“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life …” (2 Peter 1:3)

Have you ever watched a dog chase its tail? He doesn't realize that it is part of him. He continually chases after it in a futile attempt to get what's already attached and is already his!

In the same way, many Christians chase after what is already theirs. How do they do this? They ask God to provide for them what He has already provided for them!

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3 NIV)

Lack of knowledge!

They don't have a lack of God’s provision, (He has provided everything!) but, they do have a lack of knowledge of what He has provided for them in His Word!

The problem

If you don't know that you have something, you will believe and behave as though you don't have it, even though you actually have it!

It's like the man who died of a combination of exposure and starvation while living under a bridge in a major city. He had actually inherited a fortune but wasn't aware of it! Even though he was in fact very wealthy, he didn't know it and therefore lived and died as though he was poor.

It's the same with God’s people!

“My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6). What you don't know can and will hurt you!

What you have that Jesus paid for

• Youcan approach Him with freedom and confidence at any time! “In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence,” (Eph. 3:12). You don't have to go through a priest or do some kind of religious ceremony, but you can approach God directly through prayer (just talk to Him!).

• He will never leave you! “God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Heb. 23:5b). You don't have to ask Him to “be with you or go with you,” but instead, you can simply thank Him for “being with you and for going with you!”

• Thousands of promises for you! “He has given us his very great and precious promises.” (2 Peter 1:4). These promises cover every conceivable need! God has it all covered!

• He supplies all your needs! “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory, by Christ Jesus!” (Phil. 4:19). This is the golden promise of all promises! It takes care of everything when you apply it and mix faith with it!

• God has created you for a purpose. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Eph. 2:10)

• He gives you strength to do the purpose He has created you for! “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Phil. 4:13)

He is the Alpha and the Omega

“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” (Jer. 32:27)

Nothing is too hard for God! Your problems are not too big or too small for Him!

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." (Rev. 22:13)

“It is he who made the earth by his power, who established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens.” (Jer. 10:12)

“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.” (Col. 1:16)

“And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.” (Eph. 1:19-21)

So put your trust in Him for all things with great confidence!

“Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.” (Heb. 10:35)

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.” (Psalm 28:7)

“Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.” (Isa. 26:4)

Army Deuce and a Half

“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.” (Prov. 19:20)

You don't know what you don't know! So always ask questions!

I learned this lesson the hard way many years ago, and it almost killed me!

Shortly after graduating from high school, I was drafted into the army. Up until this time, life for me had been pretty uncomplicated. I lived on a small island in Alaska and my life revolved around attending school, working a part time job, and for fun, hunting and fishing.

Army basic training was pretty straight forward where we were turned into soldiers. After basic, we were assigned "jobs" and sent off to advanced individual training schools (AIT). I was sent to Fort Huachuca, Arizona, to be trained as a truck driver. This new "truck driver" job description seemed odd to me since I didn't know how to drive.

Soon after arriving to Fort Huachuca AIT, training began with a trip up a steep mountain for a driving skills test. The mountain was very different from the kind we have in Alaska. It was completely bare of anything growing. At the top I could see a long road zig-zagging steeply down the mountainside with lots of sharp switchbacks marked with orange cones at each turn. At the top was a long row of canvas backed deuce-and-a-half military trucks.

The trucks were running and on the passenger side of each truck sat a training instructor sergeant with pen and clipboard in hand.

One-by-one, soldiers got into the driver's side of a truck and proceeded slowly down the mountainside making turns left and right at the orange cones.

When it came to my turn, I too got into a truck and sat down next to a sergeant. I could feel the rumble of the truck beneath me as I peered nervously over the steering wheel at the steep downward slope stretched out before me.

Then the sergeant said firmly, "Navigate the cones!"

At this point, I figured I should let him know that I didn't know how to drive.

"But, I ...."

Before I could finish the sentence, the sergeant repeated what he had said previously, only louder this time.

"Navigate the CONES!"

He startled me! I tried to tell him again.

"But, sir, I don't ..."

The sergeant slammed his clipboard against the truck's dashboard with an ear-piercing crack and screamed at me at the top of his lungs. . .

"I SAID NAVIGATE THE CONES, AND DO IT NOW YOU NO GOOD WORTHLESS PIECE OF...."

I practically jumped out of my skin!! And, as a reflex action, I jammed the stick-shift forward and stomped on the floor peddles with everything I had. We lurched forward and downward at breakneck speed! Forget about the cones! Forget about the turns! Straight forward and downward we went plowing a new path through all the side winding roads along the way without making a single turn! There were no seat-belts and we were thrown all over the cab including into each other. We both yelled, me in shear terror, and he, cursing loudly as he fought wildly to gain control of the rampaging vehicle.

Somehow we managed to get all the way to the bottom of the mountain without rolling over. Finally, we stopped in a great cloud of dust.

For a few seconds we sat in stunned silence. The sergeant's face was white as a sheet.

