Daily Reading: 2 Peter 3
Scripture Focus: Take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (2 Peter 3.17b-18)
Devotional Thought: As Peter closed his last preserved correspondence with The Church, his pastoral urge was clearly evident. Having warned against the dangers posed by false teachers, he gives Christians three preventative prescriptions:
Guard... I visit a lot of hospitals and nursing homes. I have read dozens of signs with a variety of wording that promote hand-washing as the single most effective way to prevent the spread of sickness. Even in places of treatment, it is recognized that prevention is better than medication. Just as important as guarding ourselves from the transmission of disease, is the taking care of ourselves spiritually. We guard ourselves by putting off sin and sinful attitudes and by putting on Christ.
Grow... When my grandchild, Ellis, was born in the height of flu season, the pediatrician recommended to my daughter and son-in-law that they avoid taking her places where she would be exposed to sickness. She needed to grow stronger. Growth is a wonderful preventative for the insidious creep of sin. The stronger we are in Christ, the less likely we are to be overcome by sin. We need to grow in grace - recognizing that God is the source of all our strength. We need to grow in knowledge - recognizing what the dangers are and what we can do to prevent them. This is especially true of new Christians. They should not be exposed to perilous relationships and places until they have had time to grow.
Glory... What will keep us vigilant? Worship! Giving God glory will bring our own souls encouragement and strength. "To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen!"
So, try a little 3G today: Guard, Grow, and Glory!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, we want to go beyond surviving to thriving as a child of God. Help us, O Lord, to guard our hearts and to grow in grace and knowledge that you may receive glory! Amen.
Psalm of the Day: 1 For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. 2 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. 3 How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence? 4 They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. Selah (Psalms 62:1-4)
Comments