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June 18
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ON FALSE TEACHINGS AND DESTRUCTIVE HERESIES
But false prophets also appeared among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2 Many will follow their indecent behavior, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; 3 and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. – 2 Peter 2:1-3
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In this letter, Peter warns the believers of what is going to come in the church and the Christian community. He tells them about being infiltrated by false prophets and false teachers whose purpose is to mislead people from following truth. Peter brings this prophecy to the followers of Jesus so they will be prepared when these kinds of people inch their way into body of believers.
Peter paints a picture of what is going to happen when these heretics come into the churches and bring havoc to the people of God. He exposes their tactics and what will eventually happen as such:
• These false teachers and false prophets will deceivingly get in the churches without the people being aware of them – getting into the sheepfold stealthily will create more damage to the followers of Christ.
• Their main goal is to weaken the unity and purity of the believers by introducing destructive heresies and create confusion and chaos in the body.
• They will persuade the people to deny Christ as their Master in order for them to manipulate and control them leading to their destruction.
• Many will fall into the traps that these heretics will present such as indecent behavior which will lead to the malignment of truth.
• In their greed, they will exploit and manipulate God’s people with lies and false teachings which are devised so cleverly that may not be so clearly seen until the believers have already fallen into their traps.
Despite all these schemes that the devil plans, Peter reminds the believers in verse 3 that they shouldn’t be discouraged because they serve a God who will not let evil unpunished. He is not asleep and he is a God who is just and will surely bring destruction to such wickedness and protect his people.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to know how the enemy works as prophesied by Peter here?
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EYEWITNESSES OF HIS MAJESTY ILMA’S VLOG
June 17
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EYEWITNESSES OF HIS MAJESTY
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such a declaration as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory: “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well pleased”— 18 and we ourselves heard this declaration made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.19 And so we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. 20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture becomes a matter of someone’s own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
– 2 Peter 1:16-21
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In this letter, Peter declares his first-hand experience with the Lord Jesus. He explains that he did not make up stories about the power and coming of Christ, but that he was an eyewitness of his majestic Lord. Peter is actually talking about being there during Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist and a dove descended on Jesus and they all heard God spoke “This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.” Can you imagine how it would feel if you actually witnessed this event? Peter was honored and awed at how he was given a chance to take part in this glorious and majestic moment. Are you honored as a believer to know that the Christ whom you believe in is someone whom God is well pleased with?
In verse 19, Peter emphasizes the importance of the prophetic word endowed on those who were key witnesses to this important event. He says that it is important that those spectators will be able to shine the light of Jesus in dark places until He comes back again. What does mean for believers? It means that we must make it our goal to preach the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to the unbelieving world and be witnesses to Christ’s work of salvation. We have a mandate to preach the gospel into all the world and to all creation in Mark 16:15.
In verses 20-21, Peter talks about an important matter. He says that prophecy wasn’t an exercise of human will, but a work of the Holy Spirit that was spoken from God himself. Many Christians have not truly witnessed to the great majestic God.
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REFLECTION
• Why is witnessing an important aspect of a Christian’s life?
PRESS ON TO YOUR CALLING FROM GOD ILMA’S VLOG
June 16
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THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ESTABLISHED IN THE TRUTH
12 Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them and have been established in the truth which is present with you. 13 I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind. – 2 Peter 1:12-15
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In this letter Peter is repeatedly warning the believers of the qualities that a believer should continually seek to do in order to be established in the truth. Peter had made it his life goal to ensure that each believer is keeping up with the cost of being a follower of Jesus. He wants them to be established in truth and he says in verse 13 that he will do everything he can for as long as he lives to stir up every believer in the way that is right.
We see how Peter was all out to make it his life goal to remind all believers to equip themselves to diligently do what is expected of every one who commits to Christ. In verse 15, he declares that even after he is no longer alive, he is leaving a legacy where each believer will have to remember all that Jesus has taught them.
