Verse of the Day 11/30

Verse of the Day 11/30

2 Peter 1:5-7

English Standard Version

5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,[a] 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.

I've mentioned before how my wife Jean had said at the end of last year that 2025 would be the year of perseverence.  It was for her right up to the end when she was received into glory 6 months ago. Today's verse came up in my read through the Bible plan, and while it does not speak of perseveerence directly, "make every effort" or "be diligent" (dpending on the translation) points to that.  Faith is the foundation but it is the application of it that is spoken about here.  It doesn't come easy, but you quickly see a progression - virtue, knowledge, self control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection and love. Notice that it ends in love.  Love isn't stated first but is the culmination of diligence as well as of perseverence.

We're fighting a battle day by day, but as Christians we must reallze that it is already won. We take it by faith and the Holy Spirit will guide us as we make every effort on our part to supplement our faith with these qualities.

There's peace that outlasts darkness
Hope that's in the blood
There's future grace that's mine today
That Jesus Christ has won
So I can face tomorrow
For tomorrow's in Your hands
All I need, you will provide
Just like you always have

[Chorus]
And I'm fighting a battle
You've already won
No matter what comes my way
I will overcome
Don't know what you're doing
But I know what you've done
And I'm fighting a battle
You've already won

[Verse 2]
There's mercy in the waiting
Manna for today
And when it's gone, I know you're not
You are my hope and stay
When the sea is raging
Your Spirit is my help
He'll fix my eyes on Jesus Christ
I'll say that it is well
Oh, I know that it is well.   (You've Already Won - Shane and Shane)

No matter what we face, the battle has been won at the cross.  Eternal life awaits.

Blessings,

Mike

Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

2 Peter 1:3-11

English Standard Version

Confirm Your Calling and Election

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[a] his own glory and excellence,[b] 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,[c] 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[d] 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,[e] 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.