Simple…month 2

Day 61

Verses

2 Peter 2:13-22

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Peter%202:13-22&version=31

Challenge

There is such a thing as an evil person. What does evil in human form look like? Well, Peter takes a stab at in these verses. What is saddening is that it isn’t hard to see many of these descriptions in real life, on television, and unfortunately within ourselves. Peter realizes the pain that these folks can cause. He is warning us about this, out of care, out of concern for you and me. Keep your eyes open. Be aware. But there is a promise for us here whenever any of us find ourselves on the painful end of an evil person’s selfish pursuits – “they will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done.” Spend some time with God today talking with Him about what you should do about the evil that surrounds you.

 

Day 60

Verses

2 Peter 2:4-12

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Peter%202:4-12;&version=31;

Challenge

God’s grace can be more complex than we give it credit for. According to Peter, the Flood was an example of God’s grace. The same is true of Sodom and Gomorrah. The same is true of Hell. This can be extremely confounding. How could these tragedies be seen as gracious? How could a loving God, full of mercy, deliver such catastrophic acts? But in this there can be seen a glimmer of God’s fierce desire to fight for His people. God grace does not stop at forgiveness. It follows through to deliverance. How has God’s grace and mercy delivered you? Or is He in the process of delivering you? Spend some time thanking God for moving heaven and earth to ensure that you have a place next to Him in His Kingdom. Then live your life for Him today with that same level of ferociousness. 

 

Day 59

Verses

2 Peter 2:1-3

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Peter%202:1-3;&version=31;

Challenge

Where did we get the notion that church is safe? When did we start to believe that demons couldn’t cross the threshold of a church? Reality is drastically different. Church is about as safe as a dark alley. Not much has changed since 2000 years ago. Church is still as dangerous as it was back then. There are men running around spreading lies, deviations from the Truth. And in it, God is still there. His presence has purpose and His fairness will reign in the end. He is still working for good. Spend some time thanking God for being the only true good and place of safety anywhere in this world. Thank Him that you are part of His plan and family. 

 

Day 58

Verses

2 Peter 1:12-21

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Peter%201:12-21;&version=31;

Challenge

For we did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Doubts are not be feared. They rise up, perhaps for very good reasons. They have the potential to increase our trust, especially when we allow to God show Himself clearly to us and answer the questions that the depths of our souls often have. This verse is one of those answers to doubts for many. Man did not make up Jesus. God did. It is real. He is real. And, He is coming back. Allow the questions of your soul to rise. Talk about them with God and with others. And watch God answer.

 

Day 57

Verses

2 Peter 1:3-11

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Peter%201:3-11;&version=31;

Challenge

God has given you everything that you need to live a life that only He could plan, filled with adventure and risk, hope and passion, complexity and unexpectedness. The only hope of keeping up with this is to walk hand-in-hand with Him.  So stay close, beginning today. Spend some time talking with God, asking Him what He could have in store for you, dreaming with Him about what could be, praying about how to make the very best choices for this unexplainable life.

 

Day 56

Verses

1 Peter 5:6-11

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%205:6-11;&version=31;

Challenge

Be self-controlled and alert. Most of us, well, aren’t. We are usually asleep behind the wheel of our spiritual lives. We find moments of spiritual “caffeine” that awaken us momentarily, only to build us up for a huge adrenaline crash weeks or days later. And in our spiritual stupors, we can usually be found uncontrollably complaining or flailing about in our lack of excitement. Peter, for this entire book, has been trying to tell us that it can be very different for you and I. We can live a life of spiritual exuberance running excitedly through life with our King, enduring all that life has to throw us with a joy and hope that cannot be taken from us, only to wake the next day ready to do it again, knowing that we have all of eternity with the greatest King of all time madly desiring to see us grow and become the very person He made us to be. How can we sleep through this? How can we waver in our devotion? Spend some time with Him today as you prepare for this day, as you prepare for eternity.

