Today’s scripture: 2 Peter 3:17-18
Peter ends his second letter with a final exhortation. Since we know some will
distort the truth, we need to be on guard. We need to be so saturated with
God’s word and its truth that no one or nothing can cause us to fall away.
Instead, we need to continually “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Every day should find us eager to discover what God wants us to know of Him. We
should read and study and dig deeper into His word. We should pray and ask for
wisdom and discernment. We should be on alert against those who would try to
pull our eyes and heart from our Lord.
And in all things and all ways we should glorify our God—Father, Son, and
Spirit. Now on earth, and then eagerly awaiting the day when we will have the
privilege of glorifying Him for eternity.
Today’s scripture: 2 Peter 3:13-16
We are looking forward to that new heavens and a new earth. Well, I guess I
should speak only for myself, but I’m really looking forward to being with my
Lord for eternity. And as we learned on Friday, we need to be diligent about
our behavior. How will Jesus find you when He returns? Will you be “spotless
and blameless”—or as close to these as possible? Will He find you sharing His
truth or reading His word or loving others?
What can we do to be fully prepared for Christ’s return?
We need to wisely study God’s word. Pray for the Spirit’s discernment as we
read. We can’t rely on the teachings of those who are “untaught and unstable,”
for they will distort His truth. That distortion will destroy them … don’t let
it destroy you as well.
The bottom line: Know God. Know His word. Live as Christ-like as possible. Not
easy. Not simple. But well worth it. For as I wrote on Friday, don’t you want
to hear the Father say to you, with love and pride in His voice, “Well done, My
good and faithful servant”?
I know I do.
Today’s scripture: 2 Peter 3:10-12
Our Lord Jesus will return. He “will come like a thief” when we least expect
Him. The old heavens and earth will pass away, and the new heaven and earth
will be prepared for His followers (see Rev. 21).
Since we know this earth will soon “be burned up,” we should be very, very
careful of how we live. Think about it. If Jesus were to return at any time,
what do you want Him to find you doing? Gossiping? Lying? Stealing?
Disregarding the needy?
Or do you want Him to find you praying? Reading God’s word? Volunteering at a
shelter? Encouraging someone?
Pretty convicting, isn’t it?
I don’t know about you, but when I think in terms of Jesus coming back this
day, it makes me want to live as closely to how He did as possible. It makes me
want to manifest the fruit of the spirit rather than the sins of the flesh. I
want to be loving, patient, and kind, not angry, immoral or jealous.
I want to know when I stand before the throne one day, I’ll hear, “Well done,
good and faithful servant.”
What about you? How will you live this day?
Today’s scripture: 2 Peter 3:8-9
Ahh. Two of my most favorite verses. And wonderful words of encouragement for
any of us who have family or friends who aren’t believers.
Many of us live by the calendar or by the clock. I confess: I’m one of them. I
plan. I organize. I keep “to do” lists. And each day seems to fly. Seems like
one day you’re graduating high school, and then the next, you’re 52 writing a
daily blog … But as fast as time seems to soar by, it’s nothing to God.
He’s not hampered by time as we are. He can be as patient as He wants. Which is
why this earth still exists. Which is why He hasn’t fulfilled His promise of
Christ’s return. Because it His desire that everyone—everyone—“come to
repentance.” He wants to give each and every person a chance to find Him.
So we who know Him can be encouraged. God still has His heart set on your friend,
your family member’s coming to know Him. And He’s given us the chance to be
Jesus to that friend, that family member. He’s allowed us time to tell truth.
But remember: One day, time as we know it will end. God’s patience will end.
Jesus will return.
Don’t waste time. Make each moment count. And continue to share God’s truth.
Each and every day.
Today’s scripture: 2 Peter 3:3-7
I’ve probably written this before, but anyone who reads the Bible—really reads
it—cannot deny its truth. Prophecy upon prophecy fulfilled. Prophecy upon
prophecy to be fulfilled. Both Peter and Paul prophesied how it would be in the
“last days.”
