“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves” (2 Peter 2:10).

It’s a mistake to think that good theology does not matter.  We want our ears tickled, but tickled ears mean nothing.  Only those who are in the Lord will be with Him in eternity.  Beware lest you fall prey to this world’s ploy of making you feel good about yourself without challenging you to live the truth of the whole counsel of God.  Jesus died to enable you to be with Him.  We are to die to self and love others in order to be resurrected to new life.

Lord, I have accepted garbage in my life and lived in compromising ways with the truth.  Lead me out of these things so that I may live in pure truth knowing that only in You is there hope and a future.  Guide me to live according to Your word, Lord, and not settle for the slick words of some snake oil salesman who would lead me astray.  Keep me steadfast in the truths You have spoken.  Your Word is truth.

Lord Jesus, You are the way, truth and life.  Lead me according to Your goodness and mercy to live into the Gospel life to which You have called me through grace.  Help me to be diligent in studying Your word so that I know the truth when I hear it, and help me to know also what things that are not true when I hear them.  In all things, guide me in Your goodness along the path You have made possible for Your redeemed.  Amen.

“For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21).

We do well to listen when the Lord uses those whom He chooses to speak.  Listen to the word of the Lord and hear what He gives you to hear.  Know that in Him is life and true liberty.  He will guide you in all of your ways.  He will lift you up out of the pit.  He who is sovereign will do these things.  Come into the admonition and comfort of the Lord and live according to His word and promise.

Lord, You spoke through the prophets of old.  In these last days, You have spoken through Your Son.  Guide me, O Lord, in the truth Your prophets have spoken in order  that I would understand both those who speak for You as well as those who speak for themselves.  With discerning ears, let me hear the difference, rejoicing in Your word of prophecy being spoken for all ages and rejecting false prophets.

Lord Jesus, everything I need to know You have already taught me.  Guide me in the way of truth Lord, that I would forever hold fast to truth.  Keep me in all truth and let me never be led astray.  Lead me now and forever so that I may hear what is good and right and not be led astray by false teachers.  Lord, You have given me the words of everlasting life.  Help me to keep in the way of true life always.  Amen.

“Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things” (2 Peter 1:20).

We did not create ourselves and we have no certainty what tomorrow will bring.  Any prophecy must come from outside.  But beware of those who call themselves prophets.  They must be one hundred percent correct and in complete harmony with Scripture.  One thing that is false, just one variation from Holy Scripture, and they are no prophet from God.  We did not invent this.  It was revealed to us in Scripture through the Holy Spirit.

Lord, I love the things that titillate my ears.  Help me to not fall prey to fanciful words that are not true.  Hold me fast to the goodness of Your grace and mercy so that I would now and forever know truth when I hear it.  Guide me in the way of everlasting life now and forever.  Let me speak only what You have given me to know.  Help me to hear as Your Spirit speaks.

Lord Jesus, as an example for us, You said that You only spoke what the Father gave You to speak.  If You, being Lord, only speak what the Father gives You, how much more should we seek to only speak what You give us to say.  Let my lips be governed by you and be acceptable to You.  Let my heart hear when You speak.  In all things teach me truth.  Your Word is truth.  You are truth.  Guide me in truth.  Amen.

“We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19).

The Lord speaks in many and various ways and in these last days He has revealed that all revelation speaks through His Son.  Do not be deceived by the insanity of this world.  That deceptiveness will continue to the end.  Be transformed by the renewing of your mind by keeping it upon Christ Jesus.  Listen to the prophecy of the Lord and be guided by His goodness and mercy that in all things you may be found in Him.

Lord, You have come that all who hear Your word of truth may know that truth has become in them a wellspring that bubbles up unto eternal life.  In the truth You have given me, guide me now and always that I may forever be led by You.  Help me to understand more fully as You feed me in the truth You have revealed that I may be guided by Your goodness and mercy always.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for making the impossible possible.  Help me, I pray, amidst the adversities of this world, to trust in Your provision.  Guide me in Your goodness to hear truth and respond in truth.  Lead me so that when Your word of prophecy is spoken, I may hear and believe.  In and through all things, continue to strengthen me in Your revealed word of truth.  Be with me on the upward way that I too may give a good and true testimony, Amen.

“We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain” (2 Peter 1:18).

Peter was a witness of the transfiguration.  James and John, with him, were there and told to say nothing until after the resurrection.   This same Peter gives you his testimony.  Do you believe it when an eye witness tells you something?  We live in an age of skepticism, so that is one more thing to pray to have removed so that you may not be unbelieving, but believing.

Lord, there are many things I have heard and seen.  Many have heard and seen things and they have told me what they saw.  One thing I know, the truth always has a certain ring to it.  Help me to hear truth when it is spoken and to cling to it.  Guide me in truth that I would hold fast to the true witness and good testimony, living according to Your word of truth now and forever.  Lead me, Lord, by Your goodness and open my ears to hear.

