Read 2 Peter 
 
2 Peter 1:3-7 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. 5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.
 
PETER’s letter is to a church. Each church member wants harmony, peace, love and joy, don’t we? To get to that kind of life, we go through a process similar to the way we become mature in the way we live. For example, from the day we are born to when we grow old in God’s grace our parents, our schools, certain people and other influences guide us to learn and become better equipped to have a good life. If we learn life’s lessons and use our knowledge correctly, we will essentially live a maturing life of good habits, effective work, right relationships and economic stability. This is the way of productive living in our physical life.
   Peter has given to you a very specific formula to live a godly spiritual life. Following this plan from the time you are “born again”, you will have a mature life with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. By his divine power God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. Do you want to know God’s will? Then build your life toward God in the building blocks Peter described.
   Notice “godliness” is one of the building blocks. This is a word that is seldom used, but we should speak it often. In the general culture of that day, “godliness” referred to family love. It was an intense love for brothers and sisters. To encourage godliness with brotherly affection is to say, “Love each other in the church with a complete, deep love.” This is a God-like love with the purpose to uplift, protect and correct one another. Godliness is a love that is willing to submit your life to God for the good of his church.
   Through the apostle Peter, God the Spirit has given you a plan to mature in your spiritual life. Just as you would mature in your physical life, you must be deliberate to do the right things. Build your life with God on God’s terms.   

Read 1 Peter
 
1 Peter 4:8-10 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. 10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.
 
DO you want to know how to get along with others, perhaps a spouse, family, friends, and even your “enemies”? Then take to heart Peter’s words. His entire letter points to reconciliation, of making and keeping peace. They are teachings to help you deal with harsh words others may say to you. These are also instructions to help you live in Jesus’ teachings.
   1 Peter tells you how to get along well with all around you. Of course, the transformed disciple used Jesus, the Good Shepherd, as our example: 1 Peter 2:25 Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls. Then he wrote instructions for marriages: In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over. And he taught husbands: In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered. (1 Peter 3:1 & 7) Following Jesus will bless your marriage.
    Then he spoke to all in the church: Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted and keep a humble attitude. (1 Peter 3:8 ) In other words, be as Jesus. Peter knew what it was like to follow the sinful nature, and so do we. Peter learned to follow the Good Shepherd, and so must we.
   This letter goes to the heart of the church—people caring for each other, people withstanding suffering, and families living in harmony.
   Jesus, the Prince of Peace, the Christ who cares for you has stretched out his hands to you. Pray for Jesus’ healing touch on yourself today. Pray you can show that care to others. That kind of love will make a profound difference in your life, and you will help more people know the Good Shepherd. 

​Troubles are Good?
Read James & Jude
 
James 1:2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
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James 1:12-13 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.
 
DO you enjoy the trials in your life? Of course you don’t. Trials are debilitating, hurtful events and circumstances that diminish your energy for positive living and destroy your ability to enjoy life. What do you think would happen to your mind and your attitude if you counted your trials as joy? Quite simply, you would change.
   Yes, when you understand James’ teaching here, you will see trials as an integral part of life. As you trust God through each day, a deep sense of well-being will rule your heart. Little things and big things against you won’t upset you. They will be a way you can experience God’s tender, firm and strong hand guiding you through each day. You will be thankful for the little blessings and the ordinary goodness of each day. Finding joy in trials will ease your mind. You wouldn’t have to worry because you don’t worry about joyful things. You accept them, learn from them and become more secure as God’s chosen child.
   Finding joy in trials, you would also live with expectation. You would realize that such a mindset would lead to a special blessing from God! Imagine that! God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Your earthly trials will lead to a special blessing God has planned for you if you patiently endure your trials. Yes, you will receive a crown of life! Such faith will open your life to receive God’s blessing now, preparing you for a life of joy with him in heaven forever.
 
A Blessing and A Benediction
 
Jude 2 May God give you more and more mercy, peace, and love.
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Jude 24-25 Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. 25 All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.
 
