OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for August 2019
September 1, 2019
I Peter 5:5 – Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
Thought: Relationships are difficult to navigate and maintain. Two things often get in the way of healthy relationships: pride and selfishness. Peter teaches us several things about relationships. First, there are rules in relationships. The younger is to submit to the elder. This is a command. Note, however, that the elder is not to take advantage of the submission. There are times when he will be subject to the younger. Second, both need to set aside pride and be clothed with humility.
Leviticus 19:32
September 2, 2019
I Peter 5:6 – Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.
Thought: There are three difficulties that men face that are found in this verse. First, they do not want to humble themselves. Second, they want to exalt themselves instead of having God do it. Third, man does not want to wait upon God. Joseph waited on God and was exalted. Moses waited upon God and was exalted. David waited on God and was exalted. Jesus waited on God and was exalted. Humble yourselves, dear readers. The mighty hand of God will exalt you in due time.
Exodus 10:3
September 3, 2019
I Peter 5:7 – Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Thought: A form of the word “care” occurs twice in this verse. Each word carries a different definition. Our cares are the worries, frets, concerns, and difficulties that we face in our lives. The care God has for us involves love, concern, and a willingness to help us. Peter exhorts us to take “all” of our care and cast it upon God. His shoulders are broad. His strength is great. His resources are inexhaustible. My friend, give your cares to God. He wants them. Remember, He cares for you.
Psalm 27:13-14
September 4, 2019
I Peter 5:8 – Be sober; be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.
Thought: Peter exhorts us to put two things into our lives, soberness and vigilance. Soberness is defined as “calm, collected, temperate, discreet, and circumspect.” Vigilance means “to watch, to give strict attention to, and to be cautious.” We need these qualities because we have an enemy poised as a lion ready to strike and destroy us. That adversary is the devil. He shows no mercy and takes no prisoners. Remember, he is constantly walking about us.
Job 2:2
September 5, 2019
I Peter 5:9 – Whom resist steadfast in the faith, know that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
Thought: Satan lurks around every corner and seeks to devour. We can overcome him. Peter exhorts us to “resist” Satan “steadfast in the faith. “The faith” is the Word of God. By knowing and applying the Word of God to our lives, we can defeat the devil’s temptations. My friends, we are fighting the battle of three wills: God’s will, Satan’s will, and our will. When we allow our will to conform to the will of God, we will never fulfill the will of the evil one. Resist him steadfastly in the faith!
James 4:7
September 6, 2019
I Peter 5:10 – But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
Thought: So many things are revealed in this little verse. God is the God of “all grace.” Aren’t you glad you have experienced it? This God “called us.” This was done through the gospel of Christ. The end of that call is “his eternal glory.” It was accomplished through Jesus Christ. As partakers of that call, we will suffer “a while.” God, however, will make us perfect. He will also stablish, strengthen, and settle us. May each of us be thankful and remain faithful.
II Timothy 1:9
September 7, 2019
I Peter 5:11 – To him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Thought: There is only one being who deserves glory and dominion. That being is God. He deserves these things because of who He is and because of what He has done for mankind. He deserves glory and dominion “forever and ever.” Sadly, in the course of time, there are only certain, small segments of society who give God the glory He deserves. Are you one who does? If not, why not? Why doesn’t God deserve glory and dominion in your eyes? Please consider your answer carefully.
Revelation 5:13
September 8, 2019
I Peter 5:12 – By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.
Thought: In every work, there are those who assist those who are laboring on the front lines. These individuals are often in the background. They do not receive very much recognition. They do not receive a lot of gratitude. However, they keep doing the work that needs to be done to further the cause of Christ. Silvanus was one of those individuals. He helped Peter write this brief letter about “the true grace of God.” Little is known about him. However, we are glad he assisted Peter in this effort.
II Corinthians 1:19
September 9, 2019
I Peter 5:13 – The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.
Thought: Congregations of the Lord’s people are autonomous, that is, self-governing. This, however, does not negate fellowship between local churches. Local congregations are not in competition. In fact, they should be laboring together for the cause of Christ. Too, individual Christians need to support and encourage their brethren in other churches. In this verse, the church which was at Babylon saluted the saints to which Peter wrote. Marcus did as well. Remember: We are in this together.
II John 13
September 10, 2019
I Peter 5:14 – Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Thought: Peter closes his epistle with a positive exhortation and a wish for his readers. First, he exhorts these Christians to greet one another. Greetings express love, appreciation, and acceptance of another individual. In the first century, the common greeting was that of a kiss. It was much like our handshake today. Peter also longs for peace in the lives of these children of God. Peace is much more preferable to bickering, fighting, and strife. Peter leaves his readers with a very soft touch.