He then spoke softly to me for the first time

"Son, why didn't you tell me you didn't know how to drive?"

"Well sir," I said, "I'm from a small island in Alaska and we had boats, not cars, and I don't know why they made me a truck driver when I don't know how to drive. Why didn't they draft me into the navy?"

This incident taught me the importance of asking critical questions before doing anything new. And, never to assume anything! Get important information at the beginning of everything you do. Be open-minded and willing to learn in every circumstance. If you are stuck in your ways, you will never move forward! You may even get into serious trouble.

The sergeant giving me the driver's test was close-minded and assumed some critical things about me that weren't true and he didn't bother to check to see if his assumptions were accurate. His error was a barrier to success and it just about killed both of us! He should have asked at least one very important question to every driver before starting the test, "Do you know how to drive?"

The Bible says

“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.”(Prov.  19:20)

“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”(Prov. 15:22)

"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” (Prov. 12:15)

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.” (Jer. 17:7)

Want to be blessed, here’s how! Confidently trust in the Lord!

The following verse explains the details of the blessing.

“They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” (Jer. 17:8)

Another place in the Bible says something very similar

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.” (Psalms 1:1-3)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old is gone the new has come.” (2 Cor. 5:17)

Many years ago I was an alcoholic. I spent every dime I made on alcohol

I was in constant trouble because of my behavior. I couldn't keep a job and I was in and out of jail for drunk and disorderly conduct.

One night, I was out drinking with some friends and we ran out of booze, so we stopped at a liquor store to get some more. While they were in the store I waited in their car. I wanted to light a cigarette so I looked inside the glove box for some matches. There, I found a little booklet with a title on the front that said, “This wasyour life!” It was only a few pages long so I read it. It was about a young man who spent his life drinking and partying (just like me). One day he had a heart attack, died, and went to a fiery hell. The story went on to say that he could have been saved from hell if only he had received Jesus as his personal Savior. The booklet said, all you need to do to be saved from hell, is believe what Jesus did for you on the cross, and then pray to receive Him. It sounded so simple!

My life instantly changed!

The next day, when I was driving alone, I prayed and asked Jesus to be my savior. And, my life was forever changed!

I don't know who put that little booklet into my friend’s glove box (he wasn't a Christian), but somebody put it there. And, it changed my life!

Because of my experience with finding the booklet, I have purchased lots of them to give away. You can get them at your Bible book store, or online from the American tract society. www.mwtb.org/pages/tracts

I wrote one a few years ago with the title, “People Can Be Recycled, Too!” Many thousands of them are printed and distributed each year. Some businesses even pack one in every shipment they send out. Who knows where they end up, maybe even in someone's glove box!

You can see it on line at:

www.mikefrench.com/recycledpeople

“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor?” (Matt. 5:13)

Salt is needed by all known living creatures and is used for both flavoring and preservation. If abused, it can be harmful. It is also detrimental to have no salt intake because it regulates the water content in our bodies.

Salt without flavor is no good!

Jesus said we are “the salt of the earth,” but He went on to say, “what good is salt if it has lost its flavor?”

He said, “It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”

Jesus was talking about believers who have once been strong but have lost their fervor or gusto. He spoke of this in the book of Revelation, when He said to the churches, “You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.” (Rev. 2:4-5)

It happens gradually

Believers who were once strong and vibrant in their faith, who were once on fire for Him, cool down and become lukewarm. Eventually, they become ineffective and unproductive in their relationship with God. This is dangerous!

Jesus spoke about being lukewarm

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Yousay, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see." (Rev. 3:15-18 KJV)

Here’s what Jesus said to do

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” (Rev. 3:20 KJV)

“Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent.” (Rev. 3:2-3)

Here’s a promise

“Therefore tell the people: This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Return to me,' declares the LORD Almighty, 'and I will return to you,' says the LORD Almighty.” (Zechariah. 1:3)

“For we are co-workers in God’s service.” (1 Cor. 3:9a)

As God’s co-workers, be of good service

• Help your neighbors

“The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Gal. 5:14)

How? Get to know them. Begin with those who live on your street or block. When you see them in their yard, stop and say hello. As you get to know them, pay attention to their needs, and then pray for those needs. God’s Holy Spirit will prompt you about what to do when that kind of help is needed. Then do it!

• Help those who are lonely or needy

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matt. 25:40)

How? Visit your local rest home and ask to visit someone who never gets visitors. Become friends with them and become their regular visitor. Visit shut ins – peoplewho can no longer physically get out, and may be lonely, or may need someone to get something from the store for them. Your pastor may be a good person to ask to refer you to someone.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” (Eph. 1:3)

Every spiritual blessing in Christ

The word blessing in Ephesians 1:3 is a translation of the Greek word eulogy, and it means “to speak well of.” And, God has spoken well of you and He has pronounced good things for your benefit. The good things that God has decreed are beyond our ability to number, but we can outline a few by looking at the verses that follow the statement (Ephesians 1:4–13).

