Category: II Peter

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The Best Gifts

This morning my heart is filled with gratitude and joy.

God has graciously blessed every one of us with so many wonderful gifts.

“ He gives us everything we need for life and for holy living. He gives it through His great power. As we come to know Him better, we learn that He called us to share His own shining-greatness and perfect life. 4 Through His shining-greatness and perfect life, He has given us promises. These promises are of great worth and no amount of money can buy them. Through these promises you can have God’s own life in you now that you have gotten away from the sinful things of the world which came from wrong desires of the flesh.” II Peter 1:3-4 NLV

My heart is filled with gratitude this morning; God’s amazing love is overwhelming; His peace passes all understanding (that means I can’t figure out how I can have so much peace when things seem anything but peaceful) and His grace (giving me what I don’t deserve) is so marvelous!

Each day I have the opportunity to receive these gifts anew; each day I have the opportunity to share these gifts with others; each day I have the joy of saying thank you to my wonderful Father who has given these gifts to me!

“But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” Ephesians 4:7 KJV

The gifts we have been given are not for our benefit alone. We have the opportunity to share them with others. The Holy Spirit is the giver of these gifts. He empowers us so that we become a blessing to others.

Just as our hands help our feet by putting on our shoes and socks or our sense of smell helps to keep us from eating something that is spoiled, our Spirit-given gifts help others in the body of Christ to grow and mature in the things of God.

“The Holy Spirit works in each person in one way or another for the good of all. 8 One person is given the gift of teaching words of wisdom. Another person is given the gift of teaching what he has learned and knows. These gifts are by the same Holy Spirit. 9 One person receives the gift of faith. Another person receives the gifts of healing. These gifts are given by the same Holy Spirit. 10 One person is given the gift of doing powerful works. Another person is given the gift of speaking God’s Word. Another person is given the gift of telling the difference between the Holy Spirit and false spirits. Another person is given the gift of speaking in special sounds. Another person is given the gift of telling what these special sounds mean. 11 But it is the same Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, Who does all these things. He gives to each person as He wants to give.” I Corinthians 12:7-11 NLV

We receive our gifts from God and then we use them for His glory.

No one is left out. Everyone receives. Share what you’ve been given. It will be a wonderful blessing to those around you!

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Dashing Through the Snow

Oh wait – there is no snow and very little dashing. The sleigh is an enclosed black SUV and hopefully there will be lots of laughter. Our youngest daughter, son-in-law and three young grandchildren are coming today for Thanksgiving dinner and a time of decorating for Christmas.

You remember I told you earlier in the week about our Christmas tree cutting adventure last weekend with our oldest daughter and son-in-love. Well, said tree has stood stately through the week and will be the center of attention this afternoon.

I’ve been looking at pictures of our Christmas trees from years past. Some have been quite stately. They have stood strong through many years of cold snowy winters and warm sunny summers. Others were a bit more lean, having a flat side with short little branches because they grew too close to another tree and their growth was stunted.

Each tree had its own beauty and charm. Each tree had grown from a small seed that fell from the pinecone years before we had come. Each tree was a testament to God’s recreative power, and each tree took us to nature, God’s beauty and reminded us of His love.

Thinking about those trees, their imperfections, and their beauty, I was reminded that we are like those trees. We all have our own little quirks and characteristics, but we are all a creation of beauty designed by the Master Creator, our Heavenly Father.

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

Maybe you are a Charley Brown tree or maybe you are majestic like the tree in Rockefeller Plaza. Just let your light shine and bring joy into the lives of those around you.

“You have accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord. Now keep on following him. 7 Plant your roots in Christ and let him be the foundation for your life. Be strong in your faith, just as you were taught. And be grateful.” Colossians 2:6-7 CEV

As we move from Thanksgiving to Christmas we’ll be oohing and awing over Christmas lights and decorations. Busy baking goodies and doing some final shopping. Making special gifts and most of all making memories.

Memories, hopefully, that are centered around Christ and His amazing love for each of us.

Let others see that you are God’s workmanship, created by Him to do good.

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Happy Thanksgiving

Today let us join the saints of old and the heavenly choir and give thanks to the Lord God Almighty who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly place and who gives us every good and perfect gift. As we sit around our dinner tables let’s give thanks with hearts filled with gratitude.

“And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.” Revelation 7:11-12

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Psalm 118:29 NIV

We have so much to be thankful for.

