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 131:1-3 Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty.
I do not get involved with things too great or too wondrous for me.
2 Instead, I have calmed and quieted my soul like a weaned child with its mother;
my soul is like a weaned child.
3 Israel, put your hope in the Lord, both now and forever.
Think about a weaned child. She still longs for her mother, but she does not cry and yearn for food from her mother. She trusts that mom will still care for her. You can hope in God like this child is calm and quiet with her mother. Trusting, believing, but calm and quiet. God is reliable and caring like a mother caring for her child. Praise Him.
SCRIPTURE READING:
2 Peter 1:16-21 – Christian Standard Bible
16 For we did not follow cleverly contrived myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; instead, we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased!” 18 We ourselves heard this voice when it came from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 We also have the prophetic word strongly confirmed, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you know this: No prophecy of Scripture comes from the prophet’s own interpretation, 21 because no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Having God’s Ear through Prayer
- Express thanksgiving to God.
- 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 those moving in at Wichita State this weekend. Ask God to draw many students to himself.
Living as God’s People by applying the Bible
Scripture Reflection from the Sermon
Jesus told Peter some details about his death. They were vague, but they were ominous. Who wants to be told that someday you will be hauled away to where you don’t want to go? It wasn’t recorded, but I wonder if Peter later said, “Jesus, why did you tell me that? I can’t stop thinking about it!” I would be surprised if he didn’t think it or ask it. They had lots of time together. In fact, Peter probably tried to pry more details out of Jesus. “How old?” “What will it be like exactly?” “So, can you arrange a different way for me to die?” The Peter of this letter was older, wiser, and more faith-filled than before. He was not at all worried about the details of his death; he was intent on the details of his life. He wanted to be found faithful. He wanted to pass off the truth to the next generation. We will all die; the details of that certainty belong to the Lord. While we live, the choice to be found faithful belongs to us.