Hearing God’s Voice from His Word
James 4:8 says, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word.
Psalm of the Day
Psalm 121:1-4 I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber.
4 Indeed, the Protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep.
Read the entire Psalm
God does not sleep or slumber. He is always God. He is always protector. He is always ready to help. He never needs to recover from a long day. He does not need to recharge. He is always the Lord. Praise Him because He needs no sleep or slumber.
Scripture Reading
2 Peter 1:1-15 – English Standard Version
1 Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
12 Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.
Having God’s Ear through Prayer
- Give thanks to God for His gifts and His goodness.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal sin to you.
- Confess your sin to Him and receive forgiveness.
(1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sin He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins.”) - Bring your personal requests to God.
(Psalm 62:8 “Pour out your heart before God”) - Pray for someone in your small group.
- Join with others from River and pray for CAYM. Ask God to guide Donnovan and his ministry as he works to train organizations to raise up effective Christian mentors for at-risk youth.
Living as God’s People by applying the Bible
Scripture Reflection from the Sermon
Yesterday we focused on the reality of being “partakers in the divine nature.” Through Christ’s blood shed on our behalf, we now have access to God’s power and His promises. As partakers of the divine nature, we have “escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire” (v. 4).
If you are in Christ, then you are no longer in sin. You are no longer a slave to sin. You are no longer a slave to your broken body, your broken will, your broken mind. You have God-given freedom and power to rebel against the sinful nature. God saved and redeemed you so that you could and would walk in holiness. Thus, sin is never due to a shortage of God’s power; it is always due to a lapse in our participation.
What is one area of life where you most noticeably see your need to grow in godliness (i.e. pride, contentment, sexual purity, forgiveness, love for others, using your words to build others up and not tear them down, etc.)?
Confess your sin to God. Confess that you are not enough to overcome your sin and that you need His Divine power. You may even want to confess to a close friend. Tomorrow we will begin thinking through a plan for change. But, today, simply humble yourself at the feet of Jesus. You can use Psalm 51:1-12 as a prayer to God.