I Corinthians 16:20
September 11, 2019
II Peter 1:1 – Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Thought: With this opening verse, Peter makes his mark on the canon of Scripture for the second time. In this epistle, he not only refers to himself as an apostle, a person of divine authority, but also as a servant, one who renders assistance to others. He addresses those who “have obtained like precious faith with us.” Our positions in society and in the church may be different, but all Christians share something in common, their salvation by faith Jesus Christ. God’s righteousness made this available.
Acts 15:8-9
September 12, 2019
II Peter 1:2 – Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.
Thought: Grace and peace are significant blessings even when possessed in small amounts. Peter wants these to be multiplied in the lives of his readers. Peter even tells them how to do it. It is done through the acquisition of the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ. Knowledge is a tremendous resource. We should never diminish the need for knowledge in our lives if we want grace and peace.
I John 5:20
September 13, 2019
II Peter 1:3 – According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.
Thought: When Peter uses the word “all things” in this verse, absolutely nothing is left out. Notice that God has given all things that we need for an animated and abundant life here and in the hereafter. He has also given us all things needed for us to have a positive and fulfilling relationship with God the Father. All of these things come through the knowledge of God’s precious Word. Again, Peter emphasizes the need for knowledge in our lives as God’s children.
Hosea 4:6
September 14, 2019
II Peter 1:4 – Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Thought: We all enjoy promises. When they are made, we look forward to their coming to fruition. Christians have been given “exceeding great and precious promises.” Sometimes we fail to comprehend just how great they are. These promises involve our becoming partakers of the divine nature. Dear reader, this is a thought that should boggle the mind. As a Christian, a person escapes the corruption of the world and becomes a partaker of the divine nature. Unbelievable!
Hebrews 8:6
September 15, 2019
II Peter 1:5 – And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge.
Thought: Christianity isn’t just about receiving promises. There are also responsibilities placed upon the child of God. One of those obligations is to add the Christian graces to one’s life. Peter reminds us that this is to be done with “all diligence.” We need to put all of our effort into this. Our life as a Christian begins with faith. To this, we are to add virtue. This is moral courage. We came out of the world. Now, we must stand against the world. Knowledge helps us do this. So, we add knowledge.
Hebrews 6:11
September 16, 2019
II Peter 1:6 – And to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness.
Thought: Temperance is self-control. Patience is endurance. Godliness has been defined as “God-likeness.” It seems like each one of the graces builds on the other. Self-control involves patience. As we manifest self-control over a long period of time, we become more and more God-like. Something to keep in mind is that when we put these graces into our lives, we become better people. Too, we separate ourselves from those in the world by practicing these attributes.
I Timothy 6:11
September 17, 2019
II Peter 1:7 – And to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity.
Thought: Brotherly kindness and charity are like icing on the cake. The other attributes are sweet, but these two top off the sweetness. Have you ever heard someone say: “I like the cake, but I love the icing?” Brotherly kindness and charity draw others to us. They make us the kind of people that others desire to be around. They are the opposite of meanness, rudeness, and selfishness. These qualities prove to others that we genuinely care about them. Kindness and charity are needed in large doses.
Romans 12:10
September 18, 2019
II Peter 1:8 – For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thought: Just having knowledge in one’s head is of little benefit. It is when knowledge is put into practice that one becomes profitable and fruitful in knowledge. Peter lists the eight Christian graces. He now exhorts his readers to make sure these things are in them and abound. If they do, “they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” An intelligent person applies what he learns. There is a difference between being smart and being wise.
Philemon 5-6
September 19, 2019
II Peter 1:9 – But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
Thought: When we fail to put our Christianity into practice, we become spiritually blind. Our focus is on the world rather than on things that are afar off. In addition, we forget the blessing of having our sins purged by the blood of Christ. We become slothful. We become negligent. We become careless. Our Christian life becomes an empty shell. It may look good, but it is easy to collapse.
James 2:17-20
September 20, 2019
II Peter 1:10 – Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.
Thought: We do not become a Christian, and that’s it. There are some who hold to a doctrine called “once saved, always saved.” Sadly, it is a false doctrine. Peter exhorted the Christians of his day to “give diligence to make your calling and election sure.” If it is sure, and one cannot fall, why is this admonition necessary? It would not be. My friend, we must actively seek to add the Christian graces to our lives. And, “if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” If you do not, Peter says you can fall.
