Saturday, March 31, 2007
*Today’s Scripture*: 2 Peter 1:2-4
*What do you see?* Read it again, and take try to take it in.
Grace and peace in abundance, His divine power giving us everything we
need for life, and participation in His divine nature, escaping the
corruption of the world. What a menu! Is this just an embellished
introduction to a second letter to persecuted lovers of Christ? I think
not. Especially because of the person from whom this inspired piece of
cannon was delivered. Peter. That’s right the scared denier of Jesus
writes these words to us. He lived in the worst of times, beaten for his
belief, martyred upside down on a cross and yet somehow his experience
is one of grace, peace and power. It seems incongruous with his
situation, but there it is. How is this possible? Peter lived a life in
the midst of turmoil but without its confusion minimizing the promises
of God or corrupting his belief.
This was not always the case. Peter came out of the upper room on the
day of Pentecost a changed man. His encounter with the promised Holy
Spirit changed him forever.
Peter writes that the knowledge of God and Jesus are the wellspring of
this grace, peace and power.
Jesus, in promising the Spirit to those that would follow, says His
Spirit will teach us, remind us of Him and give us His power.
My suggestion today: Find your own upper room. (It may be sitting in
your car in the parking lot at work.) Ask. Seek. Knock. He will come. He
always does.
Jim Shields, Sanctuary Ministries