There he built an altar to the Lord.

Genesis 13

There he built an altar to the Lord. v18

Those whom the Lord called often built altars - first Noah, now Abram, and others will follow.  This post here is a great read on why altars are built.  From this reference, I pick up several tidbits:

1. That we come to the altar (to God) as a starting point for transformation - "alteration" if you will
2. That broken stones are the basis for our altar - just as we come to God broken and sinful; we place our weights there for God to take them as well as our sacrifice and of course Jesus desires not animal sacrifice but our bodies as a "living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1)

I desire to be transformed into more of who Jesus is - please alter me Jesus.

He must become greater; I must become less. John 3:30

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God full of love, compassion and mercy.  You have spared me what I deserve - You did so by willingly and undeservingly submitting Yourself on the cross.  Thank You Jesus - I am not worth such a price.  Please forgive me for my lack of action and trust.  Help me turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then Pharaoh gave orders about Abram to his men, and they sent him on his way, with his wife and everything he had.

Genesis 12

Then Pharaoh gave orders about Abram to his men, and they sent him on his way, with his wife and everything he had. v20

Scripture is full of stories that repeat themselves and here we have a man, Abram, who - like those in Babel - chose to trust in himself vs God.  Although the circumstances are different (it does not appear as if those in Babel failed to trust to God through difficult circumstances), the end result is the same.  God has a plan, we must trust that this plan is better for us (He knows us better than we know ourselves - Psalm 139), He will never leave or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6), and that God's promises always come true (Psalm 117:2).

I must be patient on the Lord.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God, full of love, patience, compassion, mercy, etc. for me.  This I know.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love - I am broken and my sin continues.  Please forgive me and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself strength and wisdom.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”

Genesis 11

Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”  v4

Although God has ordained all of the days of our lives before we are born (Psalm 139) and God has  a plan (Jeremiah 29:11, Ephesians 2:10) for each of us, we often desire plans of our own as did those in Babel.

We must be clear that we exist to glorify God and that we cannot overcome God's plans - how arrogant!

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God and I have witnessed in my own life Your design and Your works - I am blessed and beyond thankful for what You have done to rescue and save me from my sin.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth Your love - I neglect You.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You loved me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each human being, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being.

Genesis 9

And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each human being, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being. v5

God wants Noah and his family to "be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it.” (v7).  God know that the natural state of people is to sin and God alone can cleanse of us our sins.  Yet God does provide us with the Holy Spirit, the Word, prayer, and brothers and sisters in Christ as a way to find a way out over temptation.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Brothers and sisters in Christ (see also here) have been key to my own growth in Christ. Acts 2:42-47 stands out as well.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You have blessed me abundantly with brothers in sisters in Christ who have built me up, encouraged me, etc.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such an overflowing of blessing!  I am lazy, selfish, etc.  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, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded.

Genesis 8

But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded. v1

In Genesis 6, God finds favor with Noah and commands him to build and ark that will be used to save Noah, his sons and their wives and two of every kind of creature on earth. He makes a covenant with Noah, and in Genesis 7, the earth is wiped clean of all sin by a flood brought by God. In Genesis 8, God demonstrates His faithfulness by ending the flood and placing Noah and His family on dry ground.

God is in control - He reigns.  We may find ourselves in circumstances that we don't understand but God knows what is good for us and He has a plan - one that is much bigger than us and it is perfect.

God's timing 
God's thoughts 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

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

My Prayer: Lord, Your ways are just and perfect and You know everything about me, yet You still came to suffer and die...to save me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such an act of sacrifice.  I am selfish, lazy, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Noah did everything just as God commanded him.

Genesis 6

Noah did everything just as God commanded him. v22

God gave Noah very specific instructions about how to build an ark, and Noah followed these instructions - to the "t".  We exist to glorify God, and we can do this by doing what God says to do.  As James says, we should become "doers" of the Word.


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. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are!  Your Word is perfect and You provide it as a means for us to know and understand You, to spend time with You, for You to encourage and teach us, and I am thankful for Your Word and the Holy Spirit.  I am not worth such incredible blessings.  I am broken and I am lazy.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself strength and wisdom.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.

Genesis 4

But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it. v7

Sin is indeed crouching at our doors.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

 

 We can protect ourselves by reading, studying and memorizing scripture.

