11 Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, 12 looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. 13 But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.
14 And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.
15 And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him— 16 speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction.
17 You already know these things, dear friends. So be on guard; then you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. 18 Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.
Terrie's Comments:
I am looking forward to the new heavens and the new earth that God has promised. A world filled with God's righteousness... that is going to be awesome!!!
"make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight." This sounds so simple but yet is so hard to be consistent at because of our human nature that we wrestle with.
Jesus help us to grow in the grace and knowledge in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ so that we will not twist scriptures and become unstable. Lord we can't do this alone. Thank you for your Holy Spirit that teaches us from within. Help us to listen carefully to what you are saying to us through the Holy Spirit's voice within us! AMEN
Tori's Comments:
"hurrying it along" is not something I would've dreamed of doing a few years ago. I was SO scared of the Lord coming back and not being considered holy or worthy enough. But the bible gives me promises and assurance of my salvation if I am following faithfully in the footsteps of Christ.
I actually had an exam on the General Epistles today, so it's still SO fresh in my mind. Verse 16 served as an important verse to know, mainly because of how it testifies that Paul's writing ARE Scripture and have authority. A bit random, but something I wouldn't have even noticed if it hadn't been pointed out! That's why I think reading Scripture together (like on this blog, cough, cough) is so beneficial to us. We get held accountable and learn from each other. Don't just blindly read our posts; be engaged with them! Teach us, as well. That's the whole point of this blog is to be a community :)
Love to all of you <3
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Monday, April 3, 2017
Day 17 - 2 Peter 3:1-10
1 This is my second letter to you, dear friends, and in both of them I have tried to stimulate your wholesome thinking and refresh your memory. 2 I want you to remember what the holy prophets said long ago and what our Lord and Savior commanded through your apostles.
3 Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. 4 They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.”
5 They deliberately forget that God made the heavens long ago by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water. 6 Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood. 7 And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed.
8 But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. 9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.
Tori's Comments:
About verse 4 - I have actually heard this verse being used to Christianity today! And being unable to respond! It is something I now associate with being able to give reason for this hope we have. We DO have reason. We still have yet to fulfill the job Christ gave us, to go out into all of the world.
Plus, verses 8-12 give pretty good reason as well. God is not only running by a different time piece, he is being merciful and giving multiple chances to us on earth to choose to follow him!
The whole experience has taught me just how important it is to know what you believe and why. And even moreso, know what SCRIPTURE says. (Not my opinion.)
Terrie's Comments:
"I have tried to stimulate your wholesome thinking and refresh your memory"
I think we could all use some of this at many times in our lives as we are living a life following Jesus Christ.
I am also very happy that the Lord is patient and is still waiting as of this moment to come back so that more will come to know him and choose to follow Him. Jesus died to take away the sins of all of the world. It is not His desire that any should die.
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
3 Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. 4 They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.”
5 They deliberately forget that God made the heavens long ago by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water. 6 Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood. 7 And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed.
8 But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. 9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.
Tori's Comments:
About verse 4 - I have actually heard this verse being used to Christianity today! And being unable to respond! It is something I now associate with being able to give reason for this hope we have. We DO have reason. We still have yet to fulfill the job Christ gave us, to go out into all of the world.
Plus, verses 8-12 give pretty good reason as well. God is not only running by a different time piece, he is being merciful and giving multiple chances to us on earth to choose to follow him!
The whole experience has taught me just how important it is to know what you believe and why. And even moreso, know what SCRIPTURE says. (Not my opinion.)
Terrie's Comments:
"I have tried to stimulate your wholesome thinking and refresh your memory"
I think we could all use some of this at many times in our lives as we are living a life following Jesus Christ.
I am also very happy that the Lord is patient and is still waiting as of this moment to come back so that more will come to know him and choose to follow Him. Jesus died to take away the sins of all of the world. It is not His desire that any should die.
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Sunday, April 2, 2017
Day 16 - 2 Peter 2:17-22
17 These people are as useless as dried-up springs or as mist blown away by the wind. They are doomed to blackest darkness. 18 They brag about themselves with empty, foolish boasting. With an appeal to twisted sexual desires, they lure back into sin those who have barely escaped from a lifestyle of deception. 19 They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you. 20 And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before. 21 It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life. 22 They prove the truth of this proverb: “A dog returns to its vomit.” And another says, “A washed pig returns to the mud.”
Terrie's Comments:
"For you are a slave to whatever controls you" - WHAT CONTROLS YOU?
Are you still living a holy life or have you in some way become entangled and enslaved by sin again? Is it time to get back to dying to your self and your own selfish desires, rising each morning ready to serve Jesus on purpose? I would rather be controlled by the truth of God's word than by the wickedness of this world any day!
