Today's reading 2 Peter 3:1-18

"Since everything around us is going to melt away, what holy, godly lives you should be living!" - 2 Peter 3:11 NLT

This chapter in 2 Peter is probably the last recorded words of the Apostle Peter that we have. In them, we see his heart for his original audience and us as well. He is longing to give us a greater perspective on what is happening right now and what will happen at the end of time. The following questions naturally arise as we think of Jesus' return.

How will it take place? >> Peter writes that "God will set the heavens on fire and the elements will melt (vs. 12)." Yes, even your 401K won't make it. All that we see and don't see will be renovated by fire.

Why is it taking so long? >> We see this twice in our reading today (vs. 9, 15). The time that has elapsed since the first century has allowed millions, maybe billions, to come to Jesus by faith; there are millions more who will also be given time to respond. His love is evidenced in his patience.

What does this mean for us? >> Peter gives two immediate reactions that we should have to these truths. It is helpful to see these as filters when you are trying to make a decision.

HOLY >> "hagios" - set apart, sacred, dedicated; when God saved us, His intention was not for us to blend. Though we are meant to influence culture, culture is not to influence us. We should feel a little out of place here.

GODLY >> "eusebeia" - reverence toward God, devout; in the Old Testament, this word is translated as "fear," which is a worship word.  As Christians, we are to be committed "religiously" to Jesus. You can count on us to take the gospel to the next generation!

Today’s reading: 2 Peter 2:1-22

“They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you.” - ‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭2:19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The theme of this chapter is WARNING! ⚠️

We are not lacking for historical examples of people trying to do things their own way by “instinct.” (see verse 12) Peter reminds us of a few:

- The flood (Genesis 6)

- Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19)

- Balaam (Numbers 22)

Each of these instances had at least one person that stood out and did things God’s way: Noah, Lot, and Moses.

What was it that used to offer you freedom, but instead slapped heavy chains on your wrists? Whatever that was, the Devil will not quit with his temptations to turn back to it.

How should we think about these attractive lifestyles that go against following Jesus?

Vomit and mud.

Both stink. Both are useless. Why would we ever want to be enslaved to them? Why would we want to release control to something or someone who seeks our harm?

It is always best to choose Jesus as our Lord. He is motivated by His great love for us.

Today's reading: 2 Peter 1:1-21

'For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.' - 2 Peter 1:5-7

First of all, this chapter is a headful. Scholars say that the Greek in 2 Peter is earthy and clumsy compared to 1 Peter, but that doesn't mean that the application is any less powerful when it comes to us in English.

Peter is adamant about us being intentional in putting our faith to work. Being a Christian is not a passive exercise. We now have the power of God (verse 3) within us, charging us into territory we never thought we'd reach. Maybe we deemed ourselves unworthy because of sin or unpreparedness. Yet Peter sees our lives as a chance for progression.

So, we "supplement" faith with a barrage of growth. Interestingly, many of us look at growth as a means of being well-known. What is the purpose of growth if we can't make it to the top?

Apparently, faith's pinnacle is a stronger love for fellow Christians and those who have yet to say yes to Jesus.

Today's reading: 1 Peter 4:7-19, 5:1-14

'The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.' - 1 Peter 4:7-8

When trying to teach little kids about the importance of morality, there are three main tenants many Christian parents use:

1. Pray

2. Love

3. Share

I find it super interesting that these are the three Peter encourages these suffering Christians in Asia Minor to continue to live out.

If we really believe that Jesus' return is imminent, we will...

1. Put ourselves in the best position to pray. To do it right, we will need to be self-controlled and have ready minds. What are you doing to pray every day for others intentionally? Do you journal? Do you walk and pray? Do you text prayers to others?

2. Love each other gracefully. Where there are people, there will be sinning. Where there is sin, we will need love to cover it. Who is it that you need to forgive this Thanksgiving season?

3. Share our homes and our meals. Though this can be tricky in a pandemic, we can still look for ways to bless those around us with hospitality. Shelter and food are needs everyone has. How can you be creative in this?

You can see easily how these prepare us and others for Jesus' return. We should still pray like the first-century church did, that He will come quickly!

Today's reading: 1 Peter 3:8-22, 4:1-6

'Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.' - 1 Peter 3:21 ESV

Only eight people survived the flood of Genesis 6. Eight. Some estimate that there could have been millions of people on the earth at that time. Yet Noah and his seven came through those floodwaters. Did Noah deserve credit for saving them and the animals on the ark? I mean, he did build a large boat for 120 years. If that were true, wouldn't Noah have offered a sacrifice to himself instead of to God when they exited the boat on the mountains of Ararat?

There was no doubt that it was God who had saved Noah and his family. He had given him the instructions to build the floating device, giving him specific direction on gathering the animals, and God even shut the door before the water fell.

What a powerful picture when thinking about being saved from our sins. It was Jesus' suffering that provided the way to be saved (see verse 18). Baptism is ultimately surrendering to His direction, declaring that Jesus is Lord (verse 15).

