How Do I Pray Lord?

2 Peter 2:1-13English Standard Version (ESV)

2 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell[a] and committed them to chains[b] of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment; 5 if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6 if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly;[c] 7 and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked 8 (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard); 9 then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials,[d] and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, 10 and especially those who indulge[e] in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority.

Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones, 11 whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not pronounce a blasphemous judgment against them before the Lord. 12 But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction, 13 suffering wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions,[f] while they feast with you.

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=II+Peter+2%3A+1+-+13&version=ESV)

Have you ever met a false prophet or teacher?  I have not only met one but have had close contact with one.  Someone who claimed to have been baptized as a believer in Christ but totally turned from the teachings of Christ.  I never thought it was possible but it is.  The scripture tells us, right here, that it is possible.  I don’t know if this person ever truly made a commitment of faith or was just doing what everyone else was doing but at any point the person turned totally away from the ways of Christ and into a religion that is contradictory to Christ.

The person ate a my table, laughed with me and shared with me just as the scripture says.  Then, this person turned on me, talked about me, and tried to destroy me with strong words, as the scripture predicts.  The scripture says we need to be cautious, we need to watch out for the deceiver and this is so true.  I once thought there was hope for this person to come back to the faith found only in Christ and had prayed for that.  Even this morning I was asking God, before I even got out of bed, how to pray for this person.  When I began doing my blog, He answered!!!!!!

So, how do we pray for this person?  Do we pray for destruction or that the person will come to the Lord?  I believe the scripture in this case in pretty clear as to their end.  It is not up to me for I am not the judge but it is up to the Father in Heaven.  What is up to me is that I do not find myself becoming a part of their deception. I do not have to engage in their games, I do not have to bow to their desires.  I must be true to the One who is my Lord and Savior.  I have to give to Him my all.  I must thank Him for His protection, for His righteousness, for His grace to me.  I must remember that He is the perfect judge who knows all the truth and all the deception.  I must trust that He is in control.  I must pray for those around this person that they too will not fall into the arms of the deceiver but they will be true to the One True God.  I praise Him for answering my prayers through the Holy Scriptures!  That is what happens when we seek Him with all our heart!  Go forth and serve the One True God with gladness and joy!!!!

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

Know that He is God

2 Peter 1:12-21English Standard Version (ESV)

12 Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body,[a] to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

Christ's Glory and the Prophetic Word

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son,[b] with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=II+Peter+1%3A12-21&version=ESV)

Not very many people can claim that they heard the audible voice of God but Peter could and did.  He not only heard it but also heard it while standing in the presence of Jesus.  Wow, wouldn’t that be amazing to hear God’s voice thundering from the heavens proclaiming Christ as His Son?  He walked and talked with the Son of God on a daily basis, thus, God was in his presence for three years, day and night.  When he tells us to how we grow in Christ, he tells us with the authority of one who was taught first hand by Christ. 

We may not have had the eyewitness account that Peter had but we have our Bibles, which is the prophetic Word of God.  We may not have heard His thundering voice but if we listen we can hear His still small voice.  I hear it when I have cried out to Him and then pick up my Bible and read His Word.  I am amazed that the answers are in the Book and are given to me at just the right time in my life. 

Although we need to have fellowship with others, even more so, we need to have fellowship with our Father.  We do that through our daily devotions with Him.  The more we know Him, the more we love Him.  That is evidenced in Peter’s life, he was willing to give all for the One that he knew was the Son of God.  If you have ever felt His presence you know what I am talking about.  If you have never felt the presence of God, confess your sins to Him, He will forgive.  Ask Him to be Lord of your life and you will know, without a shadow of a doubt, that you have heard from God.  Seek Him and know that He is God.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

Know Your Calling

2 Peter 1:1-11English Standard Version (ESV)

1 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:

2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

3 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, 4 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. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 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. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=II+Peter+1%3A+1+-+11&version=ESV)

If we know God, we know how to handle life.  That is a big statement that sounds kind of simple.  Those who think that praying the sinners prayer and being baptized is all they need to handle life and to be a part of His kingdom do not know what they are truly missing out on.  As we read further in this scripture we realize that we need to live our life in a manner that exemplifies Christ.  That is not to say that we are saved by our works but it is to say, in order to have a life that confirms our calling we need to work towards it.

If I wanted to be a doctor, for example, I would have to gain much knowledge in the field.  I would need to study long, hard hours, and I would have to be patient as I went through the various processes of earning that degree.  I would in essence need to supplement my desire with long years of studying in order to obtain the knowledge that I would need to become a doctor.  I can’t just say I want to be a doctor and immediately be one.

This holds somewhat true in our faith walk.  Yes, we can ask Christ to be a part of our life but the evidence of a life for Him comes in our knowledge of Him.  It comes in how we live our lives because of what we know of Him.  The more we know, the more we have self-control, the more self-control we have, the better understanding of how to hold firm to His promises.  The more we hold firm to those promises, the more we see how much love for our brothers is needed and fellowship of believers is vital.  As these qualities increase so does our fruitfulness for Him. 

As a child I remember thinking, “How am I ever going to learn all the people in the Bible?”  I would think of being in Heaven and one of these main characters coming up to me and I would not know who they were.  As I read this scripture I am reminded that the One I need to know is God.  I certainly do not want to stand before Him and not know Him.  That is why I continue to seek Him through His word.  That is why I write this blog, so that others will also seek Him and know Him.  The more we know, the more we want to know.  The more we realize that we are loved, the more we love others.   As you seek Him today, may you find your calling in Him, to know Him, trust Him, and seek Him with all your heart.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila

Humility

1 Peter 5:1-14English Standard Version (ESV)

5 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight,[a] not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;[b] not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. 13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with the kiss of love.

Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I+Peter+5%3A+1+-+14&version=ESV)

Wow, what a passage and so direct and true.  Often times we can get caught up in church politics.  We try to figure out who is in charge, is it the pastor, leadership, or the church congregation?  What we forget is that it is God who is in charge.  As I read this I had to thank the Lord for my Pastor because he does demonstrate these things to his congregation.  At the same time I needed to pray that God protect him from the attacks of satan who does prowl around like a roaring lion.  The devil likes to attack when things are going good because he does not want the Christian to win the battle.  We know though, that we will be on the winning side of the war at the time of the final battle!  Stand firm, all you that serve Him.

The second portion of this passage speaks directly to me and I you too will draw much from it.  What does it mean to humble ourselves before the Lord?  In my thinking it means to always depend on Him no matter the situation.  When I begin to worry, I begin to pray.  I believe this is humbling myself before the Lord.  However, I need to stop the worry and just pray!  I know that He is the only One that knows the answer but often times I think I deserve to know.  That is when I need to stop and remember that He is watching from above and is watching out for me.  He not only knows the outcome before I do He is in control of it.  I know that my strength will come from Him and Him alone.  Most of all, I know that I am not “all that” but God IS.  I cannot control everything that happens in my life but I know that God does. 

We worry, we fret, we lose sleep, and we (at least I) cry a lot but why?  Trust in the Lord as you seek Him, know that He is the One and Only One that can help you through your trials.  Honor those who serve God by taking care of His sheep.  Pray for them because just like us they can fall into the trap of pride.  Seek Him and know that He is worthy of our humility.

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila