Eyewitness

589.  "Eyewitness"            August 21, 2012
2 Peter 1-Part 7
We do not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.  2 Peter 1:16  NIV

LET IT GLOW

Eyewitness-they testify of what they saw and heard. The testimony of an eyewitness is important in a courtroom during a trial. What they saw or heard happen in a particular incidence is recorded as evidence. The television and newspaper reporters interview eyewitnesses to accidents or incidents. We expect the eyewitness to tell the truth, from his or her perspective as something happened. I have never filled the role as an eyewitness, though my husband has.

Peter, as well as other disciples, were eyewitnesses  to Jesus' ministry, miracles, baptism, and teachings. At Jesus' baptism, they heard God say that He was well pleased with His Son Jesus.
Peter, James, and John, Jesus' inner circle, were eyewitnesses of many events-the raising of Jairus' daughter, Jesus agony at Gethesemane, and the special, specific event of the Transfiguration of Jesus. What did they witness? (Read Luke 9, Matthew 17)

• Christ's appearance changed into His glorified body;
• Moses (represented the Law) and Elijah (represented the prophets) and Jesus having a conversation;
• heard the voice of God the Father;
• fell on their faces when the Holy God of the universe spoke;
• Peter mistakenly suggested they build three tabernacles of worship, like booths in celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles, in which the Israelites lived for 7 days;
• faith of a promised kingdom at Jesus' Second Coming;
• an experience that would prepare them for their own suffering and death.

What a glorious time with a glorious Savior! Are my times spent with Jesus glorious?
Do I share what I have witnessed with Jesus?

LET IT GROW

What practical lesson did Peter, James, and John learn at the Mount of Transfiguration?
They would also suffer as Jesus. First was James (Acts 12:1-2), John's long life, which led to exile and suffering (Rev. 1:9), and Peter's sufferings and death.
This inner circle learned that suffering and glory go together.
The Father's special love and approval are given to those who are willing to suffer for the sake of the Lord.
Jesus gave Peter a talking to after His resurrection, though it might not have been one of scolding for denying Jesus, but of love-feed My sheep.
Remember, Peter wrote this letter while in prison in Rome, facing his imminent death. Peter was martyred, according to reliable tradition, by being crucified upside down. (MacArthur)

What does all this have to say to me? Am I an eyewitness of the power of Jesus working in my life?
Do I share it or keep it to myself? Will I one day hear me called a good and faithful servant? Do I look forward to entering into His rest for me?

LET IT GO

Proclaim the wonderful gift that God has given me-Salvation in Jesus.

Share His wonderful workings in my life.

Tell others of His Second Coming.

Give Jesus the praise, honor, and worship due Him.

Love.....


  

Childrens' Stories

588.  "Childdren's Stories"               August 20, 2012
2 Peter 1-Part 6
So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have.  2 Peter 1:12  NIV

LET IT GLOW

Before I started writing this Bible study, I wrote some little children's stories. The main characters were my grandchildren; the setting was the farm on which I live. My purpose was to teach them some life lessons, honesty, helping and caring for others, doing the right thing. I don't expect the stories to be a classic as the Little House Series, but hopefully they will be reminded of me when the stories are read. Actually, they are not my stories, but their stories. Peter had  purposes in writing his two letters, also.

Warren Wiersbe says Peter had at least three motives for writing this letter:
First, Peter was obeying God's command. Jesus told Peter to "strengthen thy brethren" in Luke 22:32.
Second, Peter knew it was the right thing to do. Encouraging the saints and reminding them of the Word of God is always right.
Last, Peter wants them to have endeavor, diligence, which means to hasten to do somethilng, to be zealous in doing it. (verse 15)

And so, like Peter, I feel this is what God has me doing-strengthening my sisters and brothers in the faith using the internet to teach His Word. I pray that He will use my words for His glory and purposes; that they will be His Words going out around the world to those who need encouragement, instructions, understanding, and love of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 4:11 says, Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God Himself were speaking through you.

Is God calling any of you to write or speak for Him in this generation and ones to come? Will you say yes to that call?

LET IT GROW

Peter wasn't concocting fables and myths in order to get people to follow him to increase his wealth, power, and prestige, as false teachers did. He wrote the truth of God as a genuine inspired writer. (MacArthur)

Peter was living in a tent, a temporary place, an earthly body, which decays and eventually gives out. His eternal home was in sight for his heavenly body, his destiny. So it is for us, dear ones.

