Coming to the Still Waters

Today's verses are 1 John 2:12-14, which read, v.12 - I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name's sake. It might seem funny or odd being called "little children" but you have to remember who is talking to us.  This is John, one of the original disciples of Jesus who was in the inner circle with Him on many occasions.  This would be someone that early Christians would speak of in great respect and marvel at his commitment to persevere this long through pain, suffering, and persecution.  Maybe you have some "Johns" in your church who have been faithful followers of Jesus for so long and you won't bat an eye at them calling you "little children." John reminds them of something that we need to be reminded of everyday so that we live that day in light of it.  We have been released from the bondage of sin and that release (forgiveness) came through the life, death, and resurrection of ...

Today's verses are 1 John 2:9-11, which read, v.9 - The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. The phrase I love in this verse is the "...until now." at the end.  If this is new information for you, not to hate your brother, then you know it now and it will change your life dramatically.  The person was saying that he was a Christian but it was okay that he hate someone and that someone was of close relationship by family or by church family.  Now he knows that is not possible and still be a genuine Christian.  Notice that John does not say that it is always easy to love people, especially some of those in the four walls of your home or the four walls of the church. v.10 - The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. To "abide" is to remain and the word is a verb and an action verb that it is something that you are continuing to do.  This is does n...

Today's verses are 1 John 2:7, 8 which read, v.7 - Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard. "There is nothing new under the sun" might be a phrase you could use here but remember the context that John is working with.  "What does it mean to be a genuine Christian?" is John's question.  We have learned that it is those who have fellowship with God, those who walk with God, those who confess sin, and those who live holy lives because they are following and cherishing the commandments of God. The old commandment goes back to something you have heard, so John is reminding them of something that came when they first learned about Jesus in their own lives.  Remember what you first learned about Jesus or what you heard first about Christianity?  For some of us it goes back to a little classroom with little chairs and a bl...

Today's verses are 1 John 2:3-6, which read, v.3 - By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. This is pretty straight forward.  John is continuing his thought of what it means to be a genuine Christian.  The genuine Christian walks in fellowship with God.  The genuine Christian acknowledges sin and confesses it.  The genuine Christian lives a holy life and continues to lives that life because of the Advocate we have before God named Jesus and His act on the cross on our behalf.   Now John says a genuine Christian is someone who "keeps" the commandments of God.  "Keeps" means "attend to carefully, take care of."   There is an attachment of the genuine Christian to the commandments of God.  He is not just keeping them out of duty but with affection for them (the commandments). v.4 - The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not i...

Today's verses are 1 John 2:1, 2 which read, v.1 - My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin.  And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;... John gives us some interesting terms and phrases here. "My little children,..." - It is a phrase that starts with value to the receiver of this title that merits a guardian or avenger who will render help to this offspring that is very young.  It is a phrase of reality but also endearment used between a teacher to his students.  I can't help but think of the Kong Foo show and the teacher speaking to the student as "little grasshopper."   "...Advocate..." - someone called to one's side, to one's aide "...the righteous;..." - to be righteous is to observe divine laws but Jesus is given the title here so He personifies the divine law and He fulfills it. John just got done saying that we are to confe...

Today's verses are 1 John 1:8-10 which read, v.8 - If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. Yesterday John told us that a genuine Christian is someone who has "fellowship" with God.  Fellowship is a relationship that is formed because of something in common that has impacted us and changed our relationship with those in that association.  The connection is described as like comrades in the foxhole to the end.  The common element for that kind of fellowship with God is the grace given by Him when He gave His one and only Son, Jesus Christ to be the sacrifice for our sin.  Our response to this type of fellowship with God is a walking with Him. Today John tells us that a genuine Christian is someone who is continuing aware of why we need that common ground of Jesus and that is sin.  There are some options here of wrong thinking.  "I sinned before but not anymore, I am above that."  "There is no ...

Today's verses are 1 John 1:5-7 which read, v.5 - This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If you are keeping count, this is the fourth time that John has made reference that he and the other disciples were eye witnesses of Jesus.  He also repeats that part of the purpose of his life is to proclaim or announce something to his readers. "God is Light" is a definitive and defining statement.  "...in Him there is no darkness at all..." is an exclusive statement.  If we play out light and dark in the Bible, light is truth and dark is falsehood.  Light is holiness or purity and darkness is sin or wrongdoing.  John's message to his readers is the God is truth and holy and pure and that there is no falsehood or sin or wrongdoing in Him "...at all."   Why is this fact so important to know? v.6 - If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the da...

