May 25-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
2 Peter 3:11-12a, Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.
Observe what it is saying.
In regards to the knowledge of the final judgment that is coming to all people and creation, it should impact the way we choose to live today. Peter calls believers to be characterized by holiness and godliness. Holiness combines the ideas of moral purity and being set apart for God’s special purposes. Holiness is the primary attribute of God that describes His absolute purity and the fact that He is set apart as unique and sovereign over all other beings both on earth and in heaven. Godliness is a life that is totally-oriented toward God’s nature and purpose for mankind. Through the influence and empowerment of the Holy Spirit, it increasingly models the life of Jesus in all of our actions, reactions, and relationships. As we remain spiritually alert and wait for the day of the Lord to come, we are to actively pursue the holy presence of God. Biblical waiting does not mean we idly sit back but is an active participation in the kingdom mission to prepare the way for the Lord to come to the lives of others. For the believer, to “look forward” to this day means it is not a day to dread, but a day to eagerly anticipate that we will get to share in all things being made brand new and beautiful again.
Relate it to your life.
When heaven is on my mind, my daily life increasingly will reveal the attributes of the Lord Jesus.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, empower me by Your Spirit to live into the holiness and godliness to which I have been redeemed. Amen.
May 26-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
2 Peter 3:12b-13, That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
Observe what it is saying.
Peter repeats what he said earlier about the destruction of the heavenly elements by fire on the day of the Lord Jesus’ return. However, as believers in Christ, we do not have to worry about this celestial catastrophe for it is a necessary step for the creation of a new heaven and a new earth where believers will live forever. This will be the place of perfect righteousness where nothing will be able to contaminate this beautiful and holy union of heaven and earth. This is what we long for. This is what we live for. This is what John saw in the Revelation he was given. “Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:1-4)
Relate it to your life.
We have the most fantastic future ahead if we put our faith and trust in Christ and keep walking with Him.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, what a beautiful place the new heaven and earth will be! Thank You for the glorious promise that we will get to enjoy this eternal home forever and ever enjoying Your holy and loving presence. Amen.
May 27-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
2 Peter 2:14, So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
Observe what it is saying.
“Looking forward to this” refers back to the new heaven and earth we saw in yesterday’s devotional. Christians should eagerly anticipate the day when all things will be made new and beautiful again. As we see this world falling apart around us, we should often think about and long for this day to come. Since this is our destination, we should live now as we are going to live forever. We will be spotless, blameless, and at peace with God. This should be our driving desire each and every day to be found holy and pure. When we do sin, we can be stand blameless before God because we have confessed and repented of our sin and enjoy the forgiveness of God. Our peace with God comes through the gift of Christ who interceded on our behalf by taking our sin upon Himself. Romans 5:1-2a, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.” This peace will last for all eternity because of the grace of God we have accessed by faith in Jesus alone. There is no other way to enjoy this peace but through the great and glorious gift of salvation offered to us through Jesus’ loving and sacrificial gift to us.
Relate it to your life.
To have the assurance that we have peace with God through Jesus gives us deep peace today about our future.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, I give you praise for what You did so that I can stand before God in total peace forever. Amen.
May 28-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
2 Peter 3:15-16, Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
Observe what it is saying.
Peter returns to this thought of the Lord’s patience in waiting to return to make all things new. When that day happens, it will be too late for anyone else to turn to Him. However, because He waits to culminate all history, more people will be included in the eternal home of heaven and earth. It is interesting that Peter gives a shout out to the Apostle Paul. He indicates that Paul wrote the same kind of message that he is writing. Peter admits that Paul writes some challenging things to understand which less than wise persons alter just as they do other Scriptures which leads to their destruction. He acknowledges that the false teachers he has been warning about are found everywhere with every apostle’s work. Long before Paul’s writings would be included in what we call the New Testament, Peter mentions them in the same breath as the Old Testament Scriptures that have already been established. Peter seems to put them on the same level foretelling that Paul’s writings would one day become canonized as the Word of God. Peter, a prominent leader of the church, gave a strong witness that Paul’s writings were truly from God.
Relate it to your life.
I can be confident that Scripture contains all that is needed for salvation and eternal life.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, thank You for giving us Your holy Word so that we can know the way, truth, and life. Amen.
May 29-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
2 Peter 3:17, Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.
Observe what it is saying.