Peter's readers already knew the Truth and were standing firm in the Truth. Before Peter died, he wanted to leave his friends in the faith more:

• They have a new nature as saved believers in Jesus.
• They have a new quality of life in Christ.
• They have a foundation of their faith-Jesus Christ and His Word

The other day I heard a messaage by Charles Stanley. It was entitled The Promises of God. I thought you might like to have them:

1. We are reconciled to God through Christ. (Rom. 5:6-11)
2. We can have daily forgiveness of our sins. (1John 1:9)
3. We have His continual presence in our life. (Heb. 13:5)
4. We have the Holy Spirit. (John 14:6)
5. We have His strength. (Is. 41:9-10)
6. He will meet our daily needs. (Matt. 6:31-32)
7. We can have answered prayer. (1John 5:14-15)
8. The Lord daily bears our burdens. (Ps. 68:19)
9. He comforts us when we are troubled. (2Cor. 1:3-4)
10. He puts limitation on our trials. (1Cor.10:13)

Are we cashing in on our promises?

LET IT GO

Refresh my memory often of God's promises to me.

Trust His Word to be the Truth. Jesus is the Way, the Turth, and the Life.

Renew my mind daily in God's Word.

Meeting on the Porch

587.  "Meeting on the Porch"                    August 17, 2012
2 Peter 1-Part 5
 So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. NLT 2 Peter 1:10-11

LET IT GLOW

One time a former president of the United States came to speak at the college I was attending. After we all got seated in the gym, his entrance was announced. Everyone stood and clapped, giving him the respect and honor due to one that had held such a high office in our nation.

I recall the last time Dad welcomed me home for a visit. It was a grand one. He rarely come out on the front porch to welcome anyone. That day he did. I got a big hug from him, too. I expect he will be waiting at the Pearly Gates to welcome me into heaven. (He better!) It's been almost 26 years since that day and I remember it like it was yesterday. (Excuse me while I wipe my tears.) I had such a wonderful visit that time. (I forgot to mention that Mom was beside him, too, on the porch.)

I wonder what it will be like when I enter heaven. I don't want a grand enterance, for I will just be happy to be there. Seeing all my loved ones and my Savior is enough.
NIV calls it a rich welcome. I'm sure I will receive some kind of welcome.
Every believer will arrive in heaven, but some will have a more glorious welcome than other. Some believers "shall be saved, ye so as by fire" (1Cor. 3:15). (Wiersbe)

An abundant enterance into eternal heaven is the hhope and reality for a Christian who lives a faithful, fruitful life here on earth. A Chrisstian who pursues the listed virtues (verses 5-7) will not only enjoy assurance in the present, but a full, rich reward in the future life (1Cor. 4:5).  (MacArthur)

Whenever He's ready for me, I'm ready. How about you friends?

LET IT GROW

According to Warren Wiersbe, in his book Be Alert, Peter gave three evidences of true spiritual growth in verses 8-11.
1. Fruitfulness
2. Vision
3. Security

If I were to walk around with my eyes closed, I would stumble. However, as a growing Christian, I can walk with confidence because I know I am secure in Christ. The evidence isn't  my profession in faith, but my progression in faith.My character and conduct should be enough evidence that I am a child of God. Is it?

How can I be sure that God called me, and that I am one of His elect?
By my character qualities mention previously-faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, love.
god has provided everything needed on our road to heaven-salvation in Jesus, needs met to live for Him in this life, to accomplish His purpose.

Calling is used of one whom God declares worthy of the calling  which He has commanded to be given him, and therefore, fit to obtain the blessings promised in the call.
Election is the act of picking out, choosing; the act of God's free will by which before the foundation of the world He decreed His blessings to certain persons (through Christ, due to grace). Thayer's Lexicon

If a person is born again, they will show it in the way they live. (Guzik)

Am I willing for God to work in and through me, cooperating with Him? Divine election must not be an excuse for human laziness.

The Christian life begins with faith, leads to growth, which leads to practical results in life and service.
(Wiersbe)
Does my life and service convict me of being a Christian?

Today's character quality to work on is patience. Maybe I'll stay home today. Nope, got plans to go to the fair with women in my Bible study class. Since I am driving, I better get prayed up for patience.

LET IT GO

Daily thank God for calling me to salvation in Jesus and choosing me to be His child.

Expect a fantastic welcome into heaven one day.

Housecleaning

586.  "Housecleaning"              August 16, 2012
2 Peter 1-Part 4
The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.   2 Peter 1:8-9  NLT


LET IT GLOW

I remember those days when I had energy enough to clean the whole house, move the furniture, clean out the frig, do the laundry, and shop for groceries, all on a Saturday morning. Now they are but memories. Ahh, yes, I really did it. Some days I don't even get one room cleaned. When I do, it does me in, gals. Am I getting old or what? ( Not a question needing an answer-daughter)
Oh yeah, I was talking about being productive and useful, wasn't I?

