“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen” (2 Peter 2:19).

This benediction from Peter also presents a challenge, or perhaps even a command—to grow. When we are saved, we are immediately gifted with the fruit of the Spirit and one or more gifts of the Spirit; but with this command to grow, we should know that we always have room for improvement. In fact, Paul says it like this: “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”

This work in us is a continuing work—the work of growth. It is not work that saves us (just for clarification). It is a work that helps us to grow in our relationship with our Lord and Savior. So how does this growth occur? The best answer is that it occurs through intentional practice and the counsel of the Holy Spirit. You might call it training, or discipleship. If you have ever been involved in sports, dance, music, gymnastics, etc., you know that the best way to improve is to practice, and not just any old practice, but practice that has been designed by experts in the field, proven over time, to produce the right kinds of results. There have been many good books written on this subject over the past many years. You might find them listed under spiritual disciplines, or spiritual practices. I’d be happy to recommend a few if you want to contact me.

Besides the main ways that we access God’s grace—reading our Bible, prayer, worship including participating in the sacraments, preaching, and fellowship with other believers—there are many other practices, or spiritual disciplines. Many of these practices have been subjects of previous devotions. The practice we are learning about in this devotion is confession.

What is confession exactly? Confession means to admit or acknowledge. There are three areas of confession that if we regularly practice will help us to grow in our knowledge of Jesus—going back to our key verse in 2 Peter.

I pray that this practice of daily confession in these three areas will stimulate your growth and walk with Christ as it is doing for me. Reflecting on our opening passage: “…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” recognize that we are first saved by grace, and then we grow. The reward for our growth is eternal life but with the added benefit of knowing Christ. Not just knowledge about Him but actually knowing our Lord and Savior in a very real and personal way. And this is my prayer for each of us. And finally, gratitude and praise for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ:

“To You be glory both now and forever! Amen” (2 Peter 3:19b).

In Christ,

Judy

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing” (Matthew 23:37).

I have been known to express my joy when all my chicks (my sons and their families) are together with me, like a hen with all her chicks under her wings. What a beautiful passage, spoken by Jesus, to his beloved Jerusalem. Despite the unwillingness of the people of Israel, despite their unfaithfulness, Jesus longs for them. Likewise, He longs to cover us with His love, just like a hen covers her chicks under her wings.

An ancient Near Eastern custom involved covering someone with the corner of a garment. In Hebrew, the word for “corner or edge of a garment” can also be translated as a “bird’s wing.” Our Tuesday Bible study recently finished a study of the book of Ruth, where this practice appears. In Ruth 3:4, Naomi tells Ruth to go to Boaz at night: “But when he lies down, observe the place where he lies. Then go, uncover his feet, and lie down, and he will tell you what to do.” Ruth obeys, and in Ruth 3:9 she says to Boaz, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings (the corner of your garment) over your servant, for you are a redeemer.”

This custom was meant to symbolize that Ruth was asking for marriage; in other words, she was asking Boaz, as her nearest male relative (known at that time as a guardian-redeemer), to covenant with her for protection and provision under the marriage contract. This custom is a picture of the relationship of Jesus as Redeemer with His Church. The church is the Bride of Christ, and as believers, we are members of the church. In seeking this covenantal relationship with Jesus, we are asking for that same covering of salvation, protection, and protection. As believers, like Ruth, we seek this beautiful relationship, and Jesus longs for it. In fact, earlier in the Book of Ruth, verse 2:12, Boaz tells Ruth, “The Lord repay you for what you have done, and may a full reward be given to you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!”

What is important to note about this relationship is our willingness to seek and to receive Jesus. He is ready, willing, even longing for us to accept His gift of salvation, the covering of His wings; but we must take the step of receiving this gift. When you are sad, feeling lost and alone, know that Jesus longs for you to rest, relax, and seek relief under the wings of His protection. As King David wrote and modeled: “I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings” (Psalm 61:4).

In Christ,

Judy

“Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39).

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3-4).

Does anyone else get a little confused by these commands? We know the first one means love your neighbor well, so does that imply that we should love ourselves well, as well? Yet David writes: “Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain” (Psalm 118:36). Proverbs counsels against selfishness “An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels” (Proverbs 18:1), and Paul preaches against selfish ambition in several of his letters. Jesus preached “… to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me’” (Luke 9:23).

