1 John 3

4 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. 5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. 6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.

Today is more of a question for the collective......how do I rectify this passage with my own shortcomings and lack of ability to stop sinning against God?  Its verses like this that make me feel very uneasy and uncomfortable with my own position and standing.

tp

1 John 2

15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[d] is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 

Today's chapter is such a clear reminder that we can't serve 2 masters.  We can only serve one.  Therefore, we need to make a conscious decision.....everyday.  Are we going to fit into the world?....or are we going to reject it?  If I'm completely honest, I don't think I'm rejecting enough.  I think I'm pretty comfortable here.  I can't say "I love the world."  It seems like a pretty dark, evil, hurtful place most of the time.  But, I can navigate it.
just thinking out loud here.

tp

1 John 1

God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[b] sin.

This is a good "drop the mic" paragraph.  It says a ton.  God is perfect and good.  If we walk with him, we will be in the light too.  We will be there by the grace of Jesus.

Why would you choose any other option?

BOOM!

tp

2 Peter 3

3 Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.

2 things today.

1.  this sentence caught my attention.  I tend to fall into the false thinking that if I keep it in my head and don't say it.....that's good.  But this is taking it a step farther.  It says that my thoughts need to be wholesome and uplifting.  Sheesh!  that can be a real challenge.  How do I get the gunk out of my mind?  How can I even approach this mindset?  Perhaps its more time dedicated to Christ.  More time with him will automatically change my thoughts and perception of what's around me.

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.

2.  Sometimes I think about how the world will end.  How will it look?  Will it be like the illustrated coloring books, showing Christ coming down on a rainbow?  Or will it looks more like a meteor crash into the earth?  We (people) tend to try to separate Faith and Science.  If you believe in one, the other is just wrong.  I tend to believe there is a middle ground.  If I think about an all knowing/all creating/supreme being in the universe responsible for EVERYTHING.....he would also be smart enough to construct his creation with rules.  These rules are what we think of as science.  What can be tracked, what can be proved, what are the building blocks?  I think the end could come in a flavor that traditionalists think of on the "science" side of the argument.

Whoa!  got off in the weeds today.  

sorry.

how is work going?  I'm praying for you.

tp 

2 Peter 2

4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell,[a]putting them in chains of darkness[b] to be held for judgment;

lots of good warnings in this chapter.  False leading is something we need to be on our toes about.  My take is that we have more ambivalence than heresy....but, its all not good. 

This verse makes me think again about the story of God that we really don't know much about.  They story of his existence outside of what the bible tells us.  To think that God has no end, means there is no beginning.  The world had a definite beginning.  So, what happening prior to that?  It hurts my head.  
This chapter made me feel small in the context of God and time.

tp

2 Peter 1

5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I am sometimes frustrated with myself for being on fire for Jesus and then falling away, and then being back and then not so much.  This is a direct recipe for how to NOT be caught in that cycle.  There are very specific things to do here to keep me on track.

tp

Sounds like work is stressful for you right now.  It seems like that is a seasonal part of life, doesn't it?  I will keep you, your gig, and your family in my thoughts and prayers.....mostly that you will find peace in the craziness....and to understand what God wants from you, in this current time.

1 Peter 5

2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing,

This is a good call to action.  As we enter the prime "influence" time in our lives, this is a good reminder of the responsibility that we inherit.  We need to be seen as the ones taking care of the "flock."....whether that flock is at work, or at church...or especially at home.

tp

1 Peter 4

4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 

I didn't have much of a take today, I don't feel like I have a lot of suffering like it discusses.  This verse caught me the second time through--they are surprised.  When you are surprised it generally means something caught your attention, more than just a passive 'oh I noticed'.  Now it says they heap abuse on you, but I was more focused on the fact that good behavior in an attempt to follow God's instruction as best as humanly possible is actually an attention grabber.   Maybe a chance to influence or even open the door for a conversation with someone who may be ready to and wanting to learn more about Jesus.

maybe not the point of the chapter, but a thought that hit me.
knut

1 Petrer 3

8-12 Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing.

The message version caught my attention.  I read it first in NIV and it said to repay evil with evil.  I thought well I don't.  Then I read no sharp-tongued sarcasm--which made me think I may have some work to do.  

It says my job is to bless--beyond my family I'm not sure I try to hard to bless others.  I feel like I'm pretty internally focused--I need to look for opportunities and take action beyond my very small circle.  I'm sure there are small opportunities every day to be a blessing, if nothing else with my words towards others and in a greater way by taking some actions to show love.

knut

1 Peter 2

12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

I think sometimes we as Christians get it wrong getting involved in society via political issues.  I really don't like it when I hear arguments for political policy based on the bible.

I think because sometimes it feels disingenuous, its not that they want to follow the bible so well its because they want the law to be what they believe.  Since we all sin its easy to look like a hypocrite which ultimately does less to further God's kingdom than getting laws the way we want them. 

To me this verse says do your best to live the way God instructed and people will take note and might want to figure out what drives you.  Doing so might open a door for you or someone else to share about Jesus.  

just my .02 for the day.
knut