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2 Peter 1:2

8/31/2009

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2 Peter 1:2 “May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.” 

As we grow in our knowledge, we will be given more grace and peace.  Why not read God’s word and continue to grow?  This growth should and can continue forever.  God’s word is always there to instruct and teach us every time we open it.  It will help us where we are at and we will be able to use it to help others. 

Verse 4 says; “and because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises.  These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.” 

By spending time every day with God, we fill our hearts with good and we learn more and more how to be like Jesus.  It says “…these are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.” 

If we are in the world every day, seeing and being filled with what it offers, how much more do we have to fill ourselves with God.  I love that Peter goes and shows us what happens when we make the effort to learn and fill ourselves with wisdom and knowledge.

In verses 5 and 7 it says, “in view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises.  Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self control, and self control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.”

You can’t do this if you are not spending time in God’s word or having a relationship with God to understand all His promises.  Peter continues to share with us how important it is to never stop growing.  

In verse 8 he says, “The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

I say what goes in will eventually come out. 

In verse 9 he warns us, “But those who fail to develop in this way are short sided or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.”

Are you struggling with the same stuff time after time?  Check your walk and what you are filling your day with.  Make sure you have a healthy time with God.  Amen.

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1 Peter 4

8/28/2009

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1 Peter 4:1-2 “So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude He had, and be ready to suffer too.  For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin.  You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God.”

This really made me think this morning about truly giving my life to God as Jesus did.  When we suffer and go through our pain and still praise God because we have fully surrendered, our faith is solid.  Then the peace we get from God covers us and we continue to look through God’s eyes.  You realize that God is the only comfort you need and you look for Christ’s help always.  Then your heart is full and as it says in verse 2, “you won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God.” 

I love verse 19 which says, “So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for He will never fail you.”

Never is a long time, we must remember that it will be God’s way and we are to jump on and fight the good fight.  When we fully surrender and forget ourselves we see God at work and God’s word opens up and is so real. 

Verses 12-13 says, “Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.  Instead, be very glad for these trials make you partners with Christ in His suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing His glory when it is revealed to all the world.”

Transform and surrender live as Jesus did fully obedient to the Father.  Amen

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1 Peter 2

8/27/2009

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1 Peter 2:11 “Dear friends, I warn you as temporary residents and foreigners to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.” 

The key point here is that we are citizen of heaven not of earth.  So we need to be the best example of this as we live our lives for people to see. 

Verse 12 says, “Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors.  Then even if they accuse you for doing wrong, they will give honor to God when He judges the world.”

I say we need to live properly with our Christian brothers also because they react on our behaviors also and we don’t want anyone to stumble.  When we read and fill ourselves with wisdom from God we have a confidence about us that permeates in us and through us.

In chapter 3 verse 14 it says, “But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it.  So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats.”

This can happen when we are fully devoted to learning and growing in Christ.  When you are full of love you live a way that is pleasing to God and you will resembles Christ. 

Verse 15 says, “Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life.  And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.”

This is my favorite part, explaining to people how amazing Jesus is.  There is no better thing in your day than time with God.  So give Him time everyday, asking Him to show you what is best for you each day.  Amen

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1 Peter 1

8/25/2009

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1 Peter 1:13-15 “So think clearly and exercise self control.  Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.  So you must live as God’s obedient children.  Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires.  You didn’t know any better then.  But you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.” 

It says think clearly and exercise self control, we need to open God’s word so our thinking is clear.  When we accept Jesus Christ and really dig in to learn how to live as He did it will be hard work.  He lived not for Himself but to do what ever He was lead to do by the Father.  We need to always remember that our obedience is so important as we grow in our faith.  It is one thing to say we want to be obedient and it is another to show our obedience.  When the times get tuff, pray more, asking God how you can use the hard times to glorify Him.  Everyday won’t be perfect, but when we endure to the end that is when our true living begins.

 I love verse 23, it says, “For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end.  Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.”

How important is reading God’s word?  I can’t imagine not reading since I accepted Jesus in 2005 as my Lord and Savior.  It tells us everything we need to know from before Jesus to after and it reminds us of the amazing love God has for us.  Truly stop and think if there is anything better or more important than having quality time with the Father and learning to resemble the perfect living sacrifice, Jesus.

In verse 19 is says, “It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless lamb of God.”

Open up God’s word and let it fill your heart.  Amen

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James 5

8/24/2009

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James 5:16 “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” 

This is so important to think about.  We are not supposed to do our Christian walk on our own.  Remember it says the “earnest prayers of a righteous person,” not just the earnest prayers of a Christian.  We must be working and growing; living a life that resembles Christ so we can truly feel the realness of our faith.  That faith is solid and unmovable when we surrender fully to God.  I love this prayer from Gary Thomas; “We can’t impress God.  And so I prayed, Lord, help me to see this world with your eyes.  Otherwise I might value what you despise and despise what you value.”  We need to let it go and remember God has done so much to show His love to us we just need to work hard to show our love to Him.  We shouldn’t be thinking of all the negatives that go on, we should look at what God has done for us.  Then we will remember we are all growing together as fully devoted followers of Jesus.  Let people in your life that can help you and pray with you and for you.  Paul always prayed for people.

In Ephesians 1:16-17 he says, “I have not stopped thanking God for you.  I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.”