In these verses, Peter predicted that many will mock the God of Christianity by
saying, “You say Jesus is coming again. They’ve been saying that for
generations, and nothing.” And isn’t true? Mockers right and left. The earth
just “happened.” There is no truth, no morality.
“It escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago
…” God created heavens and earth. He created the first man and woman and gave
them the choice to follow Him. When they chose their own way, mankind separated
from its Creator. God had a plan to reconcile with His created. First through
sacrifice of a spotless lamb; then through the sacrifice of the Lamb of God.
Isaiah prophesied Christ’s first coming. And it happened. Paul and John
prophesied of His second coming. It will happen.
Let the mockers say what they will. The Bible is truth. Christ will return. So
what should we who do know truth do? Take every opportunity to tell others
exactly what the Bible says—about the past and what has happened, and about the
future and what will happen.
Today’s scripture: 2 Peter 3:1-2
Remember.
Throughout the Bible, God’s people are encouraged to remember. How God guided
Abraham and named him the father of His own people. How, even through
incredible adversity, Joseph was the key to saving countless people. How the
Israelites were saved from slavery, walked through the Red Sea on dry land, and
were fed each day.
Remember.
We too are encouraged to remember. “Do this in remembrance of me,” Jesus said
as He broke bread with His disciples (Luke 22:19). “He is not here, but
He is risen! Remember how He spoke to you …” (Luke 24:6). We must “…
remember the words of the Lord Jesus …” (Acts 20:35).
Remember.
Paul exhorted his readers, then and now: “Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from
the dead …” (2 Timothy 2:8). And we’re told to “… remember the words which were spoken
before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ …” (Jude 1:17, NKJV).
Remember.
The only way to remember God’s commandments, His encouragements, His provision,
is to spend time—quality time—in His word. And the best way to remember His
blessings in your own life is to write things down. Journal. Have a blessings
notebook. Keep a calendar where you can jot down what God has taught you or
done for you.
And remember how much God loves you.
Today’s scripture: 2 Peter 2:20-22
What about those who’ve learned of Jesus and have heard God’s truth? And
they’ve gained “knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Maybe they’ve
gone to church. Maybe they’ve even joined a small group. But somehow, the world
entices them yet again.
I experienced this when, after asking Jesus to come into my heart at six, I
allowed the abuse I endured to take me away from my faith. While it wasn’t
exactly the world that pulled me away, I fell into its grasping claws for a
while. For about 20 years, in fact. Praise God, this prodigal daughter found
her way back to truth, and the last 23 years have been an amazing journey of
seeking and finding God’s will.
But there are those who turn completely away from that truth. For whatever
reason, they have found the attraction of the world so seductive, they fall
into a “state worse for them than the first.” They, as Peter illustrated with
graphic words, embrace the world like a “dog returns to its own vomit.” Gross,
but true.
I have to wonder at the state of their heart. And I have to pray they’ll find
their way out of the muck and recognize the world really has nothing of worth
to offer.
Absolutely nothing.
Today’s scripture: 2 Peter 2:17-19
Peter used such descriptive language to describe those who choose not to follow
God’s truth.
They are “springs without water …” They’re dry, useless, even harmful as others
are drawn to their shores with the hope of quenching thirst—and there’s no
water to be found.
They are “mists drive by a storm …” They themselves have no real influence, but
the storm that drives them—sin—is powerful and enticing. They are shrouded in
“black darkness.”
In their arrogance and vanity, they entice others, who are drawn in to the lure
of flesh and sensuality. And this doesn’t just mean sexual sin. It means
addictions to food or drugs or alcohol. It means being totally absorbed by
media or television or the internet. Anything that pulls a person away from
truth.
And then the sad part: Those who choose the attraction of sin think they’re
free. They can do whatever they want whenever they want with whomever they
want. But they’re really slaves. They’re tied and bound by whatever has
entrapped them.
Because it’s very true: “… for by what a man is overcome, by this he is
enslaved.”
What “enslaves” you? Your flesh? Or the truth of God’s grace, mercy, and love.
In history, slaves didn’t have a choice of who or what enslaved them. You do.
Choose wisely.