Peter says that the more I grow like this, the more productive and useful I will be in my knowledge of my Lord Jesus.  I want that, but how? The more I grow like what? Those things mentioned in verses
5-7. (Faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, love)

NIV says, 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. 

I get it. In other words, when I show patience waiting in line at the store, share a sincere compliment, do a good deed for another, then I'm being being producive and useful for Jesus. Oh dear, the quality I am working on today is SELF-CONTROL. (Guess I will have to stay out of the kitchen, away from others, read the Bible all day, that way I will exhibit it. Unfortunately it isn't happening.) I will have to ask Jesus for a double portion of His help today.

LET IT GROW

The believer who is not growing spiritually, not actively possessing these qualities will be:

• barren, which means lazy, shunning the labor which one ought to perform; inactive, ineffective, useless;
• unfruitful, which refers to not yielding what it ought to yield; destitute of good deeds; unproductive; indistinguishable from an evildoer or superficial believer;
• blind mentally; unable to discern his true spiritual condition, so unsure of his salvation;
• nearsighted; he never got close enough to Christianity to focus on the fact that he needed to be cleansed from his sins;
• forgetful refers to spiritual amnesia; lives in doubt and fear.

I really don't want to be like that, do you? I want to display Christian growth and character in my daily life.
How's my fruitfulness/unfruitfulness? How's my vision?

LET IT GO

Do some spiritual housecleaning.

Use self-control today. Ask for it when I need help in showing it.

Apply what I learn in God's Word, not just read it.

Control my thoughts, slamming the door on the ugly ones.

Control my words, biting my tongue when needed.

Control my actions, serving others.

Yield to the Holy Spirit.

Dead Dogs

585.  "Dead Dogs"           August 15, 2012
2 Peter 1-Part 3
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 2 Peter 1:5-7 KJV


LET IT GLOW

You know what I was working on yesterday-having virtuous thoughts, feelings, and actions, well sisters, I didn't even get out the door when I was bombarded with ugly, judgmental thoughts, and words about a person. The phone rang  and the caller hinted for me to tell her what I knew about a certain person. I played dumb and didn't spill the beans. If I had laid it all out, she would have been stabbed in the heart. I mean, what does it matter, what a person did in their past, as long as they asked Jesus to forgive them? If our sins are under the blood, then they are remembered no more. Of course, that is Jesus who forgets them. We people don't forget so quickly. Sometimes I have dwelt on a situation all day, making me exhausted without a solution. Let dead dogs lie-don't dig up the skeletons. (Figuritively speaking)

Today I am working on knowledge-moral wisdom, such as is seen in right living. Ok, yes, today I am going to try to live right. You heard me, I mean you read it. How far will I get? I hope I at least make it through the front door.

So how are you doing? Are you joining me with this challenge of adding these virtues to faith?
(Sorry this wasn't an encouragment. On the other hand, maybe it is. I didn't hurt my dear friend's heart by telling her the truth. Secrets, who needs them?) 

LET IT GROW

Ready to add another block on top of faith? (See yesterday's post if you missed it.)

4. Patience means steadfast; a man who is unswerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to
    faith and piety by even the greatest trial and sufferings. (Thayer's Lexicon)
    Patience, (hypomone in Greek) should be translated endurance or strength of character. (Falwell)
    Endurance in doing what is right, never giving in to temptation or trial. spiritual staying power that
    will die before it gives in. It is the virtue which can endure, not simply with resignation, but with a
    vibrant hope. (MacArthur)
   

Warren Wiersbe, in his book, Be Alert, says:

Patience is the ability to endure when circumstances are diffficult. It relates primarily to the pressures and problems of life. It is not developed automatically; we must work at it. (James 1:2-8) We must expect trials to come, because without trials we could never learn patience. Enjoy the confidence that God is at work, causing everything to work together for our good and His glory.

5. Godliness means reverance, respect, piety toward God. (Thayer's Lexicon)
    It means "God-likeness;" to worship well. It describes the man who was right in his relationship
    with God and with his fellow man. He lives above the petty thinlgs of life, the passions and
    pressures that control the lives of others. He seeks to do the will of God, and as he does, he seeks
    the welfare of others. (Wiersbe)

6. Brotherly kindness refers to the love which Christians cherish for each other as brethren.
    In the Greek, the word philadelphia is used here. If we love Jesus, we should practice a sincere love
    of the brethren (1Peter 2:22).
    Hebrewss 13:1 says, Let brotherly love continue.
    Romans 12:10 says, Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love.
    What is evidence that we are born again? 1 John 5:1-2 tells us it is the fact that we love our brothers
     and sisters in Christ.

