Devotions for Week 48

Nov 28-Dec 2, 2011

Monday, Nov. 28, 2011

1 Peter 5

What’s a Pastor to Do?

 The elders who are among you I exhort…  Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;  nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock…. 1 Peter 5:1-3

The expectations on pastors and church staff members vary. Some folks truly think preachers just work  a few hours one day a week. Others think he is to do “everything”: Mow the lawn, clean the building, unlock the doors, visit all the sick, visit all the lost people in the community, bury the dead, counsel all the troubled, be a perpetual fund raiser, have the answers to everyone's troubles, pray (a LOT), study (EVEN MORE), be a dynamic communicator, take a stand on all the controversial issues of the day, be on call 24/7, love everyone and not make anyone mad!

What is a pastor to do? This passage teaches us his God given responsibilities are to FEED and LEAD the flock! As a shepherd he is to care for the flocks spiritual well being! The word used here speaks of feeding them the Word of God (Acts 6:2,4).

He is also to lead them by example.  The Shepherd “oversees” the ministry to and of the flock. By example he leads them by example not coercion!

Father, thank You for the spiritual leaders of our church. Help them as they seek to please You by feeding us and leading us. Help us to follow them as they follow You.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011

2 Peter 1

All You Need!

Have you ever said, “I just can’t live the Christian life!” Well you are partly right! YOU cannot live the Christian life ON YOUR OWN!  The great news is YOU don’t have too! God has given His children EVERYTHING they need to live a life of godliness. It’s right here in today’s reading:

“…His divine power has given to us all thingsthat pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Peter 1:2-4

You have ALL you need to live for God!  You have His Spirit living inside of you (John 14:16-18). You have Christian brothers and sister to “exhort you” (Heb. 10:25). You have His Word which is full of “exceeding great a precious promises”that will enable you to live victoriously is in this world! 

The pivotal issue for us is this: “the knowledge of Him.”Just as salvation is an individual matter – so is spiritual growth. YOU must be “diligent” (v. 5,10) to pursue a deeper, closer, more intimate knowledge of the Lord Jesus if you are going to use the resources available to you!

Father, I need You! I want to know YOU, not just about You! I recognize I need to be diligent in living by Your promises and by using the abundant resources you have given me. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011

2 Peter 2

False Prophets: Religious but LOST!

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lordwho bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 Peter 2:1

For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 

For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.  But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire." 2 Peter 2:20-22

This chapter is at times used to teach that a person can lose their salvation (vv. 20-22). That is NOT what Peter is saying. In this chapter he exposes FALSE prophets who are RELIGIOUS but lost! They pretend to be followers of Jesus but they “deny”Him (v. 1). They have knowledge of Him (v. 20) and adopt the outward conduct and vocabulary of the church, yet inwardly they do not know Him! (Matt. 7:22; 2 Tim. 3:5; 1 John 2:19).  This is a clear reminder that: It is possible to be religious AND lost!  Do You know Jesus?

Father, I know that religion cannot save me or anyone else! Thank You Jesus for being my Savior! In Jesus Name, Amen.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

2 Peter 3

Reservations!

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. 2 Peter 3:7

Reservations are needed in this world and the next. Here a few samples: 

Believers have a reservation:“… an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven.., 1 Peter 1:4

Fallen angels have a place reserved for them:“For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment…” 2 Peter 2:4

False teachers have an eternal reservation:“These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. 2 Peter 2:17

Earth and the atmosphere as we know it has been reserved for Judgment Day!  “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.”2 Peter 3:7

All of us have an appointment with death and judgment:  And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, Hebrews 9:27

Father, thank You for reserving a place for me in heaven! Help me to show others how they can a reservation in Heaven! In Jesus Name, Amen.

Friday, December 2, 2011

1 John 1

What Christmas is Really All About!

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life--  the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us--that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.  And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. 1 John 1:1-4

The most common Scriptures used to tell the Christmas Story are Luke 1-2 or Matthew 1-2. However, these versed penned by John also tell us what Christmas is all about!

Jesus, the eternal Son of God, the Creator who spoke the world into being - came to earth! He was “looked upon” by Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, the Wise men, Simeon, Anna and many others! Think of it, Mary and Joseph held, cuddled, snuggled, cradled and “handled” God, the Creator, in their arms!

This same Jesus who came as a baby into our world, grew up and gave His life on the cross of Calvary!  Jesus came so that we could have fellowship with Him! That’s what Christmas is REALLY ABOUT!

Father, thank You for sending Jesus so that I can have fellowship with You!  Help me to show others how they can have fellowship with You this Christmas. In Jesus Name, Amen.