PETER
Today’s 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 (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, including 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 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 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 ended 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.
Thank you to everyone who prayed for me! Let us continue to pray for good health for David Mainse, for Lianne and that God would remove all her seizures, and for Ger from 2 days ago!
A shamrock is a young sprig of clover, used as a symbol of Ireland. Saint Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint, is said to have used it as a metaphor for the Christian Holy Trinity.
Yes, David, we grow through our daily discipline of reading God’s Word in the Bible, through which He strengthens our faith, knowledge and wisdom. Amen!
Oh, how I love the words of Peter! Such incredible scripture to start our day with and lean on, throughout! Our faith, yes our faith, forever grounded in You, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, our heavenly Messiah! I think of the transfiguration, when Peter was witness with James and John, to Jesus on the mountain, becoming glorious and holy in white. (Mt 17). And yet, he still denied knowing Him. “And immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he broke down and wept.” Mt. 14:72. And Jesus appeared again to His disciples in John 21, after He had risen, and Peter knew and BELIEVED and testified forever after to the greatness of His Lord and King! AMEN!! Blessings dearest saints in the Lord!!
At the Feet of Jesus, Chris Tomlin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vY3MTH8Fye0
Thank you Berverlee for this song…also clicked on the links re Joey & Rory…a great love story!
I am from N. Ireland and lived not to far from Slemish Mt. where St Patrick herded sheep. He brought Christianity to Ireland, but it makes me sad that people use this day to have one big party. I will wear green today today for a different reason. Maybe someone will ask me why, then I can tell them the truth. Blessings to all. Eleanor M.
Amen Eleanor!
Praying that our Lord Jesus Christ will “CHANGE THE WORLD’
according to His Will, in Jesus precious name, Amen!
Amen, Joy!
Yes, amen Joy!!
Hi David, I realize today that I have made it through 2 years of your daily blog. It has been the most wonderful two years of my life. I want to continue with the study and look forward to the book of Daniel. Thank you again for this educational and uplifting daily blog. It has changed my life. Bless you!! Bea Hartt
Appreciated Ann Mainse’s testimony…so sincere …I was able to relate…our soul is not too swift to relent and obey the Holy Spirit’s prompting!! Thank you Pastor David for sharing Ann’s story!
Hard to image Apostle Peter’s denial of Jesus after being in His presence, walking with Him, touching Him…being present on the mountain top…the transfiguration…but how Awesome when the reality set in… that JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD. OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, AND EVER WILL BE…FOR EVER AND EVER…AMEN!!! And Peter stayed true to the end forever with the Lord!!
Like Peter, we too have failed HIM, but for His Love, where would we be?
Lord God my prayer is…to stand true to Jesus to the end…leaning on and trust in Jesus in all my ways. Amen! I Love You Lord, and I lift my voice to praise You, in all my ways I acknowledge YOU! Thank You for loving me!!! Amen!
Amen, Irene! We have all failed due to our human nature to sin, but we have risen above to claim our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as our King and are saved and forgiven and redeemed through His precious blood. Amen!
Amen David and fellow bloggers! Am appreciating your prayers and continued prayers. Am going through some tough times and am seeking myself even early morning. Love in Christ!
Oh, our Heavenly Father, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and to the sanctity of the Holy Spirit, we bring our dearest saint and sister, Ger, before You. We lift her up to You, oh Lord, You, and You alone. For You are the most high power, the Lamb of God. And it is to You that we cry for Your loving protection over Ger, Lord. Cradle and sustain her, Lord, Bestow upon her Your mercy and loving grace. Covet her in Your loving arms and cover her with Your precious blood that she may feel safe and well. In Jesus’ sacred Name, we pray, amen, amen, and amen.
Amen!! agreeing in prayer for Ger!!
Thanks for the link to Ann’s story, really makes you think! Carol
Oh dear God, our Heavenly Father, our Saviour and Messiah, Jesus Christ, and to the sanctity of the Holy Spirit, we, the saints, bring before you, our dear sister-in-Christ, Lianne. We pray for Your mighty Hand to be upon her and to sustain and heal and protect her, at all times, of every hour, Lord. Shield her from the seizures that have taken her over, in the past. We rebuke the enemy that fights to bring her down, Lord. We claim victory over our sister, Lianne. Her seizures will cease and Your precious Blood will cover redeem and heal her. For she is Your child, Lord, and Yours, alone. We call for Your mighty protection and grace to be bestowed upon her, in the Mighty Name of our precious Lord and Saviour, our King and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. To Him be the victory and glory! Amen, amen, and amen.
Amen!!
Lifting you up Ger in prayer May our Lord Jesus give you peace
intimes of depression and unease ….Bless you Dear sister….R….
Greetings Ger! I learned a lesson some time ago about spilling my guts out where The Lord can hear me and people can read my story! I deal with a mental illness, all my life, was diagnosed at 47 years old! Life was HELL before and double since! HOWEVER one thing I noticed which was such a blessing was when I as I mentioned “spilled my guts” told everyone what I had and left it up to people to pray or not. I found I was much more able to deal with the illness. I did alot of research and much to my surprise! I found that mental illness will come from the female side of the family; and that was true to my family AND alcohol/drung addiction comes from the male side of a faimily! That also was true!
I began to realize and I thanked every day for Him encouraging to share my illness! SO many eople are dealing with a mental illness but they feel they will be judged, etc. if they share! That is not true! EVERY HUMAN BEING HAS A CHEMICAL IMBALANCE, SOME MORE THAN OTHERS BECAUSE WE ALL HAVE HORMONES!
I share this Ger to let you now if you wish to share your struggles, first of all the devil will flee; second, the more we know and understand how our brothers and sisters struggle with isses, we know that God asks us to pray for others! Thirdly, it gives us a deep desire to pray for others and we also begin to understand other people.
God bless everyone on this blog! Please pray for me, I am struggling with the time change! Please pray the Lrod will grant me a financial breakthrough! I need to clear debts, send money to my children & grandchuildren, invest $500,000 so I have a better income and I desire to donate to missions at home; desire to help some who are making decisions to walk away from drugs & alcohol…….Blessings to everyone!
Lord I pray for a quick transition into daylight saving to take place in Sah’s due to chemical imbalance. Lord according to Your word nothing is too difficult for You, and that includes “chemical imbalance”. Thank you Jesus in Your Mighty Name I pray…Amen!!!
THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR PRAYERS! LET US CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER! IN JESUS NAME AMEN