Good things for you from God

• God chose us. Ephesians 1:4 says that He has “chosen us in him before the foundation of the world.”

• God made us to be holy and without blame. God has chosen to make us holy and blameless, and all because of His love, His good pleasure, and His grace (verses 5–6).

• Godextended His grace to us with salvation. This is even more amazing when we realize that He made that decision before sin even entered into the world. (Eph. 2:5)

• God adopted us as His children. (Eph. 1:5). Not only has God chosen us to be made holy, but He grants us full status as His children, with all the benefits thereof. John 1:12 says, “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name.” When we believe the gospel, we receive full access to the Father, able to call out to Him as His children.

• God made us “accepted in the beloved.” (Eph. 1:6). The blood of Christ has taken away the guilt of our sins, and we stand before the Father as perfectly accepted.

• God gave us redemption through His blood. (Eph. 1:7). Redemption speaks of buying one's freedom, paying a ransom. The price for our sins, the payment to buy us out of eternal condemnation, was fully paid by the blood of Christ. In Christ, we are no longer slaves to sin, but we become slaves to God. Since we are bought and paid for by His blood, we have an obligation to glorify God in our body and spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:20).

• God gave us the forgiveness of sins. (Eph. 1:7). It is closely related to redemption, but looks at the other side of the coin. In paying the ransom for our sins, the debt of sin was canceled, and we were forgiven. We no longer have the burden of guilt for violating God's holy laws.

• Knowing the mystery of His will. (Eph. 1:8–10). God has given us wisdom and insight through His Word and has shown us His desire to bring all things together to glorify Christ.

• The inheritance that is given to us through Christ. (Eph. 1:11). What is included in that inheritance? The riches of glory, the presence of God, the eternal home – these don't even scratch the surface of all the blessings that belong to our inheritance.

• The sealing of the Holy Spirit. (Eph. 1:13). When we become God's children, He places His mark of ownership on us, guaranteeing our eternal security. This is spoken of as the down-payment of our full redemption, to hold us until the day Christ brings us to Him.

How to get these blessings

These blessings are readily accessible to everyone who is in Christ Jesus. The way to be in Christ is to repent, or turn away from our sins (Acts 17:30), confessing to God that we are sinners (Proverbs 28:13; Romans 10:9). When we believe that Christ died to take our punishment and now lives to give us new life (1 Corinthians 15:3–4), He grants us forgiveness of sins and all the blessings that accompany that salvation.

“After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.” (1 Kings 19:12)

There’s a well known story about an Indian young man who left his reservation home to visit a friend who lived in the big city. The streets were filled with vehicles of all sizes, and the noise of it was deafening.

As the two of them walked down the street, suddenly the young man from the reservation stopped, tapped his city friend on the shoulder and whispered, “Stand still for a moment. Do you hear what I hear?”

The city friend just smiled and said, “All I can hear are cars and horns and buses and traffic and the footsteps of many people. What do you hear?”

“There is a cricket somewhere nearby and I hear it chirping.” The city friend stopped and listened very carefully and then shook his head and said, “I think you are kidding yourself. There are no crickets here. And even if there were, how could you possibly hear them with all the noise on this street? So you still think you can hear a cricket?”

“Yes, I do,” said the Indian. “There is one chirping near us right now.” He walked ahead a few steps and then stood beside the brick wall of a house. An ivy vine was climbing up the side of the dwelling. He moved aside a few of its leaves and sure enough there was a cricket there which was chirping loudly.

Once the city boy saw the cricket, he also became aware of the sounds it was making. As he walked along, the city friend said to his Indian friend, “Naturally you were better able to hear the cricket. You Indians can hear better than we can.”

The Indian young mansmiled and then shook his head and said, “I don’t agree with you. Indians can’t hear any better than white people can. Now watch and I’ll show you.”

So he reached into his pocket and took out a 50 cent piece and tossed it onto the pavement. The metallic sound of the coin hitting the sidewalk caused many a head to turn in the direction it came from. Then the Indian picked up the coin and put it back into his pocket, and the two young men kept walking along.

"Did you realize, my friend,” said the Indian, “that the ring of that 50 cent piece was no louder than the chirp of the cricket? And still many White people heard it and turned around. On the other hand, I was the only one who heard the cricket. The reason for that is not that an Indian can hear better than the white man. No. The reason is that we always hear very well the things we are accustomed to pay attention to.”

 Learn to hear the voice of God

In a similar way, we must train ourselves to hear the voice of God. God sometimes talks to us in a gentle whisper. One translation says, “a still small voice.” But, in today’s loud world we live in, you could be drowning out His voice with all the noisy distraction! We rarely have silence anymore. We listen to music in our cars, plug sound into our ears, and watch screens (with sound) of all sizes and noise levels.

In order to hear God, you must set aside some time everyday to read the Bible, talk to God (pray), and then listen!

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:" (John 10:27)