Baptism

Can you believe it is only one month (31 days) before Easter?  Time goes by so quickly.  Between now and Easter Sunday, I'd like to look at the book of Matthew.  Specifically, I want to look at the ministry of Jesus leading up to his persecution, crucifixion, death, and resurrection.  We're going to start with the baptism of Jesus by John at the river Jordan.


John the Baptist was preaching in the wilderness in Judea telling his followers that they needed to “repent”.  He wasn’t talking to merely feel sorry for their sins, but to change directions, to turn away from them.  He was also preaching a message that the “Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”  The main message being that the Messiah is coming.  Charles Spurgeon said “Men’s hearts were like a wilderness, wherein there is no way; but as loyal subjects throw up roads for the approach of beloved princes, so were men to welcome the Lord, with their hearts made right and ready to receive him.”  We, too, need to prepare our hearts, to make our paths straight for the coming of the Messiah. 

Many were being baptized by John.  John would completely immerse those he baptized.  As John was baptizing those in Judea, Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized. 

Matthew 3:13-17 says,

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.  14 John tried to prevent him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?"  15 Jesus said to him in reply, "Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness."  Then he allowed him.  16 After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened [for him], and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove [and] coming upon him.  17 And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

We often ask ourselves, why would Jesus need to be baptized.  Isn't He the Messiah?  If He never sinned, why would he need to be baptized?  John was even hesitant to baptize Jesus.  John recognized that Jesus was without sin and had no reason to repent.  But, Jesus wanted to be baptized to "fulfill righteousness".  He knew that this was part of the fulfillment of God's plan. 

There were three things that happened at the moment that Jesus came up out of the water:  the heavens opened up, the Holy Spirit descended like a dove, and the Father's voice was heard from heaven.  Jesus' baptism became the anointing of Jesus as the Messiah.  

As believers, we too, must submit ourselves to baptism.  For a long time, I struggled with baptism.  I am of a firm belief that baptism is not what brings about your relationship with Christ, nor does it guarantee our entrance into heaven.  Our salvation does not rest on baptism, it our hearts and attitudes of submission, as well as repentance that brings about salvation.  Baptism is an outward symbol to others that you've submitted your life to Christ.  It's obedience to the will of the Father.

If you, like I did myself, are struggling with baptism, go ahead and do it.  You will not regret it.   

Failure

Do you ever feel like a failure?  Especially when it comes to God?  I can tell you, a lot of the time, I feel like I have failed God.  Take Lent, for example.  I go into Lent every year with good intentions.  I want to pray, fast, immerse myself in scripture, spend time with God.  But, for some reason, I am a complete failure at it.  Maybe that is the point. 

I’m sure you’re thinking, “What in the world is she talking about?”, but I assure you, I have a point to this.  I recognize my shortcomings.  Do you?  If you are anything like me, then you do recognize your failures and shortcomings.  I’m saddened by the fact that I have no willpower, that I allow other things to influence what I spend my time doing, that I don’t spend the time that I should with my Savior. 

But read this:

Hebrews 2:14 – 18: “14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest pin the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”

See that?  Jesus had to come to this earth to defeat my “slavery”.  My slavery to material things, my slavery to self, my slavery to others.  He did the same thing for you.  Jesus came to “make propitiation” for my sins, for your sins.  What does propitiation mean? Propitiation means “the turning away of wrath by an offering.”  That is what God sent Jesus to do for us.  He sent Jesus as an offering to cover our many sins. 

So, yes, I feel guilty for not being about to fully surrender myself during the Lenten season, for being a failure.  Yes, I feel guilty for not spending time with God in prayer, scripture study and supplication.  Yes, I feel guilty when I break every law He has told me not to break.  But, Jesus is there for me.  He is there to be my intercessor, to be my Savior, to be my defender.  And, he can be the same for you. 

In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.

Times of Trouble

Have you ever wondered why Jesus had to die?  Especially, such a brutal, horrifying death.  Hebrews 2:18 tells us why.  It says “For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”  Have you ever thought about that?  Jesus was tempted, suffered, and died so that he would be able to help us.  He is our help in trouble.

