Daily Inspirations

  Good morning. Today we start with second Peter. I think I said before just how poetical this first chapter is. So many times things come in pairs. Peter is writing to those who have received a faith of the same kind as his. Apostles did not receive a different kind of faith than we did. It may be a lot stronger because they have exercised it. By the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. (we already have a few pairs). Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. We have everything we need through His divine power. Of course it wasn't to spend on our own pleasure; it was so that we could live a godly life. People say that they have a knowledge of Jesus; but too many times it is not a true knowledge based on the word of God. They try to make Jesus fit their own...

  Good morning. I hope all is well with you. Speaking of the devil: resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. I'm sure that knowing that you are not alone makes you feel warm and fuzzy like a caterpillar. But the onus is on us to resist him (you did notice the play on words there). We feel like we are the only ones going through something. Surely no one is suffering like I am. Sometimes when I complain about an ache or pain I remember just how bad other people have it. And of course that makes me forget all about my problems – right? I wish. Unfortunately our brains are strange. When we have some sort of problem or difficulty, it is hard for our brain to see ourselves without that problem. But of course that is exactly what we're supposed to do – that is faith. And after you have suffered for a little while (and it came to pass – thank God it didn't come to stay), the God of...

  Good morning. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. The word translated unfading is the same one used way back in chapter 1 which says that we have an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away. Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. So when you put your clothes on in the morning, also put on your humility. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time. Notice that we have to do the humbling. We can't fight the battle ourselves, so we need to hide under God's mighty hand. And how do we humble ourselves? By casting all of our anxiety upon Him, because He cares for us. But God… When we are anxious about something, then all of the pressure is upon us to succeed. We have to humble ourselves and trust God that in His timing everything will work out as it should. It is easier sa...

  Good morning. I hope you are feeling well. Good news? It is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? Isn't it great to be first? Our judgment actually begins while we are still alive. The purpose of that judgment is so that we will become more like Christ before we die. Of course after they die, it is too late for unbelievers to change their lives. And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. It's hard to accept but whatever happens to our physical bodies in the end really is not that important (though it feels like it at the time). It's what happens to our souls that matters. Peter then encourages the elders to: shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising ove...

  Good morning. Here are some more ominous words: do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you. "This is just a test". That's not something to look forward to. To the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation. As we have said before, He did not suffer because He had done wrong. He suffered for doing right. And how do we suffer? If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. As we have talked about many times before, nonbelievers say bad things about us simply because we are Christians. They hope to get rid of us. If they cannot do that by making us do something that gets us fired, they make us uncomfortable so that we will want to quit on our own. On the other hand: by no means let any of you suffer as a murd...

  Good morning. Now a statement that can either be considered glorious or ominous: The end of all things is at hand. So what should we do – run and hide? Therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Well if you know the end is at hand, shouldn't you be praying, and not for yourselves – it should be to bring others to Christ. Keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. That does not mean that it excuses those sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Of course you may think that you have not received a special gift - in actuality you just haven't discovered it yet. Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs t...

  Good morning. Speaking of the resurrection of Jesus: who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him. Since Christ has suffered in the flesh arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin. Now the margin says that it means suffered death in the flesh. Of course if you have died, then you certainly are not going to keep on sinning. The result is that we are to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles (it then lists a bunch of bad things). We should be done with all of those bad things. They are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excess of dissipation, and they malign you. They think that you should be enjoying the same bad things that they enjoy. And so in order that they don't feel...

  Good morning. Now the next verse does not say that the following will happen, just that if it does: for it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. Now no one wants to suffer for any reason. Our example, of course, is Christ. For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit. Jesus said not My will but Yours. He did suffer for doing right. In which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you – not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience – through the resurrection of Jesus Chris...

  Good morning. Of course we don't want to suffer; but even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled. Of course that's not easy to do. Too many non-Christians try to intimidate those who are Christians. Now intimidation should not change our minds about what we believe, but it could very easily change what we say or how we act among those who intimidate us. In their minds, they have won. In reality they may have lost forever. So what should we do? Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence. If Christ is our Lord, we should be saying and doing exactly what He wants. We do not push our beliefs on others, but we are always ready to defend what we believe. And if they are asking, we should be telling. Remember that their e ternal destiny may depend on it....

  Good morning. Now chapter 3 starts out with the old: wives be submissive and husbands live with you wives in an understanding way. We will skip over that part - you've heard enough about it. Now the next few verses can stand alone for all Christians; but we are going to look at them in context of husbands and wives. To sum up, let all be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kind hearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil, or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. That is the way it should be between husbands and wives. If they acted like that, how much better would marriage be? Too often there is no harmony, they are not sympathetic to one another, they are not kind hearted, they do return evil for evil and insult for insult, and they certainly don't give a blessing. But again these verses apply to all Christians in their relationships with one another. Refrain your tongue ...

  Good morning. Yesterday we saw that Jesus suffered for us even though: who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously. How could He do that? We would be screaming our innocence. We would be refuting any so-called evidence. He even went to the point that: He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. He did not bear our sins so that we could do just as we please. That would have been a terrible waste. He did it so that we might die not only to sin's effects but also to it's lure. We should have no desire to sin. As always it is not just to keep us from doing wrong. He leads us into doing right. We are to live to righteousness. And then that famous glorious statement: for by His wounds you were healed. And of course those t...

