"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT BEING CAREFUL AND ABOUT GROWING"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT BEING CAREFUL AND ABOUT GROWING"

2nd Peter 3:17 “You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;”

2nd Peter 3:18 “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.”

Taken from today's reading in "The One Year Bible”.

Some background, application, questions and a prayer:

Peter was affirming the fact that there would be people in the last days who deny the truth of God being a God who brings judgement on the wicked. And, that this same God who once flooded the entire world will one day destroy by fire this present earth and it's heavens.

Watch out for these who deny the truth is the idea. But, Peter was also encouraging his readers to press on in their walk with the Lord and live the kind of lives they ought to live in light of what they knew was coming.

1. Be careful to not fall from your own steadfastness.

2nd Peter 3:17 “You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;”

Peter was warning his readers.

We benefit from heeding warnings.

Warnings heeded can keep us safe.

Warnings not heeded can lead us into error.

There is error all around. 

What is it?

People who deny the truth of the Bible.

Watch out for the influence these people can have on you is the idea here.

If you’re not careful you can be carried away by their lies.

If you’re not careful you can lose your own secure footing. 

Pay attention and stay stable and strong is the message here.

2. Be growing in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2nd Peter 3:18 “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.”

Rather than being led away, move toward Christ and grow.

We can grow, that is God's plan for each of His children.

Peter is encouraging his readers to grow.

We can grow in two different areas.

We can grow in the grace of God.

We can grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

What a contrast of potentials.

Led away by error from your own steadfastness.

Or growing stronger in Jesus Christ.

Some Questions:

1. Do you have people in your life who deny the truth of the Bible?

2. Do these people hound you, or mock you, or try to dissuade you from your faith?

3. If so, then watch out. Take Peter's exhortation to heart.

4. Can you grow in Christ?

5. Of course you can, so can all of us if we choose to.

A Prayer:

Father, if there was ever a man who knew failure it was Peter. And out of his failure he became strong and useful to You. He knew what he was talking about. Thank You for encouraging us to be careful of those who deny you. You love them and so should we. But, we need to be careful of their influence. Thank You also that You want us to grow in Christ. We want that Lord, and please help us to be growing.

Thank You for Your grace and mercy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT WHAT GOD KNOWS HOW TO DO"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT WHAT GOD KNOWS HOW TO DO"

2nd Peter 2:9 “then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment,”

Taken from today's reading in "The One Year Bible”.

A little background, application, questions and a prayer:

Peter was dealing with the fact of false prophets in the church denying the 2nd coming and the ultimate judgement of God upon the ungodly Christ rejecting world. He gave several examples in this letter of previous judgements, and than spoke of the judgements to come. 

But, He also wanted to emphasize the delivering power and grace God has for His children. And that would be us who believe in Jesus Christ.

1. The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations.

2nd Peter 2:9 “then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment,”

Of course there is nothing God does not know.

And, there is nothing God cannot do.

But it's so comforting to read what He can do for us.

God knows how to deliver the Godly out of temptation.

God knows when you are in a temptation or trial.

God cares about you in that temptation or trial.

God has a purpose for allowing you to be in that temptation or trial.

But, He also knows how to deliver You out of it.

He is the expert in all that He does.

He will deliver you.

He can do it, He does it everyday for his children.

He will do it for you.

2. The Lord knows how to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgement.

2nd Peter 2:9 “then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment,”

This other things is also something God knows how to do.

He is doing it right now as we read this devotional.

He has been doing it down through the ages.

He will continue to do it until time is no more.

He deals with the unjust in a just way.

He is reserving them under punishment for the day of judgment.

God does the reserving, and He will do the judging.

He would rather deliver them into eternal life than to judge them.

But he gives man a free will, and if men choose to reject Him, than they get what they want.

If man does not want God he will not have Him at the end of the day.

Some Questions:

1. Do you think much about what lies ahead?

2. Have you found God to be a faithful deliverer?

3. Do you need deliverance right now?

4. Do you believe He can deliver you?

5. Will you pray for the unsaved you know to repent before it's too late for them?

A Prayer:

Father, there is no one like You. You are above all, and no one can undo what You declare and decide. There is no one who has greater power than You do. We are weak in and of ourselves, but You are strong towards us. Be that today for us we pray. And we do pray for relatives, friends, people we know who are yet unsaved that You would bring Your powerful conviction into their lives and show them the love, the grace, and the mercy of God in Jesus Christ. In His name we pray, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT BEING BLESSED"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT BEING BLESSED"

NKJV Luke 6:20 Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said: “Blessed are you poor, For yours is the kingdom of God.

NLT Luke 6:20 Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said, “God blesses you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is given to you.

Some explanatory thoughts and application:

1. Jesus uses one of His favorite words in talking to His disciples. It's the word "Blessed”, meaning, oh how happy.

2. It is important to make sure we understand, that this statement about happiness, was given to those who were following Him, and not to the multitudes, i.e those who did not believe in Him, and were not following Him.

3. So, if you are a believer in Jesus Christ, following Him, then this word Blessed, or Happy is for you.

4. It's also important to understand what Jesus meant when He said poor. It could be translated, beggar, destitute, lowly, helpless, powerless to accomplish an end. And, lacking in anything. Jesus was not saying that poor (economically) people are blessed.

5. Rather, He is speaking to the person who has come to realize how poor and destitute they are of what it takes to be accepted by God, and go to heaven when they leave this world. In other words, He is speaking to the person who has truly come to realize that they are a sinner, and they have absolutely no hope of getting to heaven on their own. They realize their own sinfulness, and unrighteousness before God, and understand the judgement they deserve.