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

Father, thank You for choosing us, making us Your children. Thank You for being our good Father, someone we can trust. Someone who will never abandon us or leave us frightened, but Who is the giver and supplier of our peace. We love You, Father. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

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Awesome Loving Father

Yesterday I had the wonderful opportunity to minister to and with the ladies of DCF in Phoenix. I always enjoy sharing God’s word with these special women.

This morning when I opened my laptop, there on the screen were the key verses from yesterday’s teaching.

“Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the spiritual blessings that Christ has brought us from heaven! 4 Before the world was created, God had Christ choose us to live with him and to be his holy and innocent and loving people. 5 God was kind and decided that Christ would choose us to be God’s own adopted children. 6 God treated us with undeserved grace because of the Son he dearly loves, and so we should praise God.” Ephesians 1:3-6 CEV

Think about that – before the world was created; before there was a sky or stars, land or sea, before the elephants or eels, before the apples or the peaches; before the redwoods or the ponderosa pines, God choose us to become His children.

We have been in God’s heart and on His mind for longer than the world has existed. Amazing!

We are not an afterthought, an oops, a mistake; we are planned by God from the beginning to be His chosen ones.

“God always does what he plans, and this is why he appointed Christ to choose us.” Ephesians 1:11 CEV

As I said to those sweet women, there were lots of things in life I was never chosen for; I wasn’t homecoming queen or picked first for the neighborhood softball team, I wasn’t selected for honors choir, nor did I sit as first chair clarinet in high school band.

But I was chosen and so were you!

Chosen to be a part of God’s family; chosen to be loved; chosen to receive spiritual blessings in heavenly places.

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

I will be sharing more with you from this teaching in the days ahead, but for now, let these words “Before the world was created, God had Christ choose us” settle deep in your heart.

We have been chosen by God!

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Protect What’s Precious

Only one verse this morning and I think that it is often overlooked. I’d like to highlight it because I happen to believe that all of God’s word is profitable for our instruction.

“ Don’t give to dogs what belongs to God. They will only turn and attack you. Don’t throw pearls down in front of pigs. They will trample all over them.” Matthew 7:6 CEV

When we look through Scripture at verses that talk about dogs we find a spiritual implication. In the Psalms it says enemies are like dogs and it also compares stupid leaders to dogs. In one place it says liars roam the city like a pack of wild dogs.

The Apostle Paul told us to beware of dogs.

“ Watch out for those people who behave like dogs! They are evil and want to do more than just circumcise you.” Philippians 3:2 CEV

These people that Paul was talking about wanted to brag about their own exploits and wanted to draw attention to themselves and pull the Christians away from their belief in Christ.

Jesus also warned about giving what was precious to pigs. Peter made a correlation between people who hear God’s word but ignore it and return to their old ways and pigs rolling in the mud.

“They would have been better off if they had never known about the right way. Even after they knew what was right, they turned their backs on the holy commandments they were given. 22  What happened to them is just like the true saying, ‘A dog will come back to lick up its own vomit. A pig that has been washed will roll in the mud.” II Peter 2:21-22 CEV

Jesus knew that there were those in the crowd listening to Him who were religious hypocrites. Those who would try to discredit the message He preached. You will notice that Jesus didn’t go searching for them, trying to persuade them to believe that He was the Messiah.

No, instead He went to those who were hurting, lost and afraid. Those who He referred to as lost sheep.

We will encounter those who think we are foolish for following Christ; those who would try to drag us off to follow a different philosophy or teaching and some who just want to wallow in the mud of their own making.

One simple verse. Don’t give to dogs what belongs to God – that would be our love and devotion. Don’t let anyone pull you away from what God has given you!

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Something for Everyone

Occasionally the Lord shows me some verses that need no commentary from me. His word is always sufficient. I’m just the messenger.

Enjoy this message – it’s for everyone!

“The Lord Works Miracles

1 Sing a new song to the Lord!
    He has worked miracles,
and with his own powerful arm,
    he has won the victory.
2 The Lord has shown the nations
that he has the power to save
    and to bring justice.
3 God has been faithful
    in his love for Israel,
and his saving power is seen
    everywhere on earth.

4 Tell everyone on this earth
to sing happy songs
    in praise of the Lord.
5 Make music for him on harps.
    Play beautiful melodies!
6 Sound the trumpets and horns
and celebrate with joyful songs
    for our Lord and King!

