Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.
Summary: Solomon demonstrates the wisdom that God has given him by modeling excellent communication techniques in these two verses.
Continue reading “Proverbs 3: 1-2 — Good Communication”
Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard…
Summary: Peter is about to depart this world and he tells this news to his brothers and sisters in Christ. How would they have felt? How would they respond? These are the questions we wrestle with today.
Continue reading “2 Peter 3:17a Pt II — The Guide”
Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard…
Summary: Things are not always what they seem. What we cannot see is greater than what we can see. Peter has warned us of several things. Today we look back at confirming our calling.
Continue reading “2 Peter 3:17a Part I — Illusions”
He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters.
Summary: How we speak and write reflects how we think and feel. Paul is no different than any of us on that point.
Continue reading “2 Peter 3:16a — Consistency”
… just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you …
Summary: Peter’s reference to Paul provides an important endorsement of Paul’s teachings in the New Testament.
Continue reading “2 Peter 3:15b — The Bridge”
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be?
Summary: What will God be looking for in the ashes of his creation? When everything is “laid bare” what will be left that is of interest to our Lord? The answer lies in what God thinks is important.
Continue reading “2 Peter 3:11a Part II — God’s Vineyard”
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be?
Summary: The stage is a marvelous metaphor for life. The actors fill a costume and a role. Then, when the play is over, they exit the theater. In the same way, this life is a theater for our souls. One day our play will end. What then?
Continue reading “2 Peter 3:11a Part I — Casting Call”
… and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.
Summary: God’s Word explains clearly in many ways that there will be a final judgment. In today’s passage, Peter repeats this truth one more time.
Continue reading “2 Peter 3:10c — Face to Face”
… but [God wants] everyone to come to repentance.
Summary: The word “repent” often carries with it vague connotations of emotional trauma. In fact, what Peter is telling us is that if we reject the idea of God, God wants us to change our minds.
Continue reading “2 Peter 3:9d — Street Preachers”
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Summary: It is easy to get caught up in “going with the flow” and celebrate Christmas without knowing why. Pausing to think about why we celebrate Christmas will add meaning and light to our celebration.
Continue reading “Luke 1: 38 — Christmas Eve”