QT 8 Jan 20, 2 Pet 3:15, Use these last days to grow

2 Peter 3:15 (ESV) — And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him,

NOTE: I really like Wheaton's commentary,  "While God is waiting, He is both giving time for the unbeliever to be saved, and for the believer to be working out his salvation (cf. Phil. 2:12, 13) in terms of progress in sanctification.” God will complete his plan, but in the meantime, I need to be working out my salvation with fear and trembling. I am saved eternally and without doubt. But, God expects me to do good works which he has prepared in advance. There is a judgment coming for the believer -- it does not result in eternal punishment, but it is judgment none-the-less. For all God has done in saving me from Hell, what am I doing to show my thankfulness and appreciation? I want to earn a crown that I can cast in worship of the Savior.

PRAYER: Father, thank you so much for saving me from the muck of my existence. Thank you for opening my eyes to truth. Thank you for your gracious salvation.

QT 7 Jan 20, 2 Pet 3:12-13, Our incredible God

2 Peter 3:12–13 (ESV) — 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

NOTE: While the words could be interpreted to mean sky and earth, upon further reflection, the universe is more probable. I suppose I struggle with the universe being recreated because it seems unnecessary--we only messed up the earth and maybe a little of our solar system. The passage does reveal the enormous power of God. To recreate the entire universe is really beyond comprehension, literally incomprehensible and completely unmeasurable. In even trying to describe power and probability, we use numbers with so many zeros after, that it is better to call them zero (when the large number is in the denominator), and infinity (when the large number is the numerator). God is amazing.

PRAYER: Father, you are beyond our comprehension. And yet you make yourself known to the world through the person and work of Jesus Christ (I would also add your word, but Jesus is the word). And You make yourself more clearly known to the believer through the indwelling Holy Spirit. You are awesome, incomprehensible, transcendent, and yet knowable, our friend, brother, and Father.

QT 6 Jan 20, 2 Pet 3:10, A fresh start

2 Peter 3:10 (ESV) — But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

NOTE: The day of the Lord is coming. We may dismiss the supernatural but that does not change timeless truth. The verse could be written "… and then the sky will pass away rushingly, and the elements will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed." This is a little closer to the Greek words and gives a much different view. Rather than recreating the universe, God recreates the earth in this verse. As for the "heavens," the Jews saw three heavens--the sky, the universe, and the abode of God, so there is some ambiguity on what a new heaven and a new earth will refer. Whatever, God will do something beautiful.

PRAYER: A new year is a new opportunity. It is like starting over. Father, help me to live for you this year with a stronger witness than last year. I want to be a light to the lost and an example of a godly man.

QT 3 Jan 20, 2 Pet 3:3, Scoffers are quite religious

2 Peter 3:3 (ESV) — knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.

NOTE: There have been scoffers throughout history, so understanding the phrase "last days" does seem difficult. But there certainly are more scoffers today than at any point in history. They think science gives them the evidence to be vocal in their disbelief, although for myself, science doesn't contradict my faith. I have found science to be a friend of faith. Evolution by random selection is an example. Mathematically, it is impossible to build a single cell by randomly adding parts that make up a cell. There is not enough time in the universe. Also, the unique cosmological constants that make up our physics are too finely tuned to be by chance. A slight deviation would make it impossible for anything to exist. Today scoffers answer these charges with a multi-universe theory (something that can not be proved). Why is that not a "God-in-the gaps" solution as the scoffers charge Christians for using the supernatural to explain the unknown? It is funny though--scoffers and atheists are religious.

PRAYER: Father, open our eyes to our foolishness. Help us to not be close minded to what we don't want to believe. Help us to consider rationally all ideas. Help us to see how you created the universe for good.

QT 3 Jan 20, 2 Pet 2:18-20, We need a new focus this year

2 Peter 2:18–19 (ESV) — 18 For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.

NOTE: Whether or not the teacher is a true Christian (someone who truly put their faith and belief in Christ), there is a danger of teachers who mislead the body. These are men who are slaves of corruption, which means they have become enslaved to some sin. Heb 12:1 mentions a sin which besets (AV), and other versions say "clings so closely." We do all struggle with certain sins that are unique to us. I think the answer is found in the verse,

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb 12:1-2 RSV)."

We have to lay aside or put off those sins. But putting off is usually not enough, you need to put something on to replace it. In this case, the author of Hebrews says to change our focus to Jesus and persevere in knowing him. How do we do that? The same way we change our focus in anything in life, we spend time doing things differently. How do we focus on Christ? We could start with his words since the bible calls Jesus the Word. Are we in the Word regularly? If not, then change your focus. Are we reading the Word daily? If not, then change your focus. Are we memorizing his Word as David did in Psalm 119:9-11? If not, then change your focus. Put off your old focus and put on a new focus.