7 Command the ocean to roar
    with all its creatures,
and the earth to shout
    with all its people.
8 Order the rivers
    to clap their hands,
and all the hills
    to sing together.
9 Let them worship the Lord!
He is coming to judge
    everyone on the earth,
and he will be honest
    and fair. Psalm 98 CEV

“Our Lord, you keep your word
    and do everything you say.
14 When someone stumbles or falls,
    you give a helping hand.
15 Everyone depends on you,
and when the time is right,
    you provide them with food.
16 By your own hand you satisfy
    the desires of all who live.

17 Our Lord, everything you do
    is kind and thoughtful,
18 and you are near to everyone
    whose prayers are sincere.
19 You satisfy the desires
    of all your worshipers,
and you come to save them
    when they ask for help.
20 You take care of everyone
who loves you,
    but you destroy the wicked.

21 I will praise you, Lord,
and everyone will respect
    your holy name forever.” Psalm 145:13-21 CEV

We are the everyones’ who should be singing praises to God. We are the everyones’ who love and respect the Lord. We are the everyones’ that He cares for, provides for and lifts up when we have fallen.

That is God’s promise and He doesn’t lie.

“God is no mere human! He doesn’t tell lies or change his mind. God always keeps his promises.” Numbers 23:19 CEV

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

We are ALL an everyone. This is the good news of God’s love and patience to us all!

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Impatiens or Impatience

Before Dave and I were married he took me to meet his grandparents. They both had such green thumbs. His grandmother knew the name of nearly every plant in the desert. His grandfather had beautiful ferns that I was envious of. And then there were the impatiens – everywhere and in all colors.

This morning while I was searching for an image to use for this blog on impatience, I came across many pictures of impatiens. I like impatiens more than impatience.

Impatience is destroyer and impatiens are a beautiful reminder of God’s provision.

I’m sharing a writing I did years ago; it seems so appropriate for today.

Impatience is a destroyer of faith. When we become impatient, we begin to try to work things out on our own – we wonder if God is ever going to come through – what’s taking sooooooooooo long? Those kinds of thoughts come from doubt and bring fear – fear that it is never going to work out right. Doubt and fear will choke out the promises of God’s word – they can outweigh faith, if we let them. We must stand with confidence in God’s word if we expect to see God’s promises fulfilled.

“Dear friends, don’t forget that for the Lord one day is the same as 1,000 years, and 1,000 years is the same as one day. 9 The Lord isn’t slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost.” II Peter 3:8-10 CEV

Let’s follow Abram’s example. He followed God from his home out to the middle of nowhere because God made him a promise. A promise that he would possess great land and be the father of many nations. But Abraham never really took possession of the land he had been promised – he lived the life of a nomad – moving from place to place, all the time holding fast to God’s promise.

“Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him…By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went out to a place he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he stayed as a foreigner in the land of promise, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, coheirs of the same promise…11 By faith even Sarah herself, when she was unable to have children, received power to conceive offspring, even though she was past the age, since she considered that the One who had promised was faithful. 12 Therefore from one man—in fact, from one as good as dead—came offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as innumerable as the grains of sand by the seashore.” Hebrews 11:6, 8-12 CSB

What is it that God has promised you? What have you left to follow God? No looking back – keep your eyes on the prize of the high calling of God. Don’t give up – don’t fall back. Move forward – continue to follow in obedience what God has put in your heart.

Don’t let impatience get the upper hand. Stop and enjoy the beauty of the impatiens as you wait on the Lord.

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Growing Stronger

Those words jumped off the page to me – “grow strong in faith”. Faith: complete trust or confidence in someone or something.

Faith according to the writer of Hebrews is “Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].” Hebrews 11:1 AMP

The title deed. Over the past several months I have helped a number of people through the process of transferring title. Once that is done, the property is legally and officially theirs. Faith is our title deed – it is our assurance that God has transferred His promises to us.

“And if [we are His] children, [then we are His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His spiritual blessing and inheritance], if indeed we share in His suffering so that we may also share in His glory.” Romans 8:17 AMP

A large portion of my early life was spent struggling, worrying, facing the insecurity of my failures and unworthiness. But then I began hearing messages on faith, not in my abilities but in God’s. My spiritual life began to grow stronger, like a plant in the garden that had received an infusion of fertilizer.

“But I am like a green olive tree growing in God’s Temple. I will trust God’s faithful love forever and ever. 9 God, I praise you forever for what you have done. I will speak your name before your followers because it is so good!” Psalm 52:8-9 ERV

How many millions of Christians are like I was wanting to believe God but struggling to trust?