Today our verses are 1 John 1:1-4 which read, v.1 - What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life--...   The disciple and apostle John is the author of this book.  He is saying that he was an eye witness of Jesus.  He heard and he saw and he touched Jesus.  Notice that John puts this part of the sentence in the plural.  It is not "I heard, saw, and touched" but "We heard, saw, and touched."   What he is going to share goes on more than just his testimony, it is also the testimony of others. "What was from the beginning,..." is what they heard and saw and touched and that is the "Word of Life" which is another name or title for Jesus.  It is a title that connects Jesus with the Scripture and also with salvation.  It is a title to point to the gospel message that John and others were there when it began. ...

Today's verses are 2 Peter 3:17, 18 which read, v.17 - You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness,... Peter is concluding this letter to people who he dearly loves.  He loves them so much that he would warn them of something that is coming and also about being "asleep" about the issue of desiring the Word of God.  He didn't just stand back and watch what will be, he spoke up for his dearly loved friends. "...be on your guard..." - to keep watch not to violate something "...carried away..." - to lead away with or by "...error..." - the wandering, the straying about "...unprincipled men..." - one who gratifies his lusts "...fall..." - fall out, fall down, fall out of "...steadfastness..." - firm condition of mind Keep watch not to violate something that you know...

Today's verses are 2 Peter 3:14-16 which read, v.14 - Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,... Peter now is assuming that what he has told his readers to focus in on, the second coming of Christ and not the false teachings of the false teachers, is what they are doing.  He calls them again "beloved," that term reserved for those who you dearly love and so much so that you will say even what is hard to say because you love them so much.  When the day of the Lord comes we are to "...be diligent to be found by Him in peace,..."   "Make haste" to be "come upon" by Jesus and He finds you in "harmony or accord" with Him.  May He also find us without spot and blame in our relationship with Him and with others for we are commanded to love God and love others.  The point here is that Jesus "finds us" this way as He "comes upon...

Today's verses are 2 Peter 3:11-13 which read, v.11 - Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,... Peter is saying to his readers, "Since this fact is going to happen (Jesus is coming again) we need to live lives that are focused on glorifying God and reverent to His words and His ways."   It sounds like Peter is asking a question here but it is really a straight forward challenge to us to change our focus knowing the fact of Jesus' return.  It is a question that you ask even though you know what the answer is but you need to act upon it. v.12 - ...looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! Peter states again the fact that there will be day when all that we see and experience will be no more so that something new can take its place.  As Christians we ar...

Today's verse is 2 Peter 3:10, which reads, v.10 - But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat,and the earth and its works will be burned up.   Peter is speaking his last words and using them to warn his listeners about false teachers and leaders.  They have been mocking that Jesus is coming again and the end of the world as we know it.  Peter's readers have "fallen asleep" on the place of the Word of God in their lives and they are being carried away with all this talk of it not happening.  Peter lets them know that God has all power, all authority, and is in control of timing of what is to come next.  Peter now gives some more word pictures to help understand this truth.    "The day of the Lord..." - signifies a specific day when these events will come about and as it says, it will come about because and by the Lord. "...come like a...

Today's verses are 2 Peter 3:8, 9 which read, v.8 - But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. In the previous passage what was "escaping" the false teachers was the fact that God was in control of the ability for all to be fulfilled.  God created the heavens and the earth.  God destroyed the earth with the flood.  God would bring the judgement to come.  If we "fall asleep" on the desire to know and love God's word, we will be tempted to go the route of the false teachers to doubt or contradict or twist God's Word. Now Peter is saying, "Don't let this one fact escape you."   The fact is not only is God in control of the ability for all of this to happen but He is also in control of the timing for all of this to happen.  Verse 8 is a common phrase like phrases we us today.  "Don't count your chickens before they are...

Today's verses are 2 Peter 3:3-7 which read, v.3 - Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts,... Remember that these are some of Peter's last words and he is speaking to people who he has come to dearly love.  It would not be love to not share what he is going to share from the Scriptures that they have "fallen asleep" over. "Know this first of all,..." - the greek word used here is where we get our word    "pronto."   Put this on the top of the "to do" list and do it "asap." "...mockers..." - scoffers, people who play with "...lusts,..." - desire for what is forbidden, cravings Put on the top of the list that there will come people who will play with the Scriptures and they will twist it to satisfy their desires.  "They are coming" is Peter's warning and they are coming doing what they are, mockers mo...