 

Day 55

Verses

1 Peter 5:1-5

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%205:1-5;&version=31;

Challenge

We have seen great leaders. We have seen poor leaders. There is quite the difference. Peter describes a great leader here. Great leaders take a personal investment in those that they lead. They shepherd, influence, and guide others towards greatness. There is an expectation that our leadership and the leadership of Jesus (the greatest leader of all time) can look very similar. Look over these verses and then ask how you are leading. Spend some time with your great Leader today asking Him to teach you some of the nuances of great leadership. 

 

Day 54

Verses

1 Peter 4:12-19

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%204:12-19;&version=31;

Challenge

Praise God that you bear that name. There is an ongoing story here that we as Christians can expect to encounter tough times. Stress is inevitable. There is a frame of thought that each and every tough situation that we endure prepares us for the next. All that we have gone through brings us up to this moment. It prepares us for it. Also, it will never be easier for you and I than right now. The next scenario will be more difficult, but we will have greater capacity to handle it. Hope can be found in the fact that we can choose to endure these trials with Christ or without Him. We can bear His name. Spend some time with Christ thinking back over your life. How has He brought you through life, leading you up to where you are right now? What have you experienced and how has it increased your capacity to handle the next thing? Where would you be without Him? 

 

Day 53

Verses

1 Peter 4:7-11

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%204:7-11;&version=31;

Challenge

Everything that you and I do, every ounce of energy that we expel, every word that we speak can be from the very heart of God. So often, we simply forget that what we do and who we are is so closely attached and connected to God through Jesus. As you walk through this day, remind yourself of His power moving and guiding you. What you do today, the choices that you make, the words that you share will shape eternity. Spend some time today partnering with your God. 

 

Day 52

Verses

1 Peter 4:1-6

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%204:1-6;&version=31;

Challenge

Jesus did not live life for evil human desires, but for the will of God beyond the speed-bumps and trappings of this world. Peter says that we are able to live the exact same way. We are not mere men according to the book of Romans. We are aliens to this world according to Peter meant for a purpose beyond what this world can fathom. Jesus has prepared the way for us to live this way. The question is how. Spend some time asking yourself and God how this is possible.

 

Day 51

Verses

1 Peter 3:13-22

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%203:13-22;&version=31;

Challenge

Suffering for doing good vs. suffering for doing evil. Peter keeps painting this picture of how to live life via the high road. He keeps portraying this option of taking a risk towards good. He speaks of future blessings, tying it to the stories of old, with the truth of Jesus’ life, death, burial, resurrection, and place on the throne in heaven above all. He shares with us that we can have these blessings by living a certain way: in relationship with the King on that throne. At this very moment, you can talk with that same King on that very throne. You can ask Him questions, tell Him about what is going on in your life, and confess anything that might stand in the way of these blessings. Spend some time with your King.

 

Day 50

Verses

1 Peter 3:8-12

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%203:8-12;&version=31;

Challenge

Revenge can be so sweet. It can feel so good to get that jab or that phrase out there at that perfect moment effectively altering the rest of the conversation towards your good. Only problem is, it can come back to haunt at a later date. It is so difficult to see the invisible breakdown not only in the other person but in ourselves at that very “revengeful” moment. Peter clearly paints a different picture of taking the high road. Live in harmony, be sympathetic, love, be compassionate, be humble, and do not repay evil for evil, insult for insult is not a good idea. He explains that there is a blessing to be had if this can be done. There may be a few blessings. One will come later in life from God. Another blessing will be great the gift of healthier relationships not bogged down by revenge and strife. Spend some time today talking with God about how He does it; never jabbing back, remaining patient and constant in our lives. Then ask Him to help you. He will.

 

Day 49

Verses

1 Peter 3:1-7

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%203:1-7;&version=31;

Challenge

Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the gospel and if necessary use words.” I like this because talk can often be cheap and can come across as hollow. But actions have a little more weight. Our actions are what increase or decrease trust. This is so true in regards to relationships, specifically marriage. Peter’s suggestion here: respect each other from your inner self. Treat each other compassionately as if you were helping the other grow. This takes zero words to actually do and builds increasing trust, equating your words with your actions. Spend some time talking with God, who never breaks His word and always acts perfectly. 

