In Everything, Pray

We are headed to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota again this week. On Thursday, Barbara will have a stint installed in her portal vein to the liver to correct the narrowing of the vein so that a proper blood flow will be maintained into the liver. Her liver is otherwise doing great.

They will also take a biopsy of the gray matter causing the narrowing of that vein. It can be one of two things: cancer or simply some scar tissue. We are gathering prayer warriors from around to glob to join us in praying that it is only scar tissue. Please join us in this prayer. We will let you know the results as soon as we know. This leads us to today's Bible Insight.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:6-7). This advice on prayer was given by Paul to the church in Philippi to encourage them to pray about anything and everything that troubled them. It sets a pattern for straight forward praying where we are encouraged to present our requests to God with thankful hearts.

We all too often let circumstances get us down. We become "anxious" (v. 6a), or even depressed. Paul tells us not to let that happen. Instead, we need to trust God and lay all our burdens down at the foot of the cross. Give them over to Jesus. Let Him carry your burdens. They are to much for you to carry, but not for Jesus.

To do that, we need to learn to pray. "By prayer and supplication" (v. 6b) we give it over to Jesus. "Supplication" means to ask for something earnestly. When it is of utmost importance to us, we go to our knees in humility and make our requests "known to God" (v. 6d).

But do this "with thanksgiving" (v. 6c). Thank God in advance for His answer. He understands everything better than we do and He even answers before we ask: "It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear" (Isaiah 65:24). First John 5:14-15 adds, "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him."

When you take everything to God in prayer, He will give you "peace" (v. 7a) in you heart; peace that His answer will be exactly as He wills. You can trust that His answer will be His very best for you.

That is why the "peace of God" (v. 7a) He gives you "surpasses all understanding" (v. 7b). It is beyond our finite ability to understand the peace we feel because it is given to us by the infinite God of the universe. His ways are beyond our ways, as God says, "'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' says the LORD. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts'" (Isa. 55:8-9).

It is that peace that God gives you that "will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (v. 7c). You can trust God to handle everything just as He wills. He knows what is best for you, and He will always answer your prayers accordingly. Amen.

Leave It All to Jesus

Calling all prayer warriors! My wife Barbara had a checkup at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota last week. Her lungs looked good. The remaining nodules were shrinking. PTL! Her liver is doing great. PTL! However, The portal vein that is the sole blood vessel taking blood into the liver had a narrowing, restricting the blood flow.

She will return to Mayo Clinic for two procedures. One, they will put in a stint to open up that vein and increase the blood flow. Two, they will biopsy the gray matter around it that is pushing against the vein, causing the narrowing. It could be one of two things: (1) scar tissue, in which case the stint will take care of the problem; or (2) a carcinoma cancer, which would not be operable.

She can't have any more radiation to that area, leaving chemo as the only treatment option. Chemo is only successful in 3 out of 10 people in these cases. Even if she responds positively to the chemo, she would possibly be looking at only three to six months, possibly a little longer. Only God knows for sure.

Pray that it is only scar tissue. God is in control. We trust it all into His hands and seek His divine healing. We leave it all to Jesus. Amen.

That leads us into today's Bible Insight. Peter said, "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:6-7). Likewise, Psalm 55:22 says, "Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved."

To "humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God" (1 Peter 5:6) means to let Him be in control of everything in your life. It means to trust and serve Him no matter what may befall you. Not only do you trust Him fully in the good times, but also in the not so good times. When burdens enter your life, no matter what those burdens are, leave it all to Jesus; trust in His perfect will for you.

That is why Peter continues, "Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7). The Psalmist agrees wholeheartedly: "Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you" (Psalm 55:22). Old and New Testament alike, we are to leave it all to Jesus!

The Prophet Isaiah states plainly, "For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you'" (Isa. 41:13). The Lord God promises to support you and lift every burden. He promises to see you through every trial. Trust Him in everything. Leave it all to Jesus!

Again, the Psalmist concurs: "The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles" (Psalm 34:17). You can count on Jesus. If you belong to Him, if you have trusted Him as your Lord and Savior, you can know that God will always hear your prayers, and He will always listen and answer when you call on Him for help.

To all, Jesus says, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matt. 11:28-30). If you haven't done so already, trust in Jesus. Place your faith in Him and receive Him as your Lord and Savior. He died and rose again for your salvation. He will remove your heavy burden of guilt and hopelessness and give you true rest in Him.

Isaiah 58:6 says, "Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?" It is not God's will that you should be crushed down with excessive burdens. He wants to set you free from those burdens. Trust Him completely. Cast all your burdens on Him. Leave it all to Jesus! Let Him free you today. Amen.