PRAYER: Father, I know changing focus is not easy, but it is essential not to become enslaved by sin. Father, help me to make you the focus of my life -- to see you in every aspect -- and to live for you in all my endeavors. Forgive me for my sins, thank you for your forgiveness.

QT 2 Jan 20, 1 Pet 1:17b-19, It is still true today -- we can only share what we have seen

2 Peter 1:17b–19 (ESV) — 17b … and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,

NOTE: Peter saw Jesus' life. He saw the miracles. He saw the death. He saw the resurrected Christ. And he heard the voice of the Father confirm that Jesus was his son. He did not recant his story and tradition tells us he too was crucified, this time by Caesar. He died because of what he witnessed. He did not make up a story. He had no reason to lie. He had every reason to die for his belief, because he had a greater reward confirmed by his life knowledge of the risen savior. You can fool the next generations, but you can't fool the eyewitnesses. They showed stronger commitment and belief than many believers display today -- because they knew the truth.

PRAYER: Father, forgive me for my unbelief. I allow the world to distort the truth. I know the risen savior, because he lives in my heart today. I did not get to see Jesus or his life, but I have seen Jesus change my life. I need to remember that and I need to communicate that.

QT 1 Jan 20, 2 Pet 2:12-14, We are called to be holy

2 Peter 2:12–14 (ESV) — 12 But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction, 13 suffering wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you. 14 They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children!

NOTE: We are not animals. We are rational and make decisions based on judgment, not feelings or bodily desires. We should be humble and recognize the things of which we really do not understand. We need to be very careful in regards to our desires -- many are the product of an evil nature, even among those in the church. I can see this today in the modern church of America, a church driven not by the Word of God but by the desires of the flesh.

PRAYER: Father, We are an incredibly sad example of Jesus Christ to our world. My heart breaks for my own sinful failures. I want to live a holy and disciplined life for my Lord. I can say 'no' to my body. I am no longer a slave to sin. Father, help me in this new year to be an example of godliness to those I touch.

QT 31 Dec 19, 2 Pet 2:9-10a, The dangers of listening to our 'body'

2 Peter 2:9–10a (ESV) — 9 then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, 10 and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority.

NOTE: Lust is a great weakness. It wants us to succumb to our passions and throw off discipline in the pursuit of bodily 'needs.' We need to realize that there is a coming judgment upon the whole word for the unbridled living of life based on sensual needs and desires. We have become lazy and obese and sexually obsessed by listening to our evil nature, and then describing it as natural.

PRAYER: Father, there are certainly legitimate needs of our body, but our nature is so immersed in evil that, if we were honest, we would admit that we can not tell the difference between a legitimate need and a lustful passion. Open our eyes. May the Holy Spirit speak to our hearts and reveal our sin.

QT 30 Dec 19, 2 Pet 2:1, False teachers raise the body's desires above that of the Word of God

2 Peter 2:1–2 (ESV) — 1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed.

NOTE: Peter reveals a few characteristics of false teachers during the end times. False teachers will exist in the end times, they might even increase. They will introduce destructive new heresies. These are teachings that are not good for the body of Christ, such as the acceptance of gender identity or homosexuality within the body of Christ. They will encourage sensuality by teaching that our human body's drives are important and are revealing to us needs that must be fulfilled. It sounds good, but that kind of teaching encourages obesity, laziness, and sexual immorality. They will blaspheme the way of truth, which means that they will put outside-wisdom above the wisdom from God's word.

PRAYER: Father, protect me from such teachings. Help me in the new year to see the evil and to respond in a gracious manner.

QT 26 Dec 19, 2 Pet 1:14,-15, Why do we willingly disregard truth?

2 Peter 1:14–15 (ESV) — 14 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

NOTE: Peter knew his death was soon and he was not concerned. He called it the "putting off of my body" as if it was a very natural thing. Well, I'm not sure it is natural, but because of the rebellion, all but two people have gone through the same thing (at least as of 120 years ago). For the believer, it carries no fear, that is death carries no fear. We have a hope of eternal life that is based on the life, death, and resurrection of the son of God. An event, witnessed and recorded by many people. Despite atheists attempt to suggest otherwise, no historical scholar takes seriously the notion that Jesus did not exist. The evidence is overwhelming. Myths do not cause first generation eyewitness to die for a cause. It is easy to fool second and third generations, but first generation are not fooled. Eyewitnesses do not die for lies, especially when there was no material gain. Peter was an eyewitness to the events of which he writes. He knew the truth. He risked everything because of the truth. He now readily will die for the truth. He was a fisherman, but he was not stupid. And technically, he was educated by the most brilliant rabbi of all time, Jesus. His concern is that the second and subsequent generations recall the truths he and other eyewitnesses have taught.