These verses preach a denial of self, but not with an end game of denial. In fact, if we are just trying to see how much we can deny ourselves, we are still engaging in self-ish behavior. The goal is not self-denial. The goal is loving God and loving others.

In fact, there are passages that speak of enjoyment of the gifts Gd has given us. Jesus even says that “the Sabbath was made for man, not man for Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). How do we properly “enjoy” what we have been given? And what are some of the ways that we prioritize our love for God and for others?

1. Gratitude. All good gifts point toward the Giver. James 1:17 reminds us that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” God has made it possible for us to receive gifts of His creation, so we should have a heart of gratitude for His generosity. “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts” (Colossians 3:16).
2. Trust. When we trust God for His provision, we realize that we don’t have to be greedy or self-serving. “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them” (Matthew 6:31-32).
3. Generosity. Generosity is an outcome of gratitude and trust. When we acknowledge that God is the giver of all good gifts and that we can trust Him to provide for each of us, we realize what a blessing it is to be used by Him as a conduit of these good gifts. “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor” (Proverbs 22:9).
4. Obedience. When we focus on His priorities and align ourselves with His will, everything else falls into place according to His perfect plan. This means not giving in to our sinful desires but instead seeking to please Him in every way. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

All these actions are self-less rather than self-ish because they are focused on God and His glory and not on us. And by pursuing them, we can like John the Baptist, seek with our whole hearts to magnify the Lord. “He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30).

In Christ,

Judy

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10).

Continuing our series on Nashville Rescue Mission’s Core Values, now is a suitable time to focus the last one on the list, Culture of Honor. The word “culture” implies a shared set of values or beliefs; therefore, it is a good summing up of the intentional nature of all our core values. In other words, as we live out all our core values (Extravagant Faith, Radical Hospitality, Continuous Improvement, Excellence, and Culture of Honor) we are creating a certain set of expectations around our customs and behaviors—expectations for how we work together as a team.

The word “honor” is somewhat old-fashioned in that in the past you were more likely to hear about those living under a certain code of honor—chivalry or respect. It means high respect and moral integrity. Schools have honor societies, which usually require high grades as well as meeting strict standards of behavior and service. When used as a verb, to honor someone means to regard them with high respect; it also means to fulfill the terms of an agreement. “Honor” is a positive term.

The statement describing the Mission’s Core Value of Culture of Honor reads as follows:

We honor those that have laid the path before us…This is a belief that has us looking forward as we look back. We cannot launch without a launch pad. We cannot build unless we have a solid foundation.

We are building on a legacy that began in 1954 with an idea, a desire to help men who had no place to stay indoors, no sure next meal. Our main purpose was, and continues to be, to offer a cup of cold water in Jesus’ Name, and to offer the Living Water of Jesus Christ. On this foundation, and beginning with two rented rooms and five guests more than 72 years ago, we have expanded to serving men, women, and children on the two campuses that comprise Nashville Rescue Mission today.

…and bless those who labor among us…. Nashville Rescue Mission has grown and evolved to where we are today based on the efforts of our staff over the years. We have much to be thankful for, and we are certainly thankful for the more than 130 men and women plus countless volunteers who are so faithfully serving the Mission today with their gifts and talents and experience.

…. as we embrace the future ahead of us. We are excited to welcome our new CEO, Stephanie Sewell, to lead us forward. While embracing changes in leadership, we pray to remain faithful in both in our personal and Mission roles:

• To the authority of those God places in leadership roles
• To the Word of God
• To share the gospel of Jesus Christ and His saving love and grace
• To carry out the Great Commission to disciple those in our care
• To “love one another”
• To steward the resources of time, talents, and donations of money and all other gifts

So, as we do our best to live out the core value of Culture of Honor, let us do so not only with those in mind who went before us, but also keeping in mind all those who will come after us. Let those who come behind us find us faithful, as in the words to this beautiful hymn: Find us Faithful.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:1-3).

In Christ,

Judy

^“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” Hebrews 11:6).

Faith has often been compared to sitting in a chair. We may believe that the chair will hold us, but only when do we sit in it do we demonstrate our faith in the chair’s ability to hold us. So, my question is if have you ever had a chair pulled out from under you? I have—by my husband in church! We were standing around talking before our Sunday School class started (this was many years ago), and my husband, seeing that I was talking with someone new, pulled my chair around so that she could sit with us. He thought I saw him do it, but I didn’t. Of course, I was wearing a skirt and heels (did I mention this was a long time ago?) and I was holding a Styrofoam cup of coffee. Boy did I hit hard, and boy was I wrecked, not only embarrassed but with a sore bottom and lap full of hot coffee. Only my husband felt worse.

