December 27

2 Peter

Who was Peter?  In his opening greeting, Peter introduces himself as a bond servant and apostle of Y'shua. I think it's important for us to remember that's not where Peter started and he had many struggles with faith along the way.  Before he was able to claim this identity, he had to make some life changes which, by the power of the Holy Spirit,  transformed and gradually changed him into the man Christ wanted him to be. It was by following Jesus, Peter learned that leadership is rooted and grounded in loving service to others and so his character became molded and shaped after the example he witnessed in Christ. Peter was with Jesus on that mountain top and saw Him in His glory, he heard the unique voice which announced Jesus's majesty as The Beloved Son, so in verses 16 through 21 he is whole hardheartedly expressing that prophesy was fulfilled in Jesus. Scripture was embedded in Peter's mind and heart so he was able to recognize that everything that was ever prophesied about Jesus was spoken by God and written under the power of the Holy Spirit and he witnessed it all. I believe in today's passage Peter is urging everyone who he is speaking to in the early churches to grasp this truth, by faith, and let their deeds reflect their faith and be demonstrated in their self control, patience, godliness, and brotherly love. I believe his message would be the same for us today and I pray for everyone reading this that we also grasp this truth. Our walk with Jesus is a mercy filled journey.  If Jesus can use twelve ordinary men (which Peter was one of), to advance His Kingdom, then He can certainly use you and I to the same end. I pray today, if we hear our Lord's voice, we do not harden our hearts. I pray we lead by serving, following the examples that have been set before us. I pray that like Peter, we become the sons and daughters Jesus wants us to be and by the power of the Holy Spirit He does a might work through us to spread the gospel.

Randi