 

We are in the middle of revival at our church.  You’ve heard it a thousand times before.  You know the saying, “God will never put on me more than I can handle.”  Well, I had a revelation last night.  This is simply not true, nor is it biblical.  Roger Cook, a pastor and church planting catalyst for the West Virginia Baptist Association, said these words that brought that saying into very clear perspective:  If God never gave you more than you could handle, you’d never have a reason to call upon him.  So, God will give us more than we can handle, so that we can fully rely on him.

And, so, my reading in Hebrews 2 simply tells me the same in a different way.  Jesus is able to help me when I’m in trouble because he’s been there.  He’s been through temptation, trials, trouble.  He really does know what I’m (and you are) going through.  God in Heaven can aid me because he’s experienced what I’m experiencing.  Isn’t that comforting?  Psalm 91:1-2 tells us that “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.’” 

If you are experiencing pain, struggles with life, troubles, take them to Jesus.  Jesus is there to love and heal you.  Just like the old hymn says,

“Have we trials and temptations?
  Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged,
  Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
  Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness,
  Take it to the Lord in prayer.”

Take your problems to the Lord.  He’s there to help you!

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Superior

Hebrews is one of my most favorite books of the Bible.  I don't know who wrote it, but it has great insight as to who Jesus is.  Hebrews declares His superiority.  It just cannot be denied.  The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were being persecuted.  It was against the law to be a Christian, unlike being a Jew.  They thought about going back to being Jewish.  But, the author told them to hold fast and keep the faith.  This is a message that Christians must hear today.  There seems to be so many things that Christians are facing today that they have not in the not so far past.  Hold fast, my friends, and keep the faith.

God has always revealed Himself when humanity needed it.  It tells us this in the very first verse of Hebrews, "...in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets...".  See, He knows when we need to hear from Him.  He goes on to say that, "...but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, who he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he created the world."  Last days is not referencing "end times", but rather the time between Jesus' first coming and Jesus' second coming.  John 1:1 tells us that Jesus is the word who explains the Father.  Jesus is the last and final prophet, the One who declares the Word of God like none other.  The writer wants us to realize that God is a personal God.  Not only does He reveal Himself, He knows us better than we know ourselves and He always chooses the best way to communicate to us.  

The writer wants to point out to us Jesus' superiority.  In verse 4, the writer says, "having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs."  In the prior verses there are seven significant proofs that declare Jesus to be superior to the angels:

1.  Heir to all things (v.2)
2.  Creator of all things (v.2)
3.  Reflector of God's glory (v.3 - radiance)
4.  Revealer of God's character (v.3)
5.  Sustainer of the universe (v.3)
6.  Redeemer (v.3)
7.  Ruler of the universe (v.4)

Psalm 2:7 is quoted here in Hebrews 1:5.  It says, "You are my son, today I have begotten you".  2 Samuel 7:14 is also quoted saying, "I will be to him a father and he shall be to me a son."  Jesus alone is the heir to all things.  He is not only "the firstborn", but also "the only begotten".  This right here proves that the angels are inferior to the Son.  

Psalm 104:4 is quoted in verse 7, "He makes his angel winds, and his ministers a flame of fire."  The role of the angels is to worship Him and it is their mission to minister to those who will inherit salvation.  

Hebrews 1:8-9 says this, "...Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.  You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions."  Jesus is Eternal!

Hebrews 1:13 says, "And to which of the angels has he ever said, 'Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet'?"  Only the Son has been summoned to the right hand of the Father.  Being at the right hand indicates power, prominence, influence and prestige.  With this close proximity to the Father, the Son can intercede on behalf of the saints.  

As a result of Jesus' sacrificial death, we have a responsibility to share this good news with the entire world.  Even to a world that sometimes refuses to listen.    

Worship

What does it mean to worship?  Well worship is defined as "the reverent LOVE and devotion accorded a deity, an idol, or a sacred object."  God wants us to worship Him.  We worship God out of fear (not being afraid, but of awe), devotion, reverence.  How do we do that?  We can sing, shout, cry out.

