Devotional of the Week:
2 Peter 3:18 “Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
In today's devotional verse we come across an exhortation that will serve us well this coming year. This year can be a year in which we allow God to continue molding us into who He wants us to be. Peter is teaching that we need to continue to "grow in grace and in the knowledge of" Jesus.
We need to draw close to Jesus through study and prayer in order to know Him more intimately. Notice that in this verse Peter uses 3 titles to refer to Jesus. Lord, Savior and Christ give glory and honor to our Messiah, stressing the importance of WHO Peter is saying we should grow in knowledge of.
The grace we have been given can be fully manifested if we grow to fully appreciate our salvation and what that requires of us. Seek God through His word. Start a daily devotional time. Spend that time reading God's word and letting it grow in your heart.
Seek direct discipleship and be under the teaching and accountability of someone stronger and wiser than you in the faith that they may help you "grow" as Peter exhorts us.
Finally attend every service your church offers. Sunday Service, Sunday School, Bible studies, fellowships are ways that we can grow as family and in God's word. Hebrews 10:25 exhorts us to never forsake the gathering of the brethren, that we may encourage one another to do the things God has for us to do!
I will conclude this devotional time with a challenge to all of us. It is a challenge laid out to us by our pastor. This year make it a personal goal to not miss a single Sunday service. If you went today, then praise God there are only 51 more to go! Make this the commitment so that we can honor what God deserves. We can give Him the worship He is due and draw ever closer to Him!
Prayer: Father God thank you for giving us 2009. Thank you for the challenges, trials and successes of 2008. Thank you for the knowledge that you are already in 2009 and control all things. With that assurance help us to face whatever comes our way this coming year with courage, and with determination to let your will play out in our lives for Your honor and glory. We pray all of this in the name of Jesus our Lord and Savior, Amen!
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Next week we will resume our study in 1 SamuelMini-Study of the Week: Read Isaiah 40: 28-31
This week we see a great lesson for how to start our new year out right. In these verses Isaiah shows us the reward of placing our entire lives in the hands of almighty God. God has no lack of strength and does not grow weary. Who better then to submit our lives to?
When we do so we will function using God's strength and not our own. We will run and not grow weary, we will walk and not grow faint. These verses say that the youth will stumble, that "young men will utterly fall". From these verses we see that those who try to do things in their own strength will ultimately meet an unsuccessful end.
With God however, when we wait on Him we will "soar on wings like eagles". Now that's an awesome promise! When we work under God's power and strength we soar! We are like the majestic eagle that can reach great heights. Eagles have been known to fly as high as a mile to a mile and a half in the air... They fly at speeds between 60 to 90 miles an hour. They are able to live long healthy lives of strength.
Such is the life of the Christian. We can be like the eagle and have a strong Christian live when we submit ourselves to an awesome and holy God who will work His perfect will through us!
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Video of the Week:
As 2009 begins and continues remember, if they breathe, they need Jesus! May the words of this song inspire you. The chorus is:
"Cause I got a feeling it won't be long, maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong, but I know one thing for sure, Only time will tell it. I got a feeling coming over me, nothing else here can set me free. But I know one thing for sure, well, I've got to show it"
Show them Jesus in 2009, pray for the lost, show them Jesus... He is THE WAY, THE TRUTH and THE LIFE! Hallelujah!
Third Day - "I've Got a Feeling"
If you have found yourself away from God, if as a believer you have strayed, remember NOW is the time to come back. God wants you close so that He can make your life whole! He is saying to you "Come on back to me..." Run to Him, now...
Third Day - "Come On Back To Me"
Until next week, love each other, share His love and share His gospel...
See you next week!
In His Service,
Sergio
