DID YOU EARN THAT PROMISE?

Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 

II Peter 1:4

I think what is amazing is that the promises of God are given, not earned. The opportunity to participate in the divine nature is a gift of grace not a state of being to be reached by some effort on our part. 

His promise is that he has given me everything I need for life and godliness. His glory and goodness in me is his promise. 

When I don't feel righteous I remember I Corinthians 1:30, "It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God - that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption." 

When I don't feel like God is working in my life I remember Philippians 1:6, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." 

When I sin I remember I John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (Emphasis mine)

What is a promise that helps you remember? 

Father, help us to remember your promises and participate in the divine nature. Praise be to you in us today!

DO YOU HAVE WHAT YOU NEED?

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

II Peter 1:3 

The first year I was the assistant principal for summer school I was trying to follow the principal's lead and I was not really taking charge. Finally, the principal told me they wanted me to run the program. Once I knew the principal wanted me to pretty much take charge of everything, I could go at it with full confidence. 

Sometimes we are hesitant in our faith because we either don't know or forget what God has given us which is everything we need. 

The key is knowing Christ. Paul said, "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead" (Philippians 3:10-11). Knowing Christ isn't just about church. Knowing Christ is where your daily life and faith fuse together. 

Take just a moment and remember that knowing Christ is trusting him right where you are at. 

Father, help us to know you in what we are going through right now. Praise be to you in us today!