah received these two things but most of them abused the crown and ignored the book. However, with the help of Jehoiada, the godly priest, Joash followed God's laws and was one of the few really good kings in Judah's history.
Since we are not kings we don't need a crown but we too have been given the Bible to guide us in our life and service. There is no greater treasure than the Bible. If we pay careful attention to God's Words and practice them in our daily life we too will be faithful and successful in God's sight. Don't take your Bible for granted. Open it, read it, and live according to the words of life contained in it.
Father, help me to treasure Your Word and to follow it as Joash did so that I too may live a life that honors You and blesses the people in whose lives you have given me influence.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
There were two essential pieces of "equipment" given to Joash to help him serve as king. The first was the crown symbolizing his authority. The second was a Bible ("copy of God's laws") to guide him in his personal life and leadership. Every king of Judah received these two things but most of them abused the crown and ignored the book. However, with the help of Jehoiada, the godly priest, Joash followed God's laws and was one of the few really good kings in Judah's history.
Since we are not kings we don't need a crown but we too have been given the Bible to guide us in our life and service. There is no greater treasure than the Bible. If we pay careful attention to God's Words and practice them in our daily life we too will be faithful and successful in God's sight. Don't take your Bible for granted. Open it, read it, and live according to the words of life contained in it.
Father, help me to treasure Your Word and to follow it as Joash did so that I too may live a life that honors You and blesses the people in whose lives you have given me influence.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
FAVORITES
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. James 2:8
Someone needs to tell James that it’s hardly fair to throw the great commandment into a discourse on showing favoritism. It’s one thing to talk about how wrong it is to favor a rich person over someone who is poor, but when the discussion escalates to the level of loving my neighbor as if he or she were me, things get uncomfortable, at best.
The problem with favoritism isn’t with the other (rich or poor—or otherwise) person. It’s clear that we play favorites in many situations, and the favoritism is usually the same—we favor ourselves. The natural inclination is to favor myself—to cater to my wants and needs—and perhaps, if it’s convenient, bring my neighbor along for the ride.
The truth is, it’s really impossible to love others as much as we love ourselves. That kind of love was demonstrated on the cross by Christ, and His love is evident in our lives only as we live in obedience to Him.
Father, I want to do right and love others without favoritism. I know there’s a long way to go, but I ask You to continue to change me so that I can show Your love to others. Thank you for showing Your love to me.
Grace to you
Jim
Someone needs to tell James that it’s hardly fair to throw the great commandment into a discourse on showing favoritism. It’s one thing to talk about how wrong it is to favor a rich person over someone who is poor, but when the discussion escalates to the level of loving my neighbor as if he or she were me, things get uncomfortable, at best.
The problem with favoritism isn’t with the other (rich or poor—or otherwise) person. It’s clear that we play favorites in many situations, and the favoritism is usually the same—we favor ourselves. The natural inclination is to favor myself—to cater to my wants and needs—and perhaps, if it’s convenient, bring my neighbor along for the ride.
The truth is, it’s really impossible to love others as much as we love ourselves. That kind of love was demonstrated on the cross by Christ, and His love is evident in our lives only as we live in obedience to Him.
Father, I want to do right and love others without favoritism. I know there’s a long way to go, but I ask You to continue to change me so that I can show Your love to others. Thank you for showing Your love to me.
Grace to you
Jim
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