JUDE – a half-brother of Jesus – begins this short letter with a blessing. What better gift could come to people in the church than to experience and enjoy more and more mercy, peace, and love? A life filled with these blessings is a life responding to God’s gracious salvation. And it is a life that gracefully offers mercy, peace and love to others. When you have it, you can’t keep it!
   Be careful to guard this blessing. Many will come along to attack your beliefs. They will test your commitment to your Lord. And you will be tempted to turn from God’s
gracious gifts because our sin nature is to desire something more.
   Always remember who you worship. Listen to Jude’s benediction in verses 24-25. In Jesus Christ, your Savior, is glory, majesty, power and authority. Jesus’ glory is the honor we give him because he has paid the price for our sin. Jesus’ majesty is his Kingship. He reigns over all the earth. Jesus’ power cancels sin, judges wrong and welcomes his own into his Kingdom. Jesus’ authority is to be feared. He has the final say on who enters into his eternal heaven.
   Yes, as you believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you have received mercy, peace and love. Nurture these wonderful gifts lavished on you. These blessings will abundantly grow in you as you often give them to others.
 

Read Titus   
 
Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. 12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, 13 while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. 14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.
 
WHAT is salvation? It is God rescuing us from sin, isn’t it? Salvation means we are right with God. We will enter into heaven when our time on earth is complete. And, if you can believe it,  salvation is even so much more! Paul lists here several ways salvation affects our lives right now.
   First, we turn from godless ways and sinful desires. This is a significant challenge in our new life. Old habits and thoughts are very difficult to put away. Yet, we must have the attitude we will do all things necessary to live in God’s holy truth. This is surely possible as the Spirit indwells our souls. He will help us live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God. When the world seems to overwhelm our hearts and minds, these are good words to encourage and strengthen us.
   We will enjoy additional strength while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. Hopeful living is living in the great promise God has delivered to us through the gospel. How marvelous to know that God is so good and loving to choose us to this destiny. Salvation living is true hope living. Why wait until heaven to enjoy it? You can trust God’s words because he gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people. The God who spoke the universe into existence has spoken your life into eternity.
   Be eager to live totally committed to doing good deeds, so you will show the Good LORD to a broken world. God is with you now!

Read 1 Timothy
 
1 Timothy 3:14-16 I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, 15 so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith: Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory.
 
PAUL is a spiritual father to Timothy, who was leading the church at Ephesus. Paul was a loving mentor, wanting his students to stand firm for Jesus Christ against many challenges. Here he instructed and encouraged Timothy regarding two good and true purposes of the church. First, the church is the household of God. Believers must be aware of God’s presence in his church and should conduct themselves as God’s children both in the assembly and in their lives. Second, God’s church is to be a pillar and foundation of the truth. A church is obligated to live in God’s truth. If it does not, it must repent or disband. There is no church where God’s Word is not its pillar and foundation.
   After all, the church is one of God’s ways to reveal himself to the world. It exists because of the great mystery of our faith: Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. But why does Paul call this a mystery? After all, a mystery is a vague understanding. It can delay or prevent us from seeing facts correctly. Is it good to base our faith on what we cannot completely know? The gospel is clearly defined, spoken and learned, isn’t it?
   But surprisingly, some mystery of God is an essential of faith. The Hebrews’ author wrote: Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. (Hebrews 11:1) Paul’s and Hebrews’ point is that we cannot fully grasp why and how Jesus Christ came to a crime-ridden earth. Why would a Holy God want to draw some people into his eternal household? How do we understand Jesus to be fully God and fully man? How can God be Father, Son and Spirit?
   Yes, we can with study and life experience come to know the essentials of these truths. But we cannot fully understand God until we are fully with him. It is your task, then, to build your faith and church on the foundation of Jesus’ gospel as the apostles taught. Conduct your lives in God’s truth. Submit your life to God, who continues to reveal the mystery of his great love to redeem you.   

Read Philippians
 
Philippians 3:8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ…10  I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!
 
MATERIAL goods can be a hindrance to our Christian lives. Some of Jesus’ parables warn us of earthly riches keeping us from God. Our lives can become very focused on gathering more goods. Too many people have cluttered storage areas and even spend money to store things that do not fit in their house. For some reason, once we have the material possessions they become a heart possession. These extras will often clutter our relationship with God.
   Paul’s powerful confession that knowing Jesus is worth more than all things we can own is an admonition for us all. Whether we have too much or too little, we must first recognize the power of Jesus Christ is the true riches of our lives. Paul wanted to know Christ, to experience Jesus’ mighty resurrection power, to suffer with him so that in some way he would  truly live as one resurrected from the dead.
   What must we do to clean open our spirit more “cleanly” to the Holy Spirit? We always go back to the basics to remember who God is and how he has saved us. If you understand with a deep thankfulness that God has graciously saved you, you will trust this same God who takes care of (you) will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)
   With the clutter gone, you will more certainly know the power of Jesus’ resurrection is all that matters.   
 