Spiritual Growth

Here is the benediction I proclaim every Sunday: "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen" (2 Peter 3:18). Instead of falling prey to the deceptive lies the of false teachers, pursue a life of personal holiness. Seek to become more like Christ every day. If you do, then you will find yourself in a pattern of spiritual growth.

"Grow" (v. 18a), in Greek, means "to advance, or increase in the sphere of" (MacArthur New Testament Commentary: 2 Peter & Jude, [Moody Publishers: Chicago, 2005], 136). You are to grow in grace through the "knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (v. 18a). You are forgiven by God's grace, and in turn, you are to feed on His Word, growing in your knowledge of Him. In 1 Peter 2:2, Peter said, "As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby." As you grow spiritually you become better prepared to ward off false teachings and you learn to remain firm in the faith. Stay the course. Grow in grace.

Peter's closing doxology, "To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen" (2 Peter 3:18b), is a call to all believers to worship God and give Him the glory. You are to worship and glorify God now, and you are to worship and glorify God throughout all eternity.

The reference is to Christ, indicating that He is deity; He is one with God. He is to be glorified, because He is God and He is our Lord and Savior. In Isaiah 42:8, He declares, "I am the LORD, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images."

Peter reassured us of the certainty of Christ's return (2 Peter 3:1-10). Now he exhorts us to live our lives in light of that reality (vs. 11-18). Paul said, "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory" (Col. 3:1-4). Amen.

Doctrinal Understanding

"And consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you" (2 Peter 3:15). The Lord's delay in returning to take us home, isn't slackness as some might think. Peter already pointed out: "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).

The Lord's return is delayed, giving ample time for all who will to repent and be saved. We should rejoice in God's patience, His "longsuffering" (v. 15a), knowing that new believers are being added every day until His family is complete. Even Paul wrote of this (v. 15b), perhaps a reference to Romans, which was a circular letter that went to all the various churches. Romans 2:4 says, "Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?"

In the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), Jesus illustrates God's longsuffering toward sinners. It is the story of a rebellious son who left his family for a life of immorality. For a long time, he wasted his opportunity to serve his father, spending his inheritance on lavish living. When broke and homeless, he came to his senses, repented of his sinful lifestyle, and returned home. But to his surprise, his father didn't reject him or disown him. He didn't even receive him with reluctance! His father embraced him with love and compassion! That father is a picture of God, who responds to sinners who have repented with mercy and grace. All heaven rejoices when even one sinner repents and comes to saving faith in Christ, as pictured by the feast the father gave in honor of his son.

"As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures" (2 Peter 3:16). Peter here notes three things: (1) Peter's readers are apparently familiar with all of Paul's writings (v. 16a); (2) as with "the rest of the Scriptures" (v. 16c), "untaught and unstable people," namely, the false teachers, "twist" Paul's letters, trying to make them say whatever it is they want them to say, "to their own destruction" (v. 16b); and (3) Paul's writings are referred to authoritatively as part of "the Scriptures" (v. 16c), or the inspired Word of God!

"You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked" (v. 17). Having been warned of these things by Peter, be alert, be on guard, and do not fall prey to false teachers and their deceptive lies. Rather, maintain "your own steadfastness" in Christ. Stay firm in Christ. Hold to the course of living a life worthy of Christ, a life of personal holiness. Amen.

Internal Holiness

"Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace" (2 Peter 3:14a). "Looking forward to these things" (v. 14a)—the day of God, the new heavens and the new earth, the eternal state, and the eternal kingdom—we are to live in a way that reflects our eternal perspective.

That means to "be diligent to be found by Him in peace" (v. 14a). "To be found" (v. 14a) reminds us that we cannot hide from Christ when He returns. He will leave no stone unturned. He will overlook nothing. "Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God" (1 Cor. 4:5). If He finds you at peace with God when He returns, you will indeed receive praise from God.

"Peace" here is the peace that comes from true saving faith in the Lord. It is a peace that eliminates all worry and fear, because you know for certain that your sins are forgiven, and you know for certain that Christ indwells your heart through your personal faith in Him. "And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God" (1 John 5:11-13).

In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul said, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." No matter how terrible things become as that final day of destruction approaches, all who know Christ as their personal Lord and Savior will experience peace in Him, knowing that they will soon be in His eternal presence and enjoying His eternal kingdom.

False teachers are those who have "spots and blemishes" (2 Peter 2:13b). We, on the other hand, are to be "without spot and blameless" (2 Peter 3:14b). "Without spot" (v. 14b) can refer to Christian character, the kind of people we really are; and "blameless" (v. 14b) refers to Christian reputation, the kind of righteous and highly moral people we are known to be.

Unfortunately, there are some in the church who are neither without spot or blameless. There are some who appear blameless, but privately their lives are anything but spotless. Despite being a part of the church, they live sinful lifestyles, and they may or may not be truly Christian; they may or may not be born again. They are like modern-day Pharisees. They put on a good front, while hiding their unrepentant sin. They fail to develop a heart of righteousness.

