Before you begin today’s reading and reflection, take a few minutes to create or find a “sacred space”. If you’re in your room, make yourself a small space with as few distractions as possible. Put aside any books, music, magazines; turn off your phone; get away from your email/facebook; turn off your music; etc.

Now, pull out your Bible, and as you take some deep breaths, pray this short prayer: “Lord, help me be still and listen to your voice now and throughout this day and the next. Amen.”

(You can choose to read the whole chapter, or just the passage that is shown)

 

³ His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, ⁴ by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. ⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, ⁶ and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, ⁷ and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.⁸ For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. ¹⁰ Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. ¹¹ For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Reflection

1. Chapter at a Glance: God in His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life. We are to make every effort to grow in spiritual virtues.  Christian faith rest upon the testimonies of eyewitnesses. God’s prophetic words were spoken by men moved by the Holy Spirit.
2. An exercise bicycle helps us build stamina and slims thighs.  But it does no good at all unless we put in our daily effort.  Our relationship with God is something like this.  The resource we need to live a God-pleasing life is always there for us. But to benefit from what God has provided, we have to put in the effort.
3. We are to make every effort to live a Christian life.  We begin with faith, and we go on, and concentrate on developing the following Christian virtues: Good character (virtue), spiritual understanding (knowledge), alert discipline (self-control), passionate patience (steadfastness), reverent wonder (godliness), warm friendliness (brotherly affection), and generous love.  If these qualities “are increasing”, they will keep us from “being ineffective or unfruitful”
4. Take time to ponder each character trait.  Then think about those you are doing well in.  Think about those you need to grow in.
5. Admit your need for God’s guidance and help in your growth in him.  Ask him to help you grow in those areas where you recognize you need the most improvement.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the  “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

Proverbs for Today 28: 21-24

²¹ To show partiality is not good,
    but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.
²² A stingy man hastens after wealth
    and does not know that poverty will come upon him.
²³ Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor
    than he who flatters with his tongue.
²⁴ Whoever robs his father or his mother
    and says, “That is no transgression,”
    is a companion to a man who destroys.