Peter brings to a conclusion and offers a summary to what he has been calling his readers to pay attention. He offers two final commands. One of which we find in today’s reading and one tomorrow. Today, it is “be on your guard.” He reminds them that he has forewarned them of the danger that these false teachers and scoffers present to the spiritual health of the church. We have been told over and over that we cannot take false teaching lightly. It is destructive to individual souls and to the community of faith. Peter reminds us here what happens when we allow false teaching form our theology: we are carried away. We are carried away from the truth which leads to bad theology which leads to sinful and evil practices. There is no such animal as safe heresy. It always destroys that which is good and holy. In fact, Peter says it can cause those who are in the faith to fall from their security. Peter clearly indicates that once we are saved, it is possible to be led astray by false teaching and lose our salvation. Peter’s main purpose in writing this letter was to warn us to stay alert to avoid such a terrible eternal consequence.
Relate it to your life.
If I have not already gotten the point, I need to understand today how detrimental bad theology is to my salvation.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, I plead for your church to be protected from the enemy who works relentlessly to cause us to fall out of faith one way or another. Amen.
May 30-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
2 Peter 3:18, But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
Observe what it is saying.
Instead of “falling away from your secure position” as Peter said in verse 17, he says, “grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” This is the second command in his summary. The first was to “be on your guard” and now the second is “grow.” Grace is a gift from God, but it is also something we mature in as we receive it fully and give it away generously to others. Knowledge of the right gospel message is essential because Peter has laid out the case of what growing in the wrong knowledge will do. Peter gives us the order “Lord and Savior” not “Savior and Lord.” Jesus, as the Son of God, was Lord before He was Savior. He was present in creation. As one of three personalities of the Trinity, He has always existed and as an equal member of the Godhead, He is Lord over all. He was sent to earth to become our Savior. So, “Savior” is Jesus’ second title because His work as such came second to His eternal Lordship. Peter reminds us that in all things, Jesus is to be given glory today, tomorrow, and forevermore. We breathe, live, grow, serve, and love for the single purpose of bringing much praise and attention to Jesus.
Relate it to your life.
When I am growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I will bring Him much glory and praise.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, keep me growing. Don’t let me become stagnant or comfortable in my walk with You. I desire to give you continual praise with all that I say and do. May you be glorified in my life today. Amen.
Write out the Scripture.
2 Peter 3:11-12a, Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.
Observe what it is saying.
In regards to the knowledge of the final judgment that is coming to all people and creation, it should impact the way we choose to live today. Peter calls believers to be characterized by holiness and godliness. Holiness combines the ideas of moral purity and being set apart for God’s special purposes. Holiness is the primary attribute of God that describes His absolute purity and the fact that He is set apart as unique and sovereign over all other beings both on earth and in heaven. Godliness is a life that is totally-oriented toward God’s nature and purpose for mankind. Through the influence and empowerment of the Holy Spirit, it increasingly models the life of Jesus in all of our actions, reactions, and relationships. As we remain spiritually alert and wait for the day of the Lord to come, we are to actively pursue the holy presence of God. Biblical waiting does not mean we idly sit back but is an active participation in the kingdom mission to prepare the way for the Lord to come to the lives of others. For the believer, to “look forward” to this day means it is not a day to dread, but a day to eagerly anticipate that we will get to share in all things being made brand new and beautiful again.
Relate it to your life.
When heaven is on my mind, my daily life increasingly will reveal the attributes of the Lord Jesus.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, empower me by Your Spirit to live into the holiness and godliness to which I have been redeemed. Amen.
May 26-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
2 Peter 3:12b-13, That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
Observe what it is saying.
Peter repeats what he said earlier about the destruction of the heavenly elements by fire on the day of the Lord Jesus’ return. However, as believers in Christ, we do not have to worry about this celestial catastrophe for it is a necessary step for the creation of a new heaven and a new earth where believers will live forever. This will be the place of perfect righteousness where nothing will be able to contaminate this beautiful and holy union of heaven and earth. This is what we long for. This is what we live for. This is what John saw in the Revelation he was given. “Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:1-4)
Relate it to your life.
We have the most fantastic future ahead if we put our faith and trust in Christ and keep walking with Him.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, what a beautiful place the new heaven and earth will be! Thank You for the glorious promise that we will get to enjoy this eternal home forever and ever enjoying Your holy and loving presence. Amen.
May 27-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
2 Peter 2:14, So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
Observe what it is saying.
