This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

1 John 5

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. v14-15

If we are close to God we must know His "good, pleasing and perfect will" and Paul shows us how in his letter to Romans:

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

We must yearn to be close to God, in prayer, in reflection, in study, etc.  By drawing closer to God and knowing His will for our lives, we have confidence in knowing that God hears and answers ALL prayer - according to His will.  The implication is that our prayers should consist of either praying for what we KNOW God wants for us or for us to fully submit to His will - whatever that might be.

My Prayer: Lord You are a Great God and I know that Your designs, plans, etc. for me are perfect, glorify You and are GOOD for me.  Yet I often want to satisfy my OWN desires and this is sinful and wrong Jesus - please forgive me and help me turn from such sinful behavior and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength and help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me desire what You desire.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of this cancer. Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world.

1 John 5

In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. v3-4

Many in the world claim, and even believers, that it is impossible that human effort can and should keep all of God's commands.  This is true yet what is also true, and John speaks to this, is that with God and through submission to God's authority, we can BOTH keep His commands, and overcome the world.  

...“[w]ith man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

My Prayer: Lord, You are a great God, full of love, compassion, kindness, gentleness, mercy, patience, etc...for all of Your children and I know for me...even though You know everything about me - past, present, and future...sin and all - You love me just the same.  And You chose me and came for me to suffer and die for me...thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such efforts and love...I am impatient, quick to anger, harsh with my words, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me stay with You and near to You and help me stay in Your word and submit to You.  Help me give me life away to You.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

1 John 4

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. v20-21

John repeats the command of love throughout his letters and of course love is a significant theme throughout the Bible.  We are to love God with all of our heart, soul, and mind.  And we are to love each other as oneself (later modified to be as God loves us - see John 13)  - these are the two greatest commandments per Jesus via Matthew 22.  Of course we cannot love if we have hate...hate is murder in the heart and a sin.  Sin separates us from God and the further from God we become the less love is in us.

See also 1 John 3, Proverbs 8.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You ARE love and so much more!  What a great God You are, full of love, peace, patience, kindness, joy, gentleness - You produce fruit like no other!  I need You desperately in my life as I desire to produce fruit and much of it - help me Jesus!  Thank You for Your mercy and compassion on me and Your patience with me.  I need to be a doer of the Word.  Yet often I am not.  Please forgive me Jesus!  Help me turn from my sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength. Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength. Please heal and cure her of this cancer. Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

1 John 3

If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. v17-18

God help me be a good steward of how You bless me - help me be generous and help those in need. I am reminded also of James' words:

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.  James 1:22-24

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God that has more than abundantly poured out Your compassion, kindness, patience, mercy, love, etc. on me...I am not worth all of this...I worry, stress, get impatient and angry, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus!  Thank You for Your patience with me but please forgive me and help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith. Help me be a doer of the word...help me be generous to those in need.  Give me strength. Give Lisa strength.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.

1 John 3

Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. v15

Strong words from John here that hatred for believers is a sin and that it equates to murder which of course is one of the Ten Commandments.  I recommend not using the word hate in your daily speech because of its strong association with sin.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are - You are the definition of love, selflessly serving me and all of Your children!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love or such a God...but You poured out Your live for me...thank You Jesus!  Please forgive me for my laziness, lack of action, lack of boldness, etc.  You desire me to be bold.  Please forgive me.  You desire for me to glorify You and to bring others to You...I often do not.  Please forgive me!  Help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me only love - with no hate in my heart or mind.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

1 John 2

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. v15-17

John is warning us about how the world will not only not satisfy (will also pass away) but it will not traps us in sin.  Instead we must focus on what God who is and always will be the source of all, the beginning and the end...eternal, and eternally satisfying.  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are great and I know You love me, knowing everything about me, including my sin, even before it happens.  You came for me, suffering and dying on the cross so that I would not be slave to my sins and so that I would have eternal life with You in Heaven.  How great You are!  Thank You Jesus for giving me the greatest gift of all time.  I am not worth such a gift...I allow my words to include bad language, gossip, harshness, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me focus on just You on and NOT the world or anything in it.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help her so that side effects of radiation are not harsh and so that the side effects of chemo go away quickly and completely.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

1 John 1

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. v8-10

John, like Peter does, spends much of his energy warning us about false teachers and teachings (see also commentary here).  We must not be deceived, and on this topic John warns us even further that we must not make false claims about our righteousness and our holiness.

