From Ben Fronczek... Precious Promises and Precious Lives

Precious Promises and Precious Lives

Precious Promise and Precious Lives  2 Peter 1:3-18    (2 Peter part 2)

By Ben Fronczek

Read 2 Peter 1:3-11 (click on site)

Intro. In our last lesson I talked about how and why faith, why believing in Jesus, God, and promises that God made to us in the Bible, are not only important but also that faith is precious and also a great source of grace and peace for those who learn to take advantage of what it offers.

Today as we move forward in 2 Peter 1, Peter lets us know that God has done something very, very special for us.   

Read 2 Peter 1:3-4 

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”

In these two verses Peter mentions three things that God has given us:

#1. He said that He has given us everything (everything) we need for life and Godliness. 

How and when and where has he given us everything we need for life and Godliness?  He said through our knowledge of Him who calls us by His own glory and goodness.

This is why it is so important to stay in God’s Word. It’s important to keep feeding our self by reading and studying the Bible, by reading books and magazines on spiritual topics, or by listen to tapes, cds and even good radio programs on Bible topics; anything that will help us understand, learn more and help us grow in our knowledge of God and His word. (For eg. How to raise kids, how to make your marriage work, it talks about work ethics, finances, social behavior, responsibilities to Government and how to get to heaven. I personally thank God for the help he has give me ove the years concerning these matters…. I has REALLY helped me and my family!)

The more we know about God and understand His will the more we will have what we need to survive this life, and the more we will be prepared for the trials that can come our way. I believe  this is the whole point of this letter.

#2. Peter also tells us here that through these things, (that is the knowledge we receive from and about God and His will), Peter tells us that God has given us some great and precious promises. (and there a lot of promises)

Here are just a few of those promises:

- Jesus promised,  

“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” (John 14.2)                      

- Jesus promised,  

 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14.3)                

- Jesus promised,  

 “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever,  the Spirit of truth…” (John 14.16-17a)            

- God has promised that those who believe in Jesus and are baptized for the forgiveness of sins will be saved. (Read Mark 16:16 and Acts 2:38).                         

- God has promised us victory over death.  1 Corinthians 15:56-57

- God has promised His people eternal life (John 10:27-28).                        

- God has promised that all things work together for good to those who love and serve Him faithfully (Romans 8:28).

These are just a few of many promises made. I encourage you to make a study of God’s promises. I believe you will find it most encouraging. I find it truly amazing that the God of this universe has made personal promises to you and me!!

What a shame that most people don’t take advantage of or even believe these wonderful promises. And sad too is the fact many who call themselves a Christian never take the time to learn these great promises of God. And they probably wonder why they can’t handle certain situations, and they worry and are filled with anxiety and can’t understand why God does what He does. They simply haven’t taken the time to get to know God. Because  they lack that knowledge they are weak and have less hope.

You probably heard the saying, ‘Knowledge is power.’ And in this case I believe it to be true. So God has given us everything we need for life, and godliness and He has made some amazing promises to us.

#3. The third thing that Peter mentions in this text is that because God gave us everything we need for life and godliness, Peter said that God provides a way for us to participate in His divine nature. 

And why is that such a blessing? Because he goes on to say that it is so we can “escape the corruption of this world.”

Peter thus encourages us to grow in certain virtues which lead to a life which is precious, divine, and one which is not ineffective or unproductive.

I don’t know about you but I don’t want to get to the end of my life and come to the realization that is was a waste in God’s eyes. I can’t stand it when I feel unproductive or ineffective. And if God thought that about my life that would truly grieve me. Could you Imagine God saying “What a waste, you were just a selfish brat your whole life.”

So Peter here suggests that we grow as a person. First he says if you want to participate in this divine nature you need to MAKE EVERY EFFORT to add these certain virtues to your life and keep growing in them.

As you know, it’s one thing to say you believe in God, Jesus and the Bible but it’s quite another to live the life that God would have you live.

So Peter begins in verse 5 by saying that besides faith we should add GOODNESS.

Now what is he talking about here? Well the original Greek idea behind the word translated, ‘good’ here is the idea of moral excellence, purity, innocence, even modesty.  What else would you expect from someone who has a godly nature. That is why even church elders or leaders of the church are to be above reproach and good men. Otherwise their ministry and service would be compromised.

And to GOODNESS he said to add KNOWLEDGE. In other words we need to keep learning, keep growing as an individual and as a Christian with the goal that one day we will be truly wise in a godly Biblical way. This knowledge is not only for yourself, it will help others as well! So we need to make every effort to improve and be good and pure, even more modest.