Why do we worship?
For starters, we worship because of the blessings that He gives.  Second, we worship in spite of difficult circumstances.  And also, because of His grace and mercy.

Psalm 66:18 says, "If I had cherished iniquity (sin) in my heart, the Lord would not have listened."

What kind of worshiper does God want me (and you) to be?  He tells us in Psalm 1:12:  "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night." 

Stuart Townsend and Keith Getty penned the song "In Christ Alone".  You may have heard portions of it from the Newsboys in a song by the same name.  It says these profound words:

"In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song; this Cornerstone, this solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm."

Psalm 34 tells us how to praise and worship and the promise that comes from that action. 

Let's look at those verses:

Action                                                       Promise
(v.1)    extol (praise)                                always speak His name
(v.2)    boast                                              rejoice who God is
(v.3)    magnify                                         exalt His name forever
(v.4)    seek                                                deliver from fears
(v.5)    look to Him                                  never be ashamed
(v.6)    cry                                                  save from troubles
(v.9-10) fear                                              not lack good things

My final thoughts I will close with Psalm 103:1, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name!"

prayer

I started a journal some time ago.  I haven't kept up with it.  But here was my first entry.  I used it during a Sunday School lesson on a Sunday that we didn't have a planned lesson.  I hope that you can take something out of it.  Journaling isn't one of my strong suits.  I'm not very artistic, so I don't do it very often.

prayer

1.  Prayer begins in solitude.

• "Solitude" means "the state or quality of being alone or remote from others".

2.  Prayer includes speaking honestly to God.

• When you are being honest verbally to God you deepen your relationship with Him.
• He already knows.

3.  Prayer involves asking God for help and thanking Him when he provides it.

4.  When tempted to complain, pray.

Solitude:

Psalm 46 and 62

verse 1 of Psalm 46:

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble"

verse 10 of Psalm 46:

"Be still, and know that I am God."

"Be still" is a Hebrew verb that can be translated "to relax".

verse 5 of Psalm 62:

"For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him."

Matthew 9 is the Model Prayer

"The first thing we need to do when we get in God's presence is be still.  The second thing we need to do is be still some more.  Then we can begin to listen, and then we can begin to hear from Him and experience His power in our lives."  - Steve May, "Silence in Solitude"

Speak Honestly

Psalm 73:1, "Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart."

Tell God your deep, dark, secret thoughts.

Asking & Thanksgiving

Psalm 13

David had four burdens:

1.  feeling forgotten by God

2.  feeling cut off from God's favor

3.  experiencing deep depression

4.  suffering the humiliation of losing

Be patient and wait for the Lord.

Temptation to Complain

When you're tempted to complain, use your temptation as an opportunity to ask for God's help and thank Him for His blessings and love.


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Creation

It's been a few days since I've blogged.  We've been on vacation.  I'll blog about that in the days to come.  But, since returning I want to start on Genesis.  I'm going to talk about Genesis 1 & 2 today.  This is the story of creation.  We've heard the story of creation so many times before.  But, maybe we can gain something out of if anyway.  

The word "Genesis" actually means "beginning" or "the origin or mode of formation of something."  It tells us in Genesis 1:1 that "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."  That means there was nothing to begin with.  It was void.  Picture an artist with a blank canvas, starting with just a blank white surface.  

When I read the creation story, I picture God as the master artist.  He started with a blank canvas.  His first creation was the heavens and the earth.  This would mean the creation of the galaxies.  All the stars and planets that we see today.  There are millions of them.  Then he created the earth. He designed the world in which we live.  It's immaculate and complex.  It was dark.  So, he created light, the sun, moon & stars.    Isn't it marvelous?  And, what is more amazing it is that He just spoke the words and it came to be.  Days, nights, weeks, months, seasons, years.  We are soon approaching fall.  Things will pass away and go into hibernation for the coming winter months.  Then, spring will come and bring everything new again.  He then created the "firmament."  Well, that's just another word for our atmosphere that creates the perfect conditions for vegetation to grow.   He separated the land from the sea and created vegetation.  He created the creatures of the land and sea.  He created us. 

