Psalms of Thanksgiving

Psalms 28:6-7

6 Praise the LORD!

For he has heard my cry for mercy.

7 The LORD is my strength, my shield from every danger.

I trust in him with all my heart.

He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.

I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. (NLT)

Psalms 69:30-33

30 Then I will praise God's name with singing,

and I will honor him with thanksgiving.

31 For this will please the LORD more than sacrificing an ox

or presenting a bull with its horns and hooves.

32 The humble will see their God at work and be glad.

Let all who seek God's help live in joy.

33 For the LORD hears the cries of his needy ones;

he does not despise his people who are oppressed. (NLT)

Psalms 100:1-5

Shout with joy to the LORD, O earth!

2 Worship the LORD with gladness.

Come before him, singing with joy.

3 Acknowledge that the LORD is God!

He made us, and we are his.

We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving;

go into his courts with praise.

Give thanks to him and bless his name.

5 For the LORD is good.

His unfailing love continues forever,

and his faithfulness continues to each generation. (NLT)

Psalms 117:1-2

Praise the LORD, all you nations.

Praise him, all you people of the earth.

2 For he loves us with unfailing love;

the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. (NLT)

Praise the LORD!

2 Peter 1:1-3

But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach their destructive heresies about God and even turn against their Master who bought them. Theirs will be a swift and terrible end. 2 Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of them, Christ and his true way will be slandered. 3 In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction is on the way. (NLT)

Why is it so important to remain daily in the study of the scriptures? Because God’s word tells us that false teachers will come. You need to know the word so that you can spot them. As the Holy Spirit teaches you and guides you through scripture you will not be fooled by their cleaver words. They want nothing more than to cheat and steal what God has given you but God has condemned them from long ago and their destruction is coming. God tells you in His word that you will know them by their actions and works.

Stand firm in the Word.

Engage the Present – Create the Future – With Jesus Christ

2 Peter 1:16-21

Paying Attention to Scripture

16 For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the power of our Lord Jesus Christ and his coming again. We have seen his majestic splendor with our own eyes. 17 And he received honor and glory from God the Father when God's glorious, majestic voice called down from heaven, "This is my beloved Son; I am fully pleased with him." 18 We ourselves heard the voice when we were there with him on the holy mountain.

19 Because of that, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. Pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a light shining in a dark place — until the day Christ appears and his brilliant light shines in your hearts.   20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophets themselves   21 or because they wanted to prophesy. It was the Holy Spirit who moved the prophets to speak from God. (NLT)

Why is it so important for you to be in the Word? It’s important because the Word is a shining light that shines into your inner most being. It guides you, it heals you, it teaches you and it illuminates you. Pay close attention to the Word for Scripture was not written by man but men moved by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit shows you that you can be moved and used by Him. Live by the Spirit and let the Spirit of God move you to bring Glory and Honor to His Son Jesus.

Be in the Spirit

Engage the Present – Create the Future – With Jesus Christ

2 Peter 1:112-15

Paying Attention to Scripture

12 I plan to keep on reminding you of these things — even though you already know them and are standing firm in the truth. 13 Yes, I believe I should keep on reminding you of these things as long as I live. 14 But the Lord Jesus Christ has shown me that my days here on earth are numbered and I am soon to die.   15 So I will work hard to make these things clear to you. I want you to remember them long after I am gone. (NLT)

Words of Encouragement is written to encourage you, to remind you to pay attention to the scriptures and to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. As Paul says here that he is going to keep right on reminding us of things we may already know. At times you need to be reminded of God’s grace and mercy and to remember that He is always with you each and every day. These reminders are to help you to continue to stand firm in the faith and to know the truth. Therefore be in the scriptures and in prayer daily. Look up to Jesus your author and finisher of your faith.

Keep on keeping on.

Engage the Present – Create the Future – With Jesus Christ

2 Peter 1:10-11

Growing in the Knowledge of Gods

10 So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Doing this, you will never stumble or fall away. 11 And God will open wide the gates of heaven for you to enter into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (NLT)

“Work Hard” -- Oh, doesn’t that sound like a lot of hard work. The best things in life are the things you work hard for. God never said life here was going to be easy, but in much labor there is reward. In Proverbs there are verses that speak to the fact that those that are lazy will not receive, but those that work hard receive a reward. God wants you to work hard to prove to others that you are among the children of God that you are one of the called and chosen. Doing this, you will never stumble or fall away. As you work hard doing God’s will for your life God will provide everything you need to accomplish His will. And at the end of all your hard work God will open wide the gates of heaven for you to enter into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Work Hard for your Lord and Savior.

Engage the Present – Create the Future – With Jesus Christ

2 Peter 1:8-9

Growing in the Knowledge of Gods

8 The more you grow like this, the more you will become productive and useful in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But those who fail to develop these virtues are blind or, at least, very shortsighted. They have already forgotten that God has cleansed them from their old life of sin. (NLT)

Your journey that you are on is about growth, spiritual growth. It is about continual change. Molding and shaping you into the person God created you to be. We are to be partakers in this journey for we are not along for the ride. God has things He wants you to do, places He wants you to go and people He wants you to share with. As you draw near to God, God will draw near to you. This is a journey that you and God are on together, you are not alone. He is with you every step of the way and He is going before you preparing the way.

But, if you fail to develop these virtues from verses 5 through 7 you become shortsighted in your walk with God. You will begin to forget that God has forgiven and cleansed you from your old life of sin. God loves you and will discipline you to get you going back on the right path in the right direction for the right reasons. Follow Him wherever He leads you.

God loves you.

Engage the Present – Create the Future – With Jesus Christ