The song comes to mind - better is one day in your courts, better is one day in your house, than thousands elsewhere!!
Tori's Comments:
Wow, even more about these false teachers. I suppose that shows you JUST how seriously God takes this.
Even as a warning, for those who are in charge of teaching others.
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Terrie's Comments:
"For you are a slave to whatever controls you" - WHAT CONTROLS YOU?
Are you still living a holy life or have you in some way become entangled and enslaved by sin again? Is it time to get back to dying to your self and your own selfish desires, rising each morning ready to serve Jesus on purpose? I would rather be controlled by the truth of God's word than by the wickedness of this world any day!
The song comes to mind - better is one day in your courts, better is one day in your house, than thousands elsewhere!!
Tori's Comments:
Wow, even more about these false teachers. I suppose that shows you JUST how seriously God takes this.
Even as a warning, for those who are in charge of teaching others.
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Saturday, April 1, 2017
Day 15 - 2 Peter 2:11-16
These people are proud and arrogant, daring even to scoff at supernatural beings without so much as trembling. 11 But the angels, who are far greater in power and strength, do not dare to bring from the Lord a charge of blasphemy against those supernatural beings.
12 These false teachers are like unthinking animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed. They scoff at things they do not understand, and like animals, they will be destroyed. 13 Their destruction is their reward for the harm they have done. They love to indulge in evil pleasures in broad daylight. They are a disgrace and a stain among you. They delight in deception even as they eat with you in your fellowship meals. 14 They commit adultery with their eyes, and their desire for sin is never satisfied. They lure unstable people into sin, and they are well trained in greed. They live under God’s curse. 15 They have wandered off the right road and followed the footsteps of Balaam son of Beor, who loved to earn money by doing wrong. 16 But Balaam was stopped from his mad course when his donkey rebuked him with a human voice.
Tori's Comments:
Just a cool thought. There could be an angel in the room you're in now.
Like I said, just a thought.
They're NOTHING to scoff at. They are powerful beings, God's beings, who are fighting spiritual battles all around us.
We need too remember the power and holiness of God, and just how indebted we are to him. We owe him our lives!
Terrie's Comments:
The thing that stands out to me about this passage is that "But the angels, who are far greater in power and strength" It is reassuring to me that the angels - who are created to serve humans as we are here on earth - are far greater in power and strength than any evil!! Praise God!
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
12 These false teachers are like unthinking animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed. They scoff at things they do not understand, and like animals, they will be destroyed. 13 Their destruction is their reward for the harm they have done. They love to indulge in evil pleasures in broad daylight. They are a disgrace and a stain among you. They delight in deception even as they eat with you in your fellowship meals. 14 They commit adultery with their eyes, and their desire for sin is never satisfied. They lure unstable people into sin, and they are well trained in greed. They live under God’s curse. 15 They have wandered off the right road and followed the footsteps of Balaam son of Beor, who loved to earn money by doing wrong. 16 But Balaam was stopped from his mad course when his donkey rebuked him with a human voice.
Tori's Comments:
Just a cool thought. There could be an angel in the room you're in now.
Like I said, just a thought.
They're NOTHING to scoff at. They are powerful beings, God's beings, who are fighting spiritual battles all around us.
We need too remember the power and holiness of God, and just how indebted we are to him. We owe him our lives!
Terrie's Comments:
The thing that stands out to me about this passage is that "But the angels, who are far greater in power and strength" It is reassuring to me that the angels - who are created to serve humans as we are here on earth - are far greater in power and strength than any evil!! Praise God!
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Friday, March 31, 2017
Day 14 - 2 Peter 2:1-10
1 But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. 3 In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed.
4 For God did not spare even the angels who sinned. He threw them into hell, in gloomy pits of darkness, where they are being held until the day of judgment. 5 And God did not spare the ancient world—except for Noah and the seven others in his family. Noah warned the world of God’s righteous judgment. So God protected Noah when he destroyed the world of ungodly people with a vast flood. 6 Later, God condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and turned them into heaps of ashes. He made them an example of what will happen to ungodly people. 7 But God also rescued Lot out of Sodom because he was a righteous man who was sick of the shameful immorality of the wicked people around him. 8 Yes, Lot was a righteous man who was tormented in his soul by the wickedness he saw and heard day after day. 9 So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment. 10 He is especially hard on those who follow their own twisted sexual desire, and who despise authority.
Terrie's Comments:
I feel like a couple of music videos would be appropriate right now to cause us to realize that if we walk in the light and truth of God's word then we are protected and guarded by God himself. The only way to spot a counterfeit is to know the real thing so well that you can spot the impostor a mile away!
Today I was thinking about if there is any short cut to Christianity... no... the answer is no. It takes focus and investment of everything you have. It takes sacrificing my own wants, needs, desires and opinions and bringing them all under the word of God. It takes steadfastness and diligence to remain in the word of God and allow ourselves to be transformed into the image of Jesus Christ so it is no longer I who lives but Christ who lives through me. To decide to live in the reality of Eternity beginning now. To live is Christ and to die is Gain. There are no short cuts. But Jesus has given us everything we need to do it successfully!! Remaining in the word... craving that pure spiritual milk. Choosing to be doers of the word and not hearers only. If you desire spiritual growth and maturity spend time with Jesus... Be still with Him and know that He is God... Devour the word of God like it is your only hope... because it is!! Fall in love with Jesus... have a love affair with the word of God and He will sweep you off of your feet!!
Tori's Comments:
We need to be in the Word so we know the truth! And this doesn't mean getting the word ONLY from other sources, from favorite pastors and authors. Reading Scripture for ourselves is so vital.
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
4 For God did not spare even the angels who sinned. He threw them into hell, in gloomy pits of darkness, where they are being held until the day of judgment. 5 And God did not spare the ancient world—except for Noah and the seven others in his family. Noah warned the world of God’s righteous judgment. So God protected Noah when he destroyed the world of ungodly people with a vast flood. 6 Later, God condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and turned them into heaps of ashes. He made them an example of what will happen to ungodly people. 7 But God also rescued Lot out of Sodom because he was a righteous man who was sick of the shameful immorality of the wicked people around him. 8 Yes, Lot was a righteous man who was tormented in his soul by the wickedness he saw and heard day after day. 9 So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment. 10 He is especially hard on those who follow their own twisted sexual desire, and who despise authority.
Terrie's Comments:
I feel like a couple of music videos would be appropriate right now to cause us to realize that if we walk in the light and truth of God's word then we are protected and guarded by God himself. The only way to spot a counterfeit is to know the real thing so well that you can spot the impostor a mile away!
Today I was thinking about if there is any short cut to Christianity... no... the answer is no. It takes focus and investment of everything you have. It takes sacrificing my own wants, needs, desires and opinions and bringing them all under the word of God. It takes steadfastness and diligence to remain in the word of God and allow ourselves to be transformed into the image of Jesus Christ so it is no longer I who lives but Christ who lives through me. To decide to live in the reality of Eternity beginning now. To live is Christ and to die is Gain. There are no short cuts. But Jesus has given us everything we need to do it successfully!! Remaining in the word... craving that pure spiritual milk. Choosing to be doers of the word and not hearers only. If you desire spiritual growth and maturity spend time with Jesus... Be still with Him and know that He is God... Devour the word of God like it is your only hope... because it is!! Fall in love with Jesus... have a love affair with the word of God and He will sweep you off of your feet!!
Tori's Comments:
We need to be in the Word so we know the truth! And this doesn't mean getting the word ONLY from other sources, from favorite pastors and authors. Reading Scripture for ourselves is so vital.
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Day 13 - 2 Peter 1:12-21
12 Therefore, I will always remind you about these things—even though you already know them and are standing firm in the truth you have been taught. 13 And it is only right that I should keep on reminding you as long as I live. 14 For our Lord Jesus Christ has shown me that I must soon leave this earthly life, 15 so I will work hard to make sure you always remember these things after I am gone.
16 For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes 17 when he received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” 18 We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.
19 Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, 21 or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.
Tori's Comments:
"remind you" That's definitely a big thing for me. Somehow, I can read through Scripture and the minute I walk away I forget what I've been commanded to do (yes, like the passage in James). If you guys have any ideas of how to keep God's truth constantly in my life and at the forefront of my mind, please share! :)
Terrie's Comments:
What do we "remind" our friends of? Are we reminding each other of our righteousness in Jesus Christ? Are we reminding each other to stay the course and fight the good fight? Are we reminding each other that no matter what sacrifice is required to follow Jesus that it is all going to be worth it both on this earth and when we are escorted into heaven's courts?
Peter wanted to be sure that his fellow believers remembered all that Jesus Christ had granted them. He wanted to be sure that they did not forget their heavenly heritage when he left this earth (which was soon). He didn't fear becoming too repetitive, he feared that his words wouldn't be remembered and that they would forget the grace that Jesus provided for them.
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
16 For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes 17 when he received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” 18 We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.
19 Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, 21 or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.