The word used here for "appeal" can also be translated as request, inquiry, or answer (KJV). Baptism is yet another way for us to cry out to God, asking Him to save us.

We will not survive the flood without His protective and provisional grace.

Today's reading: 1 Peter 2:11-25, 3:1-7

"He personally carried away our sins in his own body on the cross so we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. You have been healed by his wounds." - 1 Peter 2:24 NLT

What was really happening while Jesus was hanging, exposed, and humiliated on the cross for those six hours? Sure, there was an earthquake, darkness, and dead people came out of their graves; the 30-foot tall curtain in the temple was also torn. Yet all of these were outward signs of what was really happening in the spiritual realm.

This verse in 1 Peter gives us a view as to what was really happening as Jesus suffered and died on the cross. He took on ALL of our sins IN His body 1,990-ish years ago. Our Savior's sacrifice is still doing the same work it was doing at the very beginning of the church.

What motivated Jesus to do something like this for us?

So we could finally die to sin.

So we could finally live lives of freedom.

So we could really be healed.

Jesus' wounds were not wasted. They have been pouring out restoration ever since. Now, may we turn and offer what we've been given to the entire world!

Today's reading: 1 Peter 1:13-2:10

"...you are a chosen people. You are a kingdom of priests, God's holy nation, his very own possession. This is so you can show others the goodness of God, for he has called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light." - 1 Peter 2:9 NLT

A simple question, "Who are you?" is probably the most important one we will ever answer. I remember someone asking me that question in college, and I recall thinking how overly simplistic it was. I am Andrew. I was born in Oklahoma. I enjoy saltwater-taffy. My dentist disapproves.

Yet those simple answers won't do me much good when I step into eternity, largely because they will all become irrelevant. My background and preferences will suddenly cease to matter.

According to Peter, I should be focusing on these truths:

- I am a part of a chosen people

- I am a priest

- I am a part of the holy kingdom

- I am God's treasure

And these are all a foundation for me to share who I really am with as many people as possible. Backing up to vs. 18-19, I am one who has been ransomed by the blood of Jesus.

This should be the most important factoid about me. Why? Because it affects everything else, even into eternity.

Today's reading: 1 Peter 1:1-12

"So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while." - 1 Peter 1:6 NLT

There is so much jammed into this verse (and the entire 12 verses of today's reading). Again, this may be troubling to many of us who weren't notified that "many trials" are necessary for spiritual growth.

Peter is encouraging these suffering Christians to be "truly glad." How could they be glad when they were heavily persecuted within the Roman Empire? They could be glad because their trials would lead to testing, and testing would show that their faith was strong and pure. The fires of trials are revealers of our authenticity as believers in Jesus.

Scot McKnight writes that "Peter sees in suffering a situation from which the believers can learn and grow."

Us being 21st Century Americans, we would never (outside of a funeral service) use the words "rejoice" (agalliao - to experience a great state of gladness) and "grieve" (lypeo - state of sadness) in the same sentence. Yet the first century Christians were experiencing these realities side by side, keeping a view toward their heavenly destination.

We would do well to imitate their examples!

Today’s reading: James 5:1-20

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” - James‬ ‭5:16‬ ‭ESV‬‬

So many of us love the part of this chapter that shows the potential of a sick person we love to experience lasting healing. What an amazing thing it must have been to see consistent miracles happen among the early church members. As time has passed, the frequency of these signs and wonders has slowed. Even toward the end of the Apostle Paul’s life, we see him offering medicinal healing as a help (1 Timothy 5:23). Yet we should still pray, believing God can even now do the impossible!

The opening of verse sixteen isn’t as fun. We are commanded to confess our sins to one another. Nothing can be harder than to admit that we’ve blown it, especially to communicate that to another Christian that we could potentially let down.

Yet when we do confess, we experience healing 100% of the time.

Don’t let your pride (or laziness) keep you from experiencing the fullness of God’s power.

Today's reading: James 4:1-17

"And he gives grace generously." - James 4:6 ESV

The pull of the world is strong. In fact, it is so strong that we don't generally have what it takes to withstand its temptations. We may criticize and look down upon Adam and Eve for their mistake at the beginning. I mean, it was a piece of fruit! The Devil will never tempt us with someone that we don't desire. Each temptation that is brought before us is custom fit to our own unique desires.

What is it that really pulls at your heart? Is it the longing for wealth? Sex with someone who isn't your spouse? Is it fame before crowds? Is it to be the expert? What about the desire for everyone to like you?

The Devil knows, and he will exploit every inch of our desires.

So what is your plan to resist the Devil? (verse 7) If you go into any day without a plan to resist our enemy, you are dooming yourself before you start. God wants to equip us with what we need to resist any and all temptations that come our way each day. Do you want His help? Maybe we need to start there.

J.B. Phillips powerfully translates 4:7 as "he gives us grace potent enough to meet this and every other evil spirit."

The NLT says, "He gives us more and more strength to stand against such evil desires."

Realize how much you need Jesus, and realize how readily available and willing He is to meet you in your time of need.