I Corinthians 10:12
September 21, 2019
II Peter 1:11 – For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Thought: If there is one thing that everyone desires, it is to go to Heaven. An old song began with these words: “Everybody wants to go to heaven…” Peter helps us to reach that goal. He tells Christians that if they will add these Christian graces to their lives that “an entrance shall be minister unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom.” Did you hear that word that describes the kingdom? It is everlasting. It will last forever and ever. We will be there eternally. What a promise.
Matthew 25:34
September 22, 2019
II Peter 1:12 – Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.
Thought: There are some people who see repetition as a bad thing. When they hear something over, they are quick to condemn the one who says it. Peter, however, saw reminders as a good thing. He told his readers that he would “not negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them.” It is good to hear facts again. It is profitable to hear truths stated again. It is fruitful to hear the commands of God repeated. It is beneficial to be reminded of God’s promises.
Philippians 3:1
September 23, 2019
II Peter 1:13 – Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance.
Thought: It is interesting that Peter said that he wanted to stir up the brethren. The words, “to stir you up,” mean “to awaken fully” and “to arouse the mind.” Christians have a tendency to day dream or go to sleep as they live their Christian lives. From time to time, they need someone to nudge them, to remind them of their duties and obligations. Peter said that he would do this as long as he was in his physical tent, that is, his earthly body. He was convinced that this was the right thing do to. Me, too!
I Timothy 4:6
September 24, 2019
II Peter 1:14 – Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
Thought: By divine revelation Peter knew that his death was looming in the near future. He would soon put off his earthly tabernacle. Unless the Lord returns in our lifetime, all of us will cast off our physical bodies. This will happen on the day of our death. Most of the time, we do not think about that day very much. When we do, however, it is sobering. What is on the other side? Is what the Bible says about those things true? Am I really preparing for that day? These are important questions.
Luke 16:22-23
September 25, 2019
II Peter 1:15 – Moreover I will endeavor that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
Thought: When death comes, there may be some things that we long to leave behind for others. Peter wanted his teachings left behind. He wanted his readers to be able to keep all he had said in remembrance. To do this, Peter had to make certain things got done. He had to write his teachings down. It would take time. It would take effort. But, Peter knew that all the effort manifested would prove beneficial to his brothers and sisters in Christ. Is there something you wish to leave to others?
Deuteronomy 31:24-26
September 26, 2019
II Peter 1:16 – For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
Thought: A person can follow the truth, or, a person can follow fables. Fables are made up tales. They originate in the mind of man. Truth, on the other hand, comes from the mind of God. Peter’s message was a message of absolute truth. He was an eyewitness of the things about which he spoke and wrote. He summarized his message as one about “the power and coming our Lord Jesus Christ.” That message is the gospel. That message is the good news! All need to hear it.
I Timothy 4:6-7
September 27, 2019
II Peter 1:17 – For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Thought: Peter recalls the Mount of Transfiguration. He was one of three apostles who were there with Jesus. He saw the transformation that took place. He saw the glory and majesty bestowed upon the Son of man. He also heard a voice from heaven. God spoke, and said: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” These words were also spoken by God: “Hear ye him.” Jesus is the Christ. Jesus is the Son of God. It is He who is our authority in religion today, not Moses or the prophets.
Matthew 17:1-8
September 28, 2019
II Peter 1:18 – And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when were with him in the holy mount.
Thought: Eyewitness testimony is extremely valuable. It assures us of the truthfulness of events that have taken place. Peter affirms to his readers that he was a witness of the transfiguration. He saw the glory that came upon Jesus. He heard the voice which spoke from heaven. Peter was a good man, an honest man. He had no reason to lie. Too, he was not the only man there. Peter and John saw and heard these things as well. At the mouth of two or three witnesses facts are established.
Deuteronomy 19:15
September 29, 2019
II Peter 1:19 – We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the daystar arise in your hearts.
Thought: The revelation we possess today in the New Testament is “a more sure word of prophecy.” The writer of the book of Hebrews refers to it as a “better covenant.” Because of its superiority, Peter reminds us that we “do well that ye take heed.” To take heed involves more than reading. To take heed means more than studying. To take heed is to apply. When we take heed to God’s word, it is likened unto a light shining in a dark place. It like unto the breaking of the sun on a new day.
Luke 1:78-79
September 30, 2019
II Peter 1:20 – Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation.
Thought: This verse has been misinterpreted by some individuals. The main reason is because the verse is lifted from its context. Individuals often think this verse teaches that we cannot interpret the Scriptures. They tell us that we must have someone interpret the Scriptures for us. Not so. Peter is referring to the revelation that men of God recorded for us. It did not originate in their minds. They were guided by someone else of greater authority than a mere man.
Galatians 1:11-12
Read devotionals for October 2019