... for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God....Romans 3:23

We all need Christ to cleanse us of our sins, as He CAN, and He WILL.  We of course must truly repent and turn from our sins towards Christ and renew our minds (Romans 12:2).

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are, You suffered and died for me, so that I would not be slave to my sins and so that I would have eternity in Heaven with You.  You did this knowing everything about me, including my sin.  You continue to forgive me when I come to You and You protect, encourage, guide, provide, etc.  How awesome You are!  Thank You Jesus for coming into my heart and my life.  I need You desperately.  Please forgive me for my lack of action.  Help me serve others as if serving You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help her rid herself of the chemo side effects and be protected from harsh side effects from radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.

2 Peter 3

Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. v17

Peter is warning us that Jesus will return and Judgement Day will be upon us all - we may die first, but either way we will be judged.  Should Jesus return before we die then the point is moot.  Again, either way we should be ready.  Peter wants us also to:
- bring others to Christ.
- live a spotless, blameless life
- be at peace with Christ
- look forward to being with Christ either in heaven or at the end of the age

God is great - he will leave me or forsake me.  Should I die, I will go home to Him.  Should He return before I die, He will take me with Him...forever!  What a great God!

My Prayer: Lord, You are an awesome God full of love and compassion for me.  I am not worth such blessings!  I worry and I am often full of stress.  Thank You for Your love and compassion but please forgive me Jesus...please forgive me for my worry and stress.  Help me lean not on my own powers or understanding but on YOU!  Help me bring all of my cares and worries to You.  Help me turn from sin towards YOU! Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer - help Lisa feel at ease about her radiation treatments and help today's and all appointments go well.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

2 Peter 3

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. v9

Peter's words remind me of Isaiah's words:

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8

Peter is preventing us from being suckered by false teachers and by Satan himself who is trying to goad you into disbelief and to weaken your faith.  Yet Peter is firm and he encourages us to be firm in our faith and to bring others to Jesus...and the 2nd sentence of verse 9 to me says it all:

Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

God is good - and He demonstrates this in part by being patient and by being merciful and compassionate.  He is patient with us (although I am reminded that His patience is not unlimited - I will die and the world as we know will come to an end perhaps during my earthly life - either way I must be ready) so we must repent and turn from our ways to His ways.  We must also bring others to Him.  We exist to glorify Him and to bring others to Him.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You indeed are a great God full of patience, compassion, and mercy for me - although I am completely undeserving of such blessings!  Thank You that You bless me so, but please forgive me Jesus for such sin and help me turn from such sin towards You instead.  Transform my heart and my life Jesus and help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me bring others to Him.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.”

2 Peter 2

They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.” v19

Peter, who is warning us about false teachers, refers here to those teachers with a searing but true claim about how they promise something that is empty, and in fact is a trap.  This claim rings true particularly so in today's culture where freedom is defined as an ability to do anything you want.  Yet we all at at least instinctively know that this is not freedom but instead chaos, considering that those who promote such blather fail to adhere to absolute standards of right versus wrong.  For believers, we know that what Peter claims is true because we have experienced the freedom of knowing and loving Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.  He rescues us from our sin, from being slaves to sin, and in so doing, provides the means for us to live a life for Him.

We do not belong to this world but instead to Christ (John 15:19).

He calls us to be transformed not be the patterns of this world but by the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2).

