Follower

Reading for Today - II Peter 3:8-13 - But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells

Follower — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 22:38:58 GMT

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

God is patient with this World, because he does not want anyone to perish, but all to come to repentance. Just because the Lord is patient doesn’t mean he will not fulfill His promises. One day, all things of the earth will be dissolved, and the works that have been done will be exposed. May we heed Peter’s word and seek to live a life of holiness and godliness. May we live a life that shows we are waiting for the Lord and desire his coming.
What a glorious day it will be to enjoy His promises in a “new heaven and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”

Reading for Today - II Peter 1:12-15 - I intend always to remind you of these qualities

Follower — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 20:39:43 GMT

Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

We need to be reminded of our spiritual goals. The qualities that Peter mentions in II Peter are qualities we need to have in our life and qualities we need to be growing in. It is important for us to make daily Bible study a part of our life. The word of God is quick and powerful. The word of God can change us. May we seek the truth of God's word daily and seek to grow after the example of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Reading for Today - II Peter 1:5-11 - If you practice these qualities you will never fall

Follower — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 22:15:06 GMT

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

As Christians, we should be growing in this list of items that Peter provides:

o Faith
o Virtue
o Knowledge
o Self-Control
o Steadfastness
o Godliness
o Brotherly Affection
o Love

We should ask ourselves frequently if we are growing in these things. Is our faith stronger than last year? Do I know more of God’s word than last year? Do I have more self-control than last year? Am I growing in my ability to show love? If we are living a life pleasing to God, we should be seeking to grow in these.

Growing in these Christian graces will help us to be effective and fruitful for God. Peter wrote, “be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.”

May we seek to grow every day to become more like Christ. May we seek to follow his example. May we trust God in all things and seek to live the life that pleases Him and that will draw men to Him.

May we be a light in the world, shining the light of the Gospel through our life. May we shine our light in Faith, Virtue, Knowledge, Self-Control, Steadfastness, Godliness, Brotherly Affection, and Love.

Reading for Today - II Peter 1:1-4 - His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness

Follower — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 21:42:52 GMT

Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

What we need is found in God. Peter writes, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.” Truly, in Christ we have “precious and very great promises”. How great it is to be in Christ. May we put our desires on things above and seek the true knowledge that can only be found in God’s word.

"The most important thing is to keep the most important thing the most important thing."

Follower — Sat, 18 Jul 2026 12:13:41 GMT

Matthew 22:36–40 (ESV)
36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

Micah 6:8 (ESV)
8 He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the LORD require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?

John Maxwell writes in one of his books that the biggest immediate impact we can make in our life is closing the gap between what we know and what we do. We each need to ask ourselves, what is the gap that I need to close to make me a better child of God. Once we determine that, we need to ask ourselves, why we haven't already closed it. What is holding us back and what do we need to change. If we ask these questions and then act on it we can work to close the gap and seek to honor our Father in Heaven better with our life.

Matthew 13:18–23 (ESV)
The Parable of the Sower Explained
18 “Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

Reading for Today - I Peter 4:12-19 - Let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good

Follower — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 22:12:09 GMT

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

When we do good and suffer for this, let us entrust ourselves to God. God knows when we do good and suffer for it. God is the one who will punish evil and reward those who have served him. Let us focus our lives on doing good. Peter wrote in I Peter that we should not repay evil for evil. Insted we should return a blessing. Let us trust in God and do good, glorifying God.

Reading for Today - I Peter 4:7-11 - In order that in everything God may be glorified

Follower — Sat, 11 Jul 2026 20:45:26 GMT

The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

May we seek to use the talents, abilities, and blessings God has given us to serve others. May we be good stewards of the gifts of God and seek to be pleasing to God and to be a light in the world, pointing others to Christ.

Reading for Today - I Peter 4:1-6 - Arm yourselves with the same way of thinking

Follower — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 22:33:24 GMT

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

As Christians, we will live different than the world. The world will be surprised that we do not live for the human passions of this world. May we seek to live in the spirit and not after the flesh.

