Author: Butch Adams

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
Prepare For Worship
As we prepare for worship today, let us really prepare.

Before Worship

As you are getting ready, be deliberate about the setting yourself up to be in a positive mood.
- Stretch or exercise lightly
- Eat something
- Dress well
- Sing some hymns – just the parts you know by heart
These are all things that set you up to have a great day, every day. They also show your intention of worshiping God rather than that you just barely made it.

During Worship

When you get to worship, make sure you are fully involved. Put away the world for a couple of hours. A complete worship should look something like:
- Bible class – listen, participate, ask questions. The teacher spent a lot of time preparing for you.
- Singing – bring your heart to this part of the worship, it is your instrument (Ephesians 5:19)
- Praying – listen to every word as they are offered up to God. Prayer is powerful (James 5:16)
- Communion – contemplate the love of God shown through the gift of his Son. (John 3:16)
- Giving – You should have already planned the portion of you earnings you will return to the Lord (1 Corinthians 16:2)
- Sermon – Again, someone spent a lot of time preparing. Takes notes. Write good points in the margin of your Bible. Try to understand.
Part of worshiping in spirit and in truth is actually being there in your whole heart, mind and body. (John 4:24) Start today looking for ways to improve that.
August 25, 2013
Baptism and Noah’s Flood
In 1 Peter 3:18-20, Peter compares baptism with the flood and the salvation of Noah’s family. In the same way that the flood separated Noah from the wicked, baptism separates us from the world and brings us into Christ.

Five More Ways the Flood Points to Baptism

So how else does the flood point to baptism and Christianity?

Cole Thomas – The Subsiding of the Waters of the Deluge – 1829
- Noah was on the water for nine months, then began to live on the earth. Christians are to be born of water (John 3:5)
- The flood destroyed the wicked who laughed and scoffed at Noah. Baptism might be thought to do the same thing considering the numbers that scoff and deride it as unnecessary.
- Water saved Noah. Water saves Christians who walk in newness of life.
- The flood washed away the filth of an evil generation. Water washes away sins (Acts 22:16)
- Just a few were saved through the flood. Just a few, in relative terms, will be save through baptism.
Baptism is our way to get into Christ. Responding to our faith in baptism is God’s plan for the beginning of our life serving him. Baptism is the way we gain association with Christ ad his church.
August 24, 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
Built Up to Sacrifice
God’s original intention for his children were to become a nation of his priests. (Exodus 19:6) Jesus was the cornerstone of that intention. Having been baptized into him, we are to be used as living stones to build up his spiritual temple. (1 Peter 2:4-5) Christians therefore, are his priests. The concept is also a major point in the book of Hebrews and mentioned in Revelation 1:6.

Part of the responsibilities of the priests were to offer sacrifices. This was a big deal to the Jews of the time because once Christ sacrificed himself, there was no more need for the bloodshed of bulls and goats. This took away a major part of the ceremony of the Jewish nation. Peter reminds us that that we are a part of the holy priesthood with related tasks to practice.

Ten Ways Christians Sacrifice

New Testament Christians do not offer sacrifices the same way the Jews did. We have a number of other responsibilities that Peter refers to as Spiritual Sacrifices. (1 Peter 2:4-5)

We sacrifice through our:

Francisco de Zurbarán, The Bound Lamb, 1635–40. Rights
reserved © Museo Nacional del Prado–Madrid.
- Our faith (Philippians 2:17)
- Our love of God (Mark 12:33)
- Our repentance (Hosea 14:2)
- Our confession of faith in Christ (Hebrews 13:15,16)
- Our baptism into Christ (Romans 12:1, Hebrews 10:19-22)
- Our praise of God (Hebrews 13:15)
- Our contributions (Philippians 4:18)
- Our songs (Colossians 3:16)
- Our prayers (Revelation 5:8)
- Our life of honor and love (2 Timothy 4:6, Ephesians 5:2)
As we worship and serve God in these various ways, we need to be mindful of the reasons we do them. We often forget the reason and only go through the motions.

Daily Bible reading for August 22

Psalm 20
1 Samuel 8
Jeremiah 52
1 Peter 2:4-10
August 22, 2013