Grace and Peace

Grace and Peace

2 Peter 1: From Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ—

To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have been given a faith as precious as ours:

² May grace and peace be yours in full measure through your knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

 

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After leaving court, I got my driver’s license back. I had exceeded the maximum number of speeding tickets that year and had to get my license reinstated. Since that pressure was over, I decided to celebrate. I threw the usual party and made the theme, “Able to Drive Again!”

 

• I made any excuse to hold a party.
• Having a group of people with loud music, laughter and drinks, temporarily reduced the pain of reality.
• Monday would arrive every week and I had to face whatever situation I was trying to escape from.

 

Peter writes another letter. This time he addressed it to a broader audience of believers which included Gentile believers. His opening statement was a small prayer for everyone to receive grace and peace in “full measure.”

 

My Observations:

• My sinful efforts bring temporary relief, BUT knowing GOD gives me peace that I don’t understand.
• Vacations, celebrations, and parties seem like a nice escape, BUT knowing JESUS  gives me grace that sustains me during difficult times.
• Getting to know about GOD and the SON of GOD is worth the work, because it shows me grace and peace that is different than the world’s temporary, pleasure filled approach.

 

Indulgence is temporary, BUT GOD is forever. I mean, avoiding the “bad” situation for a moment of pleasure can sometimes make things worse for me. Bad decision after bad decision during my pursuit of pleasure can sometimes leave me with more problems that pleasure can’t fix. BUT GOD has a different way.

 

GOD wants me to get to know who HE is so I will not fall into a trap of blaming HIM or misunderstanding who HE is. Getting to know about JESUS shows me how much I a really loved. I am glad I can receive grace and peace in spite of my bad thoughts of who GOD is. I receive HIS love by learning about HIM.

 

Challenge

• What sticks out to you in the writer’s greeting?
• Are you trying to pursue grace and peace through the world’s methods?
• Will you pursue a relationship with JESUS by getting to know HIM so you can receive grace and peace that rises above all of your situations today?

Fully Receiving Hope

 

Fully Receiving Hope

1 Peter 1: From Peter, apostle of Jesus Christ—

To God's chosen people who live as refugees scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. ² You were chosen according to the purpose of God the Father and were made a holy people by his Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be purified by his blood.

 

May grace and peace be yours in full measure.

 

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Shopping for groceries in the new town was something I had to get used to. I had to find where this store kept everything. I navigated the aisles and finished up with a lot of groceries, since I was just moving into my apartment. “Would you like help to your car?” was a question I had never heard before. “Sure!” I replied. The bagger loaded my trunk and thanked me for shopping there.

 

• I felt that I received great service.
• I could not believe how friendly people could be.
• I was thankful I received help when I needed it.

 

Peter writes to GOD’s chosen people and wishes them grace and peace in full measure. He did not wish for a little grace and peace, but full and perfect grace and peace. This meant GOD would intervene during the troubles each of them were facing.

 

My Observations:

• Peace can only come from GOD.
• Grace can only come from GOD.
• Grace and peace can happen even when times are difficult.

 

Grace and peace can be elusive. I mean, circumstances continue to pop up that can rob me of my peace. Then I may fall, causing me to feel distant from GOD. BUT GOD sees what I am going through and provides grace and peace.

 

HE not only provides grace but says “MY grace is sufficient.” HIS grace is full, everlasting and perfect. There is no flaw in HIS grace. HE then gives me peace in the middle of the storm. This is perfect peace because it cannot be stolen. I am assured by GOD and I am glad for it.

 

Challenge

• What grace and peace do you think the writer was trying to convey?
• Have you ever received a little grace and peace?
• How did it feel?
• Can you ask GOD for HIS grace and peace today?

 

Prayer

Dear LORD please provide this reader with YOUR grace and peace in full measure today? amen

Provided For

Provided For

2 Thessalonians 3: ¹⁶ May the Lord himself, who is our source of peace, give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all.

¹⁷ With my own hand I write this: Greetings from Paul This is the way I sign every letter; this is how I write.

¹⁸ May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

 

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Ready to do a presentation, I pulled out my ancient laptop. “Sorry, we don’t have that type of connection” were the words I did not like hearing, referring to the type of cable needed to connect to a projector.

 

“Search through your bag for a flash drive” were the words I felt. I dug through my bag and, to my surprise, had one I placed there years ago. I copied my presentation and gave it to the organization.

 

• What I needed was there all along.
• I thought my plans would be stopped, but a way was made.
• This small incident taught me there is always another way.

 

Paul specifically mentions he penned the letter that he collaborated with Silas and Timothy. He ends with a prayer for all believers in JESUS. He asks for peace, for the LORD to be with everyone at all times and for grace.