 

Read Ephesians
 
Ephesians 2:18-22 Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us. 19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. 20 Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. 21 We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.
 
HAVE you ever known someone who has become a naturalized citizen of the United States? This is a marvelous transformation for the person. He or she has come to this country seeking a better life. They have found a job, received proper credentials to live here, and gone to classes to learn about the United States.
   When the big day comes, the immigrant is approved for entry as a citizen. Big smiles come to the face and heart of the new citizen. He or she is now united with the United States. They can vote and participate in the democracy. They have all the rights of citizenship. And they have the responsibilities of citizenship. In essence they have their new country in their heart. United States’ citizenship is a part of who they are. 
   And so it is the same with our citizenship with Christ. Thank God that his Spirit has opened the way for us to come into this “country”, the Kingdom of God, that Christ has built on the foundation of the apostles. Thank God his Spirit lives in you, and you are at home in God’s Kingdom.
 
His Perfect Plans
 
Ephesians 3:17-19 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
 
THERE was a young lady who had three graduate schools accept her application. Two offered to pay for her education. A third didn’t. Because she trusted God, she prayed about the right school. He guided her to the third school that had no monetary offer. But as she followed her Lord, she very clearly saw him at work.
   She soon learned the school had a program in a research project specific to her interests and experience. This study course offered to pay her tuition, and it also paid her a salary and health benefits!
   What’s the point? When Paul wrote, “Your roots will grow down into God’s love.”  he was urging a complete confidence in God through all circumstances. When you know with your heart that Jesus loves you and died for you, you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. You will understand the power of Jesus’ wide, high, long and deep love in you.
   God had a plan for the graduate student. He perfectly designed it for her. The only way she could know his plan was to seek God and to live into his guidance.
   Seek God. Seek his plans. Trust he knows what he is doing. God will bless you, and you will rejoice in his blessings.
 

Read Colossians, Philemon
 
Colossians 3:12-14 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
 
GOD has brought to you and your household a huge bag of clothes. As you open the bag you discover the various clothes are labeled “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” You are surprised and happy for the gifts. But you’re a bit unsure. So you ask the Father, who gave them to you, “Are all of these for me? What am I to do with them?”
   And his response would be, “Yes, my child, these are for you. I love you and want to give you the best things in life. Put them on. Wear them wherever you go. They will enrich your life and the lives of those around you.”
   As he leaves to deliver his gifts to others, you try on humility. When you do, you realize you have been wrong to be so demanding of others. You put on forgiveness, and you think of someone who hurt you last week with unkind words. Now you call them to tell them you care for them. A bit later you try on goodness and compassion, and they fit perfectly. Your thoughts turn to being more intentional to do what is right. You consider helping your neighbor who is a single parent.
   When you put on patience you remember someone in your church needs a bit of your time. So you stop your agenda and listen to his needs. You kindly offer to pray with him, and God clothes him with comfort.
   Yes, God has brought spiritual clothes for us to wear on our hearts. Wear them with joy. They will enrich your life and help people know the Great Giver.
 
A Practical Application
 
Philemon 10 I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison.
 
PAUL lived into his own teaching. In his appeal to Philemon for Onesimus, Paul wore the clothes of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and forgiveness. Onesimus was a slave who had stolen from Philemon. But Onesimus became a changed man, helpful to Paul. Paul urged Philemon to forgive Onesimus and welcome him home as a brother in Christ. Paul was even willing to pay the cost of Onesimus’ sin.
   Yes, it is appropriate for criminals to pay for their crimes. That is God’s law. But if Philemon would forgive his slave, he would display Jesus’ holy love for all of us who are slaves to sin. Philemon’s forgiveness would affirm his faith in God’s power to transform and restore lives.
   Philemon was a church leader. One good way to lead Jesus’ church is to be a living witness of Jesus’ love and grace. 

Read Acts 27 thru 28
 
Acts 28:22-24 “But we want to hear what you believe, for the only thing we know about this movement is that it is denounced everywhere.” 23 So a time was set, and on that day a large number of people came to Paul’s lodging. He explained and testified about the Kingdom of God and tried to persuade them about Jesus from the Scriptures. Using the law of Moses and the books of the prophets, he spoke to them from morning until evening. 24 Some were persuaded by the things he said, but others did not believe.
 