And to KNOWLEDGE he said add SELF CONTROL. In other words, it’s important to learn how to master our self, become a master over our wants, desires, and activities. You can have faith and know a lot but still find yourself doing things you should not be doing. There are many areas some of us need to get under control like; our temper, how and what we say, our language, our cravings, how we take care of our bodies, how we spend money and so much more. Self Control is important and when mastered, it can provide a sense of peace and stability in one’s life, and also become a good example to others.

To SELF CONTROL he says add PERSEVERANCE. This is a virtue where one learns to keep on keeping on; especially being able to hang in there and not give up doing what is right and good, even if you are persecuted.

To PERSEVERENCE he said add GODLINESS. This is choosing or making a conscious decision to be Christ-like or God-like in your conduct throughout the day. It implies doing this with a desire to please God.  (WWJD Maybe we need to ask ourself, What Would Jesus Do before we act.)

To GODLINESS he goes on to say add BROTHERLY KINDNESS. The origin Greek word here is the word philadelphia. It denotes the idea of thoughtful consideration of fellow believers. It involves overt acts of kindness. And this should probably start at home!

And to BROTHERLY KINDNESS he said to add LOVE.  This word for love comes from the Greek word, agape. It is the highest form of love. It is that sacrificial God-like kind of love. The kind that always seeks to do what best for the person.  It also reaches out to all people not just believers.

Now what I find interesting is how important it is to have and develop all of these virtues, these are all necessary. Even the apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians, Chapter 13  

“If I speak in the tongue of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.”

He’s saying, ‘You can know a lot, have a lot of faith, you can be generous, even be sacrificial and still lack love and be ineffective.’

And there are very loving generous people out there who do not have enough knowledge, they do not know God or Jesus and what they need to go to heaven.

And there are people out there who know how to do all the right things but they give up too quickly, they don’t persevere as long as they should.

All of these virtues are important but all of them do not come naturally, some like self control we have to really work at and make an all out effort to develop.

Becoming a genuine disciple of Jesus and being a good Christian is not just about obeying the Gospel message and just showing up at church every Sunday, it’s so much more. It includes a lifetime of growing a maturing in these areas.

In Hebrews 6, there the writer says,  

“let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity. (Vs 1)   

Peter lets us know here that if we keep growing in these virtues we can participate in that divine nature. In other words, we start to walk, and talk, and think, and act like our Lord and our God. Wow what a privilege!

But Peter also goes on to say that if as Christians we do not possess these qualities, these virtues, nor care about acquiring them, then you are, near sided and blind and you will be ineffective and unproductive.

You may acquire some degree of productivity at work or what you do without these virtues, but what matters more; being useful to yourself and your employer or useful to God.  I believe if you put on these virtues you can be more effective and useful and productive to everyone.

Challenge:  Today I want you to realize how blessed you are. I want to let the fact that God has poured out promise after promise fill you with hope and peace.  I want you to feel loved by Him and encouraged by these facts. I also want to encourage you to grow and mature as person by putting on these virtues discussed here by Peter. Take an honest look at yourself, recognize your weaknesses and make a conscious decision to grow in those areas. In doing so you will become stronger, more confident as a person and you will feel a greater sense peace and become more effective as a Christian.

For more lessons click on the following link: http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?page_id=566

From Jim McGuiggan... God's righteousness and ours (1)

God's righteousness and ours (1)

God’s righteousness may be said to be the quality of his character (Psalm 11:7, 45:6-7, Romans 3:3-5). It is his holy nature from which flows all his righteous acts and purposes. His deeds are all shaped as they are and have their moral texture because of this changeless holy character (Isaiah 57:15). In this sense when we say God is righteous we mean his personal character.

But because God’s deeds flow from his holiness as righteousness and express his righteous character his deeds may properly be called God’s righteousness. When God acts to save Israel from her enemies his righteousness is said to draw near when salvation in on the way (Isaiah 51:5, 56:1). It’s true that prophets and psalmists would almost always have covenant righteousness in mind. That is, God made a covenant with Israel and his holy character means he will be faithful to that covenant and when, with that in mind, God acts righteously it is covenant righteousness—righteousness that is a response to his covenant commitment.

