“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; 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. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.” 2 Peter 1:2-42
We have been told that we will have troubling times (2 Timothy 3:1, Philippians 1:29). We need not be surprised as if something strange were happening to us (1 Peter 4:12-19). Instead we need to be ready, to be equipped.
And God has given us His Word TO equip us, that we “may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16, 17) and for all that comes our way. Not only do we have His direction, but we also have His divine power and enablement and the indwelling Holy Spirit. We ARE well equipped. Do not turn back in this day of battle (Psalm 78:9).
I urge you to tap in. We, as the body of Christ, need to take advantage of all that God Himself has been made available to us so that when all around us ‘looks’ chaotic or we find ourselves in an impossible situation, we are not caught up in the contagious “The sky is falling, the sky is falling!” mentality.
Know who you are and how you are well equipped and take courage. You and I can live with this as our motto: “In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (from Psalm 56:11).
Look up. Fix your eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), PRAY, and trust Him.
Seeing the big picture from His vantage point and the strategy from heaven, view life and the circumstances all around us (the continuous narrative) from God’s perspective, the One who knows all, and holds it all.
“.. all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:16, 17.
What is happening in the heavenlies? What is God up to? And Who is more powerful? Ask to see what He is doing, His purpose, His ways, rather than what it looks like. For we live and walk by faith and not by sight and how things appear (2 Corinthians 5:7).
We have all we need. Let’s be ready and equip others also, encouraging them to be in His Word and to draw near.
“On the day I called, You answered me;
You made me bold with strength in my soul.” Psalm 138:3
“Beloved, 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; but 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. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.” 1 Peter 4:12-16
Hi friends, take some time this week to sit in the presence of the Lord and ask Him to show you things from His perspective? And listen. Allow Him to build up your faith and trust and to comfort your heart in His peace. With pen in hand say, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:9).
