Be Still… – Page 422 – Relevant Reflections to Let God's Word Back Into Your Hands and Heart

Ruth 1:1-5 – Plans Change

There is a lot of information in these few short verses. We have been introduced to Ruth, but her character has yet to unfold. What we do have is a backdrop to Ruth’s story. The setting is before kings reigned, sometime during the time of the Judges. Ruth is a Moabite woman who married Mahlon, a man from Bethlehem. Mahlon had moved to and settled in Moab, an area about 40 miles from his home, to escape the famine in his land. Ruth’s husband has now died, and she finds herself a widow.

Ruth’s world has turned upside down. All of her plans have come to a screeching halt. Now what? What will she do now? Have you ever been at a crossroads like this? How did you respond? Continue reading “Ruth 1:1-5 – Plans Change”

2 Peter 3:14-18 – Grow in Grace

Read 2 Peter 3:14-18

Today’s reading is full of encouragement in our troubled world. We see corruption. We see the Bible being watered down or misinterpreted. We see people being led astray by all sorts of new age spirituality. How do we respond in the midst of this?

It would be easy to want to close the door and hide, never to set foot outside again lest we are caught up in the distortion. Is that what he meant when he said, “make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.” I don’t think it needs to be that drastic. We do need to be on guard. Continue reading “2 Peter 3:14-18 – Grow in Grace”

2 Peter 3:1-13 – The Lord is Coming

Read 2 Peter 3:1-13

If Jesus announced he was coming to your house today -what would your first thought be? Would it be, “Oh, no! The refrigerator is empty and there is nothing to serve him?” Would it be you couldn’t remember if you’d made the bed or taken out the trash? Are we ready to invite Jesus into our messy lives? Don’t you think he already knows how we live?

Today’s reading reminds us that Jesus is coming again, just like he said. It’s not our place to question when, because “the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief.” Once we are able to stop worrying about the “when” we can begin to put all of our focus on being ready. God is being patient because he doesn’t want anyone to be destroyed and wants everyone to repent.

Continue reading “2 Peter 3:1-13 – The Lord is Coming”

2 Peter 2:1-21 – False Teachers

Read 2 Peter 2:1-21

We are reading the whole chapter today after I spent some time looking at how I would break it into portions. While this is a very important warning for us, I couldn’t see myself focusing on false teachers for multiple days. I didn’t want you to think that this was not important, because it is! There are many false teachers and sometimes it’s hard to recognize them. Continue reading “2 Peter 2:1-21 – False Teachers”

2 Peter 1:12-21 – What Does Scripture Say?

Read 2 Peter 1:12-21

We are reminded here that Peter has first-hand knowledge of Jesus. He was part of the inner circle. He experienced things and witnessed miraculous wonders the others did not. It’s probable the people for whom he wrote this had never read an account of the Transfiguration (vv 16-18), but it was a story often told to identify Jesus. He was God’s son.

The life Peter had lived following Jesus’ death and resurrection had to have been thrilling. Frightening at times because he was not “politically correct” or even religiously correct. Many early Christians were persecuted and killed for their beliefs. God used Peter up until the end, and here Peter seems to be preparing his audience for his expected death. Peter wants them to remember all he has said and not fall away. How do you make a story memorable? Continue reading “2 Peter 1:12-21 – What Does Scripture Say?”

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