 

Day 48

Verses

1 Peter 2:13-25

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%202:13-25;&version=31;

Challenge

There is great mystery in submission. It literally means to place yourself under the command or mission of another. One would assume that this lifestyle would take away freedoms, especially if you are submitting to someone who misuses power. Peter seems to have a plan here when you find yourself working for a poor leader: do good. In this instance, it means submitting to this leader. The irony here is that by doing so you actually rise above the situation. You live free, as a servant of God, showing respect, loving each other, fearing God, honoring the King. By doing this, all criticism is silenced…you are lifted above the entire situation. Spend some time submitting to the greatest leader. Allow Him to lift you up and then live free.

 

Day 47

Verses

1 Peter 2:9-12

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%202:9-12;&version=31;

Challenge

This is one of those sections of the Bible that can confuse easily. We are a people of God, aliens to this world. How easy it is here in the States to think that we are the majority and our opinions and efforts will be respected. The world is simply not set up this way. We will be accused and there is a war against our souls. And in the midst of this, we are told to live such a way that to display God’s glory to those who are against us. Talk about a challenge to live.  Spend some time talking with God, asking for Him to show you how best to glorify Him.

 

Day 46

Verses

1 Peter 2:4-8

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%202:4-8;&version=31;

Challenge

We are in process. We are being built into spiritual houses with Jesus as the most important stone in this house. This is what we have been destined for from the beginning. But we have a choice: we can allow Stone to build us up or trip us up. Either way, He is still the Stone. Take some time today to focus on Him. Ask Him to show you how He is building you up today. 

 

Day 45

Verses

1 Peter 2:1-3

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%202:1-3;&version=31;

Challenge

Once God is seen for who He really is, our lives naturally go through a shift. We grow through this experience into our salvation. This means that we grow away from those things that might get in the way of this “growth into our salvation.” Spend some time talking with God. Ask His Spirit to empower you to grow in Him, towards Him, away from the things mentioned in verse 1.

 

Day 44

Verses

1 Peter 1:13-25

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20peter%201:13-25;&version=31;

Challenge

You were not redeemed by anything that can burn up or pass away…You were saved by the eternal! The person who ensures that you will live eternally is Himself eternal. We will not arrive at heaven and wonder where He is. We will not strive for our entire lives towards holiness and purity, seeking to throw off anything that holds us back from the life and adventure that we are promised only to find that the deal has been rescinded. It is eternal, He is eternal. It does not perish! It will not pass away. And because of this, neither will you. Spend time with your eternal King! Thank Him for who He is. 

 

Day 43

Verses

1 Peter 1:3-12

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%201:3-12;&version=31;

Challenge

Faith is said to be of more value than gold in this passage. Isn’t this true? What could hold more worth than to be able to follow through on your beliefs? Peter calls this faith your goal. If you were to aim at growing this faith all else would flow from it. So how has God been growing your faith in Him lately? What has He been speaking to you…in those moments when there is nothing else but you and Him? Through the suffering that you have recently endured, what has He proven of Himself to you? Ask Him. Whatever it may be, whatever He may be saying or showing or proving, rest assured He is not wasting your time. He is growing the very thing that holds more value than gold: your faith. 

 

Day 42

Verses

James 5:13-20

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%205:13-20;&version=31;

Challenge

Allow this verse to challenge your prayer life. How are your reactions to life and your requests of God growing as you come to know Him more? Ask God. What’s His take on this aspect of your life?

 

Day 41

Verses

James 5:7-12

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%205:7-12;&version=31;

Challenge

So often waiting for any period of time leads to complaining. We complain about the people or thing that makes us wait. We complain about anyone or anything that makes waiting more difficult. Why do we have to wait in the first place? Well, James 5:7-12 talks about this very thing. You are waiting for God. God is coming. But while you wait, don’t complain…about God, about other people, about waiting! Instead James encourages you to seek patience.

