Monthly Archives: June 2014

2014 Day 161 – Jude

10 Tuesday Jun 2014

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Today we read the single chapter book of Jude, who was the brother of Jesus and James. The book was written to remind the early church to stay vigilant in the faith and to oppose heresy. Jude’s message was meant to urge them to stay faithful in the truth. The key verse for this book is Jude 1:3, Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. Jude wanted to emphasize the connection between true doctrine and and the importance of faith. As a believer, one can not live without the other.

2014 Day 160 – 2 Peter 3

09 Monday Jun 2014

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We live in a time where instant gratification is almost a requirement. When we want something (food, drink, clothes, information) we want it immediately and, if possible, at the click of a button. So, when we ask God for something, it can almost seem like God is slow to act on our behalf. Just because God does not operate on our timetable does not mean He is slow. 2 Peter 3:8-9 says, 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. God was patient for us and He continues to be patient enough to wait on others to come to Him. At the same time, we are not supposed to wait around for Him to act, we are to move in a direction and be willing to be redirected along the way.

2014 Day 159 – Reflection On Romans 2:1

08 Sunday Jun 2014

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Romans 2:1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

2014 Day 158 – 2 Peter 2

07 Saturday Jun 2014

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There are some very harsh words in today’s reading. Peter is saying there will be a day when all will be made right. All the evil in this world, that seems to have control, will one day face condemnation. As believers, we have a responsibility to move forward and not backwards in our pursuit of righteousness. We all lose our way from time to time, but it is important that we not slide back into life without Christ. 2 Peter 2:20 says, If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. Ultimately, God wants us to grow in relationship with Him. If we focus our efforts on growing in closeness with God, there is little room for anything else.

2014 Day 157 – 2 Peter 1

06 Friday Jun 2014

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Today we begin the second letter of Peter to the early Christian church. The intent of this letter was to warn Christians about false teachers and to encourage growth in their faith and knowledge of Christ. The key verse in today’s passages is 2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. This verse was meant to tell early believers, and now us, that we have all we need in this life through the power and love of our Lord Jesus Christ. We do not and cannot grow more powerful because the power already exists through God. He has given us the privilege to participate in His divine nature and to have the strength through Him to help us live for the fulfillment His perfect will and plan. We must count it as a privilege.

2014 Day 156 – 2 Timothy 4

05 Thursday Jun 2014

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I love 2 Timothy 4:7-8, 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. My hope is when I reach the end of my life I can say the same thing. 

2014 Day 155 – 2 Timothy 3

04 Wednesday Jun 2014

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We live in a fallen world. It has always been a place where evil exists. In today’s reading Paul talks about the things we should look out for in the end times. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 says, 1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. It is easy to read this list and say, “we are here”, but the timing for God is His and His alone. Many of the things on this list have always been here and will always be a part of our human existence. We must be aware of the things that distract and take people away from God. It is our job to reflect the love and existence of God and allow ourselves to be used by Him to draw people closer to a loving relationship with Him. 

2014 Day 154 – 2 Timothy 2

03 Tuesday Jun 2014

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Anything that has value also has a struggle attached to it. Paul gives some examples in 2 Timothy 2:4-6 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Just like soldiers, we must be disciplined to complete the tasks that are set before us by those who lead us. Athletes must follow the rules and work hard in preparation or they won’t deserve the victors crown. And a farmer works hard for months at a time to reach the time of harvest and receive his reward for toiling over his crops. In the end, no reward comes to anyone who is unwilling to put in the work. There is a reason why most lottery winner end up worse than they were before winning, it’s because there is no effort and in turn there is no value. When we work hard to achieve our goals, we value the reward that much more.

2014 Day 153 – 2 Timothy 1

02 Monday Jun 2014

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Today we begin the second letter Paul wrote to Timothy. 2 Timothy is meant to give final instruction and encouragement to Timothy who was at this time the pastor of the church in Ephesus. The letter was written some time between 66 and 67 A.D. while Paul was a prisoner in Rome. Paul was released from prison briefly and then imprisoned again and executed by the Roman Emperor Nero. The key verse in this morning’s reading was 2 Timothy 1:8, So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. The truth is, we all suffer. God never promised us doing the right thing would be without suffering. But He never leaves us and is always there by our side.

2014 Day 152 – Football Play of the Week

01 Sunday Jun 2014

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We are a reflection of Christ and we are called to be like Him. While the video does not have a direct spiritual message, it is a great example of how we should be striving to treat others. Have a tissue handy.

 

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