Hi, if you’re visiting my blog because you’ve just read my devotion, “A Life Pleasing to God,” welcome! Just don’t expect to find someone who has it all together spiritually. I struggle everyday with my faith walk. If I’ve learned anything it’s that being a Christian is a journey–a long journey that isn’t complete until we’re home in heaven at our Father’s house.
The good news is our Father has left us a map to follow–the bible. In it we can find truth, direction, comfort, encouragement, correction and life lessons. If you and I are teachable and desire to be all God intends us to be…well our journey will be successful. It won’t be easy. But then again God never promised us smooth sailing…just a sure landing and the promise of His presence along the way.
For example, getting out of the way so that God can live His life through me is a moment by moment struggle for me! I like to be in charge! And yet, by surrendering everyday and apply God’s Word to my life, I’m better today than I use to be and that’s what counts…that you and I are seeing spiritual progress.
I often read 2 Peter 1:3-11. It’s loaded with steps we can take for spiritual growth. Read it with me.
”His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through theses he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
Wow! Right off the bat God gives us divine power and all His precious promises to make it! We can’t do anything on our own, but through the Holy Spirit we are equipped to handle anything. So, if you’re thinking…I can’t love my husband anymore–you’re right. You can’t. But Christ in you can by exchanging your will for His.
Let’s read on. ”For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self- control; and to self-control; perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.”
Another amazing promise is if we apply these things to our lives, again by the power of God at work in us, then we will be productive in all we do! How’s that for a guarantee! I bet you can’t get that at Lowe’s!
”Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
I love this last promise…we will never fail. Isn’t failure one of your biggest fears? Whether is being a wife, mother, daughter, employee, or friend, failure is what we dread. But God says, I can do all things but fail you. That’s a promise we can be certain of when we yield our lives to Christ and allow His attributes to live in and through us!
Laura says
Thank you so much, Micca, for reminding me of that beautiful scripture! Paul’s words have always seemed like a song to me in these verses. The faith bones connected to the goodness bone; the goodness bones connected to the knowledge bone; the knowledge bones connected to the…oh, well, you get the picture! It’s such a great list of characteristics I need to work on, that I’ve memorized these verses several times (and then promptly forgot them–do you think God is trying to tell me to keep working?). Thank you again, Dear, for your sweet encouragement.
Shari says
I have been struggling with dead flesh, in fact, up since 3:30 this morning waging spiritual battle. Then I open my e-mail and found this devotional. Amazing how God always has the right things to say at the right time. Thank you for being His conduit to me today. God bless!
Digging for Pearls says
Thanks for the reminder Micca!
Mariel says
Great post, thanks!
Did you see the exciting thing She Speaks is doing?? Praise the Lord, I had the chance to enter! I pray the Lord provides the opportunity for me to attend this year!
blessings, mariel
growingingodliness.blogspot.com
MelissaTaylor.org says
Oh Micca…thank you so much! I so need the reminder that I won’t fail…I can’t fail…especially because in 2007 I “felt” like such a failure! But I “know” I’m not. Your words always encourage me, but even more so they point me upward towards the Lord. I miss you Miss Tennessee!
Love,
Melissa