  Good morning. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bond slaves of God. We are free and have liberty. But that does not mean that we can do just any old thing and claim that it is OK. Honor all men; love the brotherhood, fear God honor the king. Just because we are Christians and honor God does not mean that we can dishonor those who are not Christians. This finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a man bears up under sorrow when suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. If you do wrong and get in trouble, you cannot say "I'm just suffering for Jesus". But if you do what God says and get in trouble, then you find favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you ...

  Good morning. For you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Gentiles were looked down upon by the Jews. We had no part with the inheritance of God – it was strictly for the Jews. We were scattered into various groups unlike the Jews who were all one. I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul. That's kind of like Paul's "I find that I'm doing what I don't want to do". Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evil doers, they may on account of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation. This is so true today. Non-Christians are looking for anything that they may use to accuse Christians of doing something bad. And it doesn't matter to them that God would not think that it was bad. They just want to put another notch on their gun....

  Good morning. From Isaiah a quote: Behold I leave in Zion a choice stone, a precious cornerstone, and he who believes in Him shall not be disappointed. This precious value then, is for you who believe. But for those who disbelieve, "The stone which the builders rejected. This became the very cornerstone - a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense". The cornerstone was laid so as to give strength to the two walls with which they were connected. One may carelessly stumble over the cornerstone when turning the corner. Jesus holds it all together. And yet many stumble over Him. They say it's not Jesus only – there are many ways to get to God and heaven. For they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed. If you don't believe the truth, you will believe a lie. And now a contrast: but you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies o...

  Good morning. Back to Peter: and coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected by men, but choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Today just like back then men reject Jesus. All the Scriptures of the Old Testament proclaimed His coming; but as I said before He did not come the way they were expecting. They were expecting a coming king; but He came as a suffering servant. We have to be careful that we're not just like them. There are a lot of people expecting things to turn out a certain way; but what if they are wrong? We are not dead stones, but rather living ones being built up as a spiritual house. We are a holy priesthood that offers up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. In the book of Revelation it is says that He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father. Father thank...

  Good morning.   All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls off, but the word of the Lord abides forever. Wow – kind of makes you feel worthless, doesn't it? And yes the fleshly part is worthless. But we were born again of the word -   this is the word that lasts forever. As a result, what should we do? Therefore, putting aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. First we've got to put away stuff. And all of that stuff either involves words or quickly leads to bad words. We should have as great a desire for the milk of the word of God as a baby does for pure milk. Sadly, unlike babies, too many times we don't put up a fuss if we don't get the milk of the word. Eventually we don't care whether we get it or not; in fact we w...

  Good morning. Speaking of Jesus: He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Now Jesus existed before the foundation of the world, so I don't think that is what it is talking about Him being foreknown before the foundation of the world. Perhaps it is talking about foreknowing His death and resurrection. He appeared in these last times for us. We would not be believers in God without Jesus. Our faith and our hope are not in man nor man's ability but in God. Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart. It is necessary that our souls be purified to live the Christian life. Otherwise our love for the brethren would not be sincere. It would be "I love you as long as you do what I approve of...

  Good morning. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in all your behavior, because it is written, "you shall be holy, for I am holy". Remember that in Romans it says do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. We are God's children so we should be like Him – holy. And if you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each man's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay upon earth. That sounds ominous. Where is all that freedom stuff? Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from the futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. If someone was a slave, they could be redeemed if someone else had enough money. All the money in the world could not red...

  Good morning. Continuing with his comments about the prophets: it was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preach the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven – things into which angels long to look. They were writing for us, not for themselves. What they were writing about – Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection – was not for them during their lifetime but was for the Jews in the first century. Yes, salvation is for us, but we did not come to Christ based on scriptures from the Old Testament but rather the New Testament (which were based on scriptures from the Old Testament). The preaching of the gospel comes through the Holy Spirit. It is not man's words and inspiration, but God's. Why didn't God just speak to them from heaven? When God did speak during Jesus' time, they said it thundered. As a result, you are to gird your minds for action, keep sober in s...

  Good morning. We ended last time talking about praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. And though you have not seen Him you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory. Remember that Jesus told Thomas "because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed." You believed without seeing. If a lawyer told you that you had inherited $1 million, you would be overjoyed even though you did not see it. The Bible tells us of things to come, and we are overjoyed, even though we cannot see them. Obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful search and inquiry, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glorious to follow. That must...

  Good morning. Continuing where we left off yesterday: we were chosen to be born again to a living hope to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you. Rust and moths are not going to corrupt our inheritance. It is also undefiled. It will not fade away – that is, it is going to last forever. The words translated will not fade away are actually the negative of to quench a fire. That is an interesting choice of words because of what will be said later - that our faith will be tested by fire. This inheritance is reserved in heaven for you Rani. It's got your name on it - and no one can take it away. I think you could agree with the next verse which says: in this you greatly rejoice. But there could be a catch – even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials. Nobody wants to go through trials. And what is the result? That the proof of your faith, being more precious than go...

