Daily Inspirations

  Good morning. Today we start the book of first John. You will find that there are many words and phrases that are in both the epistles of John and the Gospel of John. What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life. It starts very much like the gospel of John; only now it is looking backward at it, whereas the gospel was looking at it in the present. John says that they actually touched Jesus; in other words, the Son of God was flesh and blood. This refutes the heresy of Gnosticism from the start. They said that the spirit was entirely good and matter was entirely evil. Some said that Christ only seemed to have a fleshly body, and others that the divine Christ joined the man Jesus at baptism and left Him before He died. Father thank You that Jesus came to earth in a real, fleshly body, and that He died on the cross for us.

  Good morning. Now the verse that seems to substantiate the idea that Peter was talking about the day of the Lord/God being after the millennium: but according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation (if He had come already, there would be those who would not be saved today); just as also our beloved  brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, speaking in his letters some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures (some say that this means that Peter put Paul’s writings on the same level with the rest of the Scriptures - Old Testament), to their own destruction. This is the end of second Peter. Father help us to follow Your Word and not the words of unprincipled people who speak th...

  Good morning. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for (look up, your redemption is drawing nigh) and hastening the coming of the Day of God because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! This is almost an identical description that we just had for the day of the Lord; so it would seem to imply that they are the same day, not two separate days. The verse that follows seems to substantiate the idea that he was talking about the day being at the end of the millennium. If all these horrific things are going to happen to the unbelievers, surely we want to live our lives the way God tells us to. How can we hasten the coming of the day of God? We can by living our lives in a holy manner and sharing the gospel with those around us. Father thank You that we need not fear the coming of Your day, but rather joyfully anticipate it.

  Good morning. Continuing with the idea that the Lord is not slow about His promise… but the day of the Lord will come like a thief (remember that Jesus even mentioned coming like a thief), in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. There are many references in both the Old and New Testaments about the day of the Lord. Exactly what are they talking about? Are they talking about a “single moment in time“, or are they referring to a period of time which could last even 1000 years? (Remember to the Lord a thousand years is as one day.) This sounds like what happens after the millennium when the old heavens and earth pass away and the new ones come; but it also sounds like how someone 2000 years ago would describe an atomic explosion. We will continue this next time. Father help us to always be on the alert so that no matter when the day of the Lord comes, we will be ready.

  Good morning. Continuing with the thought of mockers saying everything has remained the same since the time of the fathers: but do not let this one fact escape your notice, that with the Lord one day is like 1000 years, and 1000 years like one day. (A similar statement is made in Psalm 90:4) Time is meaningless to God since He has always existed and always will. As we get older, time seems to “fly by“. To us a month may seem like no time at all; while to a young child, one month till his or her birthday is an eternity. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. It may seem like it takes forever and the end still hasn’t come, but just be thankful that it did not come the day before you received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. As Einstein would say, “time is relative“. Father thank You that it is not up to us but to You as to when the end will come

  Good morning.… All continues just as it was from the beginning of creation. When they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago (in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth) and the earth was formed out of water (and God said “let the waters below the heavens be gathered into one place, and let the dry land appear“) and by water (of the flood), through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. All the wicked people of the earth, along with the things of the earth and the animals were destroyed by the flood; and only Noah’s family was saved. The cataclysmic end of all things will next time be by fire from God. Father thank You that You have told us of the judgment to come. Help us to live our lives according to Your Word.

  Merry Christmas! I pray you have a really great one with friends and family. The following is without comment. Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee call Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph of the descendants of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming in, he said to her, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." But she was very perplexed at the statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end." Mary said to the angel, "how can this be, since I am a virgin?" The angel answered and...

  Good morning. For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. In other words, I didn’t read it in a book of fairytales. I was there; I saw it with my own eyes. For when He received honor and glory from God the Father (on the mount of Transfiguration when Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with Jesus about His soon “exodus“), such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well pleased“ – and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. Remember that Peter really didn’t know what to think about the situation on the mountain and wanted to build three Tabernacles; one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. Father even though we have not experienced anything like this, we still believe in You and in Your Son.

