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. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and
precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine
nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. In view
of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your
faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with
knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient
endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly
affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow
like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our
Lord Jesus Christ.
2nd Peter 1:3-8 NLT
I
really don't like to cook. Never have... except for Thanksgiving or holidays.
People I have worked with over the years hear me say that and they think
I'm kidding. I'm not. I really don't like to cook, but I really do like
people and people like to eat. They are worth the effort. So,
while I don't have any particular talent for cooking, and I don't always know what
to do, I can read and I try to find recipes with
ingredients that people like.
Have
you ever followed a recipe and missed an ingredient? You had it, but you
overlooked it because you didn't read it in detail. Or you've made it
so often, that you think you don't need to read the
recipe. That's happened to me - I get in a hurry - or get distracted
and next thing I know it comes out wrong. If I've done it ahead
of time, I can start over. If not, I end up either buying at the store or
they do without.
Over
the years, I've learned that the Christian walk can be much the
same way. If we take the time to read the recipe for the Christian life
(Bible), and follow the directions, it comes out alright and we can offer people the Bread of Life. If we get in a
hurry, or get distracted, there is NO going to buy it at the store... those precious people who
God has given to us wind up doing without. Can we afford that?
2nd Peter 1:19b-21 NLT, tells us this about the written Word of
God...You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are
like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning
Star shines in your hearts. Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in
Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, or from human
initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke
from God. So while WE may not know the answer for whatever's going on in
our lives or in the lives of those we care about, we CAN read...
Prayer:
Father,
Birth in us a new desire to read Your Word and please give us a fresh anointing
to be able to rightly divide and understand it. And the wisdom and courage to
properly apply it and share it with others. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
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