The word “truth” had been so misused by the world that it is no longer about God’s word. The truth has taken on a very subjective perspective even to a point that it has been taken to a point of relativism. Truth is what each person’s perspective it, not God’s viewpoint. You ask someone if they know the truth and most people would say what they think of something and they think that is the truth. Sadly, the world has corrupted the real meaning of truth by making it about how humans see things. Truth is about absolutes not about what humans perceive or know. Truth comes from the word of God because God is the fountain of knowledge. He knows everything and is the source of all that is right. He is truth and only by abiding and following him can we know the truth. That is why Peter is so adamant that all believers stay grounded on the truth that only comes from God’s word. He knows that once we veer away from it, we will surely turn away from the narrow road that leads to ruin and destruction. When we are established in the truth, we will never falter in our faith and we will eventually have the promises of God be fulfilled in our lives. We are given a foolproof guarantee of our salvation.
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REFLECTION
• What happens when a Christian do not establish himself in the word of God?
• Why do we need to invest time as believers in staying in truth?
QUALITIES FOR CHRISTIAN FOR PRODUCTIVE LIVING ILMA’S VLOG
June 14
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QUALITIES FOR CHRISTIAN FOR PRODUCTIVE LIVING
5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness
7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they do not make you useless nor
unproductive in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For the one who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. – 2 Peter 1:5-9
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In this letter, Peter gives us all the secret for Christian living. He discusses the process involved in a Christian’s spiritual growth.
1. Apply diligence. – Merriam Webster defines diligence as steady, earnest, and energetic effort: devoted and painstaking work and application to accomplish an undertaking. No wonder Peter wants believers to be use this quality in their lives.
2. In your faith, supply moral excellence. It is the quality of doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong. We are expected to use this quality in our faith.
3. Employ knowledge in your moral excellence. – Knowledge is defined as facts, information, and skills acquired by a person through experience or education.
4. Self-control must be applied as you use knowledge. – There is a danger of being boastful when we do not have self-control. It makes us performers rather than using knowledge to edify the body of Christ.
5. In your self-control, there must be perseverance. – it is a continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition or steadfastness.
6. In persevering, there must be godliness. – it is the quality or state of being pure or clean. Without this quality, we will only be striving to perform instead of being righteous.
7. In your godliness, do not fail to give brotherly kindness. – Always make sure that you are always considerate, generous and patient.
8. Show love as you exhibit brotherly kindness. – We are all made in God’s image, so we have an anointing
These qualities are very essential for a believer to grow in their walk with the Spirit.
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REFLECTION
• Which of these qualities are you abounding or lacking in?
OUTCOME OF GOD’S PRECIOUS AND MAGNIFICENT PROMISES
June 13
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OUTCOME OF GOD’S PRECIOUS AND MAGNIFICENT PROMISES
Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 for His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 4 Through these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world on account of lust. – 2 Peter 1:1-4
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In this letter, Peter addresses the people who have the same faith as his. He emphasized that we receive it by the righteousness of our God and Savior Christ Jesus. Peter always starts his salutation with a greeting of peace and grace. In this letter, he greets them with a double blessing of knowledge of God and the Lord Jesus.
Peter mentions the divine power that only comes from God and discusses the importance of true knowledge of Him who called us all so we can give him all the glory and excellence.
He talks to the believers about the aftermath of focusing on God’s magnificent promises. It is the only way that they may share God’s divine nature and stay pure and able to resist lusts in this world.
Biblegateway.com lists about 5467 promises in the bible. Some other websites mention 7000 to 8000. It doesn’t matter what the exact number is but what is important is the knowledge that we can count on. If you do the math, that is about 14 promises per day in a year. So, how come we don’t look forward to all of them? Many believers probably don’t stand on these promises or even know them. How can one look up to something that is not clear? That is why we are bombarded with them in the bible so that we can have something to be expectant about even 14 times per day in a year. Can you imagine how this world would look like if each person knows the promises they can look forward to on a daily basis? There will be an end to negative thinking, depression, hopelessness or frustration. Each one would be full of hope and expectancy to see the promises happen in their lives on a regular basis. Each one would get deeper knowledge of who God is and how he provides and gives us all that we need. There will be no room for complaining and whining. It will be a world of contentment and gratitude to a God who gives it all.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to focus on God’s promises regularly?
