Christian Qualities

2Pe 1:12 Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have.
2Pe 1:13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder,
2Pe 1:14 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.
2Pe 1:15 And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.
(ESV)

The qualities referred to here include virtue, knowledge, self-control, stedfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. As a Christian, these are qualities to be demonstrated in my life. To the people who know me, this should be the norm. As a church in whole, these things are to be normal of the people who make it up. For example, we should be asking each other what God has been doing through the spiritual disciplines in our lives as the norm. It should be weird for someone to not be practicing these things.

Praise God that He has placed people in my life to remind me of these things as Peter did here to those he was writing. I thank God that I have a mom and dad, pastor, elders, and friends who are diligent in reminding me of these things.

It is also amazing that what Peter wrote here still holds true today. In verse 15, Peter says he will try to make it possible for his readers to recall these things at anytime. Today, about 2,000 or so years later, I'm sitting at my computer reading the very things he wanted his readers to be able to recall. Isnt God amazing!

Thanksgiving

1Ch 29:11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all.
1Ch 29:12 Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.
1Ch 29:13 And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.

This passage of Scripture is a prayer. Why is the writer praying this prayer? He is praying and giving thanksgiving in response of God's hand working in his life. He has seen God's greatness, power, glory, victory, and majesty demonstrated in his life. He is acknowledging the supremecy of God by refering to the heaven and earth as His kingdom and Him being exalted as head above all (angels and men).

The first part Verse 13 indicates that the thanksgiving to God is being given at a specific time. "And now we thank you." As we have a specific time to celebrate Thanksgiving, remember to think, like the writer did here, about the hand of God working in your life.

Questions to ponder that should spark thankgiving to God:

How has God shown His greatness in my life?

How have I seen His power?

When/How have I experienced and expressed God's glory in my life.

What victories has God had in my life? (What have I overcome through Him)

How have I seen God's majesty demonstrated in my life?


I pray that God would not let me or my church family let this time of thankgiving go by without true thanksgiving and praise to God.

Old Journal Entry

Wow. The Holy Spirit has used my own words to convict me. God is so awesome and I am thankful for what He has been doing in my life lately. I just thought I would share a old journal entry from almost a year ago. I wrote this on 11-22-04.

2 Thessalonians 3
10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.
11 For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies.
12 Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread.
13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good.


What are the applications in this text?
1.If anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat. We are to work.
2.Do not grow weary of doing good.

What is it the main point?
If we do not work, we do not eat.

What are its parts?
Paul and the other apostles, the good Thessalonians, the lazy Thessalonians, hypocrites.

What Causes it?
People living a undisciplined life.

What does it cause?
Hunger, Separation.

What is it's place, location, or use?
Self-examination, Devotion, motivation, caution, instruction.

What is contrary, contradictory, or different to it?
We are to help those who cannot work

What compares to it?
Problems with laziness, we are to be disciplined

What are the testimonies or examples of Scripture about it?
Galations 6:9,Ruth 2

This is a very truthful Scripture. When can apply this to Spiritual disciplines also. We are to "eat" God's Word daily. Man shall not live on bread alone. So if we do not work for it, we will not get fed. We have to make the time, sit down, read, and meditate. That is work. If we do not do that we will starve to death spiritually. We have to remember that there are some that look like they are working for it but they really arent. Do not get tired doing God's good work. He gives us strength when we "eat" daily. Food nourishes the body like the Word nourishes the soul. Are you starving Spiritually? Go and get into God's Word.

Not Wasting Our Lives

Well, today is Nov. 12. Only about 4 months to the wedding. I'm very excited and thankful to God for such a godly woman as Sarah. I am very excited and I'm looking forward to God using us for His glory.

I just finished watching a movie called, "Beyond the Gates of Splendor." It has really got me thinking. The movie is about true events of five missionaries and their familes, Jim Elliot being one of them. They were trying to reach a certain tribe deep in the jungle. They got there by plane and met with some of the people who were friendly at first, but later killed all 5 guys. The wives of all the men then decided to go into the village and God opened it up to them through a series of events. Eventually, some of the indians were saved and today, the son and grandsons of one of the missionaries have befriended the same guys that killed their grandfather. One of the grandsons even calls one of them granpa. This actually ties into a sermon i have listened to this past week a couple times on my way to work. It is simply entitled, "Don't Waste your Life", by John Piper. God has really used that to rekindle some coals in my heart for Him. This message is probably one of the most important messages I have ever heard. In this message he talks about all the things that have happened. He mentioned a earthquake in Iran that killed 25,000+ people. He then asks this question: "What does Jesus want us to learn about our lives from these calamities?"

Luk 13:1 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
Luk 13:2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
Luk 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Luk 13:4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
Luk 13:5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

We all deserve to die this very second. As you read this, you deserve to die right now. Piper puts it this way, "Your life is in the hands of God and it hangs by a thread of sovereign grace." Wow. That has really been sinking in lately.

Piper goes on to talk about not wasting our lives with the vanity of this world.

I'm 19. What have I accomplished for the glory of God since I have been alive? Have I wasted my life thus far? Ask yourself those questions and you will probably be like me and cringe at honestly answering.

Phi 1:20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
Phi 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

May I adopt that attitude! Paul sums up the Christian's life in 2 verses. Whether it be life or death, Christ is to be magnified in me. Every thing I do should be to make Christ look precious. In my family, Christ is to be shown my treasure. With the money that is entrusted to me, Christ is to be my treasure. People should be able to look at me and it should be clear that Christ is my treasure whether i have 45 million dollars in the bank or 2 dollars. Either way, Christ is to be seen as worth and my treasure.

I am given money, status, cars, toys, etc... all for the purpose of showing the world that Christ is above all and a far more valuable treasure than anything this world can offer.

What a concept.

Father,
I pray that Christ would be counted as a priceless treasure in my life. May all that I do bring glory and honor to His holy name. My life is yours and I pray that you would take it and do with it what you please. You created life and you alone decide what to do with it. When I meet you at my life's end, may I hear, "Well, done thou good and faithful servant, thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Lord, please do not let me waste my life! Give me grace to carry out what you call me to do. Give me a all-consuming passion to magnify Christ with every fiber of my body! May I show that Christ is more valuable to me than my own life! I pray this not only for me but for my church and every christian in the world. Open our eyes to our slavery to the comforts and security of the world. Do not let us go through this life rich and full, while others sink below us in poverty and starvation. As people die and go to hell, may we not sit around, but get to work to show the world that Christ is worth living and dying for.