Good morning. … Make certain about His calling and choosing you… therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. (“I just want to make sure”) I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling (our bodies), stirring you up by way of reminder (“I am not taking any chances”), knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling (Paul called it our earthly tent) is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. Peter is sounding just like Paul in one of his letters near the end of his life. And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure (exodus) you will be able to call these things to mind. Father help us to not be slack in reminding those around us of the things You have taught us in Your word.

  Good morning. For he who lacks these qualities… Do you lack them because you strayed, or because you were never saved in the first place? Therefore, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing (2) you (Paul talks about God choosing us before the beginning of time and then calling us at just the right moment); for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble. If you are a Christian, it should be your desire to not stumble. For in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior (2) Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you. Father thank You that we can be certain that You chose us and called us, abundantly supplying everything we need to enter Your kingdom.

  Good morning. Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence - knowledge – self-control – perseverance – godliness – brotherly kindness – love . (all of these qualities are admirable, and a lot of people possess them without being Christians). For if these qualities are yours and are increasing (2) (you cannot sit on your laurels, if you are a Christian), they render you neither useless nor unfruitful (2) in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (they are not just a nice thing to have). For he who lacks these qualities is blind or shortsighted (2) (Peter did not say that they were not saved), having forgotten his purification from his former sins. When Christians first get saved, a lot of times they will completely change their lives, but over time their former activities creep back into their behavior. We have been purified from them; we should not return. Father help all of these qualities to be ours in abundance and to ever i...

  Good morning. … Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness (2), through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence (2). There is nothing missing, He left nothing out that we would need. There are people who know a lot about Jesus, but do not know Him personally. For by these (glory and excellence) He has granted to us His precious and magnificent (2) promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. If He promised us something, you can be assured that we will obtain them. The end result – that we become partakers of His divine nature. That is so awesome! Father thank You that we can trust that You have given us everything that we need to obtain life and godliness - to partake of Your divine nature.

  Good morning. Today we start second Peter. The first chapter is almost poetical. Over and over again, things come in pairs. The first example: Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle (2) of Jesus Christ. To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours (there are not different faiths for different people; there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism), by the righteousness of our God and Savior (2), Jesus Christ. Grace and peace (2) be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord (2) (this knowledge is not just knowing about someone like some dead person in a book; it is a personal knowledge like of a friend or a relative of yours): seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything (there is nothing lacking) pertaining to life and godliness (2), through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence (2). We will continue this thought next time. Father thank You that You gave us all we would ever need to live the Christian ...

  Good morning. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. There was a time when some people put down the gravity of this verse. They said that the devil was “like” a roaring lion, but toothless. However, toothless lions would not be seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. In the natural, we would run and try to hide from a roaring lion. If we could, we would try to reason with the lion, saying we will do anything that he wanted us to, just don’t eat us. Too many Christians respond to the devil in just the same way. After you have suffered for a little while (it doesn’t seem like a little while when you are going through it), the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. And so we come to ...

  Good morning. OK so God is opposed to the proud and gives grace to the humble – how is that to happen? Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Believe me you don’t want God doing the humbling. That mighty hand will squash you like a bug. Part of the humbling ourselves is casting all our anxieties on Him. We don’t get anxious about how we are going to get out of the predicament we are in; we trust Him to do it. That can be very humbling because we like to do it ourselves. We also get very antsy when it looks like time is running out on us. God is never late – He is an on time God! Father help us to trust You to take care of everything at the proper time.

