“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. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” (2 Peter 1:3-4 NIV)

It’s a done deal

The passage above says two times that He “has given us” everything we need. And notice that It is written in past tense. That’s because it's already done, and very importantly it says you “may participate” in what He has given and tells how: through knowledge. There’s an often quoted axiom, “What you don’t know won’t hurt you.” But that’s wrong! What you don’t know can and will hurt you!

How many of God’s promises do you know and apply?

Many believers are struggling because they don't know the many thousands of promises in the Word of God, there to cover every possible need or problem. But, if you don’t know them, you can’t benefit from them. One of the devil's tactics is to distract God's children from knowing them.

The millionaire who died under a bridge!

I heard a story about a man found dead under a bridge in a major city who had died of starvation and exposure. When they ran his fingerprints to see who he was, they discovered that his family had been searching for him because he had inherited an estate worth millions of dollars; unfortunately, he died without knowing he was a millionaire.

In a similar way

Many Christians suffer lack unnecessarily through their ignorance of how wealthy they actually are as God’s children, by not looking for, finding, and applying by faith the many promises He has placed in His Word to supply their every need. 

“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19 NLT)

Therefore

“But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” (James 1:25)

“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” (James 1:12 NASB)

Life has its challenges – press forward through them!

Shortly after purchasing our first house, we decided to build a deck off the back porch. I had never built a deck before, so I went to a friend of mine, a home builder, to ask him for some advice. He said, “Do you know what you want your deck to look like?” And I said, “Yes, I do.” He then replied, “Great! Now just get started and build it!” I said, “But I have never built a deck before!” And he said, “The main thing is to make your plan. Get all the materials you need. Then get started and keep working at it until it is completely done. “That’s it?” I said, “What if I run into problems?” And he said, “Every job has problems! That's just the way it is. But you can't allow anything to stop you. You solve problems as you discover them. Then, you eventually get to the end with a completed project.”

So, I did exactly what he said and built my first deck. Yes, I did run into a few problems along the way and figured out a solution for each one.

It's pretty much the same with anything you need to get done

 Whether it's something at home (building a deck), at school (assignments), at work (job projects), or at play (sports or hobbies), it's the same process. You need to know what it looks like (envision it). You need a plan (steps needed to do it). You need to collect the materials to do the job. You need to get started. You need to solve problems as you discover them. And, most importantly, you need to keep working at it until it gets completely done. 

Therefore

Keep pressing forward! “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-14

Some interesting epigrams about perseverance

·      There aren't any hard-and-fast rules for getting ahead in the world - just hard ones.

·      You don't have to lie awake nights to succeed. Just stay awake days.

·      There is no poverty that can overtake diligence. -Japanese proverb

·      By perseverance the snail reached the Ark. – Charles Spurgeon

·      Triumph is just "umph" added to try.

You’re already blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ!

As a born-again believer, you are already greatly blessed, so praise God!

“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 NIV)

Notice that the above verse says He “has blessed us” (past tense), because God has already done it! It's totally accomplished! Finished! Done!

Every one them!

Notice that the second part of the above verse says that He's provided you with “every spiritual blessing in Christ.” That means all of them have been given to you without exception. There are no blessings excluded! That’s right, you get them all! The entire group! The total amount.

Therefore

“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Cor. 9:8 NIV)

“And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” (Genesis 12:2 NIV)

“I have done my best in the race, I have run the full distance, and I have kept the faith. And now there is waiting for me the victory prize of being put right with God.” (2 Tim. 4:7-8 GNT)

Have you ever watched the Special Olympics, where participants with various physical or mental challenges are celebrated and given beautiful medals at events? It’s not because of their actual skill set, but rather it's because of the love others have for them. In a similar way, that’s what the Bible passage above is saying as the apostle Paul speaks about finishing his race and about “being put right with God.” His victory prize was not based on his own merit but was given to him as a gift because of God’s love for him, see John 3:16. All Paul needed to do was to go the distance (not quit) and to keep the faith (fully trust) and the victory prize was given.

It’s exactly the same today!

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)

Therefore

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Gal. 6:9)

“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2  Chron. 7:14)

It's not about secular leadership!

This verse says it very clearly. It says, “if my people”. It doesn't say, “if the president of the USA” or “if the Kings or Queens of the world,” or “if the combined world leadership.” No! It says, if God’s people, who are called by His Name will do certain things, then God will do certain things.

What “God's people who are called by His Name” must do

·      Humble themselves

·      Pray

·      Seek His Face

·      Turn from their wicked ways

How God promises to respond

·      He will hear from Heaven

·      He will forgive their sin

·      He will heal their land

Therefore, the genuine answer to the wickedness in our land is not political, it is spiritual! It is up to God’s people to wake up and respond according to His Word!

Therefore

“The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.” (Prov. 15:29) 

“Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.” (Psalms 107:28-30)

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Eph. 6:18)

“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.” (John 17:15)

“He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea.” (Psalm 102:17)

“The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18)

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27) 

This wonderful promise from Jesus is followed by His instructions given in the form of a command. Notice that he says, “Do not let” and “Do not be” which means that you have control over peace, trouble, and fear within your heart. In another passage, Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). Yes, as long as you’re in this world you may be visited, even attacked by these things, but you can take charge and control them. You can keep them from controlling you!

Come to Jesus whenever these things happen

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Mat. 11:28)

Instructions

• Do not be Anxious — “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7)

• Let the peace of Christ rule — “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (Col. 3:15)

Therefore

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:7)

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Rom. 15:13)

“And his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.” (Eph. 1:19-20)

Christians are not weak!

In the secular media, movies, television, and in most books and literature, pastors and Christians in general are portrayed as weak and powerless. But the Bible does not teach that we are weak. Yes, we are to demonstrate humility, but that does not mean weakness. For instance, Jesus demonstrated what it meant to be humble by how He humbled Himself by holding back His great power as God: “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil. 2:6-11).

We are told to do the same

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 2:5)

Christian’s have power in the Holy Spirit

“For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.” (1 Thess. 1:5)

“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:19)

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim. 1:7)

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” (Isaiah 40:29) 

Therefore

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” (Eph. 6:10) 

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”. (Eph. 3:20)

 “As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD's word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.” (Psalm 18:30)

The passage at top is a beautiful promise about God’s way and contains a number of important words to look closely at to help you understand its meaning: perfect, flawless, shield, and refuge.

• God’s way is perfect!

Perfect is defined as having all the required or desirable elements, qualities, or characteristics; as good as it is possible to be. Ideal, and without fault.

• God’s Word is flawless!

Flawless is defined as without any blemishes or imperfections; perfect. unmarked, and unimpaired.

• He is your shield!

Shield is defined as something that defends or protects someone or something.

• Take refuge in Him!

Refuge is defined as condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble. It's shelter, protection, safety, security, and sanctuary.

Therefore

“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.” (Nahum 1:7)

“I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:2)

“For with God nothing shall be impossible.”

Luke 1:37

What a statement!

The Lord said to Jeremiah, 'Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?' (Jer. 32:27)

The answer is a resounding NO!