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 in the 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 (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 Jesus, for changing the world and making it a better place for us to be in 2020 because Your Christ Light lives in us. Look forward to starting Daniel, tomorrow. Praying for Ann Mainse this morning and all the saints. Happy St. Patrick’s Day.
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. ESV
Jon Egan – Be Strong (Official Lyric Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUucCvGYL5s
Thank You, Lord, for making us new in You; for the precious faith You give us. Please help all of us to work hard to show the grace and truth You give. We pray for many people to turn to You today. You are our refuge and strength. Please help us to show and tell that Good News to others today. Bless, strengthen, and use all Your workers for Your glory today, we ask in Jesus’s great name, amen
Amen
Amen Rob. Thank you.
Thank You Lord for encouragement and direction from Your Word. We ask for wisdom for our leaders here and in the U.S.A. and around the world re: the Coronavirus. We pray that many will hear Your Word while being confined in their homes. May You bless and direct Christian programmers to make available the great message of salvation on the airwaves. Cause us all to look up to You and hear Your Voice in scripture. Thank You Lord, that Your promise is that You will never leave us and we should not fear. Blessings all.
Amen Doreen.
Amen…thank you, Doreen
God bless you Doreen;
yes Lord we pray for Your Will to be done in our lives, bring hope to the people,
Lord we confess we have sinned against You in thought, Word and deed! we are sorry; please forgive us, bless our families,our neighbours,missionaries; Christians in the world, bless our children;teachers;parents,
Thank you Lord for the forgiveness of all our sins; in Jesus Name we pray amen amen amen
Amen Doreen!🙏🏼
Amen saints!
Amen to all of the above posts.
Just wanted you to know that my dear friend Norma went home to glory about 31/2hrs ago.
Her husband Keith is devastated. Also he just found out this morning that he has to have surgery in July for prostrate cancer. The daughter is on her way here from London Ont.
We are from Ireland but it is a sad day for us. However here are some shamrocks for all ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️ Eleanor M.
You are in my prayers, Eleanor. God bless you. ☘️
God bless you Eleanor; it is sad when someone we love goes to meet the Lord; we are happy for them; but we miss them also…..
God love us always, forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us….in Jesus Name we pray amen amen amen
Thank you Sah and Beverlee for your prayers. Glad to hear from you Sah I missed your posts. God bless both of you. Eleanor M.
things are so mixed up again! I can’t turn my printer off; I am not very gifted in these machines
pray for the seniors in Canada, they are having a difficult time with the flu and other issues regarding their homes, I pray the Lord will send the right people to help the seniors,
pray for the forgiveness of all our sins; pray also for Christians to start services in the prisons;
pray for our leaders in homes and in government, we pray this in Jesus Name amen amen amen