August 31
The same precious faith
Psalm 104-105/2Peter1-3
OT
104:24 O LORD, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures.
NT
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
Winds are Your messengers
Flames of fire are Your servants
Your creation is such a vast variety
All looking to You for their food
They are all dependent on You
And will tell what You have done
NT Flash Points
We share the same precious faith
Descriptions of
1. Those who are being saved
2. False teachers
3. Judgement & exposure of God’s own people
Perspective
Persevering for WHAT?
Remember:
Equip the saints for the work of the ministry, which is: reconciliation and fellowship
Remain under the load
Difficulty is common
Supernatural handling of difficulty is the gift of God
Full joy – surrender – “I delight to do Your will”
As natural as breathing – the life of Christ in you
You are hid with Christ in God