  Good morning. Today we start the book of first Peter. He is writing to those who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood. Here we have all three members of the Godhead at work. As a note of interest – the word translated foreknowledge is the same Greek word from which we get the word prognosis. God knew all about us ahead of time (and still chose us). He knew that we would believe. It is the Holy Spirit who does His work in us to bring about sanctification. Legally we are sanctified when we are born again; but experientially it takes the work of the Holy Spirit our entire lives to make it a reality. And then we are sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ like the pastor was talking about on Easter with the sprinkling of the blood with hyssop. Peter then says may Grace and peace be yours in fullest measure. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Ch...

  Good morning. Back to James: after saying that if the person has committed sins they will be forgiven him - therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. The prayers of those who are not righteous are not effective. They just bounce off the ceiling. Do we have an example of a righteous man whose prayer was effective? I'm glad you asked. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain; and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. (I would not want him to be mad at me.) And he prayed again, and the sky poured rain, and the earth produced its fruit. Remember: believe that you have received what you asked for, and it shall be granted you. If any one of you strays from the truth, and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover...

  Good morning. I'm sure this does not apply to you. Do not complain against one another, that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door. When we complain against someone, we are judging them (that does not mean that you are incorrect). Remember that it says judge not lest you be judged. Then he mentions as examples of suffering and patience, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. They endured a lot and are blessed. He then talks about the endurance of Job and the outcome of the Lord's dealings – He is full of compassion and merciful. Then some favorite verses: is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praises. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be ...

  Good morning. James admonishes those who say I'm gonna do this or that; and yet they don't know what life will be like tomorrow. They should say if the Lord wills, we will do this or that. The next verse gives us the clue as to what was wrong. As it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. It's not that you have to use the words if the Lord wills. You could be using that as some sort of magic talisman to bring good results. As always, it is the attitude. They were boasting that they were going to do whatever they wanted to and it would succeed. To one who knows the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin. Yes there are sins of omission and not just commission. He then gets all over the rich who trust in their wealth and treat the people that work for them pitifully. Be patient therefore until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. Yo...

  Good morning. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Who does the drawling near first – we do. If you're not close to God, guess who moved? Now you cannot draw near to God unless you: cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded. When you start putting your hands on things of the world, they get dirty. But just because you're not "doing something wrong", does not mean that you are pure. It all comes back to motives. If your heart is not pure, you cannot please God, and you will be double minded. What will be the result – be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy to gloom. Psalms says just the opposite for those who please God. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. You are the one with the responsibility to humble yourself. However, he just said that God gives grace to the humble. It can be exhilarating when those around you exalt you; but that pales...

  Good morning. Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. It's like Jesus said about trying to serve God and mammon. You will hold to one despise the other. And yet you see many Christians trying to appease the people of the world. And not only that, too many times you cannot tell the difference between the way they act and the way the people of the world act. He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us. God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. You heard about the man that his church gave him this big button that said most humble on it. They took it back because he wore it. Moses was called the meekest man on earth, but there were times when he did not seem like it; at least not what we would call meek. He knew where his authority and power came from – God. As long as he did not think that it came from himself, he was fine. As a...

  Good morning. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. When you plant a seed, hopefully you know what type of fruit will result from that seed being planted. You don't plant a tomato seed and hope that corn will grow. You are planting a seed of righteousness to get the fruit of righteousness. You have to sew it in peace; you cannot sew it in strife. What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Church people? They don't have quarrels and conflicts - we wish. Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. Of course it does not mean literally murder. Remember that the desire to murder someone is just as bad as actually doing it. And you are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. Sometimes adults are just like children – they don't like it when they can't get what they want, especially if someone else has obtained it. You do not have becau...

  Good morning. Who among you is wise and understanding? Did I see you raise your hand? Some people claim that they are, and in the world's view point, they are wise and understanding. It makes them feel better than others. Then: let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. However, there is usually no gentleness from them. They are very legalistic – if you don't agree with me, you are wrong. And what happens a lot of times is – if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. That is the result of this kind of wisdom. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. That is not the kind of wisdom that we want. The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. That is just the op...

  Good morning. Just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. Faith is not really a verb, but you can think of it like it is an action verb. And of course action verbs need something to act upon. If they don't have something to act upon, they are "dead". Then James tells us that not many of us should become teachers, knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgment. It is bad enough to have a wrong belief yourself. But when you impart that wrong belief to others, then you will receive greater judgment. You will be multiplying your false doctrine. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. It's a lot easier to think about what we should or should not do. They are concrete. But things that you say – how can that be so bad? Back to that tongue thing. It's not just what we do, but also what we say. We know that old saying is false: ...

  Good morning. You believe that God is one (can be translated – there is one God). You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. Just because someone believes that God exists, does not mean that they are saved. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? Can I get an amen? "Just me and Jesus". If that's your attitude, then your faith is useless. Then some words that seem to contradict Paul. Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the scripture was fulfilled which says, "and Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness." You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone. Paul of course says that we are justified by faith and not by works. That does not mean that there is a contradiction. There are several possibilities, ...