Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Tuesday, November 29th

Today's reading from the Chronological OT/NT Reading Plan is Ezekiel 35-36, 2 Peter 1

Scripture
Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 2 Peters 1:2

Observation
Grace and peace come through the knowledge of our God and Lord.

Application
My Life Application Bible says this....

Many believers want an abundance of God's grace and peace, but they are unwilling to put forth the effort to get to know him better through Bible study and prayer. To enjoy the privileges God offers us freely, we have "the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord."

In today's fast-paced world, we're always looking for shortcuts. Or the easy way to do something. The fastest way to get results with the least amount of effort. And hopefully, without having to change our current lifestyle too much. That doesn't work in dieting and it doesn't work in developing a stronger spiritual life either!

A strong relationship with God does not come without effort. You get out what you put in to it. You reap what you sow. This cause and effect reality should be crystal clear to us, but somehow we seem to forget it so often. Or maybe we just plead ignorance, hoping for a pass somehow. Or we put it off one more day, and another, and another.

That was me for 30+ years. Once again, so thankful for the blog helping to shake me out of my spiritual lethargy and making my faith real and truly applicable to my life. But the journey is never over. And so we have to keep on growing in the knowledge of our God and of Jesus our Lord!

Tomorrow's passage: Ezekiel 37-39, 2 Peter 2