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God, the King of Kings and the Name above all Names.  You created the heavens and the earth and everything in between.  You chose me, then suffered and died for me, rising again from the grave to beat sin and death, paving the way for me to true freedom from sin, and to enjoy eternity in heaven with You.  How awesome You are!  Thank You for such a gift and for being so merciful and patient with me.  I am not worth such blessings!  I very often fail to be patient with others, including my own family, so please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me discern and protect myself from false teachers.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 1

For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. v21

Peter is warning believers about false prophecy and teachings.  Wise human teachers lean not on their own understanding (see also Proverbs 3:5-6) but instead submit fully to God and allow God to speak through them.  Jesus said it to the Disciples in Luke 21:15.  God told this to Moses at the burning bush in Exodus 4.

We must understand truth both from a head and a heart perspective - see also my post yesterday.   When we understand truth, we will be better armed to discern false teachers and teachings.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God so full of patience for me...even though I am not so patient with others.  Thank You Jesus for Your grace but please forgive me for lack of patience for others...among my many sins.  Help me turn from my sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. v10-11

I do desire to have a rich welcome to the eternal kingdom.  I also wish to not stumble...and according to Peter I am to do these things:

 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, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, 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. v5-8

...and I must "make every effort to confirm my calling and election".  Key it appears is being ineffective and unproductive in my knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Ineffective implies both a head (absolute truth) and heart (application) understanding of scripture.  I certainly desire this.  Help me Jesus with these things.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God full of love, patience, kindness, mercy, compassion, etc. for me...even though I know I am not worthy of such things.  Thank You Jesus that You bless me with these things.  I am deeply grateful for them and for everything that You do.  Yet again I am undeserving.  I am full of anger, impatience, harshness, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith - my effectiveness and productivity in my knowledge of You.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

1 Peter 5

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. v8

I know that Satan is real and lying in wait for me but I need to more aware of how Satan is at work in my life.  I can feel him working in certain situations, such as in my marriage, as a father, and in my service to the church.  Lord help me!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are capable of all things - in fact, You beat Satan, sin and death.  And You rose again to save me a place in Heaven with You.  What a great God You are!  I need You Jesus, desperately!  Thank You for all that You are and do and have done, but I need more of You in my life.  Please forgive me for falling prey to sin in my marriage, as a father and in my service to the church.  Protect me from Satan, sin and the devil.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me remain alert and sober and on watch for the devil.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

1 Peter 5

In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.” v5

I often grumble or feel envy of others in church leadership because I think I know better...this is total arrogance...God has placed these people in church leadership and I am to submit to them...to be humble and to serve them.

See also Numbers 16, Hebrews 13, 1 Timothy 5.  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are great and "[e]very good and perfect gift is from above".  I know You have blessed me gifts, spiritual, material, physical, emotional, etc.  You have placed others in my life for Your glory and my good and I often scoff at others such as church leadership.  Thank You for how You have blessed me, including church leadership, and please forgive me for such sin!  Help me turn from this sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me remain humble and submit to the authority of church leadership and serve them.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 4

If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. v11

I know I am Christ's ambassador and that I exist to glorify God and to bring others to Him...yet often I don't. Christ please forgive me for my disobedience!  I know I should be a living sacrifice.

See also Isaiah 60, 1 Peter 2, 1 Corinthians 10, John 15:16, and Romans 12:1 (and elsewhere).  2 Corinthians 5:20 says:

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.

My Prayer: Lord, You are great...pure, holy, blameless, all knowing and all powerful.  Blessed with all fruits of the Spirit to an abundance that I cannot fathom.  And You poured out Your life for me...knowing everything about me, including my sin.  How great You are!  Thank You for the many, many ways that You have blessed and continue to bless me...there are too many too mention!  I am not worth such love and blessing Jesus.  I fail to fully live up to the life You intend for me as Your ambassador.  Please forgive me!  Help me turn from my sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me truly be Your ambassador.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

1 Peter 4

 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. v10

Humility and service are core to what Jesus asks of us...it demonstrates our love of Jesus and others.