Just the same, God’s righteous character is prior to the making of any covenant so we’re not to say that because the Bible writers usually have covenant righteousness in mind that they exclude the notion of God’s eternal holiness and righteousness. We will be correct if we say that God’s covenant righteousness is a specific expression of his eternal character righteousness.

The deeds of God are called the righteousness of God because they are his personal righteousness expressing itself and they are the result of his keeping his word and the covenants he makes. The righteousness of God revealed in deeds can show itself as blessing. He makes promises to various people in scripture and acts to fulfil those promises and those acts produce blessing. But that righteousness of God that shows itself in deeds may also make itself present in judgement (Psalm 48:4-11). God calls various people and nations to turn from evil and it is often the evil of those that are oppressing defenseless nations or marginalized groups in some given society. When they don’t repent God in righteousness delivers the oppressed by judgement, by punishing the oppressor. In these cases the judgement is the holy righteousness of God expressing his eternal opposition to evil in specific temporal punishment Revelation 16:7). In these cases God is keeping faith with the promises he made to humankind.

In keeping faith with Israel or other nations in fulfilling promises to bless and in keeping faith with the oppressed against the oppressor God is keeping faith with himself. He is acting in character against evil (and he can be depended on to do that, said Abraham in Genesis 18:25) and expressing his will for good for humankind.

In one case his righteousness is made present when he enriches the earth, multiplies the flocks and herds, makes the crops grow abundantly and does all the things necessary to benefit humanity and make life pleasant. Imagine our looking out on golden fields of wheat, lakes and rivers teeming with fish, healthy and joyful people living in peace and asking God, "And what is all this?" If he said, "My righteousness," we would know what he meant.

Imagine our looking at local warlords that have been feeding on the people and seeing them go down under the punishing hand of God and our asking him, "And what is this?" If he said, "My righteousness," we would know what he meant.

Food, health and joy understood as gifts from God are more than material and social blessings; they are also God’s righteousness made visible because they are expressions of his personal integrity and faithfulness in keeping his word.

Judgement on the local warlords (or international gangsters) is more than pain and distress inflicted it is God’s righteousness made visible and present in the form of pain and loss inflicted because it is the homage God pays to his holy righteousness.

The existence of the blessings given and the judgement rendered point beyond themselves to another and underlying reality—the righteousness of the giver and the judge.

It’s conceivable that blessings could be given as a bribe and that inflicted pain and distress could be bitter spite and sheer vengefulness.

If we knew that this was the case we’d have learned something sinister about God, something that isn’t flattering to him. It would follow that the existence of the blessings and pain made God’s unrighteousness visible and present.

If we know that it’s impossible for God to be merely spiteful or to engage in bribery then we wouldn’t interpret the blessings and affliction in those ways.

Something about God himself is expressed in the blessing and judging! The blessings cannot be isolated from the giver and the judging cannot be isolated from the judge. All things being equal we would thank God for the blessings because the blessings are from him and they express his righteousness. All things being equal we would be angry with or protest against or thank God for his judgement because it comes from him and expresses his righteousness.

I wish to stress a single point here and it’s this: Punishment is the righteousness of God making itself present as inflicted pain or distress. It is not merely pain or loss inflicted; it is expressed righteousness in the form of pain and loss. It isn’t simply that sinners transgress and God responds by inflicting pain, it is that God pays homage to holy righteousness by inflicting pain and loss. The holy righteousness to which he pays homage is his own so that he is maintaining the integrity of his character; he is being true to himself before the eyes of his creation.

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Mark Copeland.... Our Duty To Ourselves ( 1 thessalonians 5:16-18)

               "THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS"

                    Our Duty To Ourselves (5:16-18)

INTRODUCTION

1. In 1st Thessalonians chapter five, we continue to note our various
   responsibilities as...
   a. "the children of light"
   b. "the children of day" - cf. 1Th 5:5

2. In recent studies, we have considered...
   a. "Our Duties To Those Who Serve" - 1Th 5:12-13
      1) To recognize them
      2) To esteem them highly in love
   b. "Our Duties To Those In Need" - 1Th 5:14-15
      1) To warn the unruly
      2) To comfort the fainthearted
      3) To uphold the weak
      4) To be patient with all
      5) To render to no one evil for evil
      6) To pursue what is good for us and for all

3. Our duties are not just directed toward others, we have some that
   address our own spiritual well-being...
   a. Three such duties are mentioned in our text for this lesson - 1 Th 5:16-18
      1) To rejoice always
      2) To pray without ceasing
      3) To give thanks in everything
   b. Note that Paul says these things are "the will of God in Christ
      Jesus for you"
      1) These three things are what God wants us to do for ourselves
      2) Therefore I have entitled this study "Our Duties To Ourselves"

[It is in the fulfillment of these three duties that we strengthen
ourselves spiritually and emotionally, enabling us to be better fit to
serve God and others.  Consider first our duty to...]