7. Charity is the king of love spoken of in verse 7-agape love, the kind of love that God shows toward
    lost sinners. It is described in 1 Corinthians 13. The love that the Holy Spirit produces in our hearts
    as we walk in the Spirit. (Romans 5:5, Galatians 5:22)
    There is more to Christian growth than brotherly love; we must also have the sacrifical love that our
     Lord displayed when He went to the cross. Wiersbe)

Am I allowing and inviting God to work alongside me to produce these qualities?
Will God bring unlovely people my way so I can exhibit His love to them, the way he exhibited it to me? He sends me forth with His inexhaustible love.

So how is your faith stacking up?

LET IT GO

                                                                    Love
                      Brotherly kindness
    Godliness
Patience
Temperance
  Knowledge                              
  Virtue                                                 
   Faith

Nooooo! Maybe it should look like this:


Love
Brotherly Kindness
  Godliness
       Patience
Temperance
    Knowledge
Virtue
   Faith
   Jesus

Let my faith stack up high with Jesus.

Adding to the List

584.  "Adding to the List"     August 14, 2012
2 Peter 1-Part 2
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.  2 Peter 1:5-7


LET IT GLOW
Have you found any exceedingly great and precious promises of God this past week? Why not share them with us?
In verse 4, Peter tells us that we are given these. I sure want some, don't you?

Not just great, but exceedingly great promises are given to us. Not just promises, but precious promises are given to us. Did you catch that?
Great refers to large and imposing; precious refers to valuable.
God gives exceedingly large and precious promises. Now that's what I'm talking about. Yes, indeed, I want those.
Through these promises, we are partakers of the divine nature, within us, since we are adopted sons and daughters of God (Gal. 4:5-7).
As a believer, my nourishment comes from the Word of God instead of the garbage of the world. However, spiritual growth is not automatic. This old flesh does not want to die just because Jesus is living inside me. There are many times that my old self peeks around the corner and jumps in the middle of things. Oh, but there is good news, friends, Jesus in the Way, the Truth, and the Life. (John 14:6)
Am I giving diligence to my walk with the Lord? (verse 5)
Am I adding (to supply generously) to my faith?
It isn't enough for the Christian to "let go and let God," as though spiritual growth were God's work alone. (Wiersbe)
Add to (epichorego in Greek) originally meant to finance, support, or back a chorus; provide. Here Peter callls uponn believers to put everything they have into supporting their faith with virtue, etc. (Falwell)

Add means to get into the habit of doing things, and in the initial stages it is difficult. Take the initiative, stop hesitating, and take the first step. Be resolute when God speaks, act in faith immediately on what He says, and never revise your decisions. (Oswald Chambers)
Shall we see what else we are to be adding to faith?

LET IT GROW

Most of the time I have a list made out before I go to the grocery store. Sometimes I even add other errands to it. With my memory deminishing as it is because of age, I often lay the list on the seat next to me so I remember to go here and there. I will admit  there have been times that I held it in my hand while driving just so I'd remember not to forget where I am going. Anyone else done that? Well, there are times that I don't get everything on my list, for some reason or other, so when I get home, I start a new list.
Peter has given us a list of characteristics of a godly life, seven to be exact. Shall we see what these are? Think I could work on one a day this week, since there are 7. (We'll discuss 3 today and 4 tomorrow, to save time.) Keep in mind that this list is what we add to faith.

What is faith?

Faith, by my definition of Hebrews 11:1, is hope unseen.
Faith is assurance, substance, evidence, or conviction. Faith is required for future hopes and present spiritual blessings. It has been given to believers or rather they have been chosen to it. Each item is to be supported or supplemented with another.  (Falwell)
 (Like a toddler stacks blocks, one on top of another, so are these to be added onto our faith.)

1. Virtue means moral goodness; a virtuous course of thought, feeling, and action. (Thayer's Lexicon)It is the moral energy, the power that performs deeds of excellence. (MacArthur) A Christian shows "excellence" because he is fulfilling his purpose in life. (Wiersbe)
2. Knowledge, used here, means moral wisdom, such as is seen in right living. (Thayer's Lexicon)It suggests practical knowledge or discernment; the ability to handle life successfully. It is the opposite of being "so heavenly minded as to be of no earthly good!"This knowldege is not automatica, but it come from obedience to the will of God (John 7:17) (Wiersbe)
3. Temperance is the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, especially his sensual appetites. (Thayer's Lexicon) It means self-control. It literally means "holding oneself in."A Christian is to control the flesh, the passions, and bodily desires, rather than allowing himself to be controlled by them. It is a servant, not the master of one's life. (MacArthur)

[Resources: The MacArthur Bible Commentary, Liberty Bible Commentary, Be Alert by Warren Wiersbe, My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers]

Am I growing stronger in faith in Christ? I don't know about you, dear friend, but I know what I am working on today-moral excellence in my thoughts and feelings. I want to stay pure in what I think on throughout today. Singing praises to my Jesus, quoting Scripture. Any more suggestions?
Philippians 4:8 says to think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, and praise worthy. I have my assignment today.