The thing is, I had faith in that chair, but when I demonstrated it, it failed me. So many things fail us. Sometimes it’s because of our own faulty expectations, and sometimes it’s because we are dealing with less than perfect people—willfully or accidentally. And even worse, sometimes it is us who are less than faithful. Yes, we often let our own selves down, we disappoint others and we disappoint ourselves.

But there is One who will never let us down. “…if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself” (2 Timothy 2:13).

The word “disown” used in this passage is a powerful term. It means to refuse to acknowledge, to deny. To disown a family member is to refuse to acknowledge them as family. God says earlier in that chapter that if we disown Him, he will disown us, meaning that if we refuse to acknowledge Him as our Savior, then we will not be saved. That is a dreadful state. But He never says that we must have a certain level of faith to be saved, only that we have faith. In fact, Jesus was once asked how much faith a person needed to be saved, and He replied that if our faith was only as big as a mustard seed — one of nature’s smallest seeds — then God would honor that faith (see Matthew 17:20).

You see, it isn’t the size of our faith that’s important, but the object of our faith. In other words, in what (or whom) do you place your faith? Is your faith simply in “faith” (as is true with some people)? Or is it in your feelings, which come and go? Is your faith in your good works, hoping somehow that you’ve been good enough for God to accept you? …. Only one person is worthy to be the object of our faith — and that is Jesus Christ. He alone is our Savior, for He alone has opened heaven’s door for us. Make certain that your faith is in the right place, by committing your life in complete faith and trust to Jesus Christ (rom BGEA website).

2 Timothy 2:13 says that God cannot disown Himself. This means that God cannot refuse to acknowledge that He is God. He cannot deny Himself. God is God, the great I Am. He is the great eternal God. He cannot not be faithful. With God, we don’t have to worry that he will hide, leave, or abandon us. Hebrews 13:5 reiterates the promise that God gave to Joshua in Deuteronomy 31:6: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” It was true then, and it remains true today and forever. So, while we may struggle with our faith, as long as we are in the struggle, God is in the battle with us, sustaining us and protecting us. Give thanks today for God, who from the foundation of the world loved us so much that He gave his Son to be our salvation and sent the Holy Spirit to be our Comforter and Counselor.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” John 3:16.

In Christ,

Judy

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love” (2 Peter 1:3-7).

We started this series on Godliness several weeks ago, looking at Peter’s instructions about growing in our godly life. We are instructed to make every effort to add certain character attributes to the foundation of our faith so as to participate in God’s divine nature.

If you have worked your way through these past few Chaplain’s Corner devotionals, you might feel fairly proud of yourself, and that is okay. (It is okay to take pride in what God is doing in your life, as long as you give God the credit.)

And then we top it all off with making “every effort to add…love.” Love is a tricky word. We overuse it, applying the feeling of love to things that are inanimate and fleeting, such as chocolate (guilty!). Love as a feeling can be so fickle—one day I “love” my neighbor, and another day not so much. The best way to sort this out is to realize that “love” is a verb. It is an action. Feelings can be fickle; but with the fruit of the spirit—self-control—I can take responsibility for my actions.

Back in 2019, I did a series of devotions on 1 Corinthians 13, sometimes called the “Love Chapter.” Below are links to those devotions which explain this marvelous teaching on what it means to love. I hope you will take some time to read them.

• The Greatest of These Is Love
• Love Is Patient
• Love Is Kind
• Love Does Not Envy
• Love Does Not Boast; It Is Not Proud
• Love Is Not Self Seeking
• Love Is Not Easily Angered
• Love Rejoices with the Truth
• Love Always Protects
• Love Always Trusts, Always Hopes
• Love Never Fails

When Paul writes that the greatest of these is love, he is not saying that love is more monumental or more important than faith or hope. What he is trying to get across is that love is transcendent. Other attributes such as faith and hope will be answered and resolved by our death and subsequent entry into heaven. But love will transcend death into eternity. John Piper says, “…in this present life, every relationship of love, and faithfulness, and loyalty, and sacrifice, and care will be celebrated for all eternity in tribute to the grace of God and the faithfulness of his obedient child. The ‘well done, good and faithful servant’ that Jesus speaks to his faithful followers at the resurrection is a well done in every fruitful relationship. Well done for that beautiful love. Well done.”

