Here we are in a new year, 2016. What a great time to recognize and revisit what Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:16-17, “So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

Our new life began at that point we became believers in Jesus Christ. This was prophesied by God through Ezekiel in Ezekiel 36:26, “And I will give you a new heart – I will give you new and right desires – and put a new spirit within you. I will take out your stony hearts of sin and give you new hearts of love.”

Let us look at this new year as an opportunity to live as the new people God made us, and exercise the hearts of love God has given us.

Dear Lord, thank you for new days and new years for us to use as a starting point to refresh and renew the lives we should live. Help us leave behind the old ways that did not follow your will, and live with a renewed commitment to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Here is the last of a few messages I am writing on 2 Peter 1:3-9 (click to read) preparing us for our new year’s resolutions.

In the previous messages we read about how God gives us everything we need to live the life he desires for us, and he had given us promises that allow us to overcome our temptations and human desires that are in opposition to His will for us. Verses 5-7 list the characteristics we should strive to develop Faith, Virtue, Knowledge, Self-Control, Persistence, Godliness, Brotherly Affection, and Love for Everyone.

Peter says in verses 8-9, “If you have these qualities and they are increasing, it demonstrates that your knowledge about our Lord Jesus Christ is living and productive. If these qualities aren’t present in your life, you’re shortsighted and have forgotten that you were cleansed from your past sins.” GW

We should work to grow these qualities and use them to serve God. Why serve? Because we love him in response to his love for us. Psalm 145:20 says, “The Lord watches over all those who love him.”

Dear Lord, In this new year, help us develop our Christian character and abilities so that we make and achieve resolutions that serve you in our day to day lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Happy New Year!

Here is the third of a few messages I am writing on 2 Peter 1:3-9 (click to read) preparing us for our new year’s resolutions.

The previous messages talked about how God gives us everything we need to live the life he desires for us, and he had given us promises that allow us to overcome our temptations and human desires that are in opposition to God’s will for us.

In verses 5-7 Peter writes about the characteristics we should strive for in response. “In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.” NLT

So in the new year we can all set our foundation for specific resolutions on:
Faith – That we are saved, and that God is there to support and encourage us.
Moral Excellence – the RSV Bible uses the word Virtue, some other versions use Goodness. In my words, “striving to do the right thing.”
Knowledge – Proverbs says, the “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge” so put our trust in God’s word before man’s words.
Self Control – All personal achievement begins with self control. When we feel we cannot keep ourselves on the right track, let us remember to ask God for help.
Patient Endurance – Also known as Persistence. Essential for accomplishing our objectives.
Godliness – A demeanor that keeps us focused on God.
Brotherly Affection – The close caring for our Christian family.
Love for Everyone – I like the expression of looking at others with the “eyes of love.” Rather than seeing everyone’s faults. Seeing them as God’s children in need of our support to be what God wants them to be, as well.

How wonderful it would be if we all set our foundation on these attributes.

Dear Lord, as we begin a New Calendar Year, thank you for your guidance, promises, and support. Help us establish our foundation on You so that we may set and achieve goals that glorify You. Give us your peace this year. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Here is the second of a few messages I am writing on 2 Peter 1:3-9 (click to read) preparing us for our new year’s resolutions.

Yesterday I wrote about verse 3 that God has given us all we need to live the life he desires for us.

In Verse 4 Peter writes, “And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.”

There are many promises for us in Bible. Here are some that help me live how I think God desires.

Matthew 11:28-29 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Romans 10:9 “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

John 14:27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

Matthew 6:31-34, “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

So as we prepare to make resolutions for the new year we can rely on God’s promises for support in living the life he desires for us.

Dear Lord we thank you for your promises to strengthen us, support us, provide for us, and give us eternal salvation. Help us resolve to rely on your promises to be who you desire us to be. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Here is the first of a few messages that I mentioned yesterday I would be writing based on 2 Peter 1:3-9.

In verse 3 Peter writes, “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him”

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we change. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 5:17, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” We have God’s Spirit living in us helping us, and God is asking us to submit ourselves to his Spirit.

There is always a conflict in us because we are human. A conflict between our human desires and temptations, and the “godly life” God wants for us.

Some of these temptations cannot be overcome on our own. But with God’s help we can overcome. Paul wrote in Philippians 4:13, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” And in Romans 8:26 he writes, “the Spirit helps us in our weakness.”

So to begin our new year, let us first believe God has given us everything we need to live the life he desires, and ask him for help in living it that way.

Dear Lord, thank you for giving us your Spirit to guide, teach and support us. Remind us to rely on your power to help us live the life you desire for us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.