The Day of the Lord is certain to come, even though God does not experience time as we do. However, judgment is not immediate so that more people can be saved. Eventually, the universe will be destroyed. Therefore, we must strive to live a righteous life. We look forward to a new heaven and a new earth! Considering these things, we should work diligently to remain faithful. Our brother Paul also warned us about these same things, so let us not be deceived by false teachings. Instead, let us continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 

15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 

16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.

17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 

18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

~ 2 Peter 3:14-18

Holy Father, thank You for all Your admonitions concerning the Day of Judgment that is sure to come. You have also given me all the necessary tools to prepare, for which I am thankful. Grant me the wisdom and strength to be diligent, and to prepare for the coming Day, appropriately discerning the truth revealed with Scripture. May You help me to never be led astray by false teachers and their doctrines. May I always be on guard, and may You grant me constant growth in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. To Him be the glory both now and forever, Amen!  

Faith involves seeking godly attitudes and wisdom from above, rather than indulging in behaviors that lead to strife and evil. Trouble often arises as a result of lust and greed, and developing close friendships with the world can lead to becoming unfaithful to God. It’s important to submit to God and resist the devil.

1 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? 

2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 

3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. 

4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 

5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”?

6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 

8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 

9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 

10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

~ James 4:1-10

My God and Lord: You alone deserve glory, honor, and praise. There is often a lot of disagreement and conflict that arises from things that are not under control and drive people’s actions. I, too, have been guilty of behaving with lust and desire for things I could not obtain. I also have asked for things and not received them because my intentions were purely selfish. I made wrong choices and became an enemy to You, which is not the attitude You have instilled in me! Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus. Thank You for revealing Yourself to me through Him. Thank You for saving me from my own sinful conduct! I humbly submit myself to You, even now! Please continue to cleanse my hands and purify my heart, O Lord. I desire genuine change in my heart and life. Continue refining me so that I can be more useful in Your service! Amen.

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 

6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 

7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 

8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

~ James 1:5-8

Proverbs 1:7 expresses the thought in this way: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Both passages emphasize that TRUE wisdom comes from God. He holds the answers to life’s most profound questions. Therefore, if you want to gain wisdom, start by seeking answers from God and His word. Moreover, let your entire life be guided by faith in His guidance!

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. I humbly ask You to grant me the fullest measure of wisdom that I can receive from You. You have promised to give it freely and to never reprove me for asking. I trust in You and Your ability & willingness to grant my request, and I am determined to follow Your ways. I am aware that King Solomon also asked for wisdom from You, but he did not always use it wisely. Therefore, I pray that You give me a pure and tender heart, and that I use all that You grant me in a way that glorifies You and blesses others spiritually. Thank You for all the blessings in Christ, and for all that You will do in my life going forward. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.  

In this section, the Hebrew writer discusses the priesthood of Jesus and aims to demonstrate its superiority over the Mosaic system. The purpose is to convince Jewish Christians not to abandon Christ’s priesthood. To achieve this, the author will explain Christ’s intercessory work in three parts: His priesthood, His tabernacle and service, and His sacrifice (See Hebrews 4:14-10:39). The role of a priest is to act as an intermediary between God and men. The writer argues that Jesus is the perfect High Priest who can fulfill this role best, and he is about to offer evidence to support this claim.

14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 

15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 

16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

~ Hebrews 4:14-16

Holy God and Father, thank You for strengthening my faith in Jesus as Your Son and in His role as an intercessor between me and You. It is indeed comforting to know that Jesus understands our weaknesses and has been tempted like us, but without sinning. I pray that You grant me further strength to overcome any obstacles that come our way and guide me toward a life that is more like Jesus. May I remember that Your grace is always available to those who seek it, and You are ready to provide us with the tools and convictions necessary to overcome any challenges. Keep my faith strong, always, and may You bless us abundantly. Amen

1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 

2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 

3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 

4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

Hebrews 1:1-4

The Hebrew writer puts forth his main ideas in the first four verses. According to him Christ is unparalleled, as He shares and displays the divine nature. Christ is the ultimate messenger of God, who not only communicates God’s message to mankind but also demonstrates God’s nature through His being!

Holy God and Father, I am grateful for Your active involvement in the affairs of mankind throughout history. Thank You for inspiring godly men to communicate Your will both orally and through the written word. Above all, I thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to communicate Your will through His teaching and preaching. Jesus lived His life in such a way that He made You, Father, visible to us. By studying the nature of Jesus, I can study You! I ask for Your guidance to help me see Jesus more clearly every day and to be united with You through Him. Jesus, I also thank You for purging my sins! Holy God, please continue guiding me to study and worship You in the right way. Amen.