LET IT GO

Walk by faith, keeping it strong and firm in Jesus my Savior, trusting Him with everything.

Have virtuous thoughts, feelings, and actions today.

Shut out the world's influence and listen to the Holy Spirit.

Practice what I teach.

Give Jesus control of my desires, appetities, and passions. Say no to the wrong food, drink, and things.

Red Sugar Water

583.  "Red Sugar Water"           August 13, 2012
Introduction to 2 Peter
By His divine power, god has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.   2 Peter 1:3  NLT

Background:
We recognize Peter as the author of his second letter. He was the man, old Simon and new Peter, the rock; Cephas in the Syriac language. He was the outspoken apostle, who did speak on the Day of Pentecost, where 3,000 were saved. He was the only disiple who got out of the boat and experienced walking on water toward Jesus. But he was also the one who denied Christ 3 times during His trial. Then, Peter was the one to whom Christ asked if he loved Him; the one to whom the Risen Savior told to feed His sheep (followers).
MacArthur says that probably this epistle was written just before Peter's death, A.D.67-68. According to tradition, Peter requested that he be hung upside down when hung on a cross, signifying his unworthiness to die as his Lord.
It seems that Peter wrote this letter from prison in Rome, where he was facng imminent death. (MacArthur)
The purpose of First Peter was to help suffering Christians; Second Peter was to expose false teachers.
We will see him dealing with scoffers, emphasizing the reasons why the imminent return of Christ had not yet occured.

LET IT GLOW

John MacArthur says that in this letter, we will be challenged to know our:

• salvation
• Scriptures
• adversaries
• prophecy.

David Guzik says,"Knowing God is the key to all things that pertain to life and godliness."

To know or knowledge are words mentioned 13 times in this letter. It isn't merely an intellectual understanding of sosme truth, although it can be. It is the living participation in the truth in the sense that our Lord used it in John 17:3, This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. (italics added)

Am I knowing and growing in Christ? Am I knowing more about Christ, as well as personally knowing and experiencing Him? Is my faith in Christ growing, staying on level ground, or going down hill?

LET IT GROW

All summer, I have had two hummingbirds come faithfully to the feeder hanging from my porch. During this summer's drought in my area, those cute tiny birds came daily, depending on me to give them nurishment. Everything in the fields and yard was dried up-no flowers, no nectar. Very few flowered weeds were around. Since there was only an inch of the liquid left, this morning I refilled the hummingbird feeder with precious red sugar water. So far, one has returned.
Isn't God like that for us. If I will come daily to read His Word, then He will faithfully provide the spiritual nurishment I need to live that day. His Word is a precious gift to us! (His red sugar water is the sweet blood of Jesus shed for me and you, friends-a gift.)

What are our precious gifts given from Christ, which no one else can give? Peter says they are faith, righteousness, grace, and peace.
It is the precious blood, precious righteousness, and precious sacrifice of Christ Who gives us these precious gifts.

Warren Wiersbe, in his book Be Alert,  writes about the three important affirmations about the true Christian life, the characteristics of the Truth:

1.The Christian life begins with faith. (verses 1-4)

• This faith is in a person. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, our Savior, God in diety and form of man. (verses 1-2) Savior is the one who brings salvation, which means deliverance from trouble. (In our case, it is from sin, death, Satan, and hell from what I am delivered.) Grace is god's favor that is undeserving. Peace is experience with God (Rom. 5:1).
• This faith involves God's power. (verse 3) When I was born again into the family of God by faith in Christ, I became complete. God gaves me everything I would ever need for life and godliness. Nothing needs to be added, for I'm complete.
• This faith involves God's promises. (verse 4) His Word is what I need for life and godliness to develop in me. They are great pormises from a great God, leading to a great life.

2. Faith results in spiritual growth. (verses 5-7)
3. Spiritual growth brings practical results. (verses 8-11)
(I will discuss that last two later.)

LET IT GO

Learn more about Jesus so I can know Him better.

Study His Word so I can experience the life His has for me.

Submit to Jesus.

Reach out to Him to grow my faith.

Stand on His promises.