What Manner of Persons Ought You to Be

In 2 Peter 3, Peter brings several things to our attention as how we "ought to be".

1. Ought to be mindful – verses 1 & 2
   We should be mindful of the things that have been written by the prophets and the things that were spoken by our Lord.
2. Ought to know that scoffers will come – verses 3 & 4
   We should realize that there will be those that try to dissuade us from our belief and faith in Christ Jesus. We must stand firm on the Word of God.
3. Ought to know that some people are ignorant of God’s word – verses 5 & 6
   We must know and understand that there will be some that don't understand God's Word and have not had the opportunity to gain an understanding of the Word.
4. Ought to be conscious of the power of God’s word – verse 7
   We ought to remember that God has the power to keep the world or destroy the world.
5. Ought to know that time does not mean anything to God – verse 8
   We need to understand that to God, time is irrelevant. We, as humans, are so caught up in time and schedules, that time tends to rule our lives. We want to know exactly when things are going to happen and that even pertains to our desire to know when God is sending Christ back.
6. Ought to know that the Lord is long suffering – verse 9
   We ought to realize the God is long suffering because of His desire that ALL of His children become saved.
7. Ought to know that the day of the Lord will come as a thief – verses 10-12
   We need to understand that even though we desire to know when God is coming back, we don't know nor will we ever know.
8. Ought to look for new heavens and a new earth – verse 13
   When God does return to call His children home, we will be placed in a new heaven where Righteousness is first and foremost, thus allowing us to always worship God Almighty and His Son, Jesus Christ.
9. Ought to be diligent that we be found of him in peace, without spot and blameless – verse 14
   We ought to be ready for God's call to come home no matter the time or place. Since we don't know when it will happen, it's important that we are ready all the time, spotless and blameless, so that we can be received in that Heavenly home.
10. Ought to know that some wrest the scriptures unto their own destruction – verse 16
    We should understand that there are those that cannot, will not understand the Word of God and because of their ignorance and distortion of the Word of God, they will suffer destruction and at the same time, they will attempt to bring us down. We must, though, continue to bring the Word to all, in the hope that all will be found in favor at the judgment day.
11. Ought to beware lest we be led away and fall – verse 17
    By knowing before hand because of our diligence and study in God's Word, we can prevent ourselves from becoming entrapped by those that distort God's Word and try to lead people down the wrong path. To help us prevent this issue, we must be diligent with our study of the Word of God.
12. Ought to grow – verse 18
    We ought to grow, daily, in our love and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Whether we are 15 or 90, we can always grow through a diligent study in the Word.

What manner of persons ought you to be? You should be a person of God, studying and living for God in preparation for that Eternal Home.

Strive each day to walk "In the Narrow Way".

TGIF - Today God Is First

Traditionally when we see the initials TGIF, we think it stands for "Thank Goodness It's Friday". Recently I came across another meaning that I think is more fitting for us as Christians, "Today God Is First".

Matthew 6:33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Christ told us that we should seek God first, so we should keep in mind that idea each and every day. By putting God first, we dwell on the things that we should and not on the things that will prevent us from acquiring eternal life. It is important in our walk with God that we focus on living a life that will not only serve us well while on earth but will allow us to find the narrow way into Heaven.

Some days it's hard to focus on the things that we should, but if we think of every day as a TGIF day, then our day can be easier to handle. Galatians 1:10 "For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ." In Galatians, Paul reminded them that they could not please man and still be a servant of Christ. By putting God first each and everyday, we will not have to think if we are serving man or God.

Make every day a TGIF kind of day by putting God first.

Strive each day to walk "In the Narrow Way".

God is an Artist

 Originally published 2-11-12

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." Ephesians 2:10

One of the definitions of an artist is "a person whose work exhibits exceptional skill."

That alone defines God more than any other definition of artist. He created us to do good works for Him but we often fail to live up to His expectations of us. Just because we stumble doesn't take away from the masterpiece that God created because His creations are perfect.

Since we represent His finest work, we should strive to present ourselves to Him for His glory. Romans 12:1-2 "Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

We need to make sure that we are doing our best to be good and acceptable to God. If we owned a Rembrandt, we would not store it the barn where dust and moisture would ruin it, but we would display it safely in our home to protect it from the elements of nature! Since we are, as the New Living Translation says, "God's masterpiece", we should protect our bodies, minds and souls just as we would protect a Rembrandt. We need to keep those things out that will corrupt our bodies, minds and souls. We do not want to destroy God's masterpiece just as we would not want to destroy a piece of artwork from Rembrandt.

Strive each day to walk “In the Narrow Way”.

"Ready to Forgive"

Originally published 1-31-12

“For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.” Psalm 86:5

Isn't it great that our Lord is not only always there for us, blessing us with love but He's also ready to forgive our transgressions.

Romans 3:21-26 "But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus."

We all stumble in our walk with Christ, but He is always willing to forgive and forget. Christ gives us the hope of eternal life which should create in us, a desire to serve Him, to walk with Him and to please Him each and every day.

Strive each day to walk “In the Narrow Way”.

In the Narrow Way

Originally published 1-25-12

Matthew 7:14 For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

"In the narrow way" is intended to help me search deeper in the scriptures as I walk with God. If, by chance, you benefit from the thoughts that will be expressed here, then I will be humbled that my thoughts and ideas touched your heart, your mind and your soul.

Walking in the narrow way is a daily process. Each day that we live, is another day that we will face the challenges of living in a world that is intent on devouring us. We are surrounded by temptations that the devil uses to try and move us from the narrow way. We must prepare ourselves each day to continue to strive to walk in the narrow way.

Paul told the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 9:23-25 "I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.  Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable." We are in a race, not with each other but in an effort to out run the devil.

Strive each day to walk "In the Narrow Way".