Paul emphasizes that shepherds must be well-informed so that they can stop false teachers, who are so destructive, that they can destroy entire families. Therefore, elders have a grave responsibility to watch for the souls of the flock, and they will be held accountable for how well they carry out their responsibilities.

5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you— 

6 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. 

7 For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, 

8 but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, 

9 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. 

10 For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 

11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. 

12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 

13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,

14 not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. 

15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. 

16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

~ Titus 1:5-16

Holy God in Heaven, I want to thank You for placing godly leaders among Your people. I pray that they will be good stewards of their responsibilities for Your glory and the good welfare of Your flock. Please give them strength, wisdom, and courage to take a stand and defend Your truth! Help them to be well-informed and resolute in their convictions. I promise to follow Your ways and rebuke those who spread evil. I know that people’s souls are at stake, and am willing to confront evil to protect them. Please guide me and strengthen me in every way so that I can carry out the grave responsibilities You’ve entrusted to us, with honor. Thank You for leading and directing us in all things. Amen.

Even strong men such as Timothy needed to be encouraged to stand fast in the face of hard times, as is evident from this paragraph:

1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 

2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 

3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 

4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 

5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 

6 The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. 

7 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.

~ 2 Timothy 2:1-7

Holy God, I am grateful for the godly men that You have brought into my life. They have all helped me to draw closer to You, and I am thankful for the spiritual growth I have experienced through Jesus. The lessons and examples that I have been blessed with, I want to pass on to other faithful men who will also be able to teach others. Please give me the strength to endure like a good soldier, always focused on spiritual matters. Help me to have the discipline to do everything according to Your will, and may I sincerely practice what I learn from You. Lord, please grant me understanding in all things! Amen.  

8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 

10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 

12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 

13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 

14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 

15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

~ Colossians 2:8-15

In this writing, Paul mentions several spiritual blessings that come with being in Jesus Christ, such as the ability to put off the body of the flesh, being brought to life, and being forgiven. However, one of the greatest blessings we receive through Christ is His fulfillment of the law of Moses. He has delivered us from the law, which was a set of commandments contained in ordinances.

Holy God in Heaven, I want to express my deep gratitude for the salvation that I have received through Your Son, Jesus Christ. I am aware that Your grace has been at work in my life, and am humbled by the fact that I have been made complete in Him through baptism. I was once lost in my sins, but now I am alive in Christ, free from all my trespasses, and I thank You for delivering me from my past. As I walk with You, I pray that You will help me to stay alert, lest anyone should deceive me with empty philosophies. I want to know You more intimately, Lord, and I long to make Jesus the true King of my life. Please guide me on this journey and help me to always remember the love that You have shown me through Your Son. I ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen.

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 

11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:

12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 

13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 

15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 

16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 

17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 

18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 

19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 

20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

~ Philippians 4:10-20

This paragraph is a remarkable demonstration of the spirituality of the apostle Paul. Essentially, he expresses his gratitude towards the Philippians for their gift, not because he needed it or was unsure of what to do with it, but because it revealed something profound about their own spirituality. Paul explains that he has learned to be content with having, or not having, material possessions.

Holy God, I rejoice in You. All my needs have truly been met. When I look around at my surroundings, I see so many comforts that have been afforded to me and my family.  I am so grateful for the brethren who continue to supply for our needs and am blessed to know so many good and generous people. That said, their generosity is an indicator of their spiritual wellness! To have such giving and open hearts, I am so grateful for their example. Help me to see more fully, the spiritual motivations of those who are doing Your will. Moreover, help me to express thanksgiving, commending them for their faithfulness, just like the apostle Paul did. As You see fit, I ask that You continue supplying for all our needs according to Your riches in glory by Jesus Christ. Now, to You be glory forever and ever. Amen. 

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 

15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 

16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 

19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 

20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

~ Ephesians 6:10-20 

If even the great apostle Paul required the prayers of others to have the courage to preach, especially during difficult times, then all of us need to pray for and support each other in the same way.

Lord God and Father, You alone are the great and awesome God. Thank you for giving me strength through Your Son. I ask for further strength to stand in Your power, especially against the wiles of the devil. Thank You for providing me with the whole armor to do so. I understand that I am in a spiritual war, which has eternal consequences at stake. Thank You for the comforts that I enjoy, but please help me to stay aware of the trying times that may be on the horizon. Please guide me in studying Your word and help me to be truthful and righteous. God, please help me to prepare with the gospel of peace. I want to have a strong faith, be vigilant, and wise. Further, I pray for all Your people, everywhere. Please strengthen us inwardly and help us to do Your will, outwardly. Give us the courage to speak boldly and make known the truth of YOUR gospel! We live in a challenging climate, so please grant us wisdom and courage to do Your will in ALL things. Amen.