Good morning. So what is the result of the elders properly shepherding the flock? And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading (same word as in chapter 1 talking about our inheritance that will not fade away) crown (in that day it was actually a wreath like in the games) of glory. You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders (Church position, not just older people); and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Now the phrase “be subject to“ does not mean that you are a doormat and do everything that the elders tell you. They don’t run your personal lives like the “apostles” I talked about last time. Remember that also we are to be subject to one another, and wives to their husbands. However, the elders are responsible for the smooth operation of the church according to God‘s direction. Father continue to make Your Church a shining example to the world.

  Good morning. Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God (which we talked about the last few times) shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you (remember Jesus’ admonition to Peter to shepherd His sheep) exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; not yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, proving to be examples to the flock. As I have said before, there are groups of so-called apostles that have a hierarchy of oversight, kind of like a pyramid scheme. An apostle has several apostles under him/her, each of which is over several churches. Authority goes downward, and money comes upward. Those that do not “obey“ are dealt with severely. F...

  Good morning. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. This is going to happen more and more to Christians in the last days. Make sure that none of you suffers as…; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. Sadly, Christians do feel ashamed when reviled for being followers of Jesus. They yield to the pressure of people around them. For 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? The judgment he is talking about is not the sufferings he previously mentioned because they were followers of Christ. We have to get and keep our house in order. God cannot judge the world, if He lets us skate. Peter does not say what this judgment will be. Father help us to get our lives in order so that we will have nothing to fear from Your judgment.

  Good morning. And how should we employ these special gifts? Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. We are to employ these gifts as if we were doing them for God Himself. We would not be doing them half heartedly, if we were doing them for Him. Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing (not because you did something wrong), as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ (we’ve talked about these sufferings a few verses ago), keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. He never promised us a rose garden (though roses do have thorns). Father help us to do all to Your glory.

  Good morning. The end of all things is near; therefore be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Was Peter mistaken when he said the end of all things is near? Are Christians today mistaken when they say that Jesus could return at any moment? Even “if” they and Peter were wrong, we should live our lives like the second part of the verse: being of sound judgment and sober spirit. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Sometimes Christians hold grudges, especially towards family members, instead of truly loving and forgiving them. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Paul talks about this a lot in Corinthians. God doesn’t distribute His gifts of grace to believers to only employ for those that they like. If we truly love one another as Jesus commanded, we will be instantly ready to employ those gifts for the benefit of ot...

Good morning. For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God. There is disagreement as to what this actually means. It sounds like it was preached to them after they were dead; but it could mean that it was preached to them before they died, and that they are now dead. Those who lived before Jesus did not have the “gospel“ preached to them. They were judged on how they lived their lives. That seems to give credence to the belief that a previous verse (... Spirit, in which He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison) indicates that after Jesus died, He went to them wherever they were and spoke the gospel to them. It does not mean that they or anyone else today gets a second chance to receive Jesus as Lord of their lives. It could mean that good people, like Abraham, got to hear the gospel message which they missed out on during their liv...

  Good morning. Live the rest of the time in the flesh … for the will of God. For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality… The old life is over, dude. In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you. It’s bad enough that they want to do things disagreeable to God; they want you to join with them. In fact, they get upset if you don’t. They understand and accept it if you don’t do something because you have some sort of illness; but they really don’t like it when you don’t do something because you believe it is wrong to do it. They think you are condemning them because they do whatever it is. But they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. Father help us to not yield to the persuasion and pressure of those around us who are doing things we know are wrong; but instead, live our lives accordin...

  Good morning. … Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him. And referring to a previous verse that Christ also died for sins once for all - Therefore, since Christ has suffered (death, not just pain) in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered (death) in the flesh has ceased from sin (Dead men can’t sin). With the result – so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of man, but for the will of God. Father help us to live our lives as if the desires of the flesh no longer attract us.