 We have made it to chapter 3 this morning. Today's verses are 2 Peter 3:1, 2, which read, v.1 - This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder,... This is a reminder that these are some of Peter's last words and he knows it.  This is also the second letter that he has written to this group.  Peter calls them "beloved" which is a word developed by layers of words to get the depth of the meaning and in this case the description of his view of them.  So the word builds from "to be friendly to one, to wish him well" to "to approve of, to like" to "to be fond of, to love dearly" to "esteemed, worthy of love."   The people Peter is writing to were people to be friendly to and then they became people he liked being around and then became people who he loved and then became people he was so thankful that he had come to know.  You see the pro...

Today's verses are 2 Peter 2:20-22, which read, 20 - For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again, entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. Remember that the "they" that is referred to here are the false teachers and leaders that Peter is warning his readers about.  The false teachers sound like the thorny or shallow soils of the Parable of the Soils that Jesus taught to His disciples.  They tasted the ways of the Lord and saw that they were good but it was "just" an escape from the "defilements of the world" and not a total surrender to Jesus Christ.  The knowledge of Jesus got them out of a bind that they were in but it was not a total transfer to be a slave of Christ. Sounds like a diet to me.  I have been on many of them over the years.  "I will do this for awhile to make myself healthy....

This is Matthiessen State Park in the winter...

The "grand" part of our family will go from 2 in 2014 to 4 in 2015!!!  Two our our four children will have their first child this year.  We are so blessed...

Today's verses are 2 Peter 2:17-19 which read, 17 - These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. 18 - For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, 19 - promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved. Peter keeps up his description of the false leaders and teachers.  He uses some physical word pictures.  The false leaders are like you coming up to a well but you find the well is dry.  They are like you looking to the sky and see the evidence of a well needed rainstorm but the wind blows it on by and all you get is a mist.  They're actions will lead them into the black darkness which is another word picture for hell. As I have been reading about their practices from Peter I can't help but look at the opposite ...

Today's verses are 2 Peter 2:13b-16 which read, 13b, 14 - They count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime.  They are stains and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, as they carouse with you, having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children;... Peter just cannot get off this subject of warning his readers about false teachers and leaders.  He goes back to some of the characteristics that he pointed out before and then adds some new ones.  This is a big deal to Peter and something that he is desperate to instruct to those reading. Most people sin at night under the cover of darkness but these unashamedly "...revel in the daytime."   They have "stains" and "blemishes" which are just the opposite of the spotless and unblemished Lamb of God.  They use deception to call others away; they follow their lust and use that take advantage of others; and the...

Today's scriptures are 2 Peter 2:10b-13a, which read, 10b - Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties,... Peter is continuing to describe the false teachers and prophets.  He calls them "daring" which means "not to dread with boldness and extreme conduct" and "self-willed" which means "self-pleasing and arrogant."   They do not "tremble" but "revile" or "vocally speak evil of" things of the supernatural world, "angelic majesties."   Have you seen this?  I see a huge pride issue here. 11 - ...whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord. The way the false teachers are acting is not an action of the angels even when that action is being used against them.  To be holy is to act holy.  When fiery destructive darts are being thrown at you, are you throwing them back?  In times of persecution wi...

Today's verses are 2 Peter 2:4-10a which is one long run-on sentence which reads, v.4 - For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment;... Peter is building an argument here and the first subject or point or bullet is a focus on the angels.  The overall point though is if you think that God is too loving and merciful to judge the wicked false teachers that we looked at yesterday then let me make a list for you to consider.  In Jude 6, these angels "...did not keep their own domain,..."   It is a reference of the fallen angels before the flood in Genesis 6.  These fallen angels are being held for the judgment of God to come. v.5 - ...and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;... The second bullet of the argument goes from the fallen angels to the ...

Today we start chapter 2 of 2 Peter with verses 1-3, which read, v.1 - But false prophets also arose around the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.     These are in the context of some of Peter's last words and he is compelled to tell them about false teachers among them.  It sounds alarming and it is and it is today.  We don't like to think about it.  We would like everyone to be giving spiritual type of instruction with the highest motives but that is not true.  Peter wants to give some instruction to his readers of what to look for to not get caught up in something that is not going God's way. The first is that they will be "...among you,..."   This does not just happen of the church or group down the street or on the television show but within the walls of the church. The sec...