[Practical Application Review – Week 46]
Greetings,
We continue our journey of exploring all 260 chapters of the New Testament, five (5) chapters each week. Let us finish 1 Peter and start 2 Peter.
Schedule – Week 46:
Please read and/or listen to 1 Peter 4, 5 and 2 Peter 1, 2, 3
Even though reading and listening to the Bible being read is valuable, our primary goal is learning to live the Bible (to the best of our ability).
Consider our Practical Application Review process…
For “every” chapter:
Step 1: Select a passage of interest
Step 2: Identify area of teaching
Step 3: Consider a practical application
Now let us explore an example (of our three-step process) for each of these five chapters…
Text #1: 1 Peter 4
Passage: (vv. 1-2)
Teaching: Christ has suffered for you in the flesh. Those who subdue their own body, cease from all sin. No longer living in the flesh, but to the will of God.
Application: Jesus committed everything to Father God for our benefit (salvation and eternal life). I must focus all energy on living to please Him (and not myself).
Text #2: 1 Peter 5
Passage: (vv. 8-11)
Teaching: Be vigilant and cautious, the devil (your adversary) seeks whom he may devour. The God of all grace will strengthen us to endure these afflictions and remain in Him forever.
Application: Each day, I must be watchful against the devil who desires my total destruction. Also, I must embrace the leading of God’s Spirit and overcome the enemy of my Loving God.
Passage: (vv. 10-11)
Teaching: Through your good deeds you make your calling and election sure. An entrance shall be given freely to you into the Everlasting Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
Application: I am very grateful that God’s Holy Spirit works within me to guide each decision and produce deeds that are good. Thank you, Jesus, for investing in me for your Kingdom.
Text #4: 2 Peter 2
Passage: (vv. 19-22)
Teaching: A person is overcome by whatever it is that enslaves. It would have been better not to have known the way of righteousness than to later turn away from God’s holy commands.
Application: The best thing I have discovered in this life is Jesus Christ. His love and gift of eternal life is supreme. None should ever get connected and then later regret.
Text #5: 2 Peter 3
Passage: (v. 9)
Teaching: The Lord is not negligent, but longsuffering toward us. He does not wish that any perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Application: Thanks be to God for His patience working in me. His Holy Spirit continues to refine me, while reminding me to change whatever areas He reveals as needing attention.
“Under the Shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1),
Shawn Episcopo