 

Day 40

Verses

James 3:13-17

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%204:13-17;&version=31;

Challenge

Do what you can, don’t worry about what you can’t? Great advice. Stress generally rises up when we get these reversed. We spend time worrying about what we can’t control, and don’t take action where we do have the ability to. As you spend time talking to God, seek God’s will so that you will know more what you can and cannot control. 

 

Day 39

Verses

James 4:1-12

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%204:1-12;&version=31;

Challenge

People pay a great deal of money in therapy for the advice that can be found in verse 1 alone. Why do people fight? The following 11 verses begin to explain how to remedy the problem. 1) Befriend God, not the world. 2) Look for joy or gloom depending upon the situation. 3) Everyone seek humility. And the overwhelming answer: 4) submit to God. Spend some time today thinking through some recent conflicts that you may have. Have you sought the council of your friend God? Have you asked Him for appropriate joy or gloom? Have you approached the conflict with humility? Overall, have you sought to do what God would ask of you? If not, don’t worry too much…re-read verse 6. This should encourage you to keep trying.   

 

Day 38

Verses

James 3:13-18

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%203:13-18;&version=31;

Challenge

As you read these verses, ask how the author defines wisdom. What is the different between true wisdom and fake wisdom? Spend some time memorizing verse 17. Then spend the rest of the applying it. 

 

Day 37

Verse

James 3:1-12

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%203:1-12;&version=31;

Challenge

The tongue is a potent part of the body. It can do both good and evil. Today’s challenge is simple: pay attention to your words. What do you say? What do your words convey about your heart? Try not to merely focus on the use or lack of use of inappropriate language. Instead look at how are you speaking the right things at the right times? Who are you talking to? Are your words helping God set someone free or are they putting them down and in essence working against what God is doing? Remember this part of your body is both powerful to do amazingly good things and horribly awful things. Spend some time today talking with God.

 

Day 36

Verses:

James 2:1-13

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%202:1-13;&version=31;

Challenge:

James writes about favoritism. He talks about treating people equally. This isn’t easy. We all have our niche of friends that we feel we connect with better than others. Allow his examples to challenge you as you seek to grow more towards a life of the kind of freedom that James talks about in verses 12-13. Spend some time talking to God today and listening to what He has to say for your life. 

 

Day 35

Verses:

James 1:19-27

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%201:19-27;&version=31;

Challenge:

This passage is one of those meaty passages that has a lot to say, which is ironic because it speaks about listening. Spend some time challenging your approach to listening and doing.  What is God saying to you today?

 

Day 34

Verses:

Acts 6:8 – Acts 7:60

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%206:8-7:60;&version=31;

Challenge:

The man is these verses saw the big picture. He understood many things about the history of God’s people…and he tells the story very well. As you read this, hear his passion for the heart of God. Spend some time with God thanking Him for intervening into this story and saving His people. Thank Him for intervening into your own life. Maybe take some time to run through your own story in your mind…

 

Day 33

Verses:

Hebrews 12

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2012;&version=31;

Challenge:

As you read this chapter from the book of Hebrews, look for encouragement to keep on the right path here. Press your focus towards what it is that God has for you. One of the perplexing points is the “cloud of witnesses”…who are these folks? Are they here on earth? Are they supernaturally watching from above? And why if they are watching is it so important to “throw off the sin that so easily entangles?”

 

Day 32

Verses:

The book of Colossians

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians%201;Colossians%202;Colossians%203;Colossians%204;&version=51;

Challenge:

God says amazing things through the Apostle Paul in this book. He wrote this book while he was in a Roman prison the first time. Paul talks about who Jesus is, our responsibility, and oddly enough for a prisoner, our freedom. As you read this, allow God to highlight any words or concepts that catch your attention. Maybe you can highlight these places in your Bible. Then spend some time praying through these ideas, asking God to show you what He meant when He wrote them.