Category Archives: Scripture

Advice, Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Commands, Commitment, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Grace, Inspirational, Mentoring, Modeling, Obedience, Parenting, Prayer, Repentance, Scripture, Sin

GROW IN GRACE

2 PETER 3:18

“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.”

Don’t you just love that phrase – “grow in the grace”? In the Greek text, the definite article isn’t there. Therefore, it could read “grow in grace.” But what does that really mean? I thought only God extended grace. How can we GROW in it?

The Helps Ministries definition of this word is “(“to grow”) is key to authentic discipleship. Indeed, the Lord requires non-stopprogress (development) in the life of faith.” That’s pretty good. As we experience God’s grace over and over, we grow in it. We recognize it. We seek it. We do not sin to get it, but we get it when we sin.

APPLICATION

How can we teach this principle to our kids? By extending them grace. I don’t mean to be easy on them. I mean when you can do it, show them grace. Maybe your child has unintentionally done something that is wrong. It was not their motive to disobey. Those are the times it is easy to extend grace.

But what do you do when they have knowingly sinned against God? Well, what does God do once they have repented? He extends grace. We should do the same. That may be hard sometimes. We want to remember those events and remind them of their failure over and over again. We justify that by saying we want to keep them from doing it again. Aren’t you glad God doesn’t do that?

The next time you bow your head and ask for forgiveness for something, remember the grace that is being extended to you. It’s not because of anything you deserve. Jesus died for you to have that grace. It is because of His shed blood that you can even go to the Father with the boldness to ask for forgiveness. Praise God.

I am thankful, Father, for grace. Help me grow in grace so I can show it to others.

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ARE YOU PERVERTED?

2 PETER 3:16

“as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.” 

I bet that title got your attention, didn’t it? Well, I am not talking about sexual perversion. I am talking about spiritual perversion. The Greek word for “distort” means to twist or distort. It’s in the Present tense which means they are constantly doing it.

Who is doing it? Peter tells us – the untaught (ignorant) and unstable (unsteady). Why do we listen to such people? Their words go totally against Scripture. They take one verse and twist it to make it say what they want it to say. That is so easy to do. You have to take Scripture in context and as a whole.

APPLICATION

Try this with your kids. Get a picture and cover up everything except one small corner. Then ask them to tell you what the picture is. Unless they’ve seen that picture before, they won’t be able to guess. Slowly uncover more and more of the picture until they can correctly identify it.

Now, explain to them that is how it is with Scripture. If they take one verse out of context, they can make it say just about anything. But as they grow in their knowledge of Scripture, the full picture of God’s grace and mercy is revealed. It becomes clearer and clearer. Scripture always compliments Scripture.

Do you battle others who want to argue with you about what God’s Word means? Don’t! Let the Word speak for itself. But you can’t do that if you don’t have knowledge of the Word. Memorize it. Study it. Dig into it. Then and only then can you faithfully represent its truths.

Show me in Your Word daily Your truths. As David said, “I would perish without Your Law.” Thank You, Lord.

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Accountability, Advice, Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Commands, Encouragement, Following, Gifts, Holy Spirit, Mentoring, Modeling, Parenting, Patience, Salvation, Scripture

PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE

2 PETER 3:15

“and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you,” 

Just how patient are you? I like to think I am very patient, but truth be known, I am probably not. And why aren’t I? Because I want my way. I want things done how I want them. I want… Well, you see where this is going. My flesh gets in the way.

Aren’t you glad Jesus isn’t like me? Before you yell You better believe it, ask yourself how you compare. Jesus is the patient or long-suffering one. This Greek word for patience is the same word used in Galatians 5:22. “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,” You see, you can’t be patient without the Spirit controlling you.

APPLICATION

How do you teach your children patience? The best way is to model it for them. How patient are you with them? Ouch! Did that hit home? Sometimes we aren’t very patient with our little ones. Jesus is so long-suffering with us. Don’t forget that. How can you extend that to your kids?

Jesus was patient towards you in regards to your salvation. That’s what Peter said in today’s verse. He waited for you to respond. He didn’t hurry you or force you. Can you show that patience toward your child? That fruit of the Spirit is so important to show to others, especially your children.

How patient are you toward your work colleagues? How about your neighbor who infringes on your property? Hmmm. Well, Carl, you don’t understand. I don’t have to. Jesus does, and He can give you the power to be patient. In fact, He already has, if you are believer. That fruit is yours to exercise.

Lord, I long to be just like You, including being patient with others. I know I don’t have it within me to do that without the power of the Holy Spirit.

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HOW WILL HE FIND YOU?

2 PETER 3:14

“Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,” 

Have you ever been caught off guard by someone or something? Boy, I have. It can be embarrassing or even dangerous. It’s always best to be prepared. When I’m hunting, I try to be prepared for any situation, but I can still be caught sometimes not looking in the right direction or moving when I shouldn’t.