Today’s scripture: 2 Peter 2:12-16
My goodness … I think Peter had some pretty strong opinions about false
prophets and willful sinners!
It would be easy to say, “Well, they’ll get what they deserve.” But really?
Verses like these should break our hearts. Generation after generation of sin
and corruption have so infiltrated the hearts of men and women, they don’t know
how far they have fallen from God’s ideal. And like “unreasoning animals,” they
follow their baser instincts and “revel” in their sin.
They don’t know truth.
This should make those of us who know truth want to share it wherever and with
whomever we can. We should boldly and lovingly proclaim God’s grace and mercy.
We should joyfully tell how God has blessed us. We should shine the love of
Jesus—not judging, not criticizing, not thinking we’re any better than anyone
else.
Does your heart break for the lost? For those who seek something, and try to
fill the empty spaces of their hearts with drugs or alcohol or sensuality? Oh,
pray for God to break your heart and to give you boldness and love to share Him
and the amazing grace He offers.
Today’s scripture: 2 Peter 2:4-11
King Solomon wrote, “…there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecc. 1:9), and it’s
so very true. Sometimes we think we live in the vilest, most corrupt time in
history, but truly? This world has seen some really vile, corrupt stuff. Just
read those last verses again. There have always been those who “indulge the
flesh in its corrupt desires” or those who “despise authority” or those who are
“self-willed.” And seriously, twice God destroyed all but a handful of people
because of their depravity—once the entire earthly population in Noah’s day,
and once two cities in Abraham’s.
So why should we be surprised at the actions of those living today? The only
real difference is mass media puts all the “yuck” of the world right in our
faces. You can’t even check your email without seeing the latest headline about
abuse, murder, sexual sin, moral decline … It’s all around us.
And it can be a bit depressing to see wickedness seemingly prevail.
Ah, but we can’t forget the most important thing. Our holy God is in absolute
control. He will judge the sinner and rescue the saint. One day—and only the
Father knows when—God the Son will return to earth and gather up those who
chose to follow Him. Then our God will judge all who chose not to follow Him.
And every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ, God
the Son, is Lord. And God the Father will be glorified. (See Phil. 2:10-11.)
One day, all the “yuck” will be forever gone. And we’ll live eternally praising
and glorifying our holy God.
And all I can say? “Lord Jesus, come quickly!”
Today’s scripture: 2 Peter 2:1-3
I read these words, and it’s as though Peter had a view into our world today.
False prophets and teachers introducing “destructive heresies.” Many who call
themselves Christians say that Jesus is just one way (of many) to heaven. Or that the
Bible was inspired by God, yes, but with so many copies and translations, it’s
certainly not infallible; therefore, you can pick and choose what you want to
believe.
Then there are the “religions” who deny Christ as Messiah. He was merely a good
man or a wise teacher. But not the Savior. And if Jesus isn’t Savior and if the
Bible is open for interpretation, then anything goes. And again, even those who
call them Christians see nothing wrong with “sensual” behavior that goes
against the Bible because the “truth [is] maligned.”
Finally, so many people are being “exploited with false words.” They’re asked
to give to a cause or invest in a plan … and find out later they’ve been
scammed. Church leaders live in mansions and drive Mercedes when their
congregants are still striving for “prosperity.”
It can be quite painful to watch how God’s word is being relegated to just a
nice book with some good sayings, and our Savior is just a good man. But we
know that God will judge those who have willfully skewed His word. And we pray
that those who are sincerely seeking the one true God will find Him, that they
will look beyond the misguided and downright liars and find truth. Real truth.
Today’s scripture: 2 Peter 1:19-21
These verses are full of richness and affirmation and explanation.
First, Peter reminds us that we can be assured the “prophetic word” in God’s
word is “sure.” It is a “lamp shining in a dark place.”
Next, he asserts that any prophecy in God’s word is God’s. Not men’s. Each and
every word in the Bible was inspired by God. They were written down by men, yes, but
they were “moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”
Many skeptics assert that the Bible is full of contradictions or that so many
translations or interpretations have diluted its original meaning. But I
believe that, just as the Spirit wrote through the pens of men, He worked
through the pens of those who faithfully copied each word. And He continues to
work through interpreters or translators today.
