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2 Peter 1:3-8
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. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 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.
New International Version (NIV)
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So how are we doing? Evidence suggests that the anxiety of the culture is seeping into our souls. This stems from a global pandemic and the serious economic and social repercussions it has brought. How do we survive the medical, social and economic complications of 2020? Are we growing more anxious, more angry? Are we blaming others? Do we build our hope around something that people will do? This morning I wondered, “Who will we be on November 4, 2020?” On the day after the election, what kind of people will we be? Will the election change who we are as God’s people?
The early Christians never built their hope or happiness around political considerations. Peter reminds us that we already have all the power we need to live godly lives. Who gave us this ability? “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness.” The founders of our country wrote about inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. These come not from any government but from God. God alone can give us life and the ability to live in godliness. The more we know God the better we understand how to live the Christian life, come what may. By grace we escape the corruption of this world.
This still requires effort on our part. We start with faith and add to it goodness. Then we mix in knowledge, self-control, perseverance and godliness. Add to these mutual affection and love. As we grow in these character qualities we will grow in our relationship with God and our effectiveness in the world. Someday, 2020 will end. When the new year begins, will our emotions and energy be determined more by our relationship with God or the outcome of an election? I prayed for us this morning: that no matter how the election goes Christians will be kind, gracious, not smug, not angry, not hostile. I pray that we will be like our King, Jesus Christ. He is not up for election. And who he is should have more to do with who we are than anything anybody in the world ever does.
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Pray with me:
Father, we thank you for giving us the power to live what we believe. Let us not get swept up on the emotional roller coaster that elections bring. Thank you that our unchanging King is the same, yesterday, today and forever. Let us build our lives on the goodness of God. Let that goodness so saturate our souls that we become good and we share that goodness and kindness with others. Help us not to believe the lie that our battle is against flesh and blood today. Show us your image in the other person whom we thought was our foe. Let us love others today and everyday until love wins, in the end. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Join us in memorizing the Word. Scripture for this week:
Matthew 6:27-28
Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.
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| Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan. Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week. In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year. Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.
Joyfully,
Duane
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