6. When a person comes this realization, they are then ready to call out to Jesus to save them, and then they become saved. Simple as that. When a person truly admits their sinfulness, turns to Jesus Christ, and believes in Him as Savior, and receives Him as their savior, calling upon Him to save them, then, they become saved.

7. The result of being saved is that theirs is the kingdom. They are now in God's kingdom, God's family, they are one of God's children, joint heirs with Jesus Christ.

6. And, that is why they are blessed. How much happier can a person be then to know that their sins are forgiven, and that they are now accepted by God through their faith in Jesus Christ, and will be with God when they leave this world.

A prayer:

Father, You are the dispenser of blessedness, of salvation, of forgiveness, of eternal life. We are the ones who are blessed as we receive Your grace, mercy and love in Christ. Thank You for sending Jesus to die for our sins, and thank You for opening our eyes to the truth of who we are, and of who You are, and of what You have done for us through Jesus Christ. We are grateful now, and will be forever and forever. Thank You Lord.

In Jesus' name, 

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia.

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT NOT RETURNING EVIL FOR EVIL, BUT RETURN A BLESSING INSTEAD"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT NOT RETURNING EVIL FOR EVIL, BUT RETURN A BLESSING INSTEAD"

1st Peter 3:8 “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;”

1st Peter 3:9 “not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.”

1st Peter 3:10 “For “He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.”

1st Peter 3:11 “Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.”

1st Peter 3:12 “For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.”

Taken from today's reading in "The One Year Bible”.

Some explanatory thoughts, applications, questions and a prayer:

Peter, in this part of his letter, had been dealing with personal relationships.

Christians and the government, their employers, wives with disobedient husbands, and husbands with their wives.

Here he talks about Christian to Christian, and Christian to anyone one else.

It's about how to behave ourselves. And the blessing that God will bring.

1. We are not to return evil for evil, but rather blessing.

1st Peter 3:8 “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;”

1st Peter 3:9 “not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.”

Unity of mind is called for. 

Compassion for one another is listed.

Loving one another as brothers.

Tenderheartedness and courteous attitudes.

And not retaliating.

Not returning evil for evil.

Nor reviling for reviling.

But on the contrary.

Return a blessing instead.

The person who follows this teaching is promised by the Lord to receive a blessing in their lives.

2. How to love life and see good days.

1st Peter 3:10 “For “He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.”

1st Peter 3:11 “Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.”

1st Peter 3:12 “For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.”

These verses tell us how to enjoy our lives.

If we want to enjoy our lives, than here's how to do it.

Refrain our tongues from evil.

Refrain our lips from speaking deceit.

Let us turn away from evil and do good. 

Let us seek peace and pursue it.

3. Thank God He is watching us and is listening as we pray.

1st Peter 3:12 “For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.”

God, of course, can see us.

His eyes are on the righteous.

And His ears are open to our prayers.

But here's a sobering warning.

His face is against those who do evil.

God is open to good, but He is against evil.

Some Questions:

1. How do these verses strike you?

2. Aren't they loaded with lots of practical and meaningful instruction?

3. Can you see clearly what to do and how to act? And what not to do, and how not to act?

4. God promises us a good and blessed life if we follow His ways.

5. Can we take a moment to just ponder what has been said here?

6. How is God showing you to apply this in your life right now?

A Prayer:

Father, thank You for the vast amount of loving instruction You give us in Your Word. Please help us to take the time to read and think about what You have to say to us. I know for me sometimes it's hard to just slow down and simply concentrate on Your Word, and I'm sure I speak for many who face the same challenges. But when we do take the time to feed our souls, my what a nourishing meal it is. 

Thank You, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT SINS"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT SINS"

Proverbs 28:13 “He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”

Taken from today's reading in "The One Year Bible”.

Some explanatory thoughts, applications, questions and a prayer:

Proverbs, God's Wisdom for daily living. Here the Lord tells us two very important truths about sins.

As the Bible often says, "Take Heed”, here is something to take heed to.

1. We are capable of covering our own sins.

Proverbs 28:13 “He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”

This is of course speaking of trying to cover our sins.

We can't really cover them from God.

Nothing is hidden from his sight.

Covering here means to keep them, and not forsake them.

This is a result of our own choice.

It's not a good choice to make.

2. If we cover our own sins we will not prosper.

Proverbs 28:13 “He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”

Here we have the consequence of covering our sins.

We will not prosper. 

This simply means things will not go well for us. 

God wants us to prosper, or experience His blessing. 

But covering our sins will keep us from prospering.

3. We are also capable of confessing and forsaking our sins.

Proverbs 28:13 “He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”

Here is the other side of the proverbial coin.

We don't have to cover our sins.

We can confess them, or admit them to God.

We can also forsake them, or leave them, and stop sinning (by His grace and power).

4. If we confess and forsake our sins we will have mercy.

Proverbs 28:13 “He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”

If we choose to confess our sins, there is a good consequence.

That consequence is the mercy of God.

Being honest with the Lord opens the door for His mercy in our lives.

Not punishment, but mercy. 

That's a promise from the Lord.

Some Questions:

1. How did this verse strike you today?

2. How did this verse speak to you today?

3. How is God directing you today through this verse?

4. Isn't it wonderful of God to give us His wisdom for our lives?

5. And isn't it wonderful that He gives us mercy?

A Prayer:

Father, thank You for laying out the truth for us so plainly and clearly. We need Your Wisdom day by day. We really appreciate it, Father. 

Our problem is, that while we believe You, we don't always obey You. Would You help us to be more consistent in both our faith and our obedience. Thank You, Father 

In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia.