Category: Devotional

False Teachers in the Church
While Peter’s first letter is about the trials to come to the church from external sources through persecution, the second letter is about the false teachers attacking it from within. He acknowledged they were already at work within the church, even ignoring what they knew through spiritual gifts. And he warned that they would keep coming (2 Peter 2:1-3)

The Guilt of False Teachers

Peter’s words ring true even today. There are those false teachers that would bring discredit to the word even in their lifestyle. He speaks of:
- Heresies (2 Peter 2:1)
- Sensuality (2 Peter 2:2)
- Covetousness (2 Peter 2:3)
- Defiling lust (2 Peter 2:10)
- Ignorant blasphemers (2 Peter 2:12)
- Adulterers (2 Peter 2:14)
- Slaves of corruption (2 Peter 2:19)
It is a very difficult task to teach against sins to the world when they world can point back to the church’s own sins they are overlooking.

New Testament Warnings of False Teachers

Peter wasn’t alone in his warnings either. There is much to be said in the New Testament about those false teachers that want to trick you out of your salvation:

False teachers can make things look fine outside when the destruction is inside
- Jesus warns of wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15)
- Jesus warns of those that would lead us astray (Matthew 24:11)
- Paul warns of grievous wolves (Acts 20:29-30)
- Paul said it would be of huge magnitude and evil nature (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12)
- Paul warned of leadership using their influence to influence false doctrine (1 Timothy 4:1-3 2 Timothy 3:1-9)
- Jude warned of the trend of apostasy already arising (Jude 4-9)
As we can see, there really is nothing new under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9) We are to just keep trying to save those that will listen and teach whenever we can. If God can save just Noah from the great flood and if he can save Lot from the destruction of entire cities, then he will be able to save the last of his faithful servants at the end.

Daily Bible reading for August 28

Psalm 26
1 Samuel 15
Habakkuk 1:1-11
2 Peter 2
August 28, 2013
A Point of Light
Previously, we considered our knowledge of the Scriptures being needed to approach God. Peter shows us the kind of people we need to be generally, (2 Peter 1:5-7) but he was also preparing his readers to be aware of false prophets. He referred us to our Bibles as a source of light.

Our Source of Light

The Word is a beacon of light

When one enters a room that is totally dark, the smallest point of light is almost blinding. When our sailors are at sea, they are not allow to have any white light topside after dusk. Did you know the flash of a cigarette lighter can be seen for miles over the darkness of the sea?

Peter wants you to know the word is like that. (2 Peter 1:19) In order to make a good defense against what is to come, we have to pay attention to the scriptures just like a flash of light.

Our understanding

We cannot leave the understanding to others and expect them to help us. We rarely have the luxury of their availability when we stumble into an opportunity to teach or defend the word. Indeed, the apostles expected us to understand what they wrote. (Ephesians 3:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:27, 1 John 2:12-13)

Even Jesus expected one questioning him to have understood the Scriptures. (Luke 10:26) So how do we get there?
- We study (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV)
- We teach (2 Timothy 2:2)
- We listen to other teachers (Acts 8:30-31)
2 Peter 1:12-21 mentions God, Jesus, The Holy Spirit and the prophets all in that short paragraph. What better source of light and knowledge than that which was endorsed and proven by these?

Daily Bible reading for August 27

Psalm 25
1 Samuel 14
Lamentations 5
2 Peter 1:12-21
August 27, 2013
The Power of Knowledge and a Pure Heart
The psalmist writes that the earth and everything in it is the Lord’s. (Psalm 24:1-2) Peter writes that we have been granted everything we need to use the earth for God’s will. (2 Peter 1:3-4) Reading through 2 Peter, we find that “everything” to be knowledge.

Peter shows us:
- that knowledge is found in his promises ( 2 Peter 1:2-4)
- that knowledge is for our growth (2 Peter 1:5-11)
- that knowledge needs to be taught and remembered (2 Peter 1:12-15)
- That knowledge comes from credible sources (2 Peter 1:16-21)
The Psalmist asks “who will ascend the hill of the Lord?” then he answers “Clean hands and a pure heart.” (Psalm 24:3-4)

Peter shows us the “Christian Graces,” the things that can grow in a pure heart minded with clean hands. (2 Peter 1:5-7) We are to supply our faith with these things. When you read the verse notice how you need one to get the other:
- Virtue – this is the kind of courage we need in today’s world as much as they needed in Peter’s time
- Knowledge – continuing study of God’s word
- Self-Control – everyone can use more of it
- Patience – take advantage of challenges to learn this
- Godliness – honoring God’s duties as a top priority
- Brotherly kindness – a basic affection for fellow man
- Love – this is an all-inclusive love. The desire to serve everyone
With these things in our life we become fruitful. We notice in 2 Peter 1:8 that big word “if.” They are not automatic and have to be worked on. That is what David was telling us when he said it was for those that seek him. (Psalm 24:6)

We have the knowledge. We can hold it in our hands. We need to use our clean hands, our pure heart, and the knowledge before us to seek God continuously.

