1. An eyewitness, Peter defends why he believed that Jesus Christ was the Son of God!

“16For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.” (2Pet 1:16-18)

2. An eyewitness, Peter defends why he believed that the Bible was the Word of God!

“19We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.” (2Pet 1:19,20)

3. An eyewitness, Peter defends why he believed that the Holy Ghost of God carried the writers who were inspired to write the Word of God!

“20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2Pet 1:20,21)

Introduction: Why are we here on earth? Are you fulfilling God’s purpose? What is His Purpose? How can we find His plan? Then, how can we follow through in regards to His will?

Listed here are Reasons to Follow Jesus Christ.

(4) Reasons:

1. Because we will Stand before Jesus Christ at Bema Judgement!

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (2Cor 5:10)

How will we respond? What will we say?

2. Finding Purpose in life!

“29For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Rom 8:29)

God’s will is to conform us to the image of Jesus Christ. We all have Rough places that need sanding! I do!!

3. Watching Jesus’ Plan unfold in the world!

“ 26And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 27That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: 28For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. 29Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. 30And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” (Acts 17:26-31)

I love this passage of Scripture! Does this not say it all?

4. Talking to others about PEACE & Security!

“2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.” (1Thess 5:2,3)

There is a false Peace coming in the future!

Conclusion: Here are 4 reasons for fulfilling our Lord’s will. How are you doing? Let’s purpose in our hearts to Fulfill God’s will!

When we get to heaven, we will be glad!

Introduction: Do you need refreshing? The word “refresh” means to give new energy or strength, to invigorate. Jesus invites us to come and drink, come and dine, and come and rest! There is a great need for us to get refreshed because of the busyness of life; i.e. paying bills, maintenance on vehicles, upkeep on home, stress with relationships, health challenges, etc. This is all the more reason we need to ACCEPT Jesus’ INVITATION.

Will you today? Could you use a little extra STRENGTH? Extra REST? Extra ENERGY?

1. An Invitation to Come and Drink!

“37In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:37, 38)

• First, we have to be thirsty.
• Second, we have to drink.
• Third, we have to believe.
• Fourth, we need to watch the rivers flow.

Jesus has a pitcher in His hand pouring out water. 

Will you take a drink of living water today?

2. An Invitation to Come and Dine!

“12Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine.” (John 21:12)

The word “dine” is ἀριστάω,( ar-is-tah’-o), which means come and eat breakfast, dine.

Imagine. What a breakfast!

3. An Invitation to Come and Rest!

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matt 11:28-30)

Notice Jesus does not give us rest FROM the work, but instead IN the work!

Conclusion: How is your energy these days? Need more strength? Are the cares of this life weighing you down? Praise the Lord! Jesus offers to REFRESH us!!

May it be so Lord!  

Introduction: Have you got a real “friend”? If you do, please let them know you LOVE them. Real “Friends” are rare. At the same time, Solomon writes that in order to have a “Friend,” you must show yourself friendly. 

“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly.” (Prov 18:24)

So how can we develop friendships that last a lifetime? Here are some helpful insights from the Bible:

1. Learn to Forgive!

“17A friend loveth at all times…” (Prov 17:17a)

2. Learn to be Available!

“17A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Prov 17:17b)

3. Learn to Sacrifice!

“And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David. 2But Jonathan Saul’s son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself.” (1Sam 19:1,2)

3. Learn to Give!

“1And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul…… 3Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. 4And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.” (1Sam 18:1-3)

4. Learn to Encourage!

“17Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” (Prov 27:17)

The word “countenance” is  פָנִים (paw-neem’), which means face, faces. 

5. Learn to go the extra mile!

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

6. Learn to be patient!

“13Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” (Col 3:13)

7. Learn to show compassion!

“4To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend.” (Job 6:14)

8. Learn to help up each other!

“9Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.” (Eccl 4:9-10)

9. Learn to Pray for each other!

“16Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16)

10. Learn that Jesus is the Best friend we can have!

“…and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. (Prov 18:24)

11. Learn to Share Jesus!

“20Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” (James 5:20)

Conclusion: Did you write down that list? It is probably a good idea to review those Scriptural principles and then evaluate to see if you are being A Real Friend!

Thanks for being a FRIEND! 

Introduction: God’s Love is the greatest thing on earth!!

It’s…

Unconditional!

Unspeakable!

Unfathomable!

Unbelievable!

Unshakable!

Unmovable!

Unthinkable!

Unimaginable!

Uncontrollable!

Unmatchable!

 1. God so LOVED the world!

 “16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

 2. God’s Love is out of this world!

 “1Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” (1John 3:1-3)

 3. God is Love!

 “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” (1John 4:8)

 4. God Loved us first!

 “19We love him, because he first loved us.” (1John 4:19)

 5. God’s Love is in our hearts…. for those who trust in Him!

 “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Rom 5:5)

 6. God’s Love in Jesus Christ is what motivates us to Love and serve Him!

 “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” (2Cor 5:14,15)

 7. God’s Love is rich in mercy!

 “4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us..” (Eph 2:4)

 8. God’s Love means that we will never be separated from Him!

 “8For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 8:3,39)

 Conclusion: As you can tell, God’s Great Love is beyond all and above all! God’s Love is the Greatest thing in the world!

