"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the ome of righteousness. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation."
I like how Peter begins this section of scripture as it clearly tells us not to forget it. There are many important passages that we should always remember, but Peter tells us explicitly to not forget this. Why is it so important to not forget? At the beginning of the chapter, he talks about the scoffers who scoff and follow their own evil desires saying, "Where is this 'coming' he promised?" So he's saying to not give up hope. The Lord is coming and when he does, its going to be quick. He also tells us why He's delaying, in that he wants to make sure that all have the opportunity to come to repentance. He doesn't want anyone to perish and most importantly, He is being patient with us. I don't know how many times I've been and continue to be grateful for His great patience with me.
Peter's call at the end of this passage reminds us that since we know the end-game, lets not mess it up and live a life that is pleasing to him, making every effort to be blameless in every way. Its not something that is attainable in this life, yet should be something we should strive for.
Don't forget, remember and stay focused on the fact that we do not belong in this world and that when this earth is destroyed, we know there something considerably better coming. When the burdens of this life become so heavy and when it seems like this temporary dwelling is falling down around you, stay encouraged with the fact that God will never leave you, nor forsake you. He will not place on you a burden more than you can handle and in the end, you will be rewarded for your service to the King.
-J
Friday, November 19, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
2 Peter 1: 3-11
Making One's Calling and Election Sure
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to 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. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I love lists. I'm not one will will write down a list very often, but when I see them, it makes me want to determine its purpose.
Some people are inclined to write down everything they need to get done during the day.
Purpose: to feel like the day wasn't a waste and accomplish the required tasks of the day.
Some people make a grocery list before going to the store.
Purpose: to make sure they don't forget anything and/or map out their attack plan for buying their food.
As I said, I don't usually write down lists, for better or worse. I feel like taking the time to write it down, waste a piece of paper and ink, just to cross it off and throw it away is a waste, but there have been times when a list would have helped me remember to get everything instead of having to go back to the store, wasting gas, which was probably a bigger waste than the ink and paper.
Back to the text, whenever I see a list in the Bible, I know there must be a purpose and luckily for us, God does a really good job of explaining His lists for us.
The list in 2 Peter is as follows:
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to 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. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I love lists. I'm not one will will write down a list very often, but when I see them, it makes me want to determine its purpose.
Some people are inclined to write down everything they need to get done during the day.
Purpose: to feel like the day wasn't a waste and accomplish the required tasks of the day.
Some people make a grocery list before going to the store.
Purpose: to make sure they don't forget anything and/or map out their attack plan for buying their food.
As I said, I don't usually write down lists, for better or worse. I feel like taking the time to write it down, waste a piece of paper and ink, just to cross it off and throw it away is a waste, but there have been times when a list would have helped me remember to get everything instead of having to go back to the store, wasting gas, which was probably a bigger waste than the ink and paper.
Back to the text, whenever I see a list in the Bible, I know there must be a purpose and luckily for us, God does a really good job of explaining His lists for us.
The list in 2 Peter is as follows:
- Faith
- Goodness
- Knowledge
- Self-Control
- Perseverance
- Godliness
- Brotherly Kindness
- Love
Purpose: If you possess this list in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and if you do all these things you will never fall and will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom.
I like how Peter begins with Faith and ends with Love. Such a great list...one I hope I can commit to memory...or maybe I should write it down... :-)
1 Peter 5: 1-11
To Elders and Young Men
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers - not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Reist him, standing firm in the faith because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing to the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever, Amen.
At this point in my life, I feel like I'm in the middle of these, being able to relate and accept the advice to both the elders and the young men. I've recently been a part of a committee that was tasked to access our church, to determine Who We Are and Who We Want to Be. Going through this process and getting more involved with the leadership of my church, I am able to relate to the advice Peter is giving to the elders. Specifically that I need to be a shepherd and example to the flock, doing all of it with a willing heart and an eagerness to serve. The serving part was one of the main reasons I felt called to accept the role. It is definitely my spiritual gift, to serve, and I want to use that gift as much as possible.
I plan to continue using my gifts to serve on the Search Committee of our new pastor. Though one of the main reasons I was nominated to be on the committee was my age, as they wanted an demographically sound group in a church of aging members, but I know it was more than that. I felt God calling me to this task and I look forward to being a part of His work, serving where He sees fit.
As for the youth, I am continually reminded how small I really am compared to God, through nature and how things happen without any explanation besides His blessing. There are many times that I find myself living life on my own, not wanting anyone's help, that I've got everything under control. Its in those times that I know I need to "check myself before I wreck myself" and remember who I am and what my purpose on this earth is, to serve God's people, each and everyone of them. I am called to remember the example I have been given with Christ in that "He did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he HUMBLED himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!" Phil 2:6-8
Christ was, is and will continue to be the ultimate example of a humble servant whom I desire to imitate as I spend this short time walking in his beautiful creation.
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers - not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Reist him, standing firm in the faith because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing to the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever, Amen.
At this point in my life, I feel like I'm in the middle of these, being able to relate and accept the advice to both the elders and the young men. I've recently been a part of a committee that was tasked to access our church, to determine Who We Are and Who We Want to Be. Going through this process and getting more involved with the leadership of my church, I am able to relate to the advice Peter is giving to the elders. Specifically that I need to be a shepherd and example to the flock, doing all of it with a willing heart and an eagerness to serve. The serving part was one of the main reasons I felt called to accept the role. It is definitely my spiritual gift, to serve, and I want to use that gift as much as possible.
I plan to continue using my gifts to serve on the Search Committee of our new pastor. Though one of the main reasons I was nominated to be on the committee was my age, as they wanted an demographically sound group in a church of aging members, but I know it was more than that. I felt God calling me to this task and I look forward to being a part of His work, serving where He sees fit.
As for the youth, I am continually reminded how small I really am compared to God, through nature and how things happen without any explanation besides His blessing. There are many times that I find myself living life on my own, not wanting anyone's help, that I've got everything under control. Its in those times that I know I need to "check myself before I wreck myself" and remember who I am and what my purpose on this earth is, to serve God's people, each and everyone of them. I am called to remember the example I have been given with Christ in that "He did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he HUMBLED himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!" Phil 2:6-8
Christ was, is and will continue to be the ultimate example of a humble servant whom I desire to imitate as I spend this short time walking in his beautiful creation.
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