AS we may doubt our ability to tell the gospel to someone, let’s be encouraged with Acts’ closing words. Paul had finally arrived in Rome! Many Christians welcomed him, and many curious Jews wanted to hear from him. It’s sad to hear their only news of Christianity was that it was denounced everywhere.
   But that’s our first point of encouragement. The world today is not rejecting Jesus for the first time in history. One grievous truth throughout Scripture and history is that Jesus is and will be rejected until history ends. So be strong against the unbelief. Others have dealt with it, and so can you. This is the reality of good versus evil.
   Second, we can be encouraged with the results of Paul’s teaching. Some were persuaded by the things he said, but others did not believe. Think of it. Here was one of the greatest gospel teachers in history. The Spirit of God had used him to physically and spiritually heal hundreds, perhaps thousands of people. Paul has started churches around Asia Minor and in Europe. His letters are profound teaching instruments still instructing us today. He had done magnificent work for Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior. Yet not all believe his teaching.
   As we determine true Christian discipleship, we must understand there are things we can control and things we can’t. One thing we can control is our own heart to obey God as fully as we can. We can control our heart with a devotion to God in reading his Word, confession of our sins, learning from others and helping to build Christ’s community with spiritual gifts.
   But we can’t control others’ hearts. Their response is not in our power. Your speaking is your response to the gospel. Their hearing is their response to the gospel.
   Do not feel, then, you have failed if people do not listen or confess. This happened even to Paul most of the time. You succeed when, in God’s view, you tell and teach the good news with your words and your actions. That’s what Paul did in the Power of the Spirit. And we can do the same.
    
   

Read Acts 24 thru 26
 
Acts 26:17-18 “‘And I will rescue you from both your own people and the Gentiles. Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles 18 to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.’”
 
ACTS 24-26 could be a four-act play. Aggressive Jews falsely charged Paul with rioting and desecrating the Temple when he was merely, in the Jews’ tradition, fulfilling a vow. From this accusation Paul used the privilege of his Roman citizenship to stand before various Roman appointed rulers. He defended himself first before Felix. Second Paul spoke to Felix and his wife, Drusilla – a Jew who wanted to hear from Paul. Third, Paul stood before Felix’s replacement, Festus. And fourth, King Agrippa and his sister Bernice heard Paul’s testimony. Agrippa and Bernice were the children of Herod Agrippa I, who killed the apostle James and imprisoned Peter (Acts 12). None of them found any reason for the Jews’ accusations against Paul. That was Pilate’s decision for Jesus. The difference was that Pilate surrendered his innocent prisoner to the Jews. Paul was sent to Rome. All was done under God’s direction. The Author of Life wrote the drama, chose the actors and determined its performance time.
   Other than the Jews’ opposition to Jesus, what was a second reason for Paul’s troubles? It was a result of God’s instructions: “I am sending you to the Gentiles to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God.” Everything Paul did was established in eternity past and made visible during his ministry. His entire life became focused on proclaiming, “Jesus saves.” In Jesus’ power, Paul faithfully 1) opened blind eyes to the Holy God. 2) turned people from Satan’s darkness to Jesus’ light 3) saw the Gentiles’ sins forgiven 4) watched God welcome sinners into his home.
   As you’ve read through Acts, perhaps the Holy Spirit has caused you to consider the day you said, “I confess Jesus.”  Yes, you have heard the Good News. God has forgiven your sins. He has welcomed you into his eternal home. And he has made you a messenger of hope.
   Acts has described Jesus’ ascension, the church’s beginning, Stephen’s martyrdom, Peter’s powerful ministries and Paul’s dynamic transformation. The church has begun in Jerusalem. It has gone through Judea, to Samaria, to Europe and to Africa. Persecution has strengthened the church. The gospel has been defended from legalists and false teachers. This is the blueprint for the church to prepare for Jesus’ re-entry into the world. You are saved for an eternal purpose for both yourself and for the world.
   When we are with people and ask ourselves, “Should I talk of Jesus?” let’s remember this: No other task is so great and noble. This is the “love work” Jesus has given to us as we “love one another”. People must have the opportunity to respond to “Jesus saves.” Rejoice each day you have his gift to give “to the Gentiles” who have yet to be welcomed into God’s house. God has written his drama. He has selected you as one of his actors.