Reading for Today - I Peter 3:18-22 - Christ also suffered once for sins

Follower — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 22:30:14 GMT

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

Christ suffered to bring us to God. Not only did Christ die to provide a way that we could have forgiveness, He died to provide a way to reconcile us to God so that he would call us His Children. When we learn of God’s plan for salvation, when we believe it, choose to repent and turn from our past sins and confess Christ we are ready to turn our lives over to God. It is through the act of baptism that we access this salvation and make an appeal to God for a good conscience. After we have become Christ’s we must then continue to seek and to follow Him. If we do not remain faithful to Christ, he cannot confess us before His Father in Heaven. This does not mean we live a perfect life, but it does mean our heart and motives are right and that we are seeking to do that which is right. We read in I John 1:7 that if we walk in the light as he is in the light the blood of Christ continues to cleanse us from all sin. May we seek to be in Christ and to follow Christ, to be pleasing to God, and to provide a light to others that they may come to know the grace and love of God. May our hearts always be open to His word so that we are touched by His truth and seek His will and not our own.

Reading for Today - I Peter 3:13-17 - It is better to suffer for doing good

Follower — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 20:30:32 GMT

Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

If we suffer for doing good – God knows the truth. Peter writes if we “suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed.” It is better to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. We have the example of Christ.
We are also told to make a defense of the hope that is within us. When we teach others, it should be done with “gentleness and respect”. When I read this verse, I think of Paul’s advice that our speech be always with grace and seasoned with salt. How we teach others and defend the truth could impact how someone receives the word at that time. May we show respect and use gentleness. May we be gracious and share the good news of Christ. May our words build up others and lead them to Christ.

Reading for Today - I Peter 3:8-12 - Do not repay evil for evil

Follower — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 22:16:16 GMT

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Christians are more concerned about others and doing good than “having their rights”. We were called to bless others. We know from the example of Christ to show brotherly love, to have a tender heart and to have a humble mind. May we not be like the world returning evil for evil. Let us be like Christ and return a blessing. May we seek peace and pursue it. May we seek righteousness.

Reading for Today - I Peter 2:18-25 - Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example

Follower — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 21:59:07 GMT

Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

What an example we have in Christ. The Son of God left Heaven, came to earth, served men and died on the cross to redeem man. What an example. Christ was due all honor and praise, yet he suffered and died for us. What is it for us to suffer in comparison to what our Lord and Savior suffered for us. What an example for us to serve others and to show love to others. Without the example of Christ, we would not know what it really means to show true love.

Reading for Today - I Peter 2:11-12 - They may see your good deeds and glorify God

Follower — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 22:55:47 GMT

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
We should be careful what we partake in. Peter urged his readers to “abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” This was for their benefit as well as for those in the world. Peter also told his readers, to “keep [their] conduct among the Gentiles honorable”. The purpose for this was that the Gentiles would see their conduct and glorify God. We are to be lights in the world directing others to Christ. May we live our lives above reproach brining honor to God.

Reading for Today - I Peter 2:2-3 - Long for the pure spiritual milk

Follower — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 21:56:20 GMT

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

As Christians, we should desire the word of God. Peter tells his readers to “long for the pure spiritual milk”. If we feed on the word of God, we will grow. Spiritual growth is something we should desire. We should be those who hunger and thirst for righteousness and seek to be filled with the word of God. Truly, “the Lord is good”. May we seek to know Him and learn more about Him from the Bible. As we follow God as he teaches us in the Bible, and seek to live the Christian life, we know that God is good. May we seek to show the love of God to others that they also may come to know Him.

Reading for Today - I Peter 2:1 - So put away

Follower — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 20:57:30 GMT

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.

Christians are called to be different and to have brotherly love. Peter urges Christians to put away several things which would be a hindrance to showing love. Peter says to put away malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and all slander.

Malice – Desire to injure another

Deceit – Craftiness

Hypocrisy – Deceptive and deceitful actions and attitudes

Envy – Feelings of unhappiness because of what someone else has

Slander – defamatory statements

May we seek to make sure these attitudes are not in our life. May we seek to show love that builds up and not those actions that destroy.