BE WATCHFUL FOR THE DEVIL SEEKS TO DEVOUR SOMEONE ILMA’S VLOG
June 12
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BE WATCHFUL FOR THE DEVIL SEEKS TO DEVOUR SOMEONE
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 having cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares about you.8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9So resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brothers and sisters who are in the world. 10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.
12 Through Silvanus, our faithful brother (for so I regard him), I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it! 13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son, Mark. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to you all who are in Christ.
– 1 Peter 5:6-14
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Peter tells us a very wise warning about the devil in this letter. He gives us a way so that we won’t be an easy prey to the enemy. Here are some of the ways that you can avoid being a victim of the devil
• Humble yourselves under the might hand of God -when someone is humble, no matter what the devil does, he won’t succeed. Arrogance is the open door for him.
• Cast your anxiety on the Lord – when we engage in worry and do not pursue peace, we will be spun by the devil’s lies and make us lose our peace.
• Be of sober spirit- when we are patient and prudent, the enemy cannot infiltrate us and make us reckless, wild and unregulated.
• Be watchful and alert because the devil prowls like a roaring lion, wanting to devour someone.
• Be firm in your faith and resist your flesh – the devil won’t even have a chance to trick you when your faith is like a fortress.
• Suffer for Christ -for this will strengthen your faith and will make you have a solid foundation for bringing the gospel alive in you.
Peter closes his letter with a kiss of love and a greeting of peace to all who will read this letter.
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REFLECTION
• How can you ensure that you are not opening doors to the enemy to devour you?
BE HUMBLE AND BE EXAMPLES TO THE FLOCK ILMA’S VLOG
June 11
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BE HUMBLE AND BE EXAMPLES TO THE FLOCK
Therefore, I urge elders among you, as your fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and one who is also a fellow partaker of the glory that is to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not with greed but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as domineering over those assigned to your care, but by proving to be examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT HE GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE. – 1 Peter 5:1-5
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In this letter, Peter charges the other elders as a fellow elder himself, to be a witness of the sufferings of Christ and also someone who will look forward to the glory that will be revealed to them. In verse 2, Peter asks them to shepherd the flock that God has given them, ensuring that they implementing foresight and sound leadership. He stresses the importance of initiative and not just doing their duties out of compulsion, but according to God’s will. He cautions them about greed and advises them to be eager and passionate about their big responsibilities in ensuring that the sheepfold is cared for. He warns them of the danger of putting themselves in high esteem and controlling the flock. Instead, Peter commands them to be a role model to the entire flock. In verse 4, Peter points to the reward that awaits those elders who faithfully shepherds the flock that have been given to them. They will receive the crown of life.
In our world today, there are lots of churches that are compromised when it comes to the integrity of the elders. The role of the elders is no longer set apart from worldly systems in many false churches. It is no longer taking care of God’s flock that is their role, but having their agendas met. It is precious that Peter writes this letter to admonish the elders and also the younger men.
In verse 5, the younger men are commanded to submit to the authority of the elders. A leader is not able to lead well without submissive members of the flock. He wants all believers to cloak themselves in humility because God opposes the proud.
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REFLECTION
• Why is role modelling more important than telling someone what to do?
• Why is witnessing to Jesus’ suffering an important function of an elder?
THE SUFFERING THAT GOD REWARDS
June 10
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THE SUFFERING THAT GOD REWARDS
15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; 16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER? 19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God are to entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.
– 1 Peter 4:15-19
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In this letter, Peter differentiates two types of suffering. He groups them into two kinds. One that is brought about by one’s sins or as a consequence of a wrong choice or foolish decision. The other one is to suffer as a Christian when one is being persecuted, ostracized or ridiculed for believing in God and the truth. It is interesting to watch unbelievers suffer because they have no idea what God has done for them so they can live a life of freedom and love. It is noble to watch someone go through hardships because they are defending the truth about Jesus and the gospel. During COVID 19 pandemic, many Christian leaders are being persecuted to continue to serve the Lord and gather to worship Him. What Peter is saying here is that it is honorable to defend God’s truth even to a point of death. That was what martyrs in the bible did, just like Stephen who was stoned to death because he wouldn’t compromise his faith.