See Proverbs 2, 2 Thessalonians 3:3 and other verses.  We can also protect ourselves by avoiding those who do not believe and consistently demonstrate willful sinful behavior - we must instead surround ourselves with other believers who can encourage us and be in prayer for us.

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13

 

 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. James 5:16

My Prayer: Heavenly Father - You are an awesome God who is able to beat sin and death.  You give me this same power and I am grateful Jesus!  Thank You.  However, I often lack complete trust in You and am taken away by sin.  Please forgive me Jesus.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me protect myself through faith and trust in You.  Give Lisa and myself strength and wisdom.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.

Genesis 3

The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. v21

Yes, there are consequences for our sin.  Yet God provided His Son as means for us to be forgiven and reconciled to Him.  For God loves us, even in our sin.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

I hold on to Truth and God's promises, including God loves me and He is perfect, in all ways.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are - You are indeed perfect in all ways and forever.  Thank You for Your perfect justice and discipline.  You know what is right for me and You provide abundantly.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love - but You provide it anyway.  I am selfish.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal her of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame

Genesis 2

Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame. v25

When created the universe and everything in it, man and woman were present - Adam and Eve as the first man and woman - and there was no sin.  Adam and Eve lived in perfect unity with God.  And there is no shame from being in unity with God.  Sin separates us from God and from this perfect unity, yet we should not have shame from the personal relationship Christ invites all of us to have for those who believe in Him.

Regardless of the circumstances, we should feel no shame.  Peter warns us of these scoffers.

Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised?  2 Peter 3:3-4

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, before all, creator of all, in all, and the One who holds all things together.  Apart from You I can do no good things.  I am weak and broken yet You bless me abundantly.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a God.  I am selfish.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

Genesis 1

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. v31

The forces of this world want us to believe that science created the universe...yet I believe there is too much perfection for this to be anything other than intelligent design.  God is in control.

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16-17

Please help me grow in my faith, trust and love of Christ - the one who is before all things, in all things and the creator of all things.  Christ reigns!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God full of love and compassion for me.  You created me...You know everything about me, including my sin, yet You still came for me and rescued me!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my selfishness.  Help me overcome such sin and turn from it towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 3

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. v17

As Peter continues to warn us against the dangers of false teachers, once again he encourages us to grow in our faith.  We must be ready, and we must be productive in the use of our gifts.  Our growth in Christ will better arm us to protect ourselves from the dark forces of Satan.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who encourages, teaches, protects...and who is full of patience, compassion, mercy, etc.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  I am often weak and insecure in my faith.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind,  and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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

2 Peter 3

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. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. v8-9

Peter is warning is that scoffers will come and we must be alert and stay focused on Jesus' return, maintaining our faith and trying to snatch others from the fire (Jude 1:23). We must live with the end in mind, recognizing that God wants everyone to be in Heaven.

Help me bring others to Him.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed a patient God, with me and with all of Your children.  Thank You Jesus for Your patience, compassion and mercy.  I am not worth such mercy.  I know I don't do all that I can to bring others to You.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me bring others to You.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself strength and wisdom. Please heal her of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  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 warns us of false teachers who promise much but lead us only to destruction.  One key way they lead us astray is through a promise of freedom, implying that the way of the Lord is not freedom.  Unfortunately, as Peter says we "are slaves to whatever has mastered [us]".

²¹ So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. ²² For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; ²³ but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. ²⁴ What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? ²⁵ Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.  Romans 7:21-25

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God full of love and compassion for me...thank You Jesus.  I know I am quite undeserving.  I am selfish, lazy, and lustful.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 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

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 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. v20-21

I am well aware of the pitfalls of arrogance as I have experienced them many times and continue to fall prey to this dangerous sin.  I have posted about confidence in Christ vs self and how their is a fine line between humility and hubris.

Peter warns us of arrogance in an indirect manner here by reminding us our understanding of scripture is something we can rely on because it came from God himself and the Word is not from prophets. We must also understand that our own understanding is made possible through faith and through the Holy Spirit.

Bottom line, we must thank God for how He provides these things and the blessings in our lives - it is through His power that we exist and experience the blessings we have, including both faith, scripture and our own understanding of scripture.

