Tuesday, April 28, 2009

I & II Peter, I, II, & III John, Jude

I'm getting near the end of reading the Bible through again.  Just a few more days.  I'm getting excited about starting again, because I bought a new large print Bible in March and I'm going to be using it for the first time on the first of May.  My Bible's get marked up and it will be nice to start all over again.  Here are some thoughts:

1) HIDDEN MAN OF THE HEART- In I Peter 3:4, this phrase is used of ladies, and it is saying that their adorning should not be on that which is outside, but inside, "the hidden man of the heart".  But I was thinking.... wouldn't that be great if every Christian, male and female, put the emphasis on the "hidden man of the heart".... JESUS!  Yes, that would be wonderful.  Let's do it!

2) DON'T FALL- II Peter 3:17 says, to "beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness."  Christians everywhere are tempted to fall from their own stedfastness, but we must resist this trend.  The key is the next verse: "But grow in grace.."  We must not sink to a watered down Christianity that sees no Salvation and no change in our lives.  We must stand for what God's Word clearly says and preach, teach, and live it in our lives.  We fail, yes, but don't change what you believe because it is harder to live.... yield to the Spirit more and He will give us strength! 

3) LAST WORDS-GREAT IMPRESSION - Last words can leave a great impression.  In I John the last words are found in chapter 5, verse 21: "Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen."  In III John, the last words are: "Greet the friends by name" (vs. 14)  Both of these have a lot to say in a little phrase.  Idols start small and grow... keep away from them.  We are in a fellowship of believers.... greet them by their names!  So much to learn and improve upon. 

May God bless you.... Tomorrow, is the last day since March had 31 days and the 29th tomorrow means I'm one day ahead.  It takes 60 days to read the Bible through at my rate.  I will not be writing on Thursday, but on Friday.  I will read somewhere else though.  Pastor Mike Mutchler
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