In verse 17, Peter reminds us how Christians ought to be responsible more than those who don’t know God. Those who knows God, knows his commands and are expected to follow them. While those who have never heard about the gospel are not hold accountable for something they do not know. There is a higher expectation from those who claim they believe in God than those who never knew him. In verse 18, Peter states a truth that any believer must take seriously. If believers are already struggling with the challenges and trials that come with faith, how much more those who do not know Christ or have turn their backs on him?
In verse 19, all believers are reminded of the reward awaiting those who suffer according to the will of God and for the sake of the Good News. Peter, once again, brings the focus on our Creator, who lavishly loves us and is generous to reward his faithful people.
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REFLECTION
• Why are unbelievers unable to grasp the concept of suffering for Christ?
REJOICE WHEN YOU SUFFER FOR CHRIST
JUNE 9
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REJOICE WHEN YOU SUFFER FOR CHRIST
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that at the revelation of His glory you may also rejoice and be overjoyed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory, and of God, rests upon you.
-1 Peter 4:12-14
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In this letter, Peter stresses the importance of suffering for Christ. In the following passages, he cautions all believers to avoid making an ordeal of the hardships that they go through when they are experiencing trials to bring truth through their words and way of life. Instead, believers need to change their perspectives in the event that they are faced with adversities for the sake of Christ and the gospel.
Peter raises a counter-intuitive approach to such challenging events that brings about occasions to preach the gospel. His antidote to such suffering is to rejoice. The world will never understand this concept because it focuses on pleasuring the self. Humans are by nature self-serving. They will never serve Christ in their natural. Peter explains why it is important to suffer for Christ joyfully. It brings him glory. The tendency for humans is to complain and only be happy when they get what they want. It is only in Christ that we can view suffering as a way to grow endurance, and thus, grow our faith as well.
Peter further clarifies the process of spiritual growth that happens when we are insulted for the name of Christ. If we are insulted because we believe in Christ, that is like sharing in Christ’s suffering here on earth as he became the sacrificial lamb to cleanse all mankind from sin. He says that we receive much blessings when we allow ourselves to go through such suffering with rejoicing.
I have actually experienced an abundance of blessings just because I endured being mocked with my love for the Lord and with living a life of integrity and honesty. It is foreign for unbelievers to understand why believers would even embrace suffering for the sake of Jesus. They do not have a concept of servanthood. Our world system discriminates such act of humility because it caters more to power and corruption rather than humility and being under authority to the Lord God himself. Remember that rejoicing in suffering for Christ, you are earning heavenly points for your soul.
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REFLECTION
• Why shouldn’t we be surprised when we are ridiculed for suffering for Jesus?
WARNING FOR THE END ILMA’S VLOG
June 8
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WARNING FOR THE END
7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. 8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaint. 10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God. 11 Whoever speaks is to do so as one who is speaking actual words of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
– 1 Peter 4:7-11
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In this letter, Peter spells out some details about the warning that the end of all things is near. Here are some of his cautionary measures for all the believers to watch out for:
1. Be of sound judgment-we can only have a sound mind if we renew our minds to the mind of Christ. That is the only way we can make sound judgment.
2. Be of sober spirit for the purpose of prayer-Peter reminds us of the importance of prayer. A believer’s life must be about preparing one’s heart for communing with God. If our spirit is so distracted with many things, we won’t be able to pray right.
3. Keep fervent in your love for one another-being eager to serve one another because you love them is an evidence of the Spirit’s fruit in your life as a believer.
4. Be hospitable to one another without complaints- without complaints is the condition of this guideline for showing kindness and hospitality to others.
5. Use your gifts to serve one another -many times, people use their gifts for themselves, so Peter warns us to ensure we are equipping the body of Christ.
6. Be good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God- by ensuring that we are accountable to what was assigned to us, we show God’s grace to others
7. Speak only as one who is speaking actual words of God- let nothing foul come out of your mouth but only what edifies the Lord and what encourages others
8. When you serve, make sure you remember it is God who supplies you the ability to do so – we need to avoid making a performance of how we serve God and others.
9. Glorify God in all things through Jesus Christ- When we abide in Christ and his word, we bring praise to God who is the Maker of all things.
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REFLECTION
• Which one of these warnings resonates loud to your life right now? Explain.