I. REJOICE ALWAYS

   A. THE NEED TO REJOICE ALWAYS...
      1. In joy there is great strength - cf. Neh 8:10
      2. When we have joy in what we believe, we abound in hope - cf. Ro 15:13
      3. When we are joyful, it helps those around us to be joyful
         - e.g., 2Co 2:3
      -- To be joyful, to be merry, is crucial to remaining strong
         ourselves, and being a source of strength to others - cf. Pro
         15:13,15; 17:22

   B. THE WAY TO REJOICE ALWAYS...
      1. It is in the Lord that we find the ability to "rejoice always"
         - cf. Php 4:4
         a. His salvation is the source of much joy - cf. Ps 21:1
         b. He grants joy to those who please Him - Ec 2:26; 5:20
         c. His mercy is a source of great joy - Ps 31:7
         d. In His presence there is fullness of joy, and He will abide
            with us if we obey His commands - Ps 16:11; cf. Jn 14:21,23
      2. To rejoice in the Lord always, follow these simple guidelines:
         a. Read and feed upon the Word of God daily - cf. Jer 15:16
         b. Meditate upon the teachings of Christ and His apostles
            1) Jesus spoke that His disciples joy might be full - Jn 15:11
            2) The apostles wrote that our joy might be full - 1Jn 1:4
         c. Spend time with brethren who make us happy
            1) As Titus' joy encouraged Paul - 2Co 7:13
            2) As Philemon's love and joy refreshed the hearts of others
               and gave Paul joy - Phm 7, 20
         d. Lead others to Christ, for they will be a great source of
            joy
            1) As the Thessalonians were to Paul - 1Th 2:19-20; 3:9
            2) As Philemon was to Paul - Phm 1:7
            3) As John's converts made him joyful - 3Jn 4
         e. Sing praises of joy to God
            1) Certainly we should sing when cheerful - Jm 5:13
            2) But we can also find joy by singing praises (cf. "Sing
               and Be Happy") - Ps 71:23; 104:33-34; 135:3

[By being "proactive" and following these guidelines, it is possible to
"rejoice always" even when external circumstances are not conducive to
creating joy (cf. Paul and Silas, singing and praying in prison, Ac
16:25).  Of course, what helps to "rejoice always" is to...]

II. PRAY WITHOUT CEASING

   A. THE NEED TO PRAY WITHOUT CEASING...
      1. In prayer we find mercy and grace to help in time of need - He 4:14-16
      2. In prayer we find forgiveness of sins as we confess them - 1Jn 1:9
      3. In prayer we find the peace of God, so helpful in anxious times
         - Php 4:6-7

   B. THE WAY TO PRAY WITHOUT CEASING...
      1. Having "set times" to pray can help create the habit of praying
         a. E.g., consider the example of David and Daniel
            1) David, whom God described as "a man after My own heart"
               - Ps 55:17
            2) Daniel, whom the angel described as "O man greatly
               beloved" - Dan 6:10
            -- These great men of God made it a habit to pray at set
               times throughout the day; we would do well to imitate
               their example
         b. At the very least...
            1) Find some time each day to be alone with God in prayer
               a) Early morning may be best for some
               b) Others might find it easier to be alone late at night
            2) Make it a SPECIAL TIME to be alone with your Heavenly
               Father!
      2. We should not limit prayers to "set times", special needs may
         call for special praying
         a. Jesus, praying on important occasions - Lk 6:12-13
         b. Paul, praying in trying circumstances - Ac 16:25
         c. Nehemiah - praying on the spur of the moment - Neh 2:4-5

[Having "set times" helps to develop experience and persistence in
praying; praying "spontaneously" as needs arise develops the disposition
to pray in every circumstance.  Together, they fulfill the command to
"pray without ceasing".  What helps us even further is if we...]