Introduction: Any mother knows the different stages of childbirth. On the lighter side, a mom was asked if she had to do it over again, would she have children. After thinking for a while, she shouted, “Yes! But not the same ones!!”

In this devotion, we will consider the words of our Lord Jesus concerning the subject of “labor pains.”

“8For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of SORROWS.” (Mark 13:8)

1. Conception stage!

“6For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 7And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. 8For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.” (Mark 13:6-8)

• False Christs
• Wars
• Famines
• Pestilences
• Earthquakes
• Iniquity
• Persecution

These are “SIGNS” leading up to the second coming of Jesus Christ, but first He will come in the rapture for His Church.
Similarly, weeks and months before Christmas arrives there are plenty of “SIGNS”; i.e. decorations, lights, music, gifts, etc. However, Thanksgiving comes before Christmas but without “SIGNS.” In like manner, the rapture – without signs precedes the Second Coming of Christ which will have plenty of “Signs” as listed here.

2. Contraction stage!

“14But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains……20And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days. 21And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: 22For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. 23But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things. 24But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, 25And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken….” (Mark 13:14- 25)

Only one event needs to take place first before these signs begin to intensify drastically. What is that? The rapture of the Church is next on God’s calendar.

3. Completion stage!

“6And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.” (Mark 13:26, 27)

Conclusion: What should CHRISTians do in the light of these predictions? Jesus forewarned us of what is to come.

“But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.” (Mark 13:23)

Consider the following: “33Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.” (Mark 13:33)

1. Martha was temporarily distracted!

“Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house…. 40But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:” (Luke 10:38-41)

2. Martha got back on track from being distracted only after she took Jesus’ counsel – advice!

“But one thing is needful.” (Luke 10:42)

Introduction: Have you ever slipped and fallen? Most of us have. How about tripped up spiritually? Even some of the best of saints have fallen; i.e. ….Jonah, Samson, David, John Mark, etc. Peter is included in this list. How should we respond when a brother or sister falls?

Learning lessons from Jesus:

1. Satan is behind it!

“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.” (Luke 22:30)

The master deceiver walks around as a roaring lion licking his chops (1Pet 5:8).

If Jesus was tempted by the devil, you can be sure he will tempt us.

2. When our Faith falls! 

“32But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.” (Luke 22:30,31)

Put in the wrong situation at the wrong time can bring out the wrong response. So was the case with Peter.

3. Jesus restores!

“…and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” (Luke 22:31)

The word “converted”is ἐπιστρέφω: (ep-ee-stref’-o), which means to turn, to return…I come to myself.

Conclusion: When a CHRISTian falls it does catch Jesus by surprise. Satan is continually plotting and planning every believer’s fall. Therefore, not only do we need to be on guard but also ready to restore our fallen brothers and sisters. Do you know anyone who needs restoring?

Introduction: Have you ever suffered for doing what was right? Peter, led by the Holy Spirit  warns his readers – including us today – suffering in the CHRISTian life can be expected. Jesus suffered. But when we suffer – not because of sin – but because of God’s will, then we need to be reminded that Jesus suffered for us. 

Here are three responses when we face suffering.

1.SANCTIFY Jesus in your TESTIMONY!

“15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” (1 Peter 3:15)

Be ready to give a LOGICAL defense for what you believe…

Particularly, we have a special witnessing platform when we suffer. Some people will listen to how we are coping with the suffering. Therefore, we need to be ready to give a defense of what we believe.

2. SUFFER with Jesus through His MINISTRY!

“17For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. 18For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.” (1Peter 3:17-18)

CHRISTian Persecution is to be expected. Jesus set the example for us to follow concerning suffering. Does this give you a New Perspective on suffering?

3. SUBMIT to Jesus by leaving a lasting LEGACY!

“19By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 20Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 21The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 22Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.” (1Pet 3:19-22)

There are different interpretations on the passage in 1Pet 3:18-19… It is a very difficult passage…and due to limited space (needing more detail to explain the Greek texts), here is the short answer.

Views:

1. Jesus preached to the fallen angels (“spirits in prison”) who are described in Gen 6; i.e. “Sons of God” (Jude 6,7; 2Pet 2:4)
2. After Jesus died on the cross and before He was resurrected, He descended into hades to preach to those who were lost before the flood of Noah’s day – a second chance.? No scriptural evidence.
3. Another view is that Jesus proclaimed victory to all those in hades without offering a second chance. 
4. The view used by most conservative scholars seems to be that Jesus preached through Noah (preincarnate- preflood) to those during his day that rejected the message and are now referred to as “spirits in prison”.
5. Still another view is that Jesus’ announcement was to the offspring and the result of the co-habitation between angels and women. 

Because of His Victory over (vv 19-22) death, hell, sin, and the grave, and because He has gone to heaven, that means He has all AUTHORITY, and one day will come in GLORY!

Conclusion: Because suffering is in God’s eternal plan due to man’s sin, we can expect to suffer. But ultimately, Jesus endured the cross, overcame death, and arose on high so that we might identify in His suffering. 

In the future, we will experience His GLORY!

1. Pray through it!

“And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.” (Job 42:10)

2. Ponder (Think) through it!

“Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” (Job 14:1)

3. Praise through it!

“5Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” (Job 13:15)

4. Prepare through it!

“…the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” (Job 1:21)

Every good and perfect gift comes from the Lord! 

5. Persevere through it!

“10But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10)