Loyal to God? Or just a belief about Him?
Judges 17-18 / Proverbs 29 / 2Peter 1-3
How to get the most out of Hungry Bible
OT
Judges 17:5-6 Micah set up a shrine, and he made a sacred ephod and some household idols. Then he installed one of his sons as the priest. In those days Israel had no king, so the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.
18:30-31 Then they set up the carved image, and they appointed Jonathan son of Gershom, a descendant of Moses, as their priest. This family continued as priests for the tribe of Dan until the Exile. So Micah’s carved image was worshiped by the tribe of Dan as long as the Tabernacle of God remained at Shiloh.
Proverbs 29:11 A fool gives full vent to anger, but a wise person quietly holds it back.
:25 Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but to trust the LORD means safety.
NT
2Peter 1:3-11 As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness! And by that same mighty power, he has given us all of his rich and wonderful promises. He has promised that you will escape the decadence all around you caused by evil desires and that you will share in his divine nature. So make every effort to apply the benefits of these promises to your life. Then your faith will produce a life of moral excellence. A life of moral excellence leads to knowing God better. Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness. Godliness leads to love for other Christians, and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more you will become productive and useful in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop these virtues are blind or, at least, very shortsighted. They have already forgotten that God has cleansed them from their old life of sin. So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Doing this, you will never stumble or fall away. And God will open wide the gates of heaven for you to enter into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
OT Flash Points
What people naturally become when there is no godly leadership – Stupid
Proverbs: To discipline a child produces wisdom
A mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child
Discipline your children, then they’ll bring happiness and peace
NT Flash Points
God has given us ALL that is needed for life and godliness
Build on what He gives
Perspective
Peter’s warning to Christians before his death 2Peter 1:12-15
“a believer in Jesus” is committed to Jesus’ attitude toward –
the Father
the Word
and service
We are uncertain of circumstances because we are certain of God
Joyful uncertainty distinguishes the life of the one loyal to God,
Instead of a creed or belief about Him