The Power to be Holy
2 Peter 1:3,4 Jesus has the power of God. And his power has given us everything we need to live a life devoted to God. We have these things because we know him. Jesus chose us by his glory and goodness, through which he also gave us the very great and rich gifts that he promised us. With these gifts you can share in being like God. And so you will escape the ruin that comes to people in the world because of the evil things they want.
Okay, so what’s that one temptation in your life that keeps on knocking you off your perch? That one sin, that try as hard as you will, you simply can’t win a victory over?
Anybody who’s ever set their heart to follow Jesus will know that there’s that one temptation that always seems to get the better of them. It’s as though the devil has a stronghold in that one particular part of our hearts that we just can’t defeat him in.
And that doesn’t make sense, because surely God wants to deal with that. Surely God wants to set us free. And yet so often has this sin overwhelmed us in that one particular area that we feel as though God’s abandoned us.
Well today, I want to share a very precious and great promise of God with you.
That promise is this:
2 Peter 1:3,4 Jesus has the power of God. And his power has given us everything we need to live a life devoted to God. We have these things because we know him. Jesus chose us by his glory and goodness, through which he also gave us the very great and rich gifts that he promised us. With these gifts you can share in being like God. And so you will escape the ruin that comes to people in the world because of the evil things they want.
In other words, the moment you believe in Jesus, you become a participant in God’s divine nature. It’s like He’s flung the door wide open to let you in. And the more you walk through that door and dwell at His Place, the more He will set you free of the corruption that’s eating away at you.
And remember, his power has given you everything you need to live a life devoted to Him.
That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.
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Faith Mwaniki
Dear Philomeena, Thanks for your two questions Re: Mary, mother of Jesus. Her name is honoured in all mainstream ...
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Dear Philomeena,
Thanks for your two questions Re: Mary, mother of Jesus.
Her name is honoured in all mainstream Christian churches as an example of obedience, loyalty and longsuffering. She was indeed an outstanding example of motherhood who supported Jesus right up to and through the crucifixion.
However, there is nowhere in the New Testament directing us to pray to or through Mary. This role is reserved for Christ, as it is he alone who is divine and who has willingly offered himself up for the sins of the world. Just two examples of the exclusivity of faith in Jesus Christ will suffice:
John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (These are the words of Jesus, himself.)
Acts 4:11,12 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. (These are Peter’s words to the Jewish elders and leaders after the resurrection of Jesus.)
In this second reading, Jesus is likened to the cornerstone which set the position of a building in ancient times. If this stone were perfectly set, the structure would be soundly based. So it is with our lives, if we will put our trust in Jesus.
Re your second question, Mary’s visitation by Gabriel and her immediate acceptance of the role of mother of the forthcoming Saviour as outlined in Luke 1:26 is often the subject of Bible readings in the churches as is her part in the genealogy of Jesus, tracing back to King David. Another passage which is often read is in John 19:26,27 where Jesus charges his disciple John to care for his dear mother. Tradition has it that John took Mary to Ephesus where she lived out her life.
So, Mary is by no means a forgotten figure of the New Testament; she is indeed honoured in Scripture.
I hope these thoughts are helpful to you.
Dorothy Smith
Insightful words. I am at a crossroad in my life right now and I need all the words of encouragement that I can get! ...
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Insightful words. I am at a crossroad in my life right now and I need all the words of encouragement that I can get! Thank you
Dora Macdonald
That was amazing .Amen God Bless
That was amazing .Amen God Bless
Gladys D Thompson
It was great to read and understand it.Thank you
It was great to read and understand it.Thank you
Philomeena Saluzinho Fernandes
Why don’t you’ll believe in mother Mary?
Why there is never anything mentioned about her?
Why don’t you’ll believe in mother Mary?
Why there is never anything mentioned about her?
Stephen
Great way to kick off the day. Thanks
Great way to kick off the day. Thanks