I pray that does not describe any of you. We are exhorted by Peter to be above reproach. We are encouraged to be men and women of integrity, characterized by the highest level of personal holiness—"without spot and blameless" (v. 14b).

When you live a life of personal holiness, others see you and your life is a testimony to the power of Christ. It is a life others want. When they see you, they are drawn to Christ and are brought to a point of turning to Christ for their salvation.

The hope of leading others to Christ, along with the promise of Christ's return, gives us all the reason we need for living a life of personal holiness in Christ. It is all the reason we need to practice the disciplines of the faith—Bible study, prayer, worship, fellowship with one another, Christian service, and outreach—and to live your life in Christ and for Christ. Internal, personal holiness is what we as Christians strive for. Amen.

Eternal Perspective

"Looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God" (1 Peter 3:12a), indicates an eager anticipation on the part of believers, not a sense of worry or fear. Paul told Titus that believers will be joyfully "looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13).

"Looking for" (v. 12a) reflects an attitude of expectation. "Hastening" (v. 12a) strengthens that idea. Rather than fearing the earth's destruction, we long for the Second Coming of Christ and pray His return is soon. Come quickly Lord Jesus!

"The coming" (v. 12a), the familiar Greek word parousia, literally means "the presence" (MacArthur New Testament Commentary: 2 Peter & Jude, [Moody Publishers: Chicago, 2005], 129). It refers to the personal, physical return of Jesus Christ.

"The day of God" (v. 12a) and "the day of the Lord" (v. 10a), are not the same event. "The day of God" (v. 12a) refers to the eternal state when God will have vanquished all His enemies. "The day of the Lord" (v. 10a) refers to the final, horrifying events of the last judgment of unbelievers. John's vision in Revelation 10:9-10, where he ate the little book and found it sweet to taste but bitter to swallow, illustrates the dual feelings Christians have concerning these two events. The little book represents the coming judgment—sweet to believers because of "the day of God," but bitter because of the "day of the Lord."

"Because of which" (v. 12b) indicates that certain things must occur before the arrival of "the day of God" (v. 12a). Namely, the destruction of the universe: "the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat" (v. 12b). Judgment will fall on unsuspecting, unrepentant sinners, but great blessing will follow for the believer.

Following "the day of the Lord" (v. 10a) and the destruction of the universe (vs. 10b, 12b), comes "the day of God" (v. 12a) with a "new heavens and a new earth" (v. 13b), "according to His promise" (v. 13a). God will create an entirely new universe!

"New" (v. 13b) means "new in quality," "different," or "unlike anything previously known" (Ibid, 130). The new heavens and the new earth will be more than just new in time or chronology; they will also be new in character—a realm "in which righteousness dwells" (v. 13b). "Dwells" means "to settle down and be at home," or "take up permanent, comfortable residence" (Ibid). The new heavens and the new earth will be filled with righteousness.

John described the wonder of it all: "Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away…' But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it. But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life" (Rev. 21:1-4, 22-27).

Always live your life expecting the Lord to return at any time.  Always live your life in light of your eternal destiny. Always live your life in righteousness, patterned after the life of Christ. That is what it means to have an eternal perspective. Amen.

Living Worthy of Christ

The text before us today begins, "Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness" (2 Peter 3:11). This refers to the verses right before this. Verse 7 says, "But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men." And verse 10 says, "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up."

The Savior is returning to judge ungodly men and destroy this world by fire. There will be a new heaven and a new earth, where we, God's people, will spend eternity with Jesus. In light of this, Peter asks, "What manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness?" (v. 11b). A good question. Just how does this truth affect your life?

Oh, to be more like Christ! We must be ready for His return. Always waiting. Always watching. Always getting better prepared by becoming more like Him. Walking daily with Jesus and being like Him "in holy conduct and godliness" (v. 11b), is how you become prepared to meet Him. "Holy conduct" refers to external actions or behavior. "Godliness" refers to internal heart attitudes or reverence.

"What manner of persons ought you to be" (v. 11b), sounds a lot like a question, but it is rhetorical and expects no response. It is an exclamation of astonishment. It translates a Greek word that could be rendered, "how astonishingly excellent you ought to be." Because of the coming judgment, Peter admonished his readers to live in keeping with their Christian hope—allowing their expectation of Christ's imminent return to have an impact on their daily lifestyle.

Living in anticipation of the Second Coming, means living a life worthy of Christ. It means becoming more like Christ every day. It means living an outward life of holy behavior, based on an inward life of Christlike godliness. In this way, you will be ready for His return. Then, wait and watch. Keep an eye on the sky in anticipation of His glorious return. Amen.