  Good morning. Noah – flood – eight people brought safely through the water: 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 Christ. Most importantly, this does not mean that baptism is a requirement in order to go to heaven. That requirement is fulfilled when we ask Jesus to come into our lives and make Him Lord. There is a denomination that believes that it is a requirement based on chapter 16 of Mark: he who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. Notice that it did not say he who has believed but not been baptized shall be condemned. This verse does not say that it is a requirement to go to heaven; but it seems to say that baptism is more than the usual – an outward sign of an inward change. It says that it is an appeal to God for a good conscience. Perhaps it is the idea of a “clean“ conscience - “my ol...

  Good morning. Made alive in the spirit… in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now (not actually in the text) 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. There is disagreement as to what this actually means. It does not necessarily mean that they were given a second chance to believe; and hence, those that die today without having a relationship with Jesus will also be given a second chance. The next part is lengthy, so we will save it till next time. Father prepare us for what is to come, giving us the strength and wisdom to reign victoriously.

  Good morning. Keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered (previously: not returning insult for insult), those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. When they accuse you of doing wrong things just because you are a Christian and you keep up your good behavior, they will eventually be proven wrong. For it is better, if God should will it so (my Bible does not say whether this “if“ has the same unlikelihood of happening as the previous one), that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong (re-iterating what has been said before). For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust (He suffered for doing what was right), so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit (or possibly Spirit). Father continue to go with the reader and bring blessings upon him/her and his/her family.

  Good morning. 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”. In Greek, the word “if“ has different degrees of significance unlike in English. My Bible says that in the Greek, this conditional clause (if you should suffer…) is the furthest removed from stating a reality. Suffering for righteousness is a remote possibility, but even if it does occur, it brings special blessing to the sufferer. All Christians wrestle with the question, “should I share the gospel with this person or not?“ The following verse tells us how we should do it: 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. Some Christians try to cram the Bible down the throats of unbelievers. This says that we first must set apart Christ as Lord in our hearts. This ensures that we do it with the r...

  Good morning. To sum up (keeping your behavior excellent; submitting yourselves; honoring all people; bearing up under sorrows when suffering unjustly), all of you 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 this very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. All that sounds great, but is impossible to do on your own. Notice that we are to give a blessing that we might inherit a blessing. You receive what you give. Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? You would think that should be obviously true; but today it seems like the more good you desire to do, the more likely you will be attacked for doing it. Father help us to do all that Peter admonishes us to do no matter what the attitude of those around us

  Good morning. Just because people are born again does not mean that their  beliefs and actions are not influenced by their former way of life. It took centuries for some of these attitudes to change - as in the following… Peter continues by telling the wives that their adornment must not just be outward, but inward also - by letting it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. More eyes/ears covering: He then mentions Sarah, obeying Abraham. She did this to the extreme by letting him call her his sister so that he would not be killed because of her. That does not mean that God approved of what Abraham did. The Scriptures merely relate what happened. He then tells husbands to honor their wives as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that their prayers will not be hindered. It took a very long time for some of the biases to be corrected by the Holy Spirit. Father help us to listen to ...

  Good morning. Why did we need for Jesus to bear our sins on the cross? For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls. This verse reminds us of what Jesus said about Him being the good shepherd and not a hireling.  Without Jesus we were continually straying like sheep. Cover your eyes and ears: in the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. My Bible says that the word translated submissive is the same word as being submissive to authorities and slaves submissive to their masters. My Bible continues with “inferiority is not implied by this passage; the submission is one of role or function necessary for the orderly operation of the home”; like it also was for all to authority and slaves to masters. Father help us to quit st...

  Good morning. Speaking of patiently enduring suffering…Christ, 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. All of that was totally opposite of the normal reaction of human beings. When we are attacked, especially wrongfully, we react very strongly. Then the ultimate suffering for us: and He Himself bore our sins in His body (One does not think about one’s sins being in his or her body) on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds (or stripes) you were healed (cured). (I owed a debt I could not pay; He paid a debt He did not owe) He took all of our sins upon Himself, suffering in our place. Some say the healing was merely spiritual; while others say it included physical healing. One does not normally talk about being “healed” spiritually. Before the cross, sin was merely “...