Scripture:
2 Peter 1:1-11
Sat, 1 January 2022

Preparing to Meet King Jesus

Past Week’s Review
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for Church Board: To grow in Christlike qualities and be effective and fruitful as believers in Jesus Christ
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self
Observation:

According to Apostle Peter, how should Christians prepare themselves to meet King Jesus in His eternal kingdom?

Deeper Reflection
THIS SECOND1 LETTER BY APOSTLE PETER WAS PROBABLY written in the early AD 60s to an unspecified group of Christians (v.1).2 In it, Peter took pains to remind them of foundational truths and warn them of dangerous deceivers who sought to destroy their Christian faith.3 Thus, Peter prepared his hearers and readers to meet King Jesus at His return.4In this passage, Peter highlights two foundational truths to which Christians must hold fast if they want to live effective and fruitful lives as they await Christ’s Second Coming and have confidence that they will enter His eternal Kingdom (vv.8-11).5 First, Jesus Christ is fully God – the deity of Christ! In verse 1, one divine person was referred to: “…our God and Saviour Jesus Christ”6. Then in verse 2, two distinct divine persons were referred to: “…of God and of Jesus our Lord”. Clearly then, the Lord Jesus is fully God – the second divine Person of the Trinity – even as He is fully human7. True believers put their faith in the true God and Saviour.Second, true Christians develop Christlike character. The saving knowledge of Jesus Christ provides Christians with the divine power to grow in Christlikeness (vv.3-4). However, believers must make strenuous and sustained personal efforts (“make every effort”, v.5) alongside God’s divine work within them, to grow and increase in Christlike qualities. Seven are mentioned here: virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection and love (vv.5-7). Decisive actions and continual practice are required. Over time, the true believers will develop a Christlike character that is distinct from the world and glorifies God.
1 2 Peter 3:1. 2 Likely the same recipients identified in 1 Peter 1:1. Peter had previously ministered to them through preaching (2 Pet 1:16) and now when he was anticipating his impending death (2 Pet 1:14; presumably from persecution). 3 2 Peter 1:12-15; 2:1-3; 3:1-3. 4 2 Peter 3:10-14. 5 The fruitfulness of a Christian’s life provides evidence of salvation. 6 Likewise, Titus 2:13. 7 The apostles and early disciples were first-hand witnesses of the fact that Jesus had lived, walked and ate with them and the people, and had taught, ministered and served among them.
Application:

Which qualities among the seven listed (in vv.5-7) does God want me to make special effort to grow in this year and what am I going to do about this?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 5:22-31
Sat, 3 June 2023

Walking Humbly in God’s Hand

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about God in this passage?

Deeper Reflection
Daniel’s words to Belshazzar, “You have not humbled your heart… but you have exalted yourself ” (vv.22-23a), point to a reality: We are either humble or proud. We cannot be not humble and not proud at the same time. Pride is not just self-exaltation, but self-exaltation “against the Lord of heaven”, which also means we “have not glorified God” (v.23). God is always in the picture of humility and pride. Central in true humility is God being glorified. Three theological realities give us the impetus to walk humbly before God.We cannot escape from God: “the God in whose hand are your lifebreath and all your ways” (v.23). We can commit our lives into God’s hand and be secure that “My times are in Your hand” (Psa 31:5, 15a). But even when we choose not to entrust our lives into God’s hand, we are in His hand regardless, for better or for worse before God. God examines our hearts: “you have been weighed and found deficient” (v.27). We are not to be proud or boastful, because God is “a God of knowledge, and with Him actions are weighed” (1 Sam 2:3). We need to come to a point where we can meekly say as Jeremiah, “You know me, O Lord; You see me; and You examine my heart toward You” (Jer 12:3). God can end anything anytime: “God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it” (v.26). It is foolish to withhold anything from God, as if we can. God is God enough to take away anything from us as He pleases.
Application:

What aspects of God do I need to align my life with?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for Church Board: To know God’s heart and align their hearts to it
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self
 

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