III. GIVE THANKS IN EVERYTHING

   A. THE NEED TO GIVE THANKS IN EVERYTHING...
      1. Ingratitude is very displeasing to God
         a. It is included among other sins that would be prevalent in
            "perilous times" - 2Ti 3:1-5
         b. The wrath of God will be revealed against those who are
            unthankful - Ro 1:18-21
      2. Christians should be known for their "attitude of gratitude"
         a. Thankful for what the Father has done for us - Col 1:12-14
         b. Abounding in thanksgiving - Col 2:7
         c. A part of the "garment" we are to put on - Col 3:12-15
         d. A complement to our prayers - Col 4:2; 1Ti 2:1
      3. Thankfulness added to our prayers is the key to...
         a. Overcoming anxiety - Php 4:6
         b. Obtaining the peace of God which surpasses understanding
            - Php 4:6-7

   B. THE WAY TO GIVE THANKS IN EVERYTHING...
      1. Remember that all things can work for our good - Ro 8:28
         a. We can therefore glory in tribulation - Ro 5:3-5
         b. We can rejoice in persecution - Mt 5:10-12
         c. We can rejoice in trials - Jm 1:2-3
      2. Include thankfulness along with our prayer requests - Php 4:6
         a. Just as Daniel made the giving of thanks as part of his
            daily prayers - Dan 6:10
         b. As we "pray without ceasing", so we will be "thankful
            without ceasing"!

CONCLUSION

1. What is God's will for us in Christ Jesus?
   a. To be a thankful people!
   b. To be a prayerful people!
   c. To be a joyful people!

2. These three are intertwined, with one leading to another...
   a. The more thankful we are, the more prayerful we will be
   b. The more prayerful we are, the more joyful we will be
   -- Thus the key to much joy in Christ begins with the "attitude of
      gratitude"!

In our zeal to fulfill our duties to those who serve and to those in
need, do not overlook these duties we have to ourselves...they can help
us be more productive in the service we render to the Lord and to all!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Gary... Search, find and be found

 

Pal, skein and plop.  These are the first three words that I found.  Aside from the obvious references to walking my dog Pal, this appears to be just random observance.  Could it be a real insight???  I don't think so!!!  At retirement age, I think I am about more that this.  And if I know myself, how about how God knows me??? Read on...

Psalms, Chapter 139

  1  Yahweh, you have searched me,
and you know me.  2 You know my sitting down and my rising up.
You perceive my thoughts from afar.
  3 You search out my path and my lying down,
and are acquainted with all my ways.
  4 For there is not a word on my tongue,
but, behold, Yahweh, you know it altogether.
  5 You hem me in behind and before.
You laid your hand on me.
  6 This knowledge is beyond me.
It’s lofty.
I can’t attain it.
  7 Where could I go from your Spirit?
Or where could I flee from your presence?
  8 If I ascend up into heaven, you are there.
If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, you are there!
  9 If I take the wings of the dawn,
and settle in the uttermost parts of the sea;
  10 Even there your hand will lead me,
and your right hand will hold me.
  11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me;
the light around me will be night”;
  12 even the darkness doesn’t hide from you,
but the night shines as the day.
The darkness is like light to you.

People come up with all sorts of crazy ideas, but aside from yourself, only God really, really knows you.  Now, I have to be honest and say that my wife, Linda, sometimes seems to know what I am going to do BEFORE I do it, but even she doesn't know my thoughts!!!  God, on the other hand- does!!!  As I write these words, somehow the A ccapella group "Accapella" came to my mind and with the song "Create in me, a clean heart O Lord".  Frankly, I would rather think about this than Pal Skein and plop!!!  Just for fun, I went to Accapella's website to get the words to the song and the link for a free sample of it.

Create in Me a Clean Heart
Words and music: Terry Talbot © Birdwing/Cherry Lane Music (Rights to the song are with The Harry Fox Agency of New York, NY)
This song also appeared in Spanish as "Crea en Mi" on Voces by Voces.
Lead: Rodney Britt
Sample: Windows Media  

(http://www.acappella.org/wmafiles/conq/createinmeacleanheart.wma  -- FYI Gary)

Lyrics:
Create in me a clean heart oh God
Let me be like you in all my ways
Give me your strength, teach me your song
Shelter me in the shadow of your wings
For we are your righteousness
If we die to ourselves and live through your death
Then we shall be born again to be blessed in your love!
Repeat Twice

(They only go through once, but somehow, the second time is better-- Gary)

Scriptural Reference:
"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."  Psalm 51:10
"The Lord is my strength and my song;  he has become my salvation.  He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him."  Exodus 15:2
"I can do everything through him who gives me strength."  Philippians 4:13

NOW THAT IS SOMETHING TO PONDER!!!!!