Reading for Today - I Peter 1:13-25 - You shall be holy, for I am holy

Follower — Sat, 13 Jun 2026 19:00:25 GMT

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

Christians are a prepared people for a prepared purpose. We need to be thoughtful of what we do. We need to be able to control ourselves. As Christians, we have a great hope and we need to be sure to keep our hope on the things God has prepared for us and on the promises, he has given us.
Christians are called to be holy. We have been bought by the blood of Christ. May we live a life that brings honor to our Father in heaven. May we show the love of God to our fellow Christians and to the world.

Reading for Today - I Peter 1:10-12 - It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you

Follower — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 22:16:35 GMT

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

Those who foretold of Christ looked forward to his coming. Jesus told his disciples that those in the Kingdom were greater than John the Baptist. How amazing and wonderful are God’s promises to those in Christ.

Reading for Today - I Peter 1:3-9 - He has caused us to be born again to a living hope

Follower — Sat, 30 May 2026 12:53:30 GMT

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

What an amazing hope we have in Christ. We have an everlasting and pure inheritance awaiting us that will be just as awesome and desirable for all of eternity. If we are in Christ, it is reserved for us and if we are living by faith in God, it is protected by Him. Life may provide us challenges. Life may not always be easy or pleasant, but we have a tremendous hope. May our life be lived in praise, glory, and honor to God.

Reading for Today - I Peter 1:1-2 - To those who are elect exiles

Follower — Fri, 29 May 2026 22:38:56 GMT

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

God is calling all men to obey and serve him. God is calling all to salvation. Peter writes his first epistle to the elect exiles. Through the working of God's word, delivered by Holy men of God through the power of the Holy Spirit, men are called and changed today. God has chosen all those who obey His word. Through the word of God delivered by the Spirit, we learn about how to obey Jesus Christ and how we can access Chist's blood. We are called for obedience. Thanks be to God that He has provided us salvation and grace through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Reading for Today - Romans 1:16-32 - I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation

Follower — Mon, 25 May 2026 15:23:58 GMT

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

Many of the world have chosen not to have God in their knowledge, as those whom Paul writes about in the first chapter of Romans. Let us not be confused about the nature of God. Many times it is hard for the world to understand how a loving God could punish his creation, man. Many times, those who call themselves Christians cannot reconcile the grace of God and his abundant forgiveness with the fact that God will one day punish those who have not sought him diligently. While we could do nothing to earn our salvation, because it is the gift of God provided through Christ, God, in his very nature, requires that we seek to live a life that is acceptable to him. God has prescribed a way that we must follow to access the free gift he offers. If we choose to follow after the world and if we choose to seek worldly ways, living as the world, we are cutting ourselves off from God. May we seek to not have strife, deceit, maliciousness, envy, and covetousness in our lives. May we seek the moral high ground and flee from that which is evil. If we are not seeking to live a life that is pure, how can we expect to be able to be in the presence of God for eternity. This doesn’t mean we will live a perfect life. We are human and we will make mistakes. We should be focused on seeking truth and seeking to live after the example of Christ. This also does not mean that we cut ourselves off from the world, but it does mean that we show the example of Christ to all those we meet.
We should not be those who “take advantage of grace” and think we can live as the world does because the grace of God will forgive. That would be willful sin against God. It is one thing to be seeking God and to err off the path versus intentionally going off the path expecting God to accept this because He gave his Son for us. The Hebrew writer says that those who come to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.
The question for us today is – are we seeking God?
Have we died to self? Who are we living for? Are we living for self or for God? Are we following the example of Christ? Christ came not to be served, to be a servant. Are we seeking to build up the church and our brethren? What is our first desire? Do we desire the things of the world or heaven? Are we more concerned about how our actions might affect others or about getting our way? Is our life and desires aligned with the word and will of God?
These are serious questions. Questions that we need to be truthful with ourselves about answering. God knows our heart. We need to be honest with ourselves. The love of God for us is too great. The precious promises he has given us are too great. As Christians, we are God’s Children. Let us wear the name proudly, seek to die to self, serve others, and seek to live a life that honors God above everything. May we truly seek God in all we do.