2 Peter 3 - 2.13.25

 S - 2 Peter 3:8-11: 8 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. 9 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.

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.

11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives

O –  2 Peter was written just 3 years after his initial letter to encourage the Church and to teach them about handling persecution and trials from the outside.  This letter was and is, for all who have received the faith. It contains Peter’s last words prior to his death as a martyr. He was warning all of us against an internal attack, complacency, and heresy. Heresy is any belief or practice that explicitly undermines the gospel. The identification and condemnation of heresies have played a significant role in shaping the development of Christian theology in the Church. (Christianity.com) Peter wanted to remind us of the words of the prophets and apostles that predicted the coming of false teachers, to give the reasons for the delay in Christ’s return, and to encourage them to beware of heresies.

A - God may seem slow as we go through trials and are just waiting for Him to help us out of our troubles. With the world caving in all around us - the natural disasters increasing, the cost of everything increasing, the lack of space and natural resources, the division among political parties and agendas, the disparity between the rich and poor, it would appear like now would be a great time to come for us and relieve of us of our hardships and pain. However, God’s timing is never slow…it just isn’t on our timetable. Imagine that! God’s timing is always perfect, whether we can see it now or not. We need to always remember that for us, time really is short. During that short time on earth God gives us some really important work to do in order to continue to grow our family for His Kingdom. He wants so many more people to believe in Him; to repent and turn to him. How can they do that if He takes us all home now? WHO will teach them who Jesus is? Who will show them? I think back to when I became a Believer… there were many different people who played a part in that. And it took time! I’m a little slow, stubborn and hard-headed (no comments!). I remember my great grandmother being a devout Catholic, and I am sure she prayed for me and shared God’s love with me. I remember a teacher in 5th grade inviting me to church camp in 5th and 6th grade. I am sure they prayed for me and showed me God’s love. I worked with some Christians at LAPD, whom at the time, I thought were a couple of “weirdos” but I know they prayed for me and told me things about Jesus. And I had several friends at the gym, that when I would go in to work out the morning after a crazy night of partying, they would tell me about the love of Jesus and who He was. EVENTUALLY, in HIS timing, I came to know Him and the trajectory of my life was forever changed! I am proof that you should never give up (Keep Moving!). I am always going to be a work in progress, but now I work for HIM and not just for the things that I want. We need to be ready to meet Jesus anytime, but also continue to plan our course of service as though He may not return for many years.

Be purposeful. Is there someone in our lives that we need to be sharing the Gospel with?

Romans 10:14-15 (NLT) 14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”  

Serving is our privilege. Are we all serving in some capacity alongside the church family?

Matthew 20:28 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Are we being faithful with our resources and tithes to help grow the Kingdom?  The Bible teaches that giving is a reflection of the heart’s attitude, and how we give reveals our relationship with God. (Freebiblestudyhub.com)

He IS patient with us, but we need to behave like, and work diligently as though He is coming tomorrow! Because when He comes, He will come SUDDENLY! We better be ready to answer for all that we have done for Him and His Kingdom.

P – Lord Jesus, thank you that your timing is always perfect, and that You choose to partner with us so that we can make You known to as many people as we possibly can. Help us not leave any one man behind because we failed to do the work you have called us to do. Lord help us to love others by truly caring what happens to them! Help us to remember where we were when you encountered us. Help us be patient and diligent in all you give us to do until the day comes when we get to spend eternity with you! Amen

- Crystal Flory

2 Peter 2 - 2.12.25

Scripture

2 Peter 2:9 … if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.

Observation

2 Peter 2 talks about false teachers leading people away from Jesus. Verses 4-9 point out that God is in control – of rescuing the godly and punishment for the unrighteous.

Application

As I was reading this chapter, it reminded me of our current culture. I get really frustrated over the times we live in. I see people professing to know God, but using his word to attack people and as a weapon of hate. I want to shout, “That is not my God you are representing!” And while I believe that to be true, God gave me a couple of reminders this morning:

1.    When I spend time focusing on the behaviors of others and getting riled up, I am allowing others to steal my peace and my joy.

2.    Judgement is reserved for God.

3.    I need to take my concerns to God and pray.

4.    I need to focus my attention on serving my God as he has called me to and live my life as an example, pointing others to him.

Prayer

Thank you for your correction this morning. Forgive me for my judgmental attitude. How can I complain about people not loving others when I am guilty myself? Please fill me with your grace and love for ALL I come in contact with.

- Debbie Dunn

2 Peter 1 - 2.11.25

SCRIPTURE:  2 PETER 1:3, 5-8

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 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.

OBSERVATION

This scripture brings about the building blocks for the Christian life. It all begins with becoming a believer in Christ, and through God’s power, we have everything we need to live a godly life. From that point, we can take each topic listed in verse 5 – 7 to grow closer in the Lord and live our Christian life to the fullest – as He intended.

APPLICATION

First of all, as a believer, verse 3 is such an encouragement. Read it over a few times and let each word sink in. If you’re feeling defeated or discouraged, verse 3 says we have everything we need to live a godly life and it’s given to us through God’s power.  Take ownership of what He’s given to you!

Living the Christian life, according to God’s plan, is a step-by-step process. It begins with our step in faith to recognize our sin and separation from God. We can then see the need for his forgiveness and accept Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Once we ask Him into our life, we can then repent from our old life and begin His glorious plan for our life. Some people think that’s it for the Christian life. Well, if we want to be effective and productive in our Christian life, we can take our faith into practicing goodness, gaining knowledge through His Word, which then brings about more self-control, and grows into perseverance. Through all of these steps, we can live a godly life that will easily bring mutual affection and ultimately love for those around us.

There’s one caveat in verse 8 - all of these steps need to “increase in measure” through your life if you truly want to be effective and productive. Bottom line: we must be growing in our faith and all that is mentioned in verses 5 - 7. Take comfort in knowing you don’t have to acquire all of these things at once but it’s a day-by-day, step-by-step process with steady increase throughout your life. If you’re feeling like you’re not growing and moving in these steps, it’s time to do a re-set and start moving into growth in the Lord. Thankfully God’s door is always open and you can do this at any time, any day. Today is a great day to reignite your growth!

PRAYER

Lord, you are such a loving and gracious God. You have given us everything we need to live the life you’ve given to us. You’ve given us the power to achieve it all. Help me, Lord, to live each day in the steps you’ve provided, to live in victory through your power and to grow in You. In Jesus name! Amen.

- Mary Oberg