Tori's Comments:
"remind you" That's definitely a big thing for me. Somehow, I can read through Scripture and the minute I walk away I forget what I've been commanded to do (yes, like the passage in James). If you guys have any ideas of how to keep God's truth constantly in my life and at the forefront of my mind, please share! :)
Terrie's Comments:
What do we "remind" our friends of? Are we reminding each other of our righteousness in Jesus Christ? Are we reminding each other to stay the course and fight the good fight? Are we reminding each other that no matter what sacrifice is required to follow Jesus that it is all going to be worth it both on this earth and when we are escorted into heaven's courts?
Peter wanted to be sure that his fellow believers remembered all that Jesus Christ had granted them. He wanted to be sure that they did not forget their heavenly heritage when he left this earth (which was soon). He didn't fear becoming too repetitive, he feared that his words wouldn't be remembered and that they would forget the grace that Jesus provided for them.
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Day 12 - 2 Peter 1:1-11
1 This letter is from Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ.
I am writing to you who share the same precious faith we have. This faith was given to you because of the justice and fairness of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior.
2 May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.
3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 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.
5 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, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.
8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.
10 So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. 11 Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Terrie's Comments:
I want to start out today with saying how greatful I am to have a faithful partner in Jesus Christ. Tori has been amazing to keep posts going this week when I was swamped. Thank you Tori!! Jesus sent his disciples out two by two because two are better than one. When one falls their friend can pick them up... a three strand cord is not easily broken. Two people serving God together with a common purpose and goal, keeping Jesus in the middle is a great thing!
"May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord" This is a mysterious thing to me... more grace and more peace as I grow in my knowledge of Jesus... this is a sweet sweet thing.
I am so grateful that God has given me everything I need for living a godly life. I received all of this by coming to know Jesus Christ. The one who drew me to himself, because of His glory and His excellence. He has given me great and precious promises to enable me to share in his divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires.
My part is to respond to these promise's and grow in my faith and knowledge of God and Jesus. As I apply this knowledge I become more productive and useful in that knowledge. If I choose to be a doer of the word and not just a hearer only I will be protecting myself from falling away. Then having running the race with endurance God will give me a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!! I am so looking forward to that day.
Tori's Comments:
These promises are what we need to hold and cling on to! Scripture can help us retain the truth, fight temptation, and remind ourselves of who Christ has made us to be!
Even our growth in faith is not for ourselves, but for the glory of Jesus. If we aren't growing closer to him the longer we walk with him, there is something wrong. Don't turn back! Why would you once you've tasted the freedom Jesus gives?
"prove" is an interesting word choice, but one I've seen a couple of times in the New Testament. If we really are in the faith, we should be bearing fruit. That's why I think we should always be checking our lives to see if we are bearing the fruit of the Spirit or if we are falling away, which is a dangerous way to live.
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
I am writing to you who share the same precious faith we have. This faith was given to you because of the justice and fairness of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior.
2 May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.
3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 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.
5 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, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.
8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.
10 So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. 11 Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Terrie's Comments:
I want to start out today with saying how greatful I am to have a faithful partner in Jesus Christ. Tori has been amazing to keep posts going this week when I was swamped. Thank you Tori!! Jesus sent his disciples out two by two because two are better than one. When one falls their friend can pick them up... a three strand cord is not easily broken. Two people serving God together with a common purpose and goal, keeping Jesus in the middle is a great thing!
"May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord" This is a mysterious thing to me... more grace and more peace as I grow in my knowledge of Jesus... this is a sweet sweet thing.
I am so grateful that God has given me everything I need for living a godly life. I received all of this by coming to know Jesus Christ. The one who drew me to himself, because of His glory and His excellence. He has given me great and precious promises to enable me to share in his divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires.
My part is to respond to these promise's and grow in my faith and knowledge of God and Jesus. As I apply this knowledge I become more productive and useful in that knowledge. If I choose to be a doer of the word and not just a hearer only I will be protecting myself from falling away. Then having running the race with endurance God will give me a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!! I am so looking forward to that day.
Tori's Comments:
These promises are what we need to hold and cling on to! Scripture can help us retain the truth, fight temptation, and remind ourselves of who Christ has made us to be!
Even our growth in faith is not for ourselves, but for the glory of Jesus. If we aren't growing closer to him the longer we walk with him, there is something wrong. Don't turn back! Why would you once you've tasted the freedom Jesus gives?
"prove" is an interesting word choice, but one I've seen a couple of times in the New Testament. If we really are in the faith, we should be bearing fruit. That's why I think we should always be checking our lives to see if we are bearing the fruit of the Spirit or if we are falling away, which is a dangerous way to live.
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
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