We can be assured that God’s is truth. We read His words. And through those
words, we learn about Him and His will. We learn about His heart and love for
His children.
What an amazing gift with which we've been blessed!
Today’s scripture: 2 Peter 1:16-18
I love these verses! I know I write that a lot, but there’s so much to love
about God’s word!
Peter tells us truth. Everything he writes is truth. He’s not relating folklore
or fairy tales. He’s sharing what he himself witnessed.
He was with Jesus during His earthly ministry. He was with Jesus, and watched
Him heal and bring life from death. He was with Jesus when He taught kingdom
truths.
He was with Jesus when the soldiers arrested Him. And with heart breaking,
Peter remembered denying knowing Jesus. And not being with his Master during
the horrific trial and execution.
But he experienced forgiveness, and he was with Jesus during His last days on
earth. He was with Jesus when the Father blessed the Son. He was there when
Jesus ascended into heaven.
Peter was with Jesus. So everything
he wrote was truth, based on fact. Based on his own experience. Based on his
eye-witness. We can trust what he writes. We can learn from his words. Because
it’s truth.
Today’s scripture: 2 Peter 1:13-15
“… as long as I am in this earthly dwelling …”
Our Lord God knows the number of our days. He alone knows how long we’ll be in
our “earthly dwelling.” Some of us will live into our 8th or 9th
decades as my grandparents all did. Some of us will go to heaven much younger.
The important thing to remember is as long as we’re here, as long as God keeps
us on earth, we need to be diligent in pursuing God’s call on our lives,
purposeful in using our God-given gifts, and bold in sharing our faith.
And we can be confident that—however many days God has planned for us—if we
focus on Him and make Him our priority, we’ll stand before Him and hear “well
done, my faithful child.”
Isn’t that what you want to hear? Don’t you want to know that while in your
“earthly dwelling” you delighted your Father? The only way to do so is to be
all those things Peter mentioned in verses 5-7.
Or at least prayerfully attempt to be.
Today’s
scripture: 2 Peter 1:12
Had any “senior moments” lately? That’s what my mother-in-law used to call
those moments when you can’t remember a very familiar name or why you walked
from the kitchen to the living room. I get them all the time.
Even though I know something, I can sometimes forget. Sometimes I need a
reminder—or two or three.
Sometimes we need reminders of why we believe what we believe or how we know
what we know. And that’s why it’s so important to spend time in God’s word and
time with His people. When we focus on God and His word, we’re able to speak of
our faith more easily. We’re ready with a logical answer for our beliefs.
Peter continues to remind us of what we already know. And we can do the same
with our brothers and sisters. We can remind them of what they already know and
help them to grow in faith. They can do the same for us.
So when you have a senior moment, when you can’t remember a verse or a biblical
principle, go back to the source. Let God’s word jog your memory. Let other
believers help remind you of what you already know to be true.
Today’s scripture: 2 Peter 1:10-11
You have been called and chosen to serve God. He has uniquely designed you to
work for His kingdom in a way no one else can. Whatever you’re doing—teaching
Sunday school, volunteering at the local shelter, singing on the worship team,
sweeping up the church lobby—God has invited you to join Him in His plan.
You may feel like anyone could do what you do … but they can’t. Not the way God
has called and gifted you. You’ll always perform whatever task or service you
do in your unique way.
But Peter has given us a very important key: It’s when we practice all those
things he talked about—self-control, kindness, brotherly love—that we’re able
to accomplish all God has called us to do. Practice these things.
Have you ever acted in a play? You have rehearsal after rehearsal after
rehearsal. You practice. And it’s only by practicing you are able to become
your character. In the same way, if you practice godly things, you’ll develop
godly character.
And the reward for all this practice? You’ll be more and more like Christ on
earth, and then you’ll have the “entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ.” Eternity with our Lord and Savior!
So practice, practice, practice. Play your role, whatever it might be, with
diligence.
