Both Peter and Paul recognized that the promises of God's Word are essential to a disciple's development. Why is that? Because God's promises point out the goal, empower us to reach it, and reinforce our resolve to keep at it.

2 Peter 1
1. How (v. 2) do we become blessed with God's special favor and peace?

2. As we get to know our Lord better, what two resources (vv. 3 & 4) has he provided for sharing in his glory and goodness?

3. What (v. 3) does his divine power enable us to do?

4. What (v. 4) is the two-fold purpose of God's promises?

5. What is involved in seeing these promises realized?

2 Corinthians
6. Paul has here (6:16-18) collated several Old Testament promises about how God will relate to his children. How will he?

7. In light of these promises, toward what (7:1b) should be our ultimate goal?

8. What specific action are we urged to take?

Ask God to make his promises so real to you that you'll eagerly draw on his divine power to be cleansed from the "decadence all around you."

2 Peter 1:2-5a
² May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.

³ By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. ⁴ And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires.

⁵ In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God's promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge …

2 Corinthians 6
¹⁶ And what union can there be between God's temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said:

"I will live in them
and walk among them.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
¹⁷ Therefore, come out from among unbelievers,
and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord.
Don't touch their filthy things,
and I will welcome you.
¹⁸ And I will be your Father,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty."

2 Corinthians 7 ¹ Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.

Prayer for the Week

I've tried, Lord, to shut out sinful compulsions, but what I really need is an intense hunger for You that will crowd all that out.

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