Checking Your List

Posted on December 12, 2018 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters

“For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither Barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” — 2^nd Peter 1:8

When was the last time you felt barren or unfruitful? Maybe other terms would be, empty and useless. Throughout scripture there is a common thread that tries to deliver a message of being in a place of fulfillment and joy, having a peace that surpasses understanding. The battle is moving from thinking that material things will bring satisfaction or that circumstances have caused us to become downcast. As we enter the Christmas season we find ourselves thinking about giving gifts and meeting the quota of expectation or facing another painful season because of past disappointments or things that cause emotional pain.

The Apostle Peter gives a spiritual list that he says will bring us into that place of experiencing the peace of God. I think at the core of every human is the need to feel a satisfaction that comes from a life that is fruitful and useful. We see an unhealthy attempt from the younger generation striving to be recognized for their actions. As an older generation, we can be swayed into thinking our core convictions are outdated and life has passed us by. If these endeavors are not spirit driven or attended to they will become futile and useless.

It seems like we have faith, but the question is – in what? Either unfounded or unfed, we can put our faith in fruitless works or sit back and let it starve. In the first chapter of Peter’s second letter he starts off by reminding us, “As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.” He then goes on to list all that’s needed to be fertile and fruitful, these things are obtained by adding to our faith. “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.”

So check your list, see if it’s complete. I bet the best thing you could get for Christmas isn’t material but spiritual. There’s nothing wrong with buying and receiving gifts as long as we don’t put our hope in the “perfect gift.” As believers we have already received the Perfect Gift, let’s make sure we are pursuing the Spirit lead life that leads to being filled with peace and joy.

I bet the Shepherds received the perfect Gift on that first Christmas morning when they looked up and saw the Star from Heaven. Let us remember and remind one another, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” Colossians 3:1,2. Amen!

Written by Rob Russomano: Rob Russomano is married to Terri, and serves with her as full time staff members. He is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and is also available as a speaker of the grace of God with a message of Hope for church events. You can contact him at rrussomano@americaskeswick.org.

The Daily Bible Reading: Acts 20:4 – 23:35| You can download our 2018 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life.” – Corrie Ten Boom

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Romans 8:25