“Looking forward to this” refers back to the new heaven and earth we saw in yesterday’s devotional. Christians should eagerly anticipate the day when all things will be made new and beautiful again. As we see this world falling apart around us, we should often think about and long for this day to come. Since this is our destination, we should live now as we are going to live forever. We will be spotless, blameless, and at peace with God. This should be our driving desire each and every day to be found holy and pure. When we do sin, we can be stand blameless before God because we have confessed and repented of our sin and enjoy the forgiveness of God. Our peace with God comes through the gift of Christ who interceded on our behalf by taking our sin upon Himself. Romans 5:1-2a, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.” This peace will last for all eternity because of the grace of God we have accessed by faith in Jesus alone. There is no other way to enjoy this peace but through the great and glorious gift of salvation offered to us through Jesus’ loving and sacrificial gift to us.
Relate it to your life.
To have the assurance that we have peace with God through Jesus gives us deep peace today about our future.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, I give you praise for what You did so that I can stand before God in total peace forever. Amen.
May 28-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
2 Peter 3:15-16, Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
Observe what it is saying.
Peter returns to this thought of the Lord’s patience in waiting to return to make all things new. When that day happens, it will be too late for anyone else to turn to Him. However, because He waits to culminate all history, more people will be included in the eternal home of heaven and earth. It is interesting that Peter gives a shout out to the Apostle Paul. He indicates that Paul wrote the same kind of message that he is writing. Peter admits that Paul writes some challenging things to understand which less than wise persons alter just as they do other Scriptures which leads to their destruction. He acknowledges that the false teachers he has been warning about are found everywhere with every apostle’s work. Long before Paul’s writings would be included in what we call the New Testament, Peter mentions them in the same breath as the Old Testament Scriptures that have already been established. Peter seems to put them on the same level foretelling that Paul’s writings would one day become canonized as the Word of God. Peter, a prominent leader of the church, gave a strong witness that Paul’s writings were truly from God.
Relate it to your life.
I can be confident that Scripture contains all that is needed for salvation and eternal life.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, thank You for giving us Your holy Word so that we can know the way, truth, and life. Amen.
May 29-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
2 Peter 3:17, Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.
Observe what it is saying.
Peter brings to a conclusion and offers a summary to what he has been calling his readers to pay attention. He offers two final commands. One of which we find in today’s reading and one tomorrow. Today, it is “be on your guard.” He reminds them that he has forewarned them of the danger that these false teachers and scoffers present to the spiritual health of the church. We have been told over and over that we cannot take false teaching lightly. It is destructive to individual souls and to the community of faith. Peter reminds us here what happens when we allow false teaching form our theology: we are carried away. We are carried away from the truth which leads to bad theology which leads to sinful and evil practices. There is no such animal as safe heresy. It always destroys that which is good and holy. In fact, Peter says it can cause those who are in the faith to fall from their security. Peter clearly indicates that once we are saved, it is possible to be led astray by false teaching and lose our salvation. Peter’s main purpose in writing this letter was to warn us to stay alert to avoid such a terrible eternal consequence.
Relate it to your life.
If I have not already gotten the point, I need to understand today how detrimental bad theology is to my salvation.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, I plead for your church to be protected from the enemy who works relentlessly to cause us to fall out of faith one way or another. Amen.
May 30-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
2 Peter 3:18, But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
Observe what it is saying.
Instead of “falling away from your secure position” as Peter said in verse 17, he says, “grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” This is the second command in his summary. The first was to “be on your guard” and now the second is “grow.” Grace is a gift from God, but it is also something we mature in as we receive it fully and give it away generously to others. Knowledge of the right gospel message is essential because Peter has laid out the case of what growing in the wrong knowledge will do. Peter gives us the order “Lord and Savior” not “Savior and Lord.” Jesus, as the Son of God, was Lord before He was Savior. He was present in creation. As one of three personalities of the Trinity, He has always existed and as an equal member of the Godhead, He is Lord over all. He was sent to earth to become our Savior. So, “Savior” is Jesus’ second title because His work as such came second to His eternal Lordship. Peter reminds us that in all things, Jesus is to be given glory today, tomorrow, and forevermore. We breathe, live, grow, serve, and love for the single purpose of bringing much praise and attention to Jesus.
Relate it to your life.
When I am growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I will bring Him much glory and praise.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, keep me growing. Don’t let me become stagnant or comfortable in my walk with You. I desire to give you continual praise with all that I say and do. May you be glorified in my life today. Amen.
Posted in Daily Devotionals