Lord Jesus, beyond hearing these good words of testimony, help me in order that Your word  would pierce my heart and become in me living water.  Let all truth flow deeply in me that untruths would be washed away.  You are the One Lord Jesus Who has come so that we may have life and have it abundantly.  Lead me in the life You have given me, leading me now and forever to be held fast by the truth.  Amen.

“He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (2 Peter 1:17).

Peter heard this testimony on the mount of transfiguration.  The same Peter who fumbled and bumbled throughout the Gospels (and who would allow such things to be written about them if not true, especially when they were a leader of the church?).  He gives us a true witness of the truth of who Jesus is.  Listen to, read, mark and inwardly digest the word of the Lord and know that in Him is life and light.  He will guide those who believe in and through His power.

Lord, You know all that is needed.  You have come so that we may have life and have it abundantly.  Guide me, dear Lord, in the way of everlasting life in order that I may now and forever be guided by You in the way which prepares me to be with You eternally.  Help me to live life such that when I am before You face to face, I too will hear that You are well pleased with my life of faith that I have lived.

Guide me Lord Jesus in Your power this day to do all I can in the way of living toward the prize of faith.  Let me not treat what You have said as fables or myths, but as the revealed truth that it is.  Guide me in the Gospel way to live into the life You have given me by grace through faith.  Help me know that Your Word is forever and that by it You have given me a living hope in You.  Amen.

“For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty” (2 Peter 1:16).

The world thinks all of this is made up.  That is, it is all random.  Since the invention of thinking in terms of evolution, some think the story evolved.  We’re not that clever.  Besides, there are enough mysteries to let you know that the truth, which always has a few twists, is never so neat as we want to make it.  The truth is that Lord Jesus is returning in power and in Him there is hope and life, and so we are called to live with Him in hope.

Lord, the world does hammer at me and wants me to have doubts.  There are many things I do not know, but that does not mean that the faith You have given me is not real.  Help me dear Lord through all of my foolish doubts to look to You and know that in You is all hope and an eternal future.  Guide me in Your goodness to follow where You lead knowing that You have given me this hope.

Lord Jesus, before You ascended, You said that all power and authority belongs to You.  You have also told us that You will return and judge all people according to their deeds.  Lead me,  Lord, in the way You know I need to go and help me to always follow You.  Guide me in Your purpose to look toward the hope You have given me in You that I may now and always abide humbly in Your presence.  Amen.

“And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things” (2 Peter 1:15).

We have the Lord’s Word of truth.  These things have been recorded for our benefit.  Listen to what the Lord has to say.  Know that it is from Him.  Those who come into the life of the Lord speak as He would have them speak.  So speak as the Lord would have you speak and do what the Lord would have you do.  In Him is life and His Word is the thing to truly remember.  Become able as the Lord leads you.

Lord, You have given so many ways in which to remember the goodness of Your grace and mercy You have given us.  In that grace and mercy, lead me, O Lord.  Guide me according to Your goodness to learn how to better listen as You speak in many and various ways.  Bring me into communion with all Your saints so that I too may speak Your word and hold to the truth You have revealed.

Jesus, You are the way, truth, and life.  You have paid the price for our redemption.  Keep me steadfast, Lord, in the faith so that I may now and always walk humbly in Your presence, speak Your word, and hear as You speak to me.  Lead me in the way You alone know I need to go.  Guide me in Your purpose so that in all things I may be forever in Your presence and live in truth.  Help me to  remember You always.  Amen.

“I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me” (2 Peter 1:13-14).

Keep your focus on what is happening.  Too often, we lose focus and see only the shadow of death in this world.  Keep your eye upon the prize and live into the eternal life which is yours through Christ.  Know that in Him is all life and true liberty.  He will make clear your path and lead you in the way of righteousness.  Be guided by Him and live in the truth of His grace.

Lord, help me to see more clearly.  Guide me in the way I need to live each day and help me to hold fast to the promise which You have given me in You.  You have made possible my journey in faith.  In Your goodness, lead me to be refreshed continuously through Your word and through the encouragement You send as I journey in this life of faith You have given me.

Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of grace which enables me to live this and every day in the hope of faith.  Guide me always in this life You have given me in order that I would be refreshed along the way and be an encouragement to others.  Lead me, O Lord, and help me to see that in You I have true life that will pass from this temporary existence into the eternity where You dwell.  Amen.

St. Martin’s Lutheran Church is seeking a full-time Director of Youth and Family Ministry to be shared between St. Martin’s in Maiden, NC and nearby New Jerusalem Lutheran in Hickory, NC with additional duties in the NALC’s Catawba Valley Mission District.

Click here to see the full job description.