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. Romans 12:3

 

"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23, Matthew 16:24

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God full of love and grace for me...and You provide Your Word, the Holy Spirit, and You provide me with faith.  I am grateful for all of these and I know You are so much more and do so much more as my words are insufficient for how great You truly are.  Thank You for blessing me so richly with faith and for Your Son who died for me.  I am not worth such love as I am often arrogant, and selfish, etc. among my many sins.  Please forgive me from my sins and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Therefore, my brothers and sister, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. v10

2 Peter 1

 Therefore, my brothers and sister, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. v10

God gives all of us spiritual gifts and Peter encourages us to find these gifts as God designed us with a special - eternal - purpose in mind.

See also post here.

 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 4:10

 

I believe God gave me spiritual gifts in both writing and teaching but perhaps more.  I need to find ways to use these gifts and confirm and use whatever other gifts God has given me.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who is before, in and has created all things, including all of the spiritual gifts all of us have.  You have knit all of us together in wonderful ways just as You have knit each one of us.  Your design is amazing.  Thank for You for the many blessings of experiencing Your gifts.  I am not worth the love You bless me with.  I am weak and lazy.  Please forgive me.  Help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal her of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us bring Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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.

2 Peter 1

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

I pray daily to grow in my faith.  This is not optional - God calls us to grow in our faith.

Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God[.] Hebrews 6:1

 

As iron sharpens iron,
    so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up...1 Thessalonians 5:11

 

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation[.] 1 Peter 2:2 

 

 I struggle with my own thoughts - whether I am growing in my faith or not.  Of course I am my own worst critic. Proverbs 27:17 is the key reminder for me to be in relationship with other men to ensure I can grow in my faith.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God - You saved me and You have transformed my heart and my life, helping me become a better father, husband, son, employee, etc.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such blessings - I am harsh with others.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  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. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

1 Peter 5

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. v8-9

I have previously posted on these verses on being alert regarding the pervasiveness of sin in this world.  Yet this morning, I am encouraged to focus on how we can stand "firm in the faith" through the fellowship of other believers.  We cannot do this alone. 

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17  

See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. Hebrews 3:12-15

Lord Jesus, please help me surround myself with brothers and sisters in Christ so that we can in the fellowship of Christ and prevent each other from falling into sin.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You have many people into my life - brothers and sisters in Christ who have helped protect me from sin...Thank You Jesus for these many blessings. Yet I am not deserving of such blessings. I am harsh with my words and actions and I have slandered and gossiped.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

1 Peter 5

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. v5-6

Peter reminds us to be humble within the church.  We must submit to our church elders and among fellow members of the church.  We must allow Jesus to work through us and we must not grumble and complain.

I have previously posted about this here in 1 Timothy 5.

Similar teachings are also found in Hebrews 13, Romans 13, and 1 Timothy 6. 

Too often I want to make things about me, and not about Him.  Lord Jesus, help me remain humble not just within my church, but also in my roles as a father, husband, and employee.

My Prayer: You are a great God creator of all things and able of anything.  You don't need me but You suffered and died for me, choosing me as Your adopted son.  Thank You Jesus for coming to rescue me.  I am not worth such love because of my arrogance and other sins.  Please forgive me and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

1 Peter 4

But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. v13

Peter encourages us to endure in any suffering we experience when we live as God intends and when we are insulted or suffer for being a Christian.  Our faith will be tested but God will give us victory, either in this life or in Heaven.

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God - You willingly laid down Your life for me even though You lived a perfect life.  You rose from the grave and You provide Your Word, the church, and the Holy Spirit for me so that You never leave or forsake me.  Thank You Jesus.  I have experienced Your encouragement during hard times and I am grateful that You love me even though I am broken.  I often lose focus on You and I am easily distracted (conformed) by the patterns of this world. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. v8

 
As a follow up to my post yesterday, Peter is writing us to be ready for when Jesus returns, not just for ourselves, but for others so that they can see Jesus in us and be attracted to Him and be snatched from the fire (Jude 1:23).

Peter expands in verses 9-11.