PRAYER: Father, there is no doubt about the battle being waged against Jesus Christ. Non-truths are taught with vigor by the enemies of God without any basis except hatred. The world easily believes these non-truths, because truth demands a change that they are not willing to make. The would rather die in ignorance and in sin than to admit you rule. Father, forgive us. Heal us. Open our eyes to spiritual truth.

QT 25 Dec 19, 2 Pet 1:5-8, Growing in Christ in stages

2 Peter 1:5–8 (ESV) — 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

NOTE: I think there are seasons in life where we are growing in different aspects. I do see the list as increasing in maturity. But I also see that it is a list where we are always  going through it all over again. And then are areas where we just struggle. I think my constant struggle is in self-control. While I am not heavy, I am certainly 10 to 20 pounds heavier than I would like to be. My struggle is saying no to food, even when I have made up my mind to say no, I somehow allow myself to be tricked by my body into eating something I really don't need. This is another goal for the new year, to be increasingly stronger in self control.

PRAYER: Father, I pray for the strength and power of the Holy Spirit to be present in my life this year and to help me say no to the temptations of the flesh, especially as it comes to eating.

QT 4 Apr 19, 2 Pet 3:17, Preach the word, God's word and not man's word

2 Peter 3:17 ESV — You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. 

NOTE: In context this verse is referring to people who twist Paul's word, which Peter clearly implies are the words of God. There is a lot of error out there in the world, masquerading as intelligence or knowledge, but are neither because they deny God as creator or as lawgiver or as judge and ruler of the universe. Anyone taking any one of those three positions is gravely in error. We need to avoid, and I mean seriously avoid these teachers. There are wrong and are gravely wrong because they are misleading the people, the church, the bride of Christ. 

PRAYER: Father protect me in my teaching. May I never shrink back from teaching some unpopular topic. Keep me aware. Continue to wash me in your word. May I be a blessing to the church. 

QT 3 Apr 19, 2 Pet 3:12-13, I live today not for the future

2 Peter 3:12–13 (ESV) — 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

NOTE: A new heavens and a new earth will occur after the millennial period, after one last rebellion at the end of the thousand years. God will recreate everything. I find it interesting that Peter awaits, what we refer to as the "eternal age." I await the rapture, which precedes the tribulation, which precedes the millennium, which precedes the eternal age. But in a very real sense, those are far away. God gave me life, and that life is happening right now. I hope for the days in the future, but I live in this day. I don't want to miss the life I have now. I don't want to wish away my life waiting for the next big event (Friday, the weekend, the summer, football season, a promotion, etc). What I need to be waiting for is, what will God show me today and how will he use my life today for his glory today?

PRAYER: Father, I pray today would be my focus and not things in the future. I will live right now and enjoy my salvation right now. Open my eyes to your work and the good works you have prepared for me.

QT 2 Apr 19, 2 Pet 3:5-7, Judgment is coming and what are we doing?

2 Peter 3:5–7 (ESV) — 5 For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, 6 and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. 7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

NOTE: The phrase "the heavens existed long ago" is suggestive of much more time than human existence. Also, separating the earth from the creation of the heavens tells us that earth's creation took place after (and probably well after) the heaven's creation. At one time, and probably still true today, there was enough water to blanket the earth. God moved the water and created our planet surface. Later, he used the water to destroy our planet surface. Peter, says that the same thing is going to happen again, but this time with fire. Looking at the sun and other stars, it is obvious that the heavens were created with fire. And that element will be the new weapon of judgment upon our planet for our continued rebellion and sin.

PRAYER: Father, it seems like a lot of messages lately have been about a coming judgment. I hope I am hearing the right message. It is either a message to me to live a holy life and / or a message to me to be more concerned with those around me who do not know the savior. Both is probably true. Open my eyes to my own unholiness and open my eyes to the lostness of those around me. May both move me to greater action.

