Bible Reading Plan | Devotion for the week of January 24, 2021

Weekly reading: 1 peter 4 – 2 Peter 3
Passages referenced: 2 Peter 1:3-8; John 14:15-20;
Psalm 121; Romans 8:28-39

“God knows that our need is much bigger and deeper than what we think will satisfy it. So he not only gives us practical advice, he gives us himself.” – Relationships: A Mess Worth Making

One of the youngest books in the New Testament is probably 2 Peter. It was likely written by Peter after most of the other twenty-six books and letters. This powerful but brief letter starts strong with an encouraging word: “Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” Power for godly living comes directly from Him to believers, to us. He doesn’t choose to give us comfortable lives or put us in paradise. In Christ, we are set in the world with the ability to live for Him. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to be godly examples, reminding people of Christ and pointing them to Him (not self-aggrandizing).

If we are currently in a place of spiritual indifference, we will struggle to be godly examples. Christ wants to renew us and move us toward spiritual growth and vitality. This is the reason for what He says in John 14:15-20: “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, lives in us. The world cannot see the Spirit, but the world can see us. We can participate in God’s plan to draw everyone to Himself by following the Spirit’s leading and keeping Christ’s commands to love Him and love others well. If you have been sensing a lack or an indifference in yourself, or if you don’t feel you’ve been reflecting Christ with your life, choose today to follow Him and allow the Spirit to turn things around. – Nate Metler

• Read one of the following passages: 2 Peter 1:3-8, Psalm 121, or Romans 8:28-39. Reflect for a few moments on the passage and these questions:
  • What does this passage prompt me to depend on God for?
  • How might the truth of this passage change the way I am living my life today?
• Respond by praying to God for the strength and wisdom to be even more distinctively Christian in everything you do.