Genesis 2:7 says this:  "then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature."  Have you ever wondered why he created us?  Well, I believe that He created us specifically to have a relationship with Him.  He created us to LOVE us.  He created us in His image.  You want relationship with others.  If we are in His image, it begs to reason that He wants us to have a relationship with Him.   Have you ever wondered what it was like there in the Garden of Eden?  I can only imagine that God, Adam & Eve spent a lot of time together.  Relationship.  That's the reason, I believe, that God created this world.  Yet, we deny Him this relationship with us.  We have other things that seem to take priority over our lives:  a child's ballgame, the shopping mall, a television show, the list could go on and on.  How about, today, make God your priority.  He created us for this purpose.  

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank you for this beautiful creation we call earth.  Thank you for creating me to have a relationship with you.  Forgive me, Father, for those times when I have placed greater importance on things other than you.  Help create a desire in my heart to spend more time with you.  In Jesus name, Amen.

God's Children

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On to today's post:

What does it mean to be a child of God?  What makes a child of God different from the rest of the world?  I didn’t talk about it last time, but 1 John 2:29 tells us that Christians are those who are “born” of God.  This is just an emphasis that the Christian’s spiritual life is a result of God’s redemptive work in us.  Once we are “born again”, we are called God’s Children.  So, what is the significance of being called the “children of God” and what does it mean for our lives?

1 John 3:1 says, “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.  The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” 

The KJV says “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us”.  Don’t you just love that verse!  It’s through God’s love that we can become His children.  It’s an honor.  Can you imagine the love that God must have for us to “allow” us to be His?  I imagine this as how adoptive parents feel toward their children.  Do you know any children who have been adopted?  We know several folks who have adopted.  Let me tell you, they love their children just as much as if they were born to them.  It’s unconditional.  That’s just like the love of God for us.  Do you know the song “How He Loves” by the David Crowder Band?  It goes like this:

"He is jealous for me, loves like a hurricane, I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy
When all of a sudden I am unaware of these afflictions
Eclipsed by glory and I realize just how beautiful You are
And how great Your affections are for me

And oh, how He loves us, oh
Oh, how He loves us, how He loves us all"

That's the love that He has for you and I.  It's strong, like a hurricane.

Well, take a look at that second verse.  It tells us that the world doesn’t know us.  People who are lost know us, so what does that mean?  It means that they don’t recognize what we have become in Christ.  They may even look at us as religious freaks.  Why?  Because they just don’t know Jesus.  We should expect the world to treat us the same as the world treated Jesus.  Despised.  Rejected.  Think of it this way:  while Jesus was here on earth, he has a great following, they saw his miracles, they believed in who he said he was.  Yet, they were the ones that wanted to crucify him.  See how the world does? The world will turn it’s back on you.

But, look at verse 16!  It says “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.”  Jesus laid down his life for you (and me).  Shouldn’t we be willing to do the same thing?  Shouldn’t we be willing to take the criticism of the world? 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing me to be one of your children.  Help me, each day, I pray, to realize the love that you have for me.  I know you loved me so much that you sent Jesus to die on the cross for my sins.  Help me, Lord, to remember that love and to share it with others.  Forgive me for ever not believing in that love. In Jesus name, Amen.

**Note:  I cannot take credit for the graphics.  I found these.  I apologize to whomever and will remove them if the owner doesn't approve.  

Interference

I'm sorry for being so behind.  I would say I have an excuse, but I do not.  See there, the topic of conversation today.  Sin.  The devil didn't want me to post again.  And, he succeeded.  Why do I let it happen?  Why do you let it happen?  Do you ever feel like you can’t get away from sin?  Well, so do I.  But, as John tells us in 1 John 2, there isn’t any way around it.  We’re all going to sin.  It’s inevitable.  It’s a fact of life.   I wanted to post about something completely different and that isn't where God led me. 