QT 1 Apr 19, 2 Pet 3:3, Chosen ignorance and willful rebellion

2 Peter 3:3 (ESV) — knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.

NOTE: This is truly the description of my world. And I'm sure in history past, there have been times like this, possibly worst. But I suppose I am arguing that in the past they were not aware of  God's plan to the same degree as today. Men lived in ignorance. But today, despite the spread of the gospel to nearly the whole world, men live in chosen ignorance and willful rebellion. I think the degree of this lifestyle is at its highest in history. We want to do what we want to do. We will not be told it is wrong. We will not be told that we are in rebellion to God. We will not be told! To make it easier on our consciences, we scoff at truth. We deny God's existence. We deny the historical record. We do everything possible to justify our own existence and freedom to live as we choose. We are a foolish people.

PRAYER: Father, open the eyes of those who truly are seeking. In others, bring them to the point where they have nothing left but to seek out you. Break our pride. Amen.

QT 28 Mar 18, 2 Peter 2:10, Our condemnation is clear and our time is short

2 Peter 2:10 (ESV) — and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority.

Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones,

NOTE: This is my generation. We are willfully and boldly choosing to defy God. Man has always been in rebellion, but I have never seen man so defiant against God, his rules, and holiness. The context of the passage says that God will judge the evil ones. We are all evil, but there is something even worse about this willful, bold defiance and the associated scoffing. We are coming upon a terrible time of judgment that will engulf the whole world. There is no question that will happen. The only remaining questions are when and how far God will let man sink into the mire of his rebellion. God will act and mankind will be judged most severely. We need witnesses to warn the people to repent.

PRAYER: God, have mercy on my nation. I know that we do not deserve mercy. There is nothing good in us anymore. Raise up witnesses who will speak up against the unbridled sin that ravages the land. It seems too late. I pray it is not.

QT 26 Mar 19, 2 Pet 2:2-3, We are blinded to real truth

2 Peter 2:2–3 (ESV) — 2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

NOTE: The fact that there are cults or TV evangelists who preach a wealth and health gospel is not an argument against but for Christianity. No one counterfeits 23 dollar bills, they counterfeit 20 dollar bills. People counterfeit what is true for sordid gain. There are many counterfeit religions, churches, and philosophies -- some even based on the bible, but there is only one true faith. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but through me." His words are the words of God -- absolute and true. We would do well to pay attention to his words above all the other things that are said in the world.

PRAYER: Father, open our eyes. Satan has blinded the mind of unbelievers (and probably believers or so-called believers too) to prevent them from understanding the truth of scripture. There is so much untruth and myth about the bible; there are even people who have labeled the bible as myth. Father, I pray that they may see their error before it is too late.

QT 25 Mar 19, 2 Pet 1:16, You can't ignore the eyewitness of Jesus Christ's work, death, and resurrection

2 Peter 1:16 (ESV) — For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

NOTE: This is an incredibly powerful testimony for a man who whose whole life was changed by Jesus Christ and who died for his testimony to the truth. And he is not the only EYEWITNESS who gave his or her life for the message. I've said before; second- and third-generation martyrs do not testify to truth, only to their zeal, misguided or not. But first-generation martyr testimonies cannot be easily dismissed. Islam has no first generation martyrs. Islam has no miracles. Christianity stands along among the world's religion in this regard in terms of miracles, eyewitnesses, first-generation martyrs, and proof of eternal life (the resurrected Jesus). It is historical and accurate despite the attempts to cast doubts. A reasoned investigation will prove these claims.

PRAYER: Father, open the eyes of the world to the things that they do not want to believe -- your existence, your creation, and your salvation in Jesus and Jesus alone.

QT 21 Mar 19, 2 Pet 1:10, A person can think he is a Christian but he is not

2 Peter 1:10 (ESV) — Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.

NOTE: Why does a believer need to confirm his calling? Well, not for God, but it might affect three other groups: believers, unbelievers, and yourself. The latter two are the most important. Evidence of growth and change confirms that the Holy Spirit is at work within you and that you have been born again. A changed life is also a great witness to unbelievers. The qualities that Peter mentions in the preceding verses are not rules and commandments, but character qualities. A Christ-based faith is not based on rules and commandments, but on internal change that occurs within us and affects our character. Religion is based on rules and commandments, and while it affects our actions, it does not change our inner heart. Many people are confused by this important distinction, thinking they are "saved" when they are actually "lost, but religious." It also why the faith is spoken of so badly by many unbelievers, because they only see the latter, people who call themselves Christians but are just religious.

PRAYER: Father, open our eyes to our true state. Are we truly saved or just pretending? Are we pretending without even knowing it? The enemy Satan has blinded the minds of unbelievers to prevent them from seeing the truth. Please, open our eyes to truth.

QT 11 Nov 16, 2 Pet 3:11-13, We are here for one major reason, to complete the mission