Category: II Peter

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Unpacking Knowledge

This morning I’m going to ask you to use your unpacking skills. There are a few verses we will be examining closely and we’ll need to unpack them phrase by phrase to understand the depth of their meaning.

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Glory be to him, now and forever! Amen.” II Peter 3:18 ERV

We grow in knowledge of Christ the same way we grow in all our relationships. Dave and I will be celebrating 49 years of marriage next week. Oh my! Has it really been that long? When we first met, I was eight years old. I have certainly grown in my knowledge of all things Dave over those years but there is still much more to learn.

When we love someone we want to know all about them. Our relationship with God should be no different. The Apostle Peter, in his second letter, is encouraging us to do just that.

“From Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ. To everyone who shares with us in the privilege of believing that our God and Savior Jesus Christ will do what is just and fair. 2 I pray that God will be kind to you and will let you live in perfect peace! May you keep learning more and more about God and our Lord Jesus.”

This book of II Peter is written to everyone who shares the privilege of believing that God and Jesus are just and fair. If you believe that then this book is written to you. God, our Father, is kind and gives us peace.

These are the first things we learn about Him. This was the message the shepherds heard when Jesus came to earth. The angels gave a proclamation of the Father’s intentions – Peace had come to the earth in the form of a babe and the Father’s good will, kindness, would be revealed through Him.

There is so much to learn about our relationship with the Father and His Son.

I realized when I embarked on this teaching that it will take a couple of days to unpack these verses. I hope you don’t mind.

“We have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God’s own power, when we learned he had invited us to share in his wonderful goodness.” II Peter 1:3 CEV

Our Father wants us to understand Him. He wants us to know Him better. He isn’t trying to be mysterious and aloof. In fact, the verse above tells us that God has given us everything, not just partial information, but everything we need to live a life that is pleasing to Him. If we aren’t sure if He’ll be pleased by a certain action, all we have to do is ask and He’ll provide the answer.

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 NKJV

I once told a young woman that if she would like I would teach her to cook. I invited her to our home. She came and I supplied everything. We worked together, side-by-side. I shared my knowledge and she shared in the goodness.

We learn from the Father by His invitation. He has invited us to share in His goodness. He has supplied all we need.

Enough unpacking for today, we’ll do more tomorrow. Ask the Father to share something new about Himself. He will – He wants us to share in His goodness.

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Slow Is Good

Over the years Dave and I have learned to slow down. This, in itself, is a real miracle! I don’t know how many times we have said “we’re burnin’ daylight” and charged out to get things done. But now we are living by a different slogan, “slow down, you’ll get a more harmonious outcome”.

Yesterday Dave completed yet another honey-do project for me. This was a several day project and along the way he needed my help. That meant I would put down what I was working on. At first this was a little irritating, just being honest, but I really did appreciate the opportunity. I had to remind myself, he was doing this for me.

When the work was done we sat and talked – Dave said he’s having to adjust to the fact that things are taking longer than they did when he was younger. I concurred. Since retirement, I have felt that “multi-tasking” is an ugly concept and not one to be pursued.

Slow is good!

“My dear friends, you should be quick to listen and slow to speak or to get angry. 20 If you are angry, you cannot do any of the good things that God wants done.” James 1:19-20 CEV

Slow to speak and slow to get angry. Good advice. When we are slow to speak, we improve our listening skills and that makes the person speaking feel valued; their words are important. If we jump in while someone else is still talking, we often misconstrue what they are saying because we haven’t heard their whole thought.

“Good people think before they answer, but the wicked speak evil without ever thinking.” Proverbs 15:28 CEV

“It’s stupid and embarrassing to give an answer before you listen.” Proverbs 18:13 CEV

We had a friend who practiced slow speech. I had never met anyone before or since that spoke as slowly as he did. However, he was also one of the calmest, unstressed, unangered persons I have ever met as well.

His words were kind; he was a genuine listener. He wanted to hear your heart and share your thoughts. Love is patient, gentle and kind. Jim was all that and more!

In case you haven’t noticed God’s not in a hurry. He does things at the right time and in the right way.

“ Dear friends, don’t forget that for the Lord one day is the same as a thousand years, and a thousand years is the same as one day. 9 The Lord isn’t slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost.” II Peter 3:8-9 CEV

The Father is patient. He waits for us – He doesn’t force us to accept His ways. Patiently He waits and gives us one opportunity after another. He knows that true love never fails.

“Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or 5 rude. Love isn’t selfish or quick tempered.” I Corinthians 13:4-5 CEV

Slow is good!

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Unshakable, Immovable

A few days back a friend and I were discussing all the senseless tragedies that have been in the news lately. Some people want to blame God for what’s occurring. I would like to go on record, “this is not God’s fault”.

What I’m about to share with you now are the words that came pouring from my heart. The word of God is my unshakable, immovable, solid rock foundation. In these uncertain times we need a firm foundation.

“ Anyone who comes and listens to me and obeys me 48 is like someone who dug down deep and built a house on solid rock. When the flood came and the river rushed against the house, it was built so well that it didn’t even shake. 49 But anyone who hears what I say and doesn’t obey me is like someone whose house wasn’t built on solid rock. As soon as the river rushed against that house, it was smashed to pieces!” Luke 6:47-49 CEV

Let’s take a look at God’s word. He has given us a free will and He will not violate that. We are free to choose His blessings or to reject them. The choice of building our lives on the solid rock of God’s word is ours. God will not usurp our will to keep us from going to hell nor will He force us to accept any of his other blessings or His help.

“God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance”. II Peter 3:9 KJV

Psalms 103:1-5 tells us that the Lord forgives all our sins and heals all of our diseases but there are very few people I know who actually live free from the guilt of sin in every area of their lives or who live in divine health, 100% of the time. Does that mean that God lied when He said all, or does it mean we are unworthy to receive those blessings? NEVER!

If we are in Christ, children of the Father, all His promises belong to us.

“We have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God’s own power, when we learned that he had invited us to share in his wonderful goodness. 4 God made great and marvelous promises, so that his nature would become part of us. Then we could escape our evil desires and the corrupt influences of this world.” II Peter 1:3-4 CEV

Why do bad things happen to good people? 

If we don’t know that God’s promises belong to us, all of His promises, then we blindly and ignorantly accept the evil being done without fighting back. If we don’t know that God wants us protected, well, prospered, worry-free, forgiven and loved then that lack of knowledge will destroy us. We will have no foundation.

“My people are destroyed because they have no knowledge…” Hosea 4:6 ERV

But if we know we can fight against those things and be victorious, it changes the outcome.

“I am grateful that God always makes it possible for Christ to lead us to victory.” II Corinthians 2:14 CEV

If we are in Christ, and we are as Christians, we are promised victory. I have more to share on this so there will be a part two tomorrow.

Don’t give up, don’t quit! Build on a solid foundation; we will be unshakable and immovable!

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Goodness – Gracious

My new backyard has me looking at the Superstition Mountains. Each morning and evening when I look at their majesty, I find myself using an old expression, Goodness Gracious. That’s something my grandmother would have said.

I started thinking – what does that really mean? When she said it, it would have meant
“God, you are so good; look at the beauty You have designed”.

What does it mean to be gracious? Some definitions are godly character, kindness, dignity, mericiful, compassionate. Gracious – displaying grace.

Nature is a display of God’s goodness and grace.

So what is grace?

Grace: receiving the goodness of God that we don’t deserve. It is given freely with no strings attached. The grace of God took Jesus to the cross long before we were ever born so that we could be brought into right relationship with the Father.

In II Peter 3, the entire chapter is written about the return of the Lord to earth. Peter says that some will grow weary waiting, others will call it foolish but he admonishes us to be ready. God is not willing that any should perish but He desires that all should repent. The reason it’s taking so long for Him to return is the Father wants all to come to salvation in Him. He wants everyone to experience His grace; He is gracious!

We are to grow in grace. That doesn’t mean we acquire more grace but that we understand the scope of God’s grace to a greater extent. When we are born human, we have all the “humanness” we will ever have but we grow in our capacity to understand and function in our humanity. It’s the same with our life given to us by grace.

As we grow in our knowledge of the Father, we see more clearly how His grace is given to each and everyone of us. We see that He has provided for us through His amazing love and goodness. He is merciful and He is gracious (full of grace). We are to be like Him. Growing in grace causes us to see that our failures and those of others are covered by His grace and so we can go forward, forgiving as we ourselves have been forgiven.

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” II Peter 3:18 KJV

or maybe you understand it better this way

“Let the wonderful kindness and the understanding that come from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ help you to keep on growing. Praise Jesus now and forever! Amen.” II Peter 3:18 CEV

I pray that you have “goodness – gracious” moments in your day. Things that take your breath away – things that remind you of God’s goodness and grace!

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Delayed Expectations

This morning I woke and found another email regarding my computer order!

E-gads!!

At this point it has been two weeks of anticipating and waiting for its arrival. Delayed expectations.

Now if we were in a larger city it would be no problem, it would just be a drive to the local electronics store or big box discount retailer, to pick out the one that suits me, pay for it and home I’d go to set it up.

However, in rural, small town Arizona that isn’t the case. Each morning I fight back the frustration. But with each morning I also step out my door and thank the Father for the beauty I see. The benefits of living here far out weigh the frustration I am experiencing.

“My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble. 3 You know that you learn to endure by having your faith tested. 4 But you must learn to endure everything, so that you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything.” James 1:2-4 CEV

I remind myself daily that the Lord has promised me His peace that surpasses my understanding and that when I’m in His presence I will be filled with joy. If those two qualities are lacking it’s up to me to adjust my focus.

That’s simple to say but not always easy to do! We now live in a world that offers “instant gratification”. No patience required, no waiting necessary.

We have overnight shipping, on-line purchasing, microwave cooking, research at our fingertips, cameras on our phones, instant sharing. But things like relationships are developed over time; wisdom and knowledge must be learned; kindness and compassion are developed through experience. The things that make us better come through growth.

“We have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God’s own power, when we learned that he had invited us to share in his wonderful goodness. 4 God made great and marvelous promises, so that his nature would become part of us. Then we could escape our evil desires and the corrupt influences of this world. 5Do your best to improve your faith. You can do this by adding goodness, understanding, 6 self-control, patience, devotion to God, 7 concern for others, and love. 8 If you keep growing in this way, it will show that what you know about our Lord Jesus Christ has made your lives useful and meaningful.” II Peter 1:3-8 CEV

I ask myself daily – am I displaying the character that Christ desires in me or am I being selfish and wanting instant gratification?

I choose to be patient so that His perfect will is done even if it means delayed delivery!

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Choosing the Best

Years ago we were in Iowa for the summer. We weren’t fully involved in work yet so my friend and I took her three boys to a local U-Pick Strawberry Farm for an outing.

We had so much fun! The older boys were running ahead of us, picking the largest berries they could find. Mom was in the middle and the youngest boy and I brought up the rear. He was disappointed that he couldn’t run with his brothers and he thought they had already picked the best berries.

It was then I showed him one of the largest strawberries I had ever seen. It was perfectly ripe but was being hidden by the leaves on the plant so no one had seen it. He quickly picked it and placed it in our bucket. The hunt was on. He went from being disappointed to being excited. We had a very, very full basket when the others were ready to stop.

Life’s a lot like that strawberry patch. We go through different situations and we pick and choose what we think is best. The best schools, the best person for the team, our best friend, best spouse, best house, best…best…best.

Is it any wonder that so many people develop a low self-esteem? No one, it seems, has chosen them.

Well, I have good news!

“Then Peter said, “I can see, for sure, that God does not respect one person more than another. 35 He is pleased with any man in any nation who honors Him and does what is right.” Acts 10:34-35 NLV

“God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die.” John 3:16 CEV

If anyone had the right to pick and choose “the best” for His team it would be God. However, that’s not how He operates. Our Father gladly receives everyone. You read that right, everyone! Not just those who want relationship with Him but His heart is open even to those who ignore Him and go their own way.

“This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.” I Timothy 4:9-11 NIV

We have all been chosen by the Savior.

I appreciate the Apostle Paul’s directness. God is the Savior of ALL people…especially those who believe in Him. No paritality, no favoritism, no prejudice – all people. But He won’t force salvation on anyone, the Father let’s us make the choice. He’s waiting for us.

“He paid for our sins with His own blood. He did not pay for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world.” I John 2:2 NLV

“The Lord isn’t slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost.” II Peter 3:9 CEV

The Father has made His choice – He’s chosen all of us. Now, it’s up to us to choose the best.

I, for one, decided to choose the Father and His unconditional love.

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In My Life

This morning is a time to reflect on my years as a mother. 46 years to be exact.