“ So encourage each other and help each other grow stronger in faith, just as you are already doing.” I Thessalonians 5:11 ERV

That’s my goal each day; to help others grow stronger in their faith. The Apostle Paul said in Romans that faith comes by hearing and by hearing the WORD of God. That’s why it’s so important for me to fill these morning devotions with God’s word. My opinion and experiences won’t build faith, they can be examples, but faith comes by trusting in God’s word and His faithfulness.

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

It is my desire to see each of you grow in faith, as you grow in the knowledge of what your relationship with Christ has given you. You have received a marvelous inheritance, the title deed to God’s promises for living the life God has provided.

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Growing Strong and Tall

The other day I was talking with one of our neighbors. We were remarking how beautiful the desert is when it’s in bloom. He said, “Saguaro’s have the right idea. Their blooms make a wreath around their heads that open in the morning sun because they are pointed toward God”. Or it was something like that.

He said we should always keep our heads pointed toward God. I agreed!

For so many years I tried to make myself be a good Christian. Now, however, I take a bit of a different angle to it. I tried to be more like Christ; trying hard to do the right things, keeping my attitude in check, putting others first, etc. Wanted to make sure I was reading my Bible, attending church, tithing, serving. But those things were really works of my own making because that’s what I believed good Christians do.

It is our knowledge of Christ that helps us grow, not the good works that we attempt.

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

Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus. That’s where the change comes. Not looking at my works to be like Him but instead looking at His works in me.

God’s amazing grace covers me when I fall, picks me up, encourages me to keep going and not loose hope. When I began to realize what grace truly was, growing in it, my relationship with the Father and with Jesus began to grow.

Knowledge of His deep unconditional love brought me from a place of working for the Lord to letting Him work in and through me.

Like the saguaros, whose blossoms open with the morning sun, sunflowers have their heads bowed but as the sun appears they lift and become strong and tall. They face the sun, soaking in its rays, basking in its warmth, finding strength.

They remind me that each day I should face the Son and let His light change my life.

“Our Lord and our God, you are like the sun and also like a shield. You treat us with kindness and with honor, never denying any good thing to those who live right. 12 Lord God All-Powerful, you bless everyone who trusts you.” Psalm 84:11-12 CEV

“God is the one who began this good work in you, and I am certain that he won’t stop before it is complete on the day that Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6 CEV

“Even when we were God’s enemies, he made peace with us, because his Son died for us. Yet something even greater than friendship is ours. Now that we are at peace with God, we will be saved by the life of his Son.” Romans 5:10 CEV

It isn’t the work we do that makes us worthy of God’s acceptance and love; it’s His work in us that makes us new and puts us at peace with Him!

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Make Today Count

Dave and I were sitting on the deck last night and talking about what is to come in the future. The end of next week we have two different families whose children are getting married. These are kids we saw growing up – now they are starting families of their own.

Dave said it will be a long time before we have another wedding in our family. The older grandkids have started their lives and homes, but the littles are still years removed from that. We wonder, will we be here to be a part of it. Only God knows that answer.

This week some of those close to us have lost loved ones to death.

It makes us ever more aware that we should be living each day with purpose and making the most of the days we have.

When we read the book of Romans it’s almost as if the Apostle Paul was reading the headlines in yesterday’s paper. His instructions are so direct and timely to the world we are living in. There is nothing “old fashioned” about his teaching.

“You know what sort of times we live in, and so you should live properly. It is time to wake up. You know that the day when we will be saved is nearer now than when we first put our faith in the Lord. 12 Night is almost over, and day will soon appear. We must stop behaving as people do in the dark and be ready to live in the light. 13 So behave properly, as people do in the day. Don’t go to wild parties or get drunk or be vulgar or indecent. Don’t quarrel or be jealous. 14 Let the Lord Jesus Christ be as near to you as the clothes you wear. Then you won’t try to satisfy your selfish desires.” Romans 13:11-14 CEV

It’s time to wake up! Making each day count.

Time to live the life that Jesus has called us to live. The Lord’s coming back soon. Yes, that’s been said since the time that Paul was on the earth but look how much sooner it is now than it was then. Look how much sooner it is than just 5-10 years ago.

Why the delay? I know but one answer to that question.

“Dear friends, don’t forget that for the Lord one day is the same as a thousand years, and a thousand years is the same as one day. 9 The Lord isn’t slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost. 10 The day of the Lord’s return will surprise us like a thief…” II Peter 3:8-10a CEV

God, the Father, is being patient and loving as He waits for everyone to respond to His love.

We have been given the opportunity to be light in this world, let’s make today count and fill it with His goodness.

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