 

My Observations

• Sometimes I forget that the LORD is the source of my peace.
• Grace and peace are always with me even when I mess up.
• I don’t have to look far for peace or grace because the LORD is always with me.

 

Grace and peace can seem elusive, but that is a lie. I mean, when trials last longer than expected, I may think GOD is withholding HIS peace. I may even start believing the lie that it may have been some sin that I did, or some action I did not do. BUT GOD is gentle.

 

HE simply whispers “Here, have peace” in the middle of the storm. When everyone else is worried, losing sleep and harassed, GOD can provide peace that is strange. HE also gives me unusual grace that covers sins I know about and those I don’t. I am so glad HIS grace is sufficient.

 

Challenge

• What is the writer’s prayer?
• Why do you need peace, the LORD to be with you and grace?
• Will you stop trying to acquire something that is with you at all times and thank GOD for being with you, giving you peace and for HIS grace today?

 

Prayer

Dear LORD, please grant this reader peace today. Grant him or her the knowledge that YOU are there and have been all along. Please let the reader know that YOU will never, ever leave, nor forsake him or her. Thank YOU for YOUR grace. amen

Ambition

Ambition

Colossians 1: ⁹ For this reason we have always prayed for you, ever since we heard about you. We ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will, with all the wisdom and understanding that his Spirit gives. ¹⁰ Then you will be able to live as the Lord wants and will always do what pleases him. Your lives will produce all kinds of good deeds, and you will grow in your knowledge of God.

 

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After a taste of “success” I wanted more. I figured I could “help” more people if I obtained a certain title. I worked day and night climbing the ladder of “success.” While I was working, I was too busy to help those who I intended to help.

 

• I was blinded by ambition.
• I thought the title was more important than my actions.
• I believed I knew what could help people.

 

Paul indirectly addressed the human will. He knew humans could be blinded by the world’s ambitions, justifying selfish actions along the way. There was only one way to please GOD, namely be filled.

 

My Observations

• Knowledge of GOD is important for me to seek.
• Wisdom from GOD helps me with discernment.
• Understanding from GOD provides me with better actions to help me grow.

 

Ambition is a very deceptive foe. I mean, on the surface it looks quite innocent and the world loves an ambitious hero. BUT GOD’s will speaks softly and will not compete with the human will. HE, unfortunately, allows us to try to reach our desires, which HE knows can take us off HIS path.

 

BUT GOD is forgiving and wants us to succeed. When I empty myself and allow HIM to “fill” me up, I can please HIM through HIS wisdom, knowledge and understanding. I am glad GOD enables me to produce HIS fruit.

 

Challenge

• What good deeds is the writer speaking of?
• What does “growth in GOD” look like?
• Will you seek GOD’s will so HE can give you wisdom, knowledge and understanding to do “good deeds” that are pleasing to HIM today?

Most Grace Required

 Most Grace Required

1 Corinthians 11: ⁶ If the woman does not cover her head, she might as well cut her hair. And since it is a shameful thing for a woman to shave her head or cut her hair, she should cover her head. ⁷ A man has no need to cover his head, because he reflects the image and glory of God. But woman reflects the glory of man; ⁸ for man was not created from woman, but woman from man. ⁹ Nor was man created for woman's sake, but woman was created for man's sake. ¹⁰ On account of the angels, then, a woman should have a covering over her head to show that she is under her husband's authority. ¹¹ In our life in the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. ¹² For as woman was made from man, in the same way man is born of woman; and it is God who brings everything into existence.

 

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Again, Paul continues on a confusing subject. He continues to discuss the structure GOD put in place during the curse in Genesis 3. But where is he going with this? Looking at it from an authoritarian position, it looks like there is a hierarchy to win arguments and to blame. BUT GOD is in there.

 

• GOD wants me to not be independent of my wife.
• GOD wants me to take HIS creation process seriously.
• GOD wants me to reflect HIS image and HIS glory.

 

Wait, what did that last part mean? Reflect the image and glory of GOD? This is a tall responsibility. The only thing I can see is, the closer the person, the more the grace is required.

 

But this passage doesn’t talk about how to do that. Well, it kinda does. “Our life in the LORD” is the statement that shows us how to fight life’s phobias and fears that each person brings into a marriage.

 

Forgiving and serving a neighbor is easy, but how about a spouse? It takes a special kind of grace to remain married in the structure of a curse. JESUS showed this grace and wants man to reflect it to his wife, who was made specifically for him.

 

Grace needs to be taught and cannot be achieved. It is undeserving and requires admittance. It should be given in large doses and expected when two people are dependent on one another.

 

Again, no challenge questions because pondering grace is hard enough.

Full of Something

Full of Something

John 14: ²² Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?”

²³ Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. ²⁴ He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.