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 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. v9-11

My Prayer: Jesus, You are a great God full of love and mercy for me.  I know this because You pursued me even though I am broken and I sin.  You restored me and reconciled me to You.  You give me life.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such effort as I continue in my sin...worry, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin 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.  God give me strength to be who You intend me to be and so that I can please and glorify You.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength to be who You intend us to be as parents.  Help me be the husband and spiritual leader You intend me to be.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Savior.  Help me serve You, my church, my family, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.

1 Peter 4

As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. v2

We are called to be a light for others to see and to be set apart.

For us to do this, we must renew our minds:

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 12:1

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6

For us to renew our minds, we must - daily - seek out God in prayer and in study of His Word.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God, full of love, compassion, kindness, patience, etc. for me.  Thank You Jesus.  Yet I am not worth such efforts.  I continue in my sin - please forgive me and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You - daily.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

1 Peter 3

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. v15

We are called to be a light.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

We are also called to be unashamed of our faith.

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 2 Timothy 1:6-8

The Great Commission calls us to bring others to Him so we must be a light, attract and bring others to Him.

I don't know when I will encounter trouble or suffering but I am certain it will occur - I am hopeful that I can be the light that God calls me to be.

My Prayer: Lord, You are a great God and I am deeply grateful that You have come to rescue me, forgive me from my sins and to always be with me until the end of the age. Thank You Jesus.  You are indeed a great God.  I love You.  Please forgive me for my lack of patience and harshness with others.  Help me turn from my sins towards You and help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

1 Peter 3

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.  Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. v8-9

 
As I posted yesterday, there will be circumstances that may cause to lash out at others - to repay what we see as evil with our own evil.

We can only bring others to Jesus if we are Jesus to others.

Stephen is a great example.

All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. Acts 6:15

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and You are love...and You love me - amazing.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  I am selfish and I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

1 Peter 2

When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. v23

We often react impulsively to others who treat us harshly or to circumstances that frustrate us.  Yet God either creates these circumstances or allows them to happen and we need to understand that He is in control (Colossians 1:17).  We must see what God is doing in the circumstances to allow Him to be glorified for that is why we exist. 

God does not promise a life without trouble - on the contrary, He says:

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33

I must trust Him who will provide both justice and victory.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You have shepherded me through difficult times and I am grateful for Your protection and guidance these dark times.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worthy for how You have loved and blessed me.  I am often harsh with others.  Please forgive me and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  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

Peter expands in this chapter to encourage us, regardless of our role and station, to be submit to those God has placed in our earthly lives as authorities.

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. v16-17

We have freedom and free will but this free will is not be used "as a cover up for evil".

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. v18

We may often, as I have, difficult circumstances in our lives with others.  God places or allows these people in our lives for a reason and we are to follow in God's footsteps by submitting to His will and allowing Him to shape us through obedience and submission to Him.  We should try and understand what God is doing through these circumstances.

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. v21

[G]ive thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

My Prayer: Lord, You are a great God, full of love, compassion, kindness, patience, etc....of course, all the fruits of the spirit...because You are the Father, the Son, and the Spirit.  You are a great God because You are perfect in all ways.  Thank You for how You have blessed me but I need You desperately.  Please forgive me for my laziness, selfishness, and harshness with others, among my many sins.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

1 Peter 2

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. v9

Believers are chosen to be firm in their faith in Jesus so that we can "offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to him" (Romans 12:1).  As Peter puts it, and as Paul encourages us, we are not to cause others to stumble or fall, but instead we are to draw others to Him by being a light unto others.

All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. Acts 6:15

 

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:14-16 

 

My Prayer: Lord, You are an awesome God worthy of my full attention and passion.  There is no God like You.  Only You can save me from sins and give me eternal life.  Only You can provide the Holy Spirit - the same power that helped You rise from the grave.  Apart from You I can do no good things.  Thank You for blessing me richly - I am undeserving.  I worry and I know You don't want me to - please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

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

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. v2-3

God wants us to be more like Him, and this is a maturation process.  Just as physically new babies grow, when we are born again we are spiritually babies and we must grow, and God both desires this and expects this of us.  We are to be disciple makers.

See also post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, fully God and fully human...who willingly surrendered Your life for me...knowing everything about me, including my sin.  Thank You Jesus for such an amazing gift.  I am not worth such a gift.  I am selfish, lazy, and I worry too much.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.