“then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’”
Deuteronomy 8:17
Here Israel is reminded that all they have has come from the hand of God! May we also remember that everything we have has come from Him as well and He expects us to use it to help others and glorify Him.
Now let’s ask ourselves if we are being good faithful stewards of the blessings of God.
Tom
“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.”
2 Peter 1:5-7
Again once we have life in Christ and are striving for godliness in all areas of our lives we should be supplementing our lives with theses things…strong faith, virtue, knowledge of the Word of God, self-control, steadfastness, brotherly affection, and love. Are these words that describe you and you walk with Jesus? They should be and can be by the power of the Holy Spirt!
Tom
“by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.”
2 Peter 1:4
Continuing from yesterday day…by His power we are granted promises. That promise is being filled with Holy Spirit by faith in Christ we overcome the corruption of the world that tempts us. Why? Because we want to glorify God with the bodies He bought upon the cross with His shed blood for our sin!!
Chew on that and glorify Him this day by remaining faithful to our Lord!
Tom
“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,”
2 Peter 1:3
We will look at several verses over a few days here in 2 Peter.
This verse says when in Christ we have divine power! Chew on that. The purpose of that power is for our lives to be godly. The more we know of Him and follow Him we will grow in godliness and bring Him glory which should be our greatest desire!
Use the divine power of Holy Spirit in this life and be godly!!!
Tom
“Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at him.”
Mark 12:17
Let the world have what they think belongs to them which in reality is nothing and let God have which belongs to Him which in reality is everything! Especially you in whom He made in His own image!!! Chew on that today! Are you giving to God yourself?
Tom
“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Philippians 4:6
The good, the bad, and the ugly….pray about it! Praise Him for the good. Praise Him for the bad and let him have the bad! Be thankful in everything for God is in control!
Tom
“Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.”
2 Corinthians 5:8-9
As I am now on the down hill side of life and my body lets me know it nearly everyday! lol I must remember my goal is to glorify and please God until I get home with my Lord and then I will continue to sin to please Him!!! So keep working folks Jesus is coming!
Tom
“Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, saying, “I called out to the Lord, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice.”
Jonah 2:1-2
Ever been in a spot in life where you cried out to God for help? I think most of us have. Spiritually speaking it is a must for when we realize we are lost and going to hell we repent of our sins and call on Jesus to save us! Praise the Lord…just like Jonah He hears us and saves us!!!
Tom
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,”
John 14:16
Think about what this verse says to us. Jesus asked the Father to give us the Holy Spirit to be with us forever! To dwell in us so we have God to guide us! We must listen to His promptings and be obedient. Thank you Jesus for always providing for us!
Tom
““Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.”
Matthew 23:25-26
The above words of Jesus was to the religious leaders of the day! May we the followers of Jesus take note and be sure we have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus and that our lives are living proof of what Jesus has done!
Tom
“Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.”
Mark 10:13-14
This has a message for all of us this morning. Get our children to the Lord! Sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, friends kids, neighbors, and wherever else we may have influence to get our kids to Jesus!!! Their souls for eternity are in the line. We may have to go out of our way to get them to hear God’s Word but it will be worth it as we do the Lord’s work!
Let’s get busy!
Tom
““Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:19-21 NKJV
Most of us have think we have life figured out. Get a good job…make all the money you can…so you can buy what you want because you think that will make you happy. But it won’t. God says your earthly treasures will be destroyed. Through Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes we are told all under the sun is worthless. So what do we do? Put our faith in Jesus and work for Him storing up treasures in heaven! That will be what truly brings us joy and satisfies our souls!
Tom
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28
Weighed down down by life? Worn out? Need to be refreshed? The answer is Jesus! Make time for Him. Worship Him. Serve Him. Obey Him! Praise Him. You will find what you truly need in Jesus!
Tom
““As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”
John 15:9-11
What fills our joy meter! Nothing of the world! The love of Jesus and keeping His commandments is what fills us with joy!!! Chew on that today!
Tom
“But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
I Corinthians 9:27
Following Jesus takes discipline. We must train ourselves with the power of the Holy Spirit to be Holy according to what the scriptures teach. It is a daily battle to keep ourselves under control! You can do it! Bring glory to God by being disciplined!
Tom
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;”
Colossians 3:12
As a child of God we are to reflect the characteristics of Jesus which we see above. Look at each one and be sure it is what you are reflecting to others so they see Jesus in you!
Tom
