So my study this morning included James 1:4, but where God took me from there….well, let’s just say I love following rabbit trails with my Abba! “Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” ~~James 1:4~~ I learned yesterday that perseverance is the characteristic of the person who is unswerved (not changing … Read More
1 Timothy 6:11-16 (Part Two)
PAUL’S CHARGES TO TIMOTHY FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH Fight <agonizomai> is in the imperative mood (it is a command, not a suggestion) and it means to struggle. This word is used both literally (describing to compete for a prize) and figuratively, (describing to content with an adversary; or to contend, struggle with difficulties and dangers). PAUSE TO PONDER. … Read More
1 Timothy 6:11-16 (Part One)
“But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I direct you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified … Read More
Do You See It?
“This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His One and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen … Read More
Are You Awake?
The passage we are gonna dig into today begins with the word “therefore”; so as usual, before we jump into today’s passage, we have to look back to see what the therefore is there for. Right before Peter begins this passage he gives some directives to how people within the church are to interact with one another – from the … Read More
A Fiery Ordeal
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that at the revelation of His glory you may also rejoice and be overjoyed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you … Read More
Whatcha Doin’?
“The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the multifaceted grace of … Read More
Living the Good Life
“10 For, the one who desires life, to love and see good days, must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. 11 He must turn away from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, and His ears attend to their prayer, but the face of the Lord … Read More
Peter Sums It Up
So we ended chapter 2 with Peter telling us that we were called for the purpose of following Christ’s example – not reacting to situations but entrusting their outcome to the Father, knowing He is the only righteous judge of what’s really going on. As we moved into chapter three, we studied about what real beauty looks like (1 Peter … Read More
Act as Free Men
“Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king” ~~1 PETER 2:16-17~~ This is a shorter passage, but it is certainly not lacking in practical spiritual truth. In order to understand and apply this verse correctly, we need to … Read More