2 Peter 1:4 - There Is Power In The Promises.
2 Peter 1:4 - There Is Power In The Promises.
2 Peter 1:4 (NLT) 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.
Amazingly, we're told here in God's Word that Christians can
"participate in the divine nature," That doesn't mean, of course, that we
become divine in any sense. But God does dwell in us through his Holy
Spirit. And we are meant to resemble our Father, the King of creation.
We often have a distorted image of ourselves and let a lot of the
values and attitudes of those around us hinder our growth into God's
likeness, but the intended direction of our lives remains the same. We are
to become a visible representation of the nature and character of
God - his thoughts, his purposes, his attitudes. When we believe the
"great and precious promises" he has given us and apply them to our
lives, we are transformed into the people he created us to be. [NIV
Once A Day Bible]
Every day I have the honor of sitting down with a book that
contains the words of the One who created me. Every day I have the
opportunity to let him give me a thought or two on how to live. If I don't
do what he says, he doesn't burn the book or cancel my
subscription. If I disagree with what he says, lightning doesn't split my
swivel chair or an angel doesn't mark my name off the holy list. If I
don't understand what he says, he doesn't call me a dummy. In fact, he
calls me "Son," and on a different page explains what I don't
understand. In the Eye of the Storm by Max Lucado [Inspirational SB]
The Word of God is a constant and continuing source of joy for
the Christian. I don't think I've ever met a joyless Christian who
was regularly employed in searching the Scriptures. The result of
such searching is to see beyond the words of the One who inspired
them. Of all the habits the Christian can cultivate, this is one of
the most blessed and profitable. Some books are exhausting and
exhaustible. The Bible is the only Book that rewards the student with
increasing insight as he allows the Word of God to flow through and cleanse
him. Indeed, it is the only Book that can cleanse and purify the
life of its reader. Other books can inform, but only the Scripture
can transform, infill, and inspire. Al Bryant [Time With God SB]
George Muller, after having read the Bible through one
hundred times with increasing delight, made this statement: "I look upon
it as a lost day when I have not had a good time over the Word of
God. Friends often say, 'I have so much to do, so many people to
see, I cannot find time for Scripture study.' Perhaps there are not
many who have more to do than I. For more than half a century I have
never known one day when I had not more business than I could get
through. For 4 years I have had annually about 30,000 letters, and most
of these have passed through my own hands.
"Then, as pastor of a church with 1,200 believers, great has
been my care. Besides, I have had charge of live immense orphanages;
also, at my publishing depot, the printing and circulating of millions
of tracts, books, and Bibles; but I have always made it a rule
never to begin work until I have had a good season with God and His
Word. The blessing I have received has been wonderful."
Do you want to know how to meet the problems of the day? Do
you want to know what God wants you to do with your life? Then you
must pray and consult His wonderful guide book, the Bible, every
day.
If we are too busy to read God's Word daily, then one thing
is sure - we are too busy! by H.G.B.
What would happen if we asked God - not just occasionally but
as a persistent, daily, even moment-by-moment request - to allow us
to host His Presence? What if we sought to become a living,
breathing, tangible demonstration of His person? Is that a realistic hope?
It seems like a bold, even arrogant request, but any lesser
request falls short of our design and His stated purposes. God has
promised that we will share in His divine nature and has given us His
Spirit to make it happen. He apparently is more zealous to be present
within us and among us than we are to experience His Presence. He seeks
us more than we seek Him.
Why is that? It's a greater honor and privilege for us to
host the living God than for Him to get close to a flawed, common
human being. We should be the more enthusiastic seekers in the
relationship. But God created us for this purpose: to inhabit us, to relate to
us intimately, to be with us. That's why He created humanity. Love
desires to share. God wants to share Himself.
Let Him. Don't just issue a casual invitation for Him to be
present in your life. He doesn't normally respond well to casual
invitations. His love is too intense for someone with halfhearted intentions.
Instead, choose to relentlessly seek Him. Then give Him time. He will
begin to fulfill His desire and yours.
Spirit, fill me continually. Please be present within me. I
want to experience You more than I do. Daily increase the evidence of
Your Presence in my life. Make Your home in me so I can become a
tangible demonstration of who You are. [The One Year Experiencing God's
Presence Devotional by Chris Tiegreen]
CLOSING THOUGHT
Though the Bible be crowded with golden promises from board to
board, yet will they be inoperative until we turn them into prayer. F.
B. Meyer (1847-1929)
HYMN: STANDING ON THE PROMISES:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58vwccy-5HI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lofNq0U2xk0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJ9ZJPIDkis&list=PLE734F534D9CF864A
HYMN: PROMISES, ONE BY ONE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be81y4JZhWY
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2006/20061207-0756.html
EXCELLENT VIDEO SERIES ON EXPERIENCING GOD:
http://sda.biggytv.com/watch/Revive!_-_Dwight_Nelson:_Experiencing_Gods_Grace/revive/
BIBLE PROPHECY SERIES ON REVELATION:
http://revelationtodaylive.com/live
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDY GUIDES:
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Guides:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/