Dave and I have three great kids and I am blessed to be mom to them and their mates. I am also blessed to be Besta (grandma) to five and great grandma to one more. My heart is full!

My children have seen me in my moments of greatest weakness, they know my inadequacies and some of my failures but they also know that I can be strong and relentless. They know that I depend upon the Lord, His word and the power of prayer.

There is a chorus* we used to sing in our church 35+ years ago and it came to mind this morning when I was thinking about my life as a mother.

“In My Life, Lord, Be Glorified, Be Glorified
In My Life, Lord, Be Glorified Today.”

Only two little lines but they are life changing. Whatever we do should be honor to the Father.

“Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.” I Peter 4:11 NLT

If someone were to ask my children to tell them something about their Mom I hope they would say “My mom loves the Lord”. That would be the highest compliment.

Moms, we don’t need to be perfect – we can’t be. In our humanity, we should show our children that we love them, unconditionally, just like the Father loves us. They should know that we will be there to help them in any situation because the Father is always there for us.

We don’t need to preach at them, instead we need to live a life where they see our dependence and trust is in the Lord. Living for Jesus is the example we should be setting and when we fail in that, they should see us repent and not make excuses.

Pray for their friends, their careers, their well-being. We can trust the Father with every area of their lives. Pray for them as infants, toddlers, school-age, stepping out on their own. Pray for them if they are rebellious. Pray for them always!

Moms, this is my Mother’s Day prayer for you:

“So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. 12 Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.” II Thessalonians 1:11-12 NLT

In my life, Lord, be glorified!

*In My Life, Lord, Be Glorified written by Bob Kilpatrick

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Happy Kids!

We are going to continue for a few more days looking at what God, the Father, has provided for children, for us. He has planned for us to live joyful lives…

Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as a good gift. A gift from the Father.  The Holy Spirit was sent to help us. He is also called the Comforter, and by definition, that means counsellor, intercessor, advocate, strengthener and standby. He intercedes for us.

This verse also says the Holy Spirit will remind us of all things Jesus spoke and He will teach us all things. When the Holy Spirit comes to our aid, He reminds us of God’s Word and instructs us on how to show our love to the Father.

The Father only gives us good gifts. He is not looking to make our lives miserable or downtrodden.

      “Now you are sad, but I will see you again, and you will be happy. You will have a joy that no one can take away. 23 In that day you will not have to ask me about anything. And I assure you, my Father will give you anything you ask him for in my name. 24 You have never asked for anything in this way before. But ask in my name, and you will receive. And you will have the fullest joy possible.” John 16:22b-24 ERV

      “Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows those lights. He is always the same.” James 1:17 ERV from

As I said, our Father is wanting to place His best at our disposal. Let’s look at one other thing the Holy Spirit does for us. He fills us with the power or ability that we need to victoriously defeat Satan, our enemy, who tries to deceive us and steal our inheritance.

      “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes into your life. You will tell about Me in the city of Jerusalem and over all the countries of Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NLV

With the Holy Spirit constantly reminding us of God’s Word and giving us the power to follow it, failure is less of an occurrence in our lives than when we try to do it all on our own. Now, that is a good gift!

As sons of God, we have been given the same power as our older brother, Jesus. It is only through our ignorance of the Word and/or our willful disobedience of the Father’s instructions that Satan can steal our power.

      “Jesus has the power of God. And his power has given us everything we need to live a life devoted to God. We have these things because we know him. Jesus chose us by his glory and goodness, 4 through which he also gave us the very great and rich gifts that he promised us. With these gifts you can share in being like God. And so, you will escape the ruin that comes to people in the world because of the evil things they want.” II Peter 1:3-4 ERV

These verses plainly state that we have been given everything we need for life and godly living. The Father’s exceeding great and precious promises have been given so that we might reflect God’s divine nature. This is a facet of our relationship with Him. He wants us to be victorious while we are here on earth as well as in heaven. He wants us to imitate Him, just like Jesus did.

The Father has placed His light in us so that we can shine brilliantly, “Like A Diamond”, and as His joyful children we bring the light of His goodness to the world.

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Receiving It All!

Often times during the Christmas season, the season of giving, another trait rears its ugly head. Greed or wanting to have it all is not a desirable characteristic.