Love is eternal: “Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless…. Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:8-10, 13 – NLT).

In Christ,

Judy

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love” (2 Peter 1:3-7).

We started this series on Godliness several weeks ago, looking at Peter’s instructions about growing in our godly life. We are closing in on the ultimate pursuit, which is love. That will be our topic for next week. This week is the penultimate (word for the day: look it up) objective, and that is mutual affection. We are to strive for mutual affection.

Thinking literally about this results in a conundrum. Since mutual means something that is experienced by two people, how can we strive for something that is also the responsibility of the other person? Stay with me and we will figure it out.

Starting with affection, we understand affection to be a feeling of liking or caring for someone, a tender attachment, fondness. When we feel this way about someone, we want to show it. We demonstrate affection by our actions. The opposite of affection is being detached, uncaring, unloving, and perhaps even rejection, hatred, loathing. When we feel affection toward someone, we naturally want them to be happy, pleased, healthy, to have all the good things, and we will do what we can to provide these things for them. That further means that we will act with the intention for them to be pleased or at least for it to be for their good and not their harm. We are not being affectionate to serve our own purposes. Truly demonstrating affection is other-focused; it recalls all the “one-another’s” that the Bible teaches (here are just a few):

• Be kind to one another (Ephesians 4:32a)
• Forgive one another (Ephesians 4:32b, Colossians 3:13b)
• Bear with one another (Ephesians 4:2-3, Colossians 3:13a)
• Encourage one another (Hebrews 10:24)
• Do good to one another (1 Thessalonians 5:15)
• Serve one another (Galatians 5:13, 1 Peter 4:10)

So how do all these commands jibe with the adjective “mutual?” A key would be communication. We must be open and transparent with each other, asking what is pleasing to the other, and sensitive to both verbal and nonverbal feedback. We always assume the best intentions from the other. And since we can only be responsible for our own actions, we set the example. We do not give up, even when our affection is not reciprocated, because over time, the odds are that it will be.

Lastly: in order for our desire and effort toward mutual affection to be genuine, the foundation of the preceding attributes in our key passage must be in place. Faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, and godliness must be increasing in our own lives to be the kind of person who is genuinely affectionate—with all that implies—toward another in a way that models and inspires those same attributes in the other.

Paul tells us in Romans 12:18 “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” So, while we cannot control someone else’s response, we are still accountable to do our very best to show true affection for one another.

“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor” (Romans 12:10).

In Christ,

Judy

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love” (2 Peter 1:3-7).

We started this series on Godliness several weeks ago, looking at Peter’s instructions about growing in our godly life. After building on faith, goodness, knowledge, and self-control, we come now to perseverance.

There are many enemies to perseverance:

• Recalling the preceding action of self-control, sometimes the whole practice thing just becomes boring. We crave excitement, which sometimes means doing something different. Taking a break. And sometimes that is okay, if we realize that the “break” we are taking is only temporary. And sometimes, it is not okay, such as when we are engaged in critical roles like parenting and ministry. That is when we must focus on the result and the rewards that will come eventually. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
• A huge enemy of perseverance is discouragement–not seeing immediate results. Like trying to lose weight and getting stuck on a plateau. We begin to question why we are even trying this; it is useless. The enemy will give us every reason to quit. But here’s where knowledge in this progression of godliness comes in. We know that results will come only if we keep on keeping on. “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
• Sometimes we are tempted to change our priorities. The devil tried to tempt Jesus when he was in his 40-day fast in the wilderness by showing him “all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.” The devil said, “All this I will give you if you will bow down and worship me” (Matthew 4:30). But Jesus remained focused on the goal his Father had given him and said “Away from me, Satan! For it is written, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” (Matthew 4:10). Jesus persevered because he remained focused on his God-given priority.
• It is quite easy to question our efforts when we run into conflict or criticism. And it never hurts to pause and reflect on this feedback prayerfully. But we must prayerfully evaluate whether the criticism is coming from someone who has God’s priorities in mind. There are only two sides—if we are not with Jesus, we are against him. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13 that love “always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

Love is the ultimate test. If our efforts are based on love for God and love for each other, then we have God’s promise in the passage above that “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 2:1).

“But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life! —even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action.” (James 1:25 Message).

In Christ,

Judy