Peter is telling us in this verse to be found by Jesus in peace, spotless and blameless. Well, good luck with that, lol. Listen, you can’t be found “in” peace until you are “at” peace. That only comes through Him. And you will never be found spotless and blameless unless you are covered in His blood through your salvation. You see, it is really all about Him.

APPLICATION

Have you ever found your child’s room to be spotless? I doubt it, unless you have a remarkable child who just loves cleaning. Why don’t you do this? Why don’t you surprise your child and clean their room and make it spotless? When they see it, you can explain that you wanted to bless them by doing this.

Then read them this verse and explain how Jesus makes us spotless when we come to Him. Explain that unlike their room which will get dirty again, we are made spotless in His sight for eternity. Sure, we may sin again and need to confess that, but He sees us in our glorified state already. Isn’t that cool?

Are you at peace with God? Are you spotless and blameless? That’s how He wants to find you when He returns. He doesn’t expect us to be perfect, but He does expect us to strive for it. He says so in His word. Our God demands holiness, and He gives us the ability to be holy as we surrender daily to His Spirit. Now, go “scrub” yourself.

Thank You, Lord, that my holiness does to rely on me. You produce holiness in me through Your Holy Spirit. I want to be found worthy of You.

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Advice, Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Christ's Return, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Following, Heaven, Mentoring, Parenting, Righteousness, Scripture

WHERE ARE YOU LIVING?

2 PETER 3:13

“But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.”

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? I would live in Kenya. I have been there several times and feel at home there. I love the people, the country and the opportunities to train Pastors how to study the Word. Sure, Kenya has its problems. What country doesn’t? But that is where I would live.

The Greek word for “dwells” means to feel at home. Look what Peter says in this verse. Righteousness dwells in the new heavens and the new earth. Notice he says “dwells.” Can I get technical for a second? That verb is Present Indicative Active. Do you know what that means? It means righteousness is already dwelling and has been dwelling and will continue to dwell in the new heavens and the new earth. Now that’s a place I want to live.

APPLICATION

Ask your children where they want to live. Tell them they can choose anywhere. I bet they may say Disney World or some other theme park. What child wouldn’t want that? But then ask them why. Well, Dad, it’s a cool place! Well, of course, it is. But ask them for a real reason. Ask them if they think they could live there forever.

Children don’t quite get it, do they? But then again, neither do we. Nowhere here on earth is perfect. Any place we choose to live is going to have its problem. Your children need to understand that. BUT…the new heavens and new earth will be perfect. Why? Because that’s where righteousness dwells. Whose righteousness? God’s righteousness!

So, why are you so worried about your current living situation? Why do we work so hard to perfect our physical living environment? I know we want to be comfortable, but is that the issue that really matters? No! We need to live more righteously so we will feel more at home when the new heavens and new earth arrive. Amen?

Father, prepare my heart to live righteously each and every day. I am looking for that new heaven and earth where You dwell.

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WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

2 PETER 3:12

“looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!” 

The world will never understand believers’ anticipation of the return of Christ. In fact, many scoff at us. They think our faith in His return is shallow-minded. To them, His return is a fable told for centuries.

But we know better, don’t we? Peter says we are to be “looking for and hastening” His return. The Greek word for “looking” is a bit more than just scanning the horizon. It is an eager anticipation, almost a giddy yearning. “Hastening” means to speed it on. How can we speed it on? By sharing the good news with everyone we meet.

APPLICATION

Don’t be afraid to talk about Jesus’ return with your kids. Some parents don’t want to “scare” their children with this news. But this is great news. For believers, it won’t be a scary event. We will be transformed so quickly and ushered into heaven, we won’t know what hit us. It will be pure joy.

I hear many young believers say they want to do such and such before He returns. They want to get married first. They want to have a baby first. They want to…. Listen, make sure your kids know that nothing compares to seeing Jesus. There is no earthly joy that compares.

Are you giddy for His return? Does the thought He could come any day get you excited? It should. As a believer, we should be looking and hastening that day. We should be actively preparing and seeking. We should be telling others about Him whenever we get the chance. Soon and very soon.

You promised You would return, Lord. We are eagerly waiting. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

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Advice, Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Courage, Direction, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Holiness, Inspirational, Mentoring, Obedience, Parenting, Rapture, Salvation, Scripture

THIEVES

2 PETER 3:10

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.”

Okay, you need to understand something. Peter is not calling the Lord a thief. But I guess you knew that, right. Peter is just using a thief as an example. If you knew a thief was going to rob your house, what would you do? You would get ready for him.  You would make sure all the doors and windows were locked and secured. You would make sure all your valuables were hidden away. But the problem is, thieves don’t give prior notice. They catch you just as you are.

So, the Lord Jesus isn’t going to announce that He is coming a certain day. We know, through Scripture, that He is coming. That means we have to be ready. How do you get ready? By staying in His Word and doing all we can to lead others to Him. We should have our spiritual doors open all the time waiting for Him. We should have nothing in our lives for which we are ashamed. He’s on His way.