However, a giving heart wants our loved ones to have all that we can possibly give. Having all and giving all come from to entirely different motivations. Wouldn’t it be strange if on Christmas morning when all the presents are passed out if we or one of our children took just one gift and without opening the rest said “this is enough for me, I don’t need any more” and pushed the rest of the gifts aside?

The giver of those gifts would be disappointed, I’m sure. Each gift had been hand picked, even hand designed and there they sit unopened and ignored. That would be so sad.

Truth be told we are all guilty of doing that with God’s gifts in one way or another.

“I pray that God will be kind to you and will let you live in perfect peace! May you keep learning more and more about God and our Lord Jesus.

3 We have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God’s own power, when we learned that he had invited us to share in his wonderful goodness. 4 God made great and marvelous promises, so that his nature would become part of us. Then we could escape our evil desires and the corrupt influences of this world.” II Peter 1:2-4 CEV

God’s word says that He has given us EVERYTHING we need for this life but too many are willing to only open the gift of salvation and leave the others untouched. God gave us many great and precious promises so that we could live a daily life focused on His goodness and grace.

We accept that Jesus died to forgive our sins but then continue to live in guilt because of the things we’ve done. Along with salvation comes the gifts of peace of mind, joy, strength, freedom from fear, grace, mercy, protection, provision, rest and kindness.

Our heavenly Father has provided all of these through His promises. However, many times we leave these gifts unopened and ignored because we don’t have knowledge of them. If we don’t know the gifts have our name on them then we fail to receive what the Father has designed especially for us.

The verses above tell us that the Father has made many gifts available to us but we only discover that as we learn more and more about Him.

“We praise you, Lord God! You treat us with kindness day after day, and you rescue us.” Psalm 68:19 CEV

Day after day is giving us His kindness and his protection. Day after day He sends His joy and peace. Day after day He unfolds His love before us. He is a loving, patient Father and He wants to give us all we need to escape the corrupt influences of this world.

It isn’t greedy to take every gift the Father provides. Completely the opposite, it’s a sign of accepting His love, having it all.

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Excellent Advice!

When Dave and I purchased our home in Montana the current owner gave me some excellent advice – words I still remember. You see, we moved to the Beaverhead Valley from north Idaho where the climate was more temperate.

She took me to the big picture window and said, “There will be days this winter when you look out these windows and you won’t see a thing except for blowing white. You’ll hear the wind howl and you’ll think that you’re going to be snowed in for the rest of the winter. Don’t panic! Just wait…wait about thirty minutes. The wind will die down and then you will be able to go outside once again.”

I put those words to good use that winter. “Don’t panic. Just wait.” Sure enough it was just as she said. The longest I ever had to wait was forty-five minutes and the wind would subside and the blizzard was over. We lived in a big log home with a great wood-burning stove and we were safe and warm. No need to panic.

I’ve applied those words to many of life’s circumstances, the current one we are going through is no exception.

Jesus said the same thing to his disciples:

“Amazing things will happen to the sun, moon, and stars. And people all over the earth will be upset and confused by the noise of the sea and its crashing waves. 26 They will be afraid and worried about what will happen to the world. Everything in the sky will be changed. 27 Then people will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to happen, stand up tall and don’t be afraid. Know that it is almost time for God to free you!” Luke 21:25-28 ERV

His disciples had asked Jesus about the end of times. A lot had been written in the Old Testament about this. Jesus told them to watch for the signs but He also told them they didn’t need to be afraid. I can hear the words of Jesus more clearly than I heard the words of Mrs. McGinley. “Don’t panic…just wait!”

There will be a time when life on this earth will end. I believe that because God said it will. But that’s no reason to fear. It is a reason to be prepared. The Lord will return for those of us who have accepted Him as our Savior and He will take us to heaven. Those that remain here on the earth will face terrible and devastating events.

God is loving and gracious. He is giving everyone the opportunity to come into relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ.

“The Lord is not being slow in doing what he promised—the way some people understand slowness. But God is being patient with you. He doesn’t want anyone to be lost. He wants everyone to change their ways and stop sinning.

10 But the day when the Lord comes again will surprise everyone like the coming of a thief…” II Peter 3:9-10a ERV

How wonderful is that? God is patient and He doesn’t want anyone to be lost! The good news – everyone has been invited to have a new life in Christ, a life that brings forgiveness and reconciliation with God, the Father.

Don’t panic! Just wait and it will all be over soon.

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