2 Peter 1.3-11

"3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
10Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."


This is pretty great. I love verse 5. Add to your faith goodness. Add to your goodness knowledge. Add to your knowledge self-control. Add to your self-control perseverance. Add to your perseverance godliness. Add to your godliness brotherly kindness. Add to your brotherly kindness love.

It's almost like a times-table of what to expect in your walk with Christ. As if he's saying, "It's really not THAT difficult as you're making it out to be... just follow these seven easy steps. You'll come out on top!"

That's pretty great. It's like one builds on top of the other. If you add love to brotherly kindness, you'll be doing what God wants. You bring your neighbor some of your dinner because you know they are having a financially difficult situation. BAM. You've made God happy. If you add self-control to your knowledge, you'll be doing what God wants. If you KNOW that God speaks to you through the word, then discipline yourself to reading it, using self-control to not turn on the television first thing in the morning. Instead, opening your bible. BAM. You've made God happy!

The list goes on and on, of course. But it's seriously not that difficult. I almost would want to write this up on a poster and put it up somewhere. Just to constantly be looking at it.

Lord,
I thank you that every day is a new day. Your mercies are new every day. I thank you for your Holy Spirit, constantly reminding me of what YOUR heart wants, Lord. I love you and I ask for you to forgive me in areas where I've grown lazy and stagnant. Build me up and help me to overcome. I love you and I trust you with my life. SO much.

amen.