Today in the Word for May 6-17
Today in the Word
Thursday May 6, 2021
Can we trust scripture? Welcome to The Word with Pastor David. One of Jesus’ closest disciples, Peter, states this in II Peter 1:15-16, 18:
“And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.
For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty…We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.”
Peter knows that he is mortal, and will depart from the Church. Yet he ‘will make every effort’ to make sure they remember Jesus. He wrote things down to preserve them, and engaged others to help him do so. The Bible is not a ‘cleverly devised’ story. Legends can develop over hundreds of years. But the Word is often a report of eyewitnesses—those close to the action. Peter and others walked and talked with Jesus over a span of years. They provide us with quite direct data that could be verified by their contemporaries.
And because of the first-hand information that we receive from many parts of scripture, we can trust it to be an accurate report.
The Bible is not clever, it is true. And thus, trustworthy.
And that’s The Word from Pastor David of Deer Lodge Assembly on the corner of 5th and Montana.
Today in the Word
Friday May 7, 2021
What can help us trust the Bible? Welcome to The Word with Pastor David. Peter states in II Peter 1:19-21:
We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it…Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
Peter is saying that scripture is ‘completely reliable.’ It is ‘more sure.’ It is ‘more certain.’ Why? Even though humans who can sin and err wrote the Bible, the Holy Spirit was deeply involved in the project. The writers were carried along by the Spirit. He provided the side-rails that kept the writing on track. The Holy Spirit made scripture greater than a mere human effort. God’s Spirit working through the writers made it ‘completely reliable!’ Scripture is Holy Spirit inspired, and we can trust it.
And that’s the Word. Tune in Sundays at 10:30 on the Deer Lodge Assembly Facebook page for our Livestreamed service or join us at the corner of 5th and Montana.
Today in The Word
Monday May 10, 2021
Do we have a role in developing our Christian character? Welcome to The Word with Pastor David. II Peter 1:5-7 reads:
“…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…”
‘Make every effort’ is a strong word that Peter uses here. It has been translated, ‘exert yourselves the more’, ‘earnestly endeavor’, ‘make it your whole concern’, and ‘do your level best.’ Godly character won’t grow by itself. We are to develop these qualities in ‘increasing measure.’
Our character is not going to develop by casual effort. It is going to take focused attention. Our effort will never save us. Only God’s free gift of grace does that. But our character development, like our muscle development is a function of our investment in its increase. So, ‘make every effort.’
And that’s The Word from Pastor David of Deer Lodge Assembly on the corner of 5th and Montana.
Today in The Word
Tuesday May 11, 2021
What benefit could come from ‘making every effort’ to develop our character? Welcome to The Word with Pastor David. II Peter 1:5-8 reads:
“…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…”
At times do we feel ineffective in impacting the world around us? Our improvement may not come from a better-memorized argument for the existence of God (although that is a fine thing). When we develop our character to be more like Jesus’ character, our witness can take a leap forward in effectiveness.
We demonstrate the Good News by how we live our life. Our healthy character reinforces our truthful message. People hear us better when they want to be us.
Give focused attention to developing Christlike character. It will make the Christian more effective.
And that’s The Word from Pastor David of Deer Lodge Assembly on the corner of 5th and Montana.
Today in the Word
Wednesday May 12, 2021
Can we be nearsighted Christians? Welcome to The Word with Pastor David. II Peter 1:5-7, 9 reads:
“…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…whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.”
Jesus truly forgave us of our sins at conversion. But when we stop pushing to become more Christlike, we can lose vision of what he saved us from. We lose the long-distance vision of what we can become in Christ’s strength. We become short-sighted—myopic. We can only see our immediate needs and fears. Thus, we keep circling around on the merry-go-round of our pet sins. We keep making the same mistakes, and fail to grow.
When we focus on character development, we improve our long-distance vision of who we can become!
And that’s The Word from Pastor David of Deer Lodge Assembly on the corner of 5th and Montana.
Today in the Word
Thursday May 13, 2021
What benefit could come from ‘making every effort’ to develop our character? Welcome to The Word with Pastor David. II Peter 1:5-8, 10-11 reads:
“…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…make every effort to confirm your calling and election…and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
‘Make every effort’ appears twice in these few verses. When we give focused attention to our character development, there is a potentially huge payout. Growing your character confirms your destination.
How so? Other passages written by Paul explain that habitual sin can separate us from the Kingdom of God. When our godly character increases, our sinful behaviors decrease. We become less and less likely to get trapped by habitual wrongdoing.
Full participation in God’s development of our character is one of the great protectors against the destructive nature of sin. We can build our confidence that we will spend eternity with God.
And that’s The Word from Pastor David of Deer Lodge Assembly on the corner of 5th and Montana.
Today in the Word
Friday May 14, 2021
Why focus on being holy? Welcome to The Word with Pastor David. II Peter 3:11-12, 14 reads:
“…The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God…since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.”
Scripture is clear that Jesus is coming back someday. There will be two primary reactions to his return. Some will be eager to see him and some will be terrified. Since the Lord is returning with an aspect of judgment, how ought we to live? We are to ‘make every effort’ toward being holy. When our life looks more like Jesus’ life, we are openly eager to embrace Jesus’ return. Several of Jesus’ parables zero in on reactions to the sudden return of the master or bridegroom.
I want to be one looking forward to Christ’s return, not looking to hide. Don’t you?
And that’s the Word. Tune in Sundays at 10:30 on the Deer Lodge Assembly Facebook page for our Livestreamed service or join us at the corner of 5th and Montana.
Today in The Word
Monday May 17, 2021
Can we move God’s calendar? Welcome to The Word with Pastor David. II Peter 3:9-12, 14-15 reads:
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise…Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief…Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming…since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation…”
God is patient to reach as many as possible with salvation. That is why he has not returned yet. However, the passage claims we can possibly ‘speed its coming.’ How?
When we focus on becoming holy—more like Jesus’ character, we can influence God’s timeline. Others are attracted to our growing godly character. They hear the message of salvation better because they see good fruit from the gospel in our lives. More humans come to faith. God’s patience for more in his Kingdom is rewarded, and Jesus’ returns sooner to complete this chapter of human history.
Why pursue holiness? It could bring back Jesus sooner! Let’s move God’s calendar!
And that’s The Word from Pastor David of Deer Lodge Assembly on the corner of 5th and Montana.