We need to accept this prayer and open God’s word and let it happen.  Fill yourself with wisdom so you can pray and help others around you and have the confidence to be a light.  Amem
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James 3

8/23/2009

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James 3:13 “If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.” 

Are we truly listening to God and understanding our true purpose in life?  If we say we are fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ then how can we decide to follow our flesh?  How do we not give or help people every time we have the chance?  God’s word is so powerful when we open it and use it to transform our lives.  It is one thing to say we are Christians but it is another to live like we are Christians.  The struggle with this world will always be there that’s why it is so important to talk to God daily and open His word and live it. 

James says in chapter 2 verse 10; “For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws.” 

Fight flesh by filling your heart with God using what Jesus did to guide you everyday.  We need to also listen to the Holy Spirit and continue to grow everyday.  I really like James chapter 4 verse 8 which says; “Come close to God, and God will come close to you.  Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.”

Put all your trust in God and saturate your heart with His word.  Then when you are about to do something or act on something you listen to your heart because you have filled it with good.  Jesus came and gave us the perfect example, learn and follow and be thankful for everything.  Amen

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James 1:14-15

8/22/2009

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James 1:14-15 “Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.  The desires give birth to sinful actions.  And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.”

Satan will attack in all sorts of ways making us feel comfortable in what we are doing.  We need to check everything we do with how it is honoring to God.  This is how we can stop the mind games that we all deal with.  Fill ourselves with God’s word, give our life to Christ and follow the Holy Spirit in our heart. 

Verse 21 says, “So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.”

Jesus did it; He put God first and then did everything God showed Him. 

Verse 22 says, “But don’t just listen to God’s word.  You must do what it says.  Otherwise you are only fooling yourselves.”

We shouldn’t be thinking of ourselves we should be thinking how we can live for others, always being a light.  James gives us this warning that we really need to look at.

 In verses 26-27 he says, “If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.  Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.”

I know I need to continue to work on my tongue; it has a mind of its own sometimes.

Is the world and what we want corrupting us?  Pray for God to open your hearts and give Him your time to learn to be like Jesus.  Amen
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James 1

8/21/2009

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 James 1:5-7 “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you.  He will not rebuke you for asking.  But when you ask Him, be sure that your faith is in God above.  Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.  Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.” 

I like this because James tells us we're to get our wisdom from God.  We don’t need to be searching anywhere else for our understanding.  Open God’s word and ask God to fill your heart with all you can get.  The main point James is reminding us is that when we do this make sure you have fully surrendered your life to Him.  Don’t get tangled up in why I haven’t gotten anything from God or why did that happen to me.  I feel sometimes we follow God because we are expecting things. 

Verse 7 says, “Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.”

  I say nobody should expect anything from the Lord.  We should just love Him unconditionally as He loves us.  He has given us the only gift that I care about, eternal life with Him through Jesus death and resurrection.  I am thankful everyday that He loves me so much that He was patient with me.  He kept plugging away at me until I stopped living for me and started living for Him.  We should hear the Good News about Christ and then work our hardest to truly grow in our faith and love.  Then we can be excited for what awaits us for eternity in heaven. 

Verse 3 says; “For you know when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”

Don’t do things because you feel you have to as a Christian.  Do things because you love to as a child of God.  Gary Thomas put it well in the book “The Beautiful Fight” when he said; “Experiential Christianity is much more than a human yearning; it is a divine one.  What I want is secondary; what God desires is primary.”  Amen

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Hebrews 12:26-27

8/20/2009

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Hebrews 12:26-27 “When God spoke from Mount Sinai His voice shook the earth, but now He makes another promise:  “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.  This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain.”

Are we unshakable?  Think about your walk with God, do you truly give your life to Him and realize He is in total control?  He can’t make a mistake so don’t worry, give it to Him and continue to study and pray to become unshakable.  Gary Thomas author of the book “The Beautiful Fight” says, “Christianity doesn’t address only the ends; it has lively interest in the means.  That’s why every healthy, growing believer should experience God everyday – His presence, His power, His wisdom.”  We must be full of wisdom from God.

 I like verse 28 which says; “Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping Him with holy fear and awe.”

Don’t try and be something your not, be transformed into what God wants by learning everyday to be like Christ.  Amen
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Hebrews 12

8/18/2009

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Hebrews 12:12-13 “So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.  Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.”

I love this because it is telling us to hold on and be ready because we can be a light for people to see.  When we “mark out a straight path for our feet,” and we continue to grow and learn to be like Christ we actually help people that are struggling or wandering.  We need to focus on Jesus Christ and do all we can to grow and keep that straight path.  As we mature in our faith that might mean we are more of an example to people.  But I always say what goes in our hearts will come out, so we need to fill our hearts with God and let the Holy Spirit lead our ways. 

Verse 14 says, “Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.”

Do not settle thinking you are fine, we need to continue to grow so others also learn about true devotion to Jesus.  I started reading “The Beautiful Fight” by Gary Thomas and I love a quote he said, “Here’s the brilliance of it all:  In the Christian life of real transformation and sacrificial service, there is drama, passion, struggle, and vision- everything our souls need to feel alive.”  Are you feeling alive?  Give your life to God and feel all the joy and peace that is promised.  And remember your walk is not just for you, it is for everyone.  Amen
 
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