PETER
Suggested Reading: 2 Peter 1-3
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Along with many Christian symbols, statues and art, Rome also displays many gods. Here is a statue of Neptune (and a disrespectful seagull!). We may contrast the myth of "the sea god" with the One whom Peter calls "Our God and Saviour Jesus Christ!" Peter writes these words, "We did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty" (2 Peter 1:16).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: 2 Peter 1:15-16
And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things. For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
Peter sets out his intentions in writing this letter in the very first verse. He writes to “those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ (Messiah).” He makes it totally clear that he believes Jesus Christ is fully God! He continues throughout all three chapters by referring to Jesus as “Lord” eleven times! This is the Name for God used hundreds of times in Peter’s Bible, our Old Testament.
In 2 Peter 1, the Apostle states his total confidence in “the prophetic Word.” We’ve just completed Ezekiel and tomorrow we’ll begin in Daniel (prophetic words). I’m sure we would have Peter’s approval for our Bible reading discipline.
In 2 Peter 2, Peter is very strong in his warnings about false teachers who prey on Christians. He uses the example of the false prophets that we’ve encountered over and over in our Old Testament readings to alert us to these dangers to our never-dying souls.
In 2 Peter 3, this first-hand witness to the glory of God in the Lord Jesus when he was present at the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8) now states the fact that “the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night” (3:10a). He writes of our “beloved brother Paul” whose writings the “untaught and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures” (3:16).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus Christ, my God and Saviour, I pray that as I read the Scriptures, the “precious faith” (first verse) of which Peter writes will grow in me as the last statement Peter writes encourages me. Grant the grace, the gift of daily discipline in studying Your Word, so that I will consistently “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (3:18). In His strong Name I pray. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
The Bible College from which I graduated, Eastern Pentecostal Bible College (now known as Masters College and Seminary) had a theme chorus which we students would often sing, included these words: “The Word of God! We’ll stand upon the Word of God! Though the foes of the Lord will scorn His Word, WE’LL STAND UPON THE WORD OF GOD!!!” My heart thrills as I sing it (under my breath because it’s still very early morning). In fact, after 6 a.m. I’ll go for a walk, find a place where I can raise my voice, and sing loudly!
I was greatly blessed the other day when Ron’s wife, Ann, shared with Norma-Jean and me about a wonderful internet exchange (Ron and Ann format this blog for me to fill in the blanks and Ann is an excellent editor). I’ve been waiting for the right time to share her story on my blog. She just wrote about it on Crossroads360.com (click here to read her short story). I pray that I will be like Ann, sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit every morning. On the TV series, Full Circle, Ann ends almost every episode with these words, “Remember, keep your eyes on Jesus; it’s all about Him!”
Yours for paying close attention to the powerful words written by the Apostle Peter,
David
P.S. I often think of the words of Peter and Jesus as spoken by the actors in the Son of God movie. Peter asks Jesus, “What are we going to do?” Jesus responds with these words, “CHANGE THE WORLD!!!” It’s St. Patrick’s day! He was a simple yet powerful world changer for Jesus who used the shamrock to teach the Trinity.
A powerful message by Anne, thank you! Both Anne and David were reminded of songs of praise. How wonderful it is to have music resounding in our soul and communicate a timely message we need to hear, if not just to praise! It is as though a choir of angels sing along with us, or the lyrics simply send forth our praise to the ears of our Lord Jesus Christ. Holy Spirit though art welcome in this place. We are standing on Holy Ground. Hallelujah Hallelujah. Amen!
And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. 2nd Peter 1:19
Oh, these words are comfort to my soul. Such a wonderfully divine scripture we read this morning in 2nd Peter. Thank You, Lord!! I listened to 2nd Peter last night, a few times, and fell in love with the Word that was delivered. Then, I painted and created four magnificent abstract pieces. As I look at them now, I am feeling awestruck and thanking God for this vehicle and blessing of expression. “Awestruck, we fall to our knees, as we humbly proclaim, ‘You are amazing, God!'”
This morning, I listened to Anne Graham Lotz’s CD ‘Just Give Me Jesus’ before reading your message, David, and your daughter-in-love, Ann’s. Thank you both for being strong roots God has planted to help others take hold of Him. What a perfect start to the day. More in love with Jesus every moment and filled with His love and light that lives in me! Blessings to my fellow saints in the Lord. Grateful we can be seedlings for God to plant in His Garden. So grateful to be part of His creation on earth!!!
How Great is our God
Chris Tomlin
The splendor of a King, clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in Light, and darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice
Trembles at His voice
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God
Age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the end
Beginning and the end
The Godhead Three in One
Father Spirit Son
The Lion and the Lamb
The Lion and the Lamb
Name above all names
Worthy of our praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZFN8TBfgNU&feature=kp
WOW!
I am so impressed with this blog and the early morning dedication of the whole Mainse team.
I hope that everyone on the blog have now had the opportunity to see the Son of God movie and has promoted it in their respective communities?
Looking forward to the sequel including the story of Masada.
Shalom,
Graham.