Daily Reading for August 26

Psalm 24
1 Samuel 13
Lamentations 4
2 Peter 1:1-11
August 26, 2013
Our Government and Our Place in it
Along with Romans 13:1-7, 1 Peter 2:13-25 instruct us to honor the authority of the government to the extent that is doesn’t conflict with God’s word. (For the Lord’s sake v13, cf. Acts 5:27-32)

Dealing With the Government and God’s Word

There are a lot of new laws, and disregard for old laws coming into play these days that make it very difficult for a dedicated Christian to honor the government. The Christians in Peter’s time were facing a lot worse than this. They were even at a disadvantage because they, as citizens, had no control over their government or who was in charge.

There are churches being persecuted today for simply obeying God’s word. What’s more, they are suffering for shedding light on the scriptures for others. We know that darkness does not like the light, and those events are the proof. (John 3:19-21)

How do we deal with a government that is both sanctioned by God’s word and Breaking God’s word?

In times like these, where the government and its citizens seem to have abandoned God, it is very important that Christians get back to the basics. We need to do our best to be on our best behavior. This is the weapon of choice against the ignorance and foolishness of those people. (1 Peter 2:15) Peter goes on to encourage goodness in the face of mistreatment as this is worth something in the sight of God. (1 Peter 2:20)

As we face these discussions with our secular friends, we can stand tall with our faith and God’s word as our shield and sword. (Ephesians 6:17) To do this we need to:
- Practice impeccable behavior
- Get good with our scriptures
- Understand the weakness in the other’s arguments and remove the weakness in ours.
Most of all … Trust God’s plan and keep fighting the good fight. (1 Timothy 6:12)

Daily Bible reading for August 23

Psalm 21
1 Samuel 9:1-10:16
Lamentations 1
1 Peter 2:11-3:12
August 23, 2013
A Perfect Creation
God’s glory is spelled out in his creation.

Psalm 19 opens declaring that nature – the universe we live in – is the proof, the voice and the design of God. There is nowhere on earth to hide from this declaration.

As we get older and lose the childish wonder we are all born with, it seems we forget to “stop and smell the roses.” We no longer sit and contemplate a butterfly or the stars in the heavens. I wonder if that doesn’t have something to do with the difficulty we have setting a priority of studying God’s word frequently and deeply.

David transitions from the beauty of God’s creation to the beauty and perfection of the word of God as if to show us just how huge it really is. He tells us

Sometimes we need to stop and consider God’s creation

it is perfect,

it is right

it is pure,

clean and true …

In our time, we have the privilege of being able to hold the complete collection of the things God wanted us to know in our hands. It fits on our smart phones. We can have abundant copies to give away for very little cost. This is a collection of works that people have had to die over.

Like most things we forget to treasure it when we have it in abundance. Shouldn’t we remember its power? With God’s word we can:
- convert a soul ( 2 Corinthians 7:9-11, Acts 3:19-20)
- glean simple wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:18-25)
- bring joy to the heart (1 Peter 1:3-9)
- enlighten the eyes (1 John 1:5-7, Ephesians 5:8-17)
- see God’s endurance (1 Peter 1:22-25)
Today, I give you permission to slow down and take in the world and take in the word. Those who are forgetting to do this are those who are not as close to God as they need to be. Listen to his speech. Take in his knowledge (Psalm 19:2)
August 21, 2013
The Blackberry Test

My hands were sticky and purple from broken blackberries and burning from the briar scratches. They seemed to scratch me no matter what I tried to avoid it.

I had been out there for what seemed like forever to my sixth grade experience and the bottom of my pan was barely covered.

How I ended up in this mess is just a blur – All I know is I simply asked my grandmother when there was going to be blackberry jelly this year.

If she said anything, I didn’t hear it. She just bent under the sink and I heard her digging that pan out from under the sink. That pan is the pan that comes out when someone is going to have to go to the garden – and it held at least 40 gallons. Any twelve year old that hears that sound would know to run the other direction, but I was trapped.

Let me just say, I have since have tested every blackberry jelly sold in stores and I have never found one that comes close to the jelly my grandmother used to make.

Blackberries are a lot of trouble to gather, but worth it in the end!

After suffering awhile with the hot sand and the thorns, I see a most joyous site! Grandma was coming out to rescue me! In a matter of minutes, the pan was full enough for her and she invited me back up to have something to drink. On the walk up I asked her how long I had been out there. She said she thought it was a little more than a half an hour.

The answer to the next question became part of the fabric of my life. “Why does it have to be so hard to get the blackberries?”

With a soft laugh she replied, “So you’ll remember to be thankful for them.”

I’m sure I didn’t have a lot of use for that answer as a sixth grader, but as I read through 1 Peter 1:3-9 and think about those Christians dealing with some extraordinary times, I start to really get that. The passages about how our patience and joy should grow and abound also take me back to that day almost every time. (James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-5)

“So I’ll remember to be thankful ….”

I’m sure Grandma would be proud to know she was first to introduce me to the idea that life’s challenges happen for our benefit just like these passages teach us.

I am sure too, that the jelly was the best ever that year.

Daily Bible reading for August 20

Psalm 18
1 Samuel 5:1-7:2
Jeremiah 50
1 Peter 1:1-12

August 20, 2013