Month: January 2020

Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work. 

2 Timothy 3:16-17

God gave us the Bible as a tool for life.  Many have rejected God’s Word, but I think if you look closely, you will find the value.  God carefully gave us the words we would need to help us along the way.  I pray you learn the power of the truth of God’s Word.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you so much for giving us the valuable tool of Your Word.  I have been challenged and encouraged in all areas of my life. The Bible has given me a firm foundation that allows me to grow. Please help me to continue to seek the truth from Your Word and to live it in every area of my life.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:5-11 ESV

God tells us in 2 Peter 1:3 that He has given us everything we need for life and godliness.  As we continue reading the passage, we see that we have responsibility.  The Bible tells us to keep adding to our faith – and gives us a list:  faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love.  These character qualities show that we remember we have been “cleansed from former sins”. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for cleansing me from sin.  Please help me to continue working on adding to my faith.  Please show me how each day.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence, by which He has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 

2 Peter 1:1-4

As we start off this new year, I want to make sure I have the right tools to serve God more.  As I have mentioned, God has been showing me what prayer is all about.  Last year my “word for the year” was prayer.  Since prayer is talking to God, I paired my blog posts about prayer with passages from the Bible (God’s Word).  I want to continue that theme, but focus more on God’s Word. 

In 2 Peter 1:3, we are told that God has given those who follow Him everything we need – for “life and godliness” through knowledge of God. God’s Word is a valuable source of information about God.  Talking to Him is a good way to be open to learn what He has for us.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for providing everything I need to become more like You despite my sin nature.  I want to seek You more this year and encourage others to do the same.

I pray this in Jesus’ Name.

God is so good.

2019 was about praying. I went through Jesus’ Example Prayer and now I have prayed through Psalm 119. God timed that one perfectly! For 2020 I want to continue praying God’s Word, but with a greater emphasis on God’s Word rather. God’s Word is the best foundation for life.

Here is the last section of Psalm 119. God is so good!

Listen to my cry for help, O Lord!
Give me insight by Your word!
Listen to my appeal for mercy!
Deliver me, as You promised. 

Psalm 119:169-170

Dear Heavenly Father, I need You! Give me the understanding that Your Word provides.  Listen to my plea for compassion and deliverance according to Your promises.

May praise flow freely from my lips,
for You teach me your statutes.
May my tongue sing about Your instructions,
for all Your commands are just. 

Psalm 119:171-172

May I readily show appreciation for how You teach me and sing about Your justice.

May Your hand help me,
for I choose to obey Your precepts.
I long for Your deliverance, O Lord;
I find delight in Your law.
May I live and praise You!
May Your regulations help me!
I have wandered off like a lost sheep.
Come looking for Your servant,
for I do not forget Your commands.

Psalm 119:173-176

I need help to continue choosing to obey Your ways. I long for the freedom only You can provide.  I have joy in Your law.  May I praise You as long as I live.  I need the protection and help from Your ways. 

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.