Happy Monday! Prior to email and text messaging, I would receive letters from my grandmother and various friends in the mail. The joy of receiving letters from people who cared filled my heart with gratitude and emotion. I was always anxious to read about their latest adventures, family news updates, and thoughts around the current events in the world. Do you recall the last time that you received a letter from a friend or family member? Well today, our reading begins in 2 Peter chapter one with Peter writing another letter. Join me as we read Peter’s letter to the believers.
“This letter is from Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ.
I am writing to you who share the same precious faith we have. This faith was given to you because of the justice and fairness of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior.
2 May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.” – 2 Peter 1-2 NLT
In this letter Peter is quickly identifying himself as one who serves and as an original disciple of Jesus Christ. He is writing believers during a time when Christians were being persecuted or challenged in their faith. As believers, he was reminding the reader that their faith was not because they deserved it, it was because of the justice and fairness of Jesus Christ who is our God and Savior.
Peter finalizes the introduction of his letter with words of prayerful encouragement – May God give you more and more grace, then he adds peace as you grow in the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.
Do you need more grace? _________
Do you need more peace as you grow in the knowledge of our Lord? ______
Me too.
Father God, thank you for today. Thank you for your grace and mercy. Lord, thank you for your faithful servant who wrote this letter to encourage those who share the same faith. Lord, work in us as you prepare to reveal to us your word in the book of 2 Peter. May your Holy word penetrate our hearts and minds. Lord, help us to stand strong in the faith this week. Keep our eyes focused on you. Lord, remove things from our hearts and minds that do not bring you glory as we seek to follow you with our whole heart. In Jesus name, amen.
Keep praying! Keep trusting! Keep pursuing the Lord!
Our next event is: Saturday, July 27, 2019
We will have guest speakers and singers. Lunch is included. Space is limited. The deadline to purchase your ticket is Sunday, July 7, 2019. Tickets will not be sold at the door. Buy your ticket online at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2019-long-beach-womens-retreat-rise-up-daughters-tickets-59622249754
Event location: Reef Restaurant, 800 Harbor Scenic Dr, Long Beach, Ca
Event time: 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Additionally, Mary E. White Ministries is asking for volunteers and coordinators. If you are interested, please send Mary an email at contactus@maryewhiteministries.com.
Do you have a prayer request? We would love to pray for you. Send your prayer request to:
prayerrequest@maryewhiteministries.com
Photo credit: Erica Rodriguez
Bible Reference: http://www.biblegateway.com
Copyright© 2019 Mary E. White Ministries
Mary E. White Ministries 