Delight in Him as He Delights in You

    My computer is under repair...not sure when it will be up and running. Please take time today to delight in Jesus.

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

As you look to Him, His desires will become yours and your joy will be complete.

Dear Jesus,
We delight in you above all else.  Match our hearts to Yours.
Amen

I will be back to my blog as soon as I can!

Simon (Peter) Says

     As Peter writes his last letter, he makes it clear. God has let him know he will not live much longer. He reminds us of God’s sovereign timing. And he reminds us not to grow weary. Many will scoff at the truth of the Lord’s coming. Do not listen to them. God is not slow in keeping His promises.

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. 2 Peter 3:9

     Peter goes on to write of the final days of heaven and earth, of the new heaven and earth awaiting us. And He reminds us to live in peace with God, to live good and godly lives. How do we do this? Here are Peter’s final words to you and me.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen 2 Peter 3:18

Lord,

Teach us how to number our days and to live our lives in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior. He is patient in His coming. He does not want to lose anyone. Help us to grow in our faith.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Simon (Peter) Says

     In the economy of eternity God sees a thousand earth years as a day! According to the Bible we are just beginning the third day since the birth of Christ. From our finite viewpoint, 90 years is a long life and a worthy goal. From our heavenly Father’s eternal viewpoint, our lives are but a moment in time. Peter calls it, “a little while.” (see 1 Peter 1:6)

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. 2 Peter 3:8

     And in 2 Corinthians 4:17, Paul calls our earthly tribulations,  “light and momentary troubles.” What would happen if we begin to view our lives in light of eternal reality? Bringing glory to God and sharing love in His name would be of the utmost value.

    Store up for yourself treasures in heaven. (see Matthew 6:20) and I’ll see you in heaven in just a minute.

Father,

Your purposes and plans are eternal. Your thoughts and Your ways are so much higher than ours. Help us to trust You with our finite earthly lives, knowing we have an eternity of glory awaiting us.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Simon (Peter) Says

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15

     Are you ready to give an answer for the hope within you? Will you be able to speak up for Jesus when an opportunity arises? Can you share the love that has transformed your life? Peter’s last words in this verse are a good reminder to us as we share Jesus; “…do this with gentleness and respect.”

     My greatest desire, my deepest heart-felt prayer, my urgent hope, is for everyone I know and love to know Christ.  Be gentle. Respect others and their opinions. But be ready to give an answer for your joy and peace. Be ready to share the Gospel, the good news of Jesus. Eternity is at stake.

Jesus,

Our hearts long for others to know You and the power of Your resurrection. Everything depends on You. One day soon, all evil will be placed under Your feet. Sin will be vanquished once and for all, and those who believe will be with You forever.

Amen

Simon (Peter) Says

     The apostle, Peter, followed Jesus for three years during His earthly life. He denied Him three times as Jesus was arrested and put to death. After the resurrection Peter would never again deny His Savior and remained bold and brash and courageous until he died for his faith. Shortly before his death, he would write these words:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ in His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:3-6

     Take in the verses above slowly and rejoice! Through our faith in Jesus we have new birth now and an inheritance, kept in heaven, that will never fade away. This life is, “for a little while.” Let these words, inspired by the Holy Spirit, lift you up, no matter your mood, no matter your trials, no matter your sorrow. In a little while, we will be in eternity, with immortal bodies, living on a new earth and invited into a new heaven, in fellowship with Peter and other believers throughout history. Your loved ones will be waiting to welcome you home. And Your Savior will meet you face-to-face.

Father,

We thank You for the inspired words of Your servant, Peter. We rejoice in the hope of salvation and the inheritance waiting for Your sons and daughters. Let the deep peace and joy of our souls radiate to the world around us.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Simon (Peter) Says

     Simon, the fisherman, was one of the first to be called as a disciple. Jesus gave him the name, Peter, which means “the rock.” Peter, along with the others became the steady foundation of the early church. They would write what would become the finished work of the Word of God.

     Peter was brash and reckless and bold. He spoke without thinking on more than one occasion. Right after Pentecost, filled with the Holy Spirit, he converted thousands of men and women to follow our Lord. Can we say without fear, the words of Peter, in fear of being arrested?

As for us, we cannot help speaking of what we have seen and heard. Acts 4:20

Jesus,

Keep us bold. Change our lives so much that we can’t help speaking of all You have done for us. Like Peter, we want to share You with others.

Amen

Great Advice-The Word

               

     Read God’s Word. Memorize it. Meditate on it. Research it. Dig into it. Saturate your mind with it until it settles into your heart. I guarantee a hunger and a thirst will develop for it. The more you read, the more you want. There is no end to the blessings it offers. You will get to know Jesus and His ways. Truth will reign.

     Sit in awe at the scope of wisdom offered, the prophecies that have come true and the prophecies yet to come. See Jesus foreshadowed throughout the Old Testament and how His death and resurrection fulfilled the law and the prophets. Read about His return and the glories of heaven. Not one Word has been proven wrong. Science, archeology, and history only continue to prove its truth.

The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold. They are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. Psalm 19:9-10

     Jesus is the Word of God in the flesh. (John 1) The Bible is all about Him, from Genesis to Revelation. The story of creation, of Israel, of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, of David and Solomon, of the prophets from Deniel and Isaiah to Micah and Zechariah, from the story of Moses and the escape from Egypt, to the baby born in a manger. Read about the flood and the ark, of Jonah and the whale, of the twelve disciples, about the transformation of Saul into Paul. Read about life and how to live it and about the life to come. Eternity awaits. Read all about it ahd go forth and live it!

Jesus,

We pray for Your Word to enliven us, to restore us, to redeem us, to teach and guide us.  Develop a hunger and a thirst in our hearts to meditate on it daily, until everything we do and see is seen through Your eyes. Let us live for You.

Amen