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“Buying some clothes will make you happy” was one salesperson’s philosophy spoken to me. I went along with it and it did make me feel a little better. “Buying a new car will make you feel better” another salesperson said to me. I bought the car and did feel better.

Eventually the car needed maintenance. Then the cycle repeated. I still owed money on the car. I looked at my elbow and the clothes were getting frayed.

• One time I thought things would make me feel good.
• One time I followed the philosophy of getting more things.
• One time I felt great when I had things and miserable when I did not.

Judas, the believer, asked JESUS “How will you manifest YOURSELF to us and not to the world?” JESUS explains that if a person loves HIM, they would keep HIS Word. By keeping HIS Word, the FATHER and the HOLY SPIRIT would get excited enough to live inside of the person.

• JESUS made me similar to an empty vessel.
• JESUS wants to fill me up with HIS Word.
• JESUS desires that I open my heart to HIS guidance.

Keeping GOD’s Word is impossible for the world to do. With the emphasis on self and money and power, the world cannot listen to “Love one another.” GOD is not a philosophy, HE is GOD. HIS power, grace and love is beyond any human religion or attitude.

JESUS knows I will fill myself up with something. Will I fill myself up with HIS love and be hated by the world? Yes! Those who are blind will hate HIS love and complain about how HE guides me. I accept GOD’s guidance and will honor HIS home inside me.

• What philosophy are you filling yourself up with?
• Are you seeking GOD’s kingdom daily?
• Will you stop listening to the world for a moment and listen to GOD so HE will guide you today?

Security

Security

John 12: ¹⁷ Therefore the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of his tomb and raised him from the dead, bore witness. ¹⁸ For this reason the people also met Him, because they heard that He had done this sign. ¹⁹ The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, “You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!”

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Looking around at the other seniors, I could see they had nice clothes. I started rationalizing why I would not get the job. I mean I was wearing the same suit I wore at my high school graduation. “And they probably cheated to get through college” I said to myself. “And they probably lied in their interviews.” I don’t like those people.

• There were times when I was very insecure.
• There were times when my insecurities led me to protect myself by not trying.
• There were times when I thought negatively of others not knowing I thought negatively of myself.

Jealousy ignited amongst the church leaders as they were losing their crowd. “The whole world goes after HIM” were their words. But they were said in anger, not in praise. They were not feeling secure, and desired to get that security back. They made a plan made from hatred.

• JESUS wants me to place my security in HIM.
• JESUS wants me to seek HIM for my validation.
• JESUS wants me to trust in HIS decisions and not worry how I look.

GOD wants me to give my desires to HIM. HE can take my dreams and do what HE wants in the time HE wants. HE says to me “If you feel lonely, insecure or protective of yourself, then come to me and I will help you.”

JESUS can take my negative view of others and make me see people as HE sees them. HE values when I feel secure in HIS promises towards me. I am grateful HE holds onto me and will never let me go.

• Are you insecure?
• Do you speak negatively of others, not knowing how you feel about yourself?
• Will you allow GOD to open your eyes to HIS grace for you and “those” people today?

Protection

Protection

John 10: ⁷ Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. ⁸ All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. ⁹ I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

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Wanting to be the top in my industry fed my drive. Long hours and missing family events became the norm as I pursued, what I thought was, abundance. “I’m doing this for the family” I rationalized as the pressure from being on top continued to wear on me. It was three A.M. and I was awake, thinking about work.

• My previous pursuits made me worry.
• My previous pursuits made me lose sleep.
• My previous pursuits made me leave friends and family only to feel pressure to deliver.

JESUS continues to reveal who HE is in this passage. HE explains why HE came, but first, HE explains something important. JESUS talked about thieves and robbers who come to steal, kill and destroy. HE was speaking to the church leaders and those who oppress and exploit people.

• JESUS wants to protect me from my desires that may get in the way of my relationship with HIM.
• JESUS wants to protect me from things that rob me of HIS love.
• JESUS wants to protect me from worries, fears and doubts so I can have abundant life.

“I AM the door” is a strong statement that JESUS gave us. HE tells me that “No one can get you away from ME if you believe in ME.” HE says this to give me “abundant life.” A life where I can find peace and rest in HIM. But the worries of life rob me of this abundance and sometimes kills my relationships because of my pursuits.

GOD sees my futile attempts to hold onto my life and whispers “let go.” “Let ME have your life and I will give you abundance you have never known.” When I let go, GOD always comes through with abundance. I love HIS peace.

• Are you full of complaints and discontent over life?
• Do you feel you have little?
• Will you ask GOD to open your eyes to the abundance of life HE has given you?
• Will you change your thinking about what “true” abundance is and allow HIM to use you to bring an “abundant” amount of people to HIM through you today?