So, let’s talk about our relationship to sin.  Once you became a Christian, did you think you wouldn’t ever sin again?  Well, I didn’t think that I wouldn’t ever sin again, but I did think it would be easier.  Let me tell you first hand, it’s not easier.  If anything, it’s harder because that ol’ devil just wants you to cave.  And, sometimes we do.   What happens though is that our attitude toward sin changes.  We no longer love sin like we used to.  We no longer brag about those things we did the other night at that party.  We no longer even plan to go to those parties, because we just don’t enjoy them any longer.  Charles Spurgeon said of sin, “We cannot bear sin – when it is near us, we feel like a wretch chained to a rotting carcass; we groan to be free from the hateful thing.”  We just cannot stand to be around sin any longer.  1 John 2:1 says, “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin.  But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”  

John wants us to know that there is always forgiveness for any sin we confess.  We have an “advocate”, someone who will speak up for us on our behalf.  That “advocate” is Jesus.  Verse 2 of 1 John says this:  “He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”  What in the world does “propitiation” mean?  I used to even struggle with how to pronounce it, much less what it meant.  Let me tell you what it means.  “Propitiation” is defined as “the action of propitiating or appeasing a god, spirit, or a person.”  For the Christian, this means that Jesus is the one that is appeasing the Father.  We’re guilty, but Jesus runs interference for us.  He is our defender.

There is so much more in this chapter.  But, these first couple of verses stood out to me for some reason.  I guess I needed the friendly reminder that Jesus is there to be my defender.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I know I am not worthy of your presence, so, I thank you so much for sending Jesus to be my defender.  Help me to recognize when I am tempted with sin and help me make the decision to avoid it at all costs.  Give me a heart where I recognize those sins and change my attitudes toward those that I don’t.  In Jesus precious name, Amen.

The Light

John, the last living disciple, wrote this first epistle to a group of Christians who were facing false teachings.  We don't really know which group, but we do know that he was familiar with them.  Gnosticism was gaining ground.  What is Gnosticism, you ask?  Gnosticism is a complete contrast to what Christianity is.  It was the most dangerous heresy of the first century.  It taught that salvation is achieved through special knowledge.  It's a little too complicated for this discussion though.  This letter was really to give his readers the basics about faith in Christ.

1 John 1:1-2 states "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us".  John was telling his readers that he was a witness.  He saw Jesus with his own eyes, witnessed His miracles, saw him crucified and even witnessed his reappearance after the resurrection and touched him then.  He was an eyewitness!   

John goes on to describe Jesus as light.  1 John 1:5-7 says, "This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.   If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.   But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin."

Jesus is light.  Light is Truth.  Therefore, Jesus is Truth.  This is the message of Christ that John heard.  He is a truth of hope and joy.  With Christ there is no darkness.  Darkness is full of threat and is dangerous.  This, again, doesn't mean Christians will not have problems or trials.  It does mean that Jesus is with us in whatever trials we face.  And in the end, if we have Jesus, we will live in eternity with him.  That is the hope and joy that we should carry around with us.

What about the darkness?  What does that mean "walking in darkness"?  I think it means being a person of hate, being controlled by the things of the world, living sinfully and never being remorseful for it, and being controlled by power or prestige.  Does this describe you?  You can change that.  You can become a person of love.  A person who is full of light.  John tells us that if we have the "blood of Jesus", we can be cleansed "from all sin."  We can walk in the light.  We can be the light for others.  

This reminds me of the hymn "Trust and Obey".  I know you've heard it.  It says this:

When we walk with the Lord   In the light of His Word, What a glory He sheds on our way;   While we do His good will,   He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey.
	Trust and obey, For there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus,   But to trust and obey

See that?  It says the His Word is Light.  And if we trust Him, he will abide with us and his glory will light our way.  He will be the light on the dark pathways of this dark world. 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank you for this message today.  In a world full of darkness, you are the light.  Thank you for sending Jesus, your precious son, to cleanse us from our sins.  I pray that if anyone that is reading this doesn't know Jesus as their personal Savior, that they will ask you for forgiveness and ask you into their heart.  Shine your light on them today.  Father, I ask that you forgive me when I've not been the light that I was supposed to be.  Help me, Lord, to share the hope and joy that your love brings.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Last Days

An important reminder.  That is how Peter describes this second letter.  He knew that it was important to remind his readers of the scriptural message.  He knew that there would be opposition to the gospel message. 

