Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Strength and Compassion”
Our Bible verse for today: “Therefore, dear friends, since you know this in advance, be on your guard, so that you are not led away by the error of lawless people and fall from your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 3:17-18 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “We have to grow in strength and compassion”
The Apostle Peter wrote his two letters (first and second Peter) to Christians who were experiencing persecution for their faith. His audience was a widely dispersed group of Christians, many of whom had been chased from their homes and were therefore living as temporary residents in strange places. Others had lost jobs; some had been beaten; others were in prison.
As he closed his second letter, he offered three words of caution and advice to his readers. First, be on your guard. In other words, pay attention and be smart. Second, don’t allow yourselves to be negatively influenced by a sinful culture. And third, exercise spiritual disciplines which will result in you growing in grace and knowledge. That way you will be strong enough to face your situations with faith, courage, and confidence, but also with grace.
In yesterday’s devotional I wrote about the importance of training ourselves now for the things we are likely to face tomorrow. The message was built upon the Apostle Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians chapter 9. Today we find Peter teaching a similar lesson. Throughout the month we will find that the same lesson is repeated numerous times, all throughout the Bible, by many different writers. That’s because it’s a common need which applies to all of God’s people, in all places, at all times. We will face adversity as a result of being faithful to Christ and we must prepare ourselves to be ready for it.
Many people believe that when the challenges come (as they will), they will be able to reach deep within themselves and “find” the strength and compassion they need to meet the situation courageously and in a God-honoring way. The problem with that thinking is that strength and compassion aren’t “found”, they’re developed. That’s why Paul told us to “train”. It’s why Peter urges us to “grow”. Just as a weight lifter exercises his muscles so they will get stronger, so too we must exercise spiritually so we will grow strong in the Lord. And we must do it now, in the quiet and peaceful times, so that we will be ready when the situation isn’t so quiet and peaceful.
Tomorrow we will consider a couple of examples of people who have grown in strength and compassion, and they did it by means of a spiritual exercise which might surprise you.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 