2012 Holy Land Yellow Bus.
Enjoyed today’s study. Is this the same Peter who denied he knew Jesus three times? If so, it’s comforting to realize Jesus forgave him. Under the same circumstances as Peter was thrust into I honestly don’t know what I would have said.
I’m so grateful for your dedication to teaching the true word of God Rev. Mainse. I’m a more or less new Christian and it would be fairly easy for false prophets to tell my type heresies and we wouldn’t really know the difference.
Blessings on you and all blog buddies today.
As Beverlee said, ” what a perfect way to start the day” and I have already forwarded Ann’s beautiful story to both of our children. Too many times I have put my wants before the urgings of My Saviour. I vow to “be still” more in order to hear His words. Thank you Ann and I watch Full Circle often and am blessed when you finish with “Remember, keep your eyes on Jesus; it’s all about Him.”
We are studying 1 Peter in our home church and soaking in every word. Thank you Pastor David once again for your unfailing teaching every day.
Blessings to all.
Lynda if you go to John 21 you can read when Jesus forgave Peter asking him three times if he loves Him.
Hope this helps, keep faithful to your reading The Word, don’t give up. You are loved.
Thank you so much Catherine. I read the passage and it does indeed look like Jesus has forgiven Peter in no uncertain terms. I have The Literary Study Bible, ESV, and it explains The Word very nicely too.
Have a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day.
I enjoyed Ann’s story on crossroads 360… an awesome example of our loving and precious Lord working through Ann on Facebook…
St Patrick’s day yesterday… I recite daily a version of one of his morning prayers (with a word or two of my own}. It seems appropriate to share it’s beginning here today:
I arise today through the power of God:?
God’s might to comfort me,?
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,?
God’s ear to hear me and my ear to hear God,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to lead me,
God’s way to lie before me,?
God’s shield to protect me, …
I too thoroughly enjoy reading this blog and am blessed by it. Thank you Mainse family for your faithful devotion to doing the work of our Lord each and every day…
Blessings to all… Amen!
don’t know how the question marks showed up as they weren’t there before I pressed “Post Comment” 🙁
Beautiful prayer, David–thanks for sharing and God bless you on this Irish Saints’ day!
Praise God !
Beautifully written Ann.
It was difficult to read through the gentleman’s posting and the last of your article with tears in my eyes.
God Bless You 🙂
Diane 🙂
Yes I enjoyed it too please pray for Ronda and Miranda they have dr appintments to check their abnormal cells on their cervix thank you for your prayers Amen 🙁
Dear blog Buddy s so touched by this blog this AM , Ijust love the music that
was added , we sing that song in our church during praise time all this gave
me a Holy lift God bless you all…..R…
Wow Ann, thanks for sharing, l love to be used supernaturally natural, and we know he does these things so often. l’m so glad that young man let you know how God used you to rescue him! Great teaching as usual David, l didn’t know that St Patrick used the shamrock’s three leaves as a picture of Trinity: Father,Son and Holy Spirit. l also wanted you to know that my husband and l went to see the Son of God movie. It was an afternoon showing, and only a few people there,although my friend said the cinema was jam packed in the evening when she went. Well, l have to say it is good to see the Bible on the big screen again. l was wondering how my neighbour would be able to sit through such a long movie, (as l have been praying for her for years) when the movie ended, and we sat there watching the people leave their seats. There, right in front of us were 3 people, a man visibly in tears, and 2 women wiping away the tears from their eyes. Wow, they were really touched by the Holy Spirit, which proves to me, God’s anointing is on it! l’ve come to the conclusion that even though it would probably be hard on a Bible Teacher, the heart of the movie is pure and God can and will use it for his Glory!
Amen to that CHristine Amen to that….R….
Surely looking forward to more biblical movies in this world!! I can hardly sing hymns at church without tears in my eyes!! So in love with God!!
I have had two near death experiences and wonder if God will keep me alive until he returns!! I surely hope so!! Can hardly wait to see Him!! Always keeping watch!!
Nancy xoxoxo
Oh the joy, Nancy, to see the sweet shining face of Jesus!!!
God bless you, dear sister-in-Christ.
Thank you so much Ann…such a touching story. To be honest with you, when you speak of laziness, I fit completely in your definition but by the grace of God I hope to overcome it and listen to God more often, preferably, always. Thanks for this eye opener. Thank You Pst David, amazing advices and warnings from Peter. May the Good Lord see us through to the very end. Thank You Lord, thank You Jesus, thank You Holy Spirit!! I love you:)
God bless us all.
I don’t know if anyone will see this because I live in AB and read this blog last thing at night rather than in the morning. I have been blessed beyond measure reading through the Bible in this way; it is just to easy to get bogged down in the prophecies and it has been wonderful having David’s comments and explanations. I recently watched Acts on the Visual Bible on YouTube, and reading through 2 Peter tonight was so much more meaningful after seeing him portrayed in this production as well as in the Son of God movie. The link to Ann’s story was inspiring as well, to really be sensitive to listening to God’s prompts!!
Blessings! Wow, what a message.
You are never to late to be seen Louise I’m seeing you days later. I look back at things I missed. You know Louise God never misses you And He is always LOOKING at you, at us all ! We are never to late for him to be at our side.