2 Peter 3:3 tells us “knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.” 

Let me point out “last days” does not mean “end of times”.  “Last days” is specifically the time between Jesus’ first coming and His second coming.  He is pointing out in this verse that Christians shouldn’t be surprised when someone scoffs at the idea of Jesus coming again.  These people will do their best to distract us, feeding our fears and unbelief.  These scoffers will make light of sin, mock the salvation that is offered by Jesus.  They believe that this is the only life, that there is nothing in the hereafter, and thus enjoy, indulge and have the mentality of “eat, drink and be merry.”  They don’t believe that Jesus will come back.  But I know in my heart of hearts, He WILL come back.    Charles Spurgeon said this:  “Every time a blasphemer opens his mouth to deny the truth of revelation, he will help confirm us in our conviction of the very truth which he denies.  The Holy Ghost told us, by the pen of Peter, that it would be so; and now we see how truly he wrote.”  Have you ever faced this kind of opposition?  I have.  Each time, it just makes that knowledge in my heart stronger.  I know the feeling that Spurgeon speaks about. 

So, what does Peter say about the second coming?  Well, let’s look at verse 10.  It says, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.”  Personally, I think Jesus hasn’t returned because of God’s true love of his people.  He wants his people to love him, to come to Jesus.  But, he is going to come back.  It says in this verse that he will come back like a “thief in the night.”  That means we aren’t going to know when.  It’s going to be a surprise.  It could be today.  Peter also tells us that there will be a transformation of this world.  Heavens will pass away and be burned up and dissolved (this means by fire).  He goes on to tell us this in verse 13, “but according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and new earth in which righteousness dwells.”

So, what are we to do in the mean time?  Well, Peter tells us in verses 12 and 14 to “wait with patience” and to be “diligent”.  But he also issues a warning in verse 16, “There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures.”  He wants us to be wary of those who try to twist the scriptures to say what they want it to say, to mean what they want it to mean.  But, his final words to us are that we “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.”  (verse 18)

Submission and Beauty

I'm a wife.  Sometimes I have problems with the word "submit" or "obey".  I like being in control.  I don't like being told what to do.  I'm pretty sure if you are a woman and you are reading this you feel the exact same way, especially when it comes to your husband.  But, let me ask you this:  Do you allow your husband to be the head of the household?  If you want to know what Peter tells us in this next chapter, read on!

"Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,  when they see your respectful and pure conduct." ~1 Peter 3:1-2

Peter gives us clear instructions on how to behave toward our husbands.  It may not be what the world says we should do, but it is how God wants us to behave.  The women that Peter was talking to were wives of men who were not saved.  So, with that in mind, this was for evangelistic purposes.  He was telling these women that their behavior, being will to be submissive to their husbands, would be and influence to their husbands.  Being submissive didn't mean taking abuse.  It meant having a servant's heart.  See that in verse 2, he says we should be "respectful' and have "pure conduct".  We are to be an example.  This verse gives me hope.  Look at it.  If we are respectful and pure in conduct, we could lead someone to Christ without ever saying a word.  Isn't that great news?

Another thing in 1 Peter 3 I would like to point out is how Peter describes the beauty of a woman.  

"Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear-but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." ~1 Peter 3:3-4

Let me ask a few questions.  How much time do you spend in front of the mirror each morning?  How much time do you spend fixing your hair?  Do you buy a lot of makeup?  Do you go every couple of weeks for a mani/pedi?  Do you buy a lot of beauty products and then spend a lot of time using them?  What about your clothing?  Do you choose your clothing just to get the attention of a man (even your husband)?

My point in these questions is this:  Do you spend more time getting beautified than you do with Jesus?  Your outward appearance should not be your chief concern.  Rather, Peter points out that what is most important is the "gentle and quiet spirit".  The outer appearance does very little to win the world to Christ.