Humility and service are discussed throughout scripture, including:
- Matthew 20
- Ephesians 6
- Mark 9
- 1 Corinthians 9

By implication, we must also "die to self" or "deny oneself" as posted here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God full of love for me as demonstrated by blessing upon blessing and the pouring out of mercy, compassion, patience, etc. for me. I am not deserving of such blessings and love.  I very often fail to lead in my household as You intend for me.  Forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome some such sin and turn from it towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me be humble and serve others - denying myself and my selfish desires.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer. Help her have a productive appointment this morning.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. v7-8

We are to be prepared, living with the end in mind, and also praying earnestly for each other - but once again as it says in Matthew 22 the most important commands include loving God and loving others as oneself (which is later restated by Jesus in John 13 to "...as I have loved you").

My Prayer: Lord, I know You love me and this in spite of Your knowledge of everything about me, including my sin.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I am lazy and disobedient. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

1 Peter 3

Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. v7

I often do not treat Lisa with respect, being critical of her in front of Zach and Dustin and this is NOT respectful!  Forgive me Jesus!  Help me turn from such towards You.  I know what Peter speaks here is emphasized elsewhere in scripture:
- Ephesians 5
- Malachi 2
- Hosea 3
- Proverbs 5
- Colossians 3

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God full of love for me, even though You know everything about me, including my sin and shortcomings.  You suffered harshly and died for me, for no reason other than You sought to forgive my sins and to give me eternal life in heaven with You.  What an awesome gift You are!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worthy of such a gift.  I often do not work as though I am working for the Lord - lazy!  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me love and treat Lisa with respect.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.

1 Peter 2

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. v13-14

I often grumble about my work situation and God does not want us to grumble. How can glorify God when we are complaining.  Peter helps explain this:

For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

 

Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. v15-21

Paul also wants us to obey our earthly masters - see here in Ephesians 6. 

Another nugget of Truth from this morning is how we are "not [to] use your freedom as a cover-up for evil", meaning that we have free will - but is this no excuse for sin!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, how great You are!  You came to earth to live among us and were tempted in every way but lived a pure, holy and blameless life.  You then suffered and died for us so that we could be forgiven for our sins and have eternal life with You in heaven - a love that knows no bounds - awesome!  Thank Your Jesus!  I am not worth such a love as I often neglect to bring You the first fruits of my time daily - please forgive me and help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Help me obey authority on earth, not grumble, glorify You, and not use freedom as a cover up for sin.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Please provide Linda with relief for her home situation - protect her and her son.  Please also provide ML with a new job that is more than she desires for herself - provide peace and encouragement to both Linda and ML.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

1 Peter 2

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. v12

We exist to glorify God:
- see v9
- John 15:16
- Romans 12:1

and to bring others to Him.  This latter part of the verse is often overlooked.  Jesus help me focus on this.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God full of compassion, mercy, gentleness, patience...love for me...I not worth such blessings...I am weak and I fail to boldly proclaim Your glory...with my life and words.  Thank You that You bless me so but please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me live such a life that others are drawn to me and I can share the gospel with them.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

1 Peter 2

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. v1-3

I pray daily that I can grow in my faith as this what Jesus desires for me.  He says in not just here in 1 Peter but also in Hebrews:

Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity Hebrews 6:1

The other point of Peter's message is to "rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind."  I must be careful of the influences in my life as they may contain such things...and in particular I think of the TV and movies that are available...

My Prayer: Lord, You are good...pure, holy, and blameless.  And You came for me and chose me...knowing everything about me, including my sin...Thank You Jesus for Your love and mercy...and Your patience....and so much more beyond what I can describe.  I love You Jesus.  Help me overcome slander and gossip in my life, and hypocrisy, deceit, malice, etc.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me mature and grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal her of this cancer and make these side effects go away!  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.