APPLICATION

Ask your kids what they would do if they knew their favorite aunt or uncle was coming for a visit. Would they leave their room a mess? Would they put off taking a bath until after their visit. Now, some kids would love that, lol. But seriously, what would they do to prepare for them?

Explain why it is so important to prepare for the Lord’s return. The first thing, of course, is make sure their heart is right. Have they surrendered their life to Him? If that’s been done, let them know He wants them to live each day as if He’s coming back that day. We want to please Him in all we do every day.

Are you living today as if He is coming back soon? Let me encourage you to surrender fully to Him today. Let Him have full control over your life. Allow Him to use you to lead others to Him. And most of all, keep looking for Him. Know His return is close.

O God, I know many people who need You. Help me lead them to You before it is too late. I want them to know You.

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TELLING TIME

2 PETER 3:8

“But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.” 

It seems we are always in a hurry. Hustle here and hustle there. We actually seem to think we can squeeze more minutes into the day, but the last time I checked there are still only 1,440 of them. We can rush and scurry around like we can get more done, but we really can’t.

Peter makes a point here by stating, “do not let this one fact escape your notice.” He doesn’t want us to miss this. He actually uses the same word back in verse five. And what is this spectacular truth? God tells time different than us. That’s it. God doesn’t dwell in a twenty-four day. So, sit back and relax.

APPLICATION

Do you remember teaching your children to tell time? Nowadays it is a little easier with the digital clocks. But teaching them with an analog clock is a little harder. There’s the big, short hand for the hour, the big, long hand for the minutes and the sweeping hand for the seconds. It takes a little bit more teaching to get them to catch on.

What a great time to teach them about God’s time. Explain to them how He can see the past, present and future all at once. He doesn’t need a wristwatch or wall clock. He made time by putting the sun in the sky and setting the earth to spin at just the right speed for a twenty-four hour day. Amazing.

Can you trust God’s timing in your life? He is at work, even when you don’t know it. And His timing is impeccable. He is always perfect in His timing. I once heard a joke about a man who wanted to ask God for a favor. He said, “God, I know to You a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day. I know money is nothing to you. Shoot, to you a penny is like a million dollars. Could You send me a penny?” God quickly answered back, “Give me a second.”

O Lord, I don’t want a penny. I don’t want an extra day. I just want to please You each day I live.

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Advice, Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Christ's Return, Destruction, Fire, Heaven, Hell, Judgment, Mentoring, Parenting, Punishment, Rescue, Scripture

FIRE ALARM

2 PETER 3:7

“But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.”

What do you do when you hear a fire alarm? You look for the nearest exit and get out quick. We conduct fire drills all the time in our schools to keep our children safe. Businesses conduct fire drills to keep employees safe. Hmmm! Why is that so important?

I ask that question because I want you to think about this verse. Fire is coming. We are told that in Scripture. The “present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire.” God will destroy the world with fire one day. So, why aren’t we having fire drills for that? Why aren’t we screaming, “Fire, it’s coming!”?

APPLICATION

Do you have fire drills in your home? You should. You and your family should have a plan in case of a fire. You should all know what door to take. You should have a second story escape plan. Why don’t you practice that with your family tonight?

When you come back in from that, talk about the real fire drill. Does all your family know Christ? What a great time to talk about the certain escape plan. Jesus offers us security and safety in His heavenly home. All we have to do is accept the plan God laid out at the foundation of the world.

If you have that plan nailed down, why not share it with someone else? Why not spread the good news? So many around us are going to burn eternally unless we can usher them into God’s plan. Take a moment and think of someone you can share with today. You will be so glad you did.

I hate the thought of anyone being caught in that fire, Lord. Help me spread the good news to all I meet.

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WATCH THAT WATER

2 PETER 3:6

“through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.” 

Peter, of course, is referring to the great flood which God sent upon the earth to destroy the wickedness which was prevailing. Only Noah and his family were spared. Noah warned them, but his warnings fell on deaf ears.

We see the same today. Wickedness is rampant. Evil seems to be winning. Rest assured – God is not blind to this. Judgment is coming. The wicked may think they are getting by. That’s not our concern. Our concern is to live godly lives and be an example of light and purity. Perhaps we will win some before it’s too late.

APPLICATION

Our children have been taught the story of the flood. They probably have toys of Noah’s ark, complete with all the animals. What a cute story, right? Wrong! It’s a clear picture of a holy God who will not tolerate sinful behavior. We can teach this story to children and not leave out the reason for the flood.

Ask your children to tell you the story about Noah’s ark. Let them tell it in their own way. Let them act it out. Let them draw pictures. As they are doing this fill in the blanks, if there are any. And make sure they know the morale to the story. God demands holy living, and He will deliver the righteous.

Are you in “the ark”? I pray you are living righteously. I pray you are safe in the arms of Jesus. If you aren’t and are living like those who perished in the flood waters, it’s not too late. Come to Him today. Allow Him to throw you that life vest. He’s waiting. Will you come?

Lord, I can’t imagine the world underwater physically, but I do see it underwater spiritually. Help me be used by You to lead others to safety.

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