Today’s scripture: 2 Peter 1:8-9
The exhortation continues …
Not only should we have all the qualities we talked about Friday, but they
should also be increasing in us. But look at the outcome: We will be useful and
fruitful. Our knowledge of Christ, our perseverance, our brotherly love can be
used by God to build His kingdom.
What a gift!
I have the privilege of speaking at women’s groups throughout each year. I am
so blessed when women tell me how God has inspired them and encouraged them
through His words. It’s amazing to me God chooses to use the broken and flawed
to fulfill His purpose. Each time I have the wonderful gift of speaking, I’m
humbly grateful. He’s made me fruitful.
But Peter doesn’t stop there. And this is the heartbreaking part of these
verses. If we “lack these qualities,” we are blind. We have “forgotten [our]
purification from … former sins.”
Oh, may that never be true! May we never forget what Christ has done for us!
May our remembering His sacrifice on our behalf create in us an urgency to be
all those things: loving, patient, kind, growing in knowledge.
It’s the least we can do to show our gratitude.
Today’s scripture: 2 Peter 1:5-7
Wow. I don’t know about you, but there are sometimes (many times) when I read
the Bible, and I think, “There’s no way I can do this. I’m just too weak (or
prideful or stubborn or weary).” I read today’s verses, and I think, “There’s
no way I can do this. I’m just too inadequate.”
I mean really. Read those verses again. Peter exhorts us to moral excellence.
To knowledge. To self-control … perseverance … godliness … brotherly kindness …
love.
Oh my goodness. Seriously? Now, there are a couple of these attributes that I
pray I manifest regularly. I pray I’m kind to my brothers and sisters. I
genuinely love others. I strive to grow in knowledge of my Lord. But self-control?
Moral excellence? Perseverance?
I really am inadequate. But guess what? I don’t have to do this on my own. The
Holy Spirit is in me to help me. When I struggle with impatience, I can ask for
patience. When I’m tempted to sin, I can ask for the strength to withstand that
temptation. When I just want to give up, I can ask for stamina to accomplish
what God has called me to do.
Yes, the Bible often convicts me, and I often feel I’m incapable. And I am. On
my own, that is. Praise my Lord God, I’m not alone.
And neither are you.
Today’s scripture: 2 Peter 1:1-3
Letter writing is a lost art. And that’s kind of sad. We live in a world of
email, texts, and instant messages. Nothing is being written down any more. Our
children—and their children—won’t find a stack of letters wrapped in ribbon
chronicling their parents’ courtship. Generations to come won’t read of
friendships from a distance.
And it is sad. Think about it. What if Paul or Peter or John didn’t write
letters? What if they’d lived in a time of IMs? What a loss that would be.
Today we start digging into 2 Peter, and from the first few verses, we are
immediately encouraged. Read through these verses again. Peter prays for
multiplied grace and peace. Overwhelming, abundant grace. Soul-soothing peace.
And how are these multiplied? Through the “knowledge of God and of Jesus our
Lord.” Knowing God—Father, Son, and Spirit—more and more intimately day by day.
And why should we desire that knowledge? Because He loves us and “His divine
power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness …” Our
glorified, excellent Father God grants us life. He provides for our needs. And
He grows us daily to be more godly, more like Christ. But we must seek to know
Him more. And that means spending time in His word. Time communing with Him in
prayer. Time worshipping with other believers.
And maybe time writing down what God has done in our lives. Maybe writing a
letter? With a pen? On paper? Just a thought.
Today’s scripture: 1 Peter 5:10-14
How sad … We leave 1 Peter today. I don’t know about you, but this little book
has been encouraging, affirming, convicting … sometimes all at once!
What an appropriate closing, though. Yes, we will suffer “for a little while”
as we inhabit these earthly bodies during our temporary stay on earth. While
we’re here, God will “perfect, strengthen, and establish” us. Every day we’re
on earth, we must strive to be more like Christ, knowing our ultimate reward is
spending eternity with our Lord.
So as Peter wrote two thousand years ago: “… this is the true grace of God.
Stand firm in it!”
