"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 1:3 NIV)

Wow! The Apostle Peter says in this passage that God "has given us everything". That is a straight forward promise! It's a done deal! But, I believe we don't always remember that wonderful fact. At least in the lyrics of some of our church worship songs anyway!

 Worship music words that are "anti-promise" bother me!

I "usually" love to sing the worship songs at church. There are so many great ones. Accept, occasionally, when the words are unbiblical or inappropriate for New Testament believers.

For instance

I travel a lot, and visit many churches, so I get to hear lots of worship songs. A song that seems to be popular right now has words that say, "God come down!" (And, it's repeated over and over many times). It has a great tune and is easy to sing.

My problem with it? God has already come down!

He did it in the form of Jesus, who is "God with us". (Matt. 1:23) And, He has clearly promised, "I will never leave or forsake you" (Heb. 13:5). And, when we receive Him, he comes to live inside of us (John 1:12, Gal. 2:20,  Rom. 8:11).

We do not have to ask God to do what He has already clearly said He has done in His Word! And, when we ask Him to give us that which He has already clearly supplied, it demonstrates a lack of faith! It doesn't build faith, it does just the opposite!

When songs with these kinds of words are sung at churches I attend, I just think about what the Word of God actually says instead of singing along (I do this discreetly of course). I understand, too, that God understands the intentions of the heart, and that is good news.

So, why are we asking Him (in some of our worship songs) to do what He has already done? I've pondered this question many times.

One possible answer

Perhaps we are just forgetful and need reminders about what the Bible says about these things! Our promise for today says, "His Divine power has given us all that we need," which is certainly true! But, further down in the same passage, Peter says the following.

"So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them ... ." And, "I think it is right to refresh your memory..." (2 Peter 1:12-13)

He says the same thing twice! Perhaps it's because we often forget basic truths we shouldn't forget.

It's through knowledge

The last part of a this promise says that God has supplied our needs "through our knowledge of him." And, that is a reminder that we must study the Bible so that we are knowledgeable about what He has already done!

"May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thes.5:23 NIV)

According to the Bible, you are made up of three distinct parts: Spirit, soul, and body!

Understanding what this truth means to you personally, and as a follower of Jesus Christ, has great potential to help you tremendously!

Defining your three parts

1) Spirit

The part of you that you cannot see because it is invisible.

 Your spirit is like a radio or TV signal in that you cannot see them either, yet they exist and are very real. The Bible says that what you see (the physical world) is only "temporary" and what you cannot see (the spiritual world) is "permanent." (2 Cor. 4:18)

This spiritual-world concept is a little hard for some to comprehend because they cannot physically see the spiritual world. But, it is true! The Bible tells us that God, Himself, is "spirit" and that we must "worship Him in Spirit and in truth" (John 4:24).

Inside each one of us is our own spirit which is the part of us that gets transformed when we become "born again". Jesus explained this truth to Nicodemus in John 3:1-12.

Made brand new and perfect!

You become a new creatures by Jesus, (2 Cor. 5:17), your spirit becomes instantly brand new and perfect, (1 John 4:17, 1 Cor. 6:17, Eph. 4:24)

And after that your spirit is sealed, protected, and kept by the Holy Spirit.

"After that you believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory." (Eph. 1:13 KJV)

2) Soul (your mind)

The part of you that thinks and reasons, which is your human mind.

 Your mind is not transformed instantly as your spirit is, when you receive Christ. Youmust continually work daily to bring your thinking into alignment with God's Word, which is a lifelong process (Phil 1:6). This continual process "renews your mind" and enables you to "prove (demonstrate) what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." 

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Rom. 12:2 NKJV)

This process, or lack of it, explains why some born again Christians continue to struggle with fear, sin, and addictions, even though they are actually redeemed. The better you get at "transforming your mind" and bringing it into agreement with God's Word, the more victorious you will be in life and as a Christian.

3) Body

The physical part of you.

Your body, the third part of you is the easiest part to understand because you can see and feel your human body. If I ask you how you feel you can easily know and tell me. If I ask you if you are cold or warm, you can easily answer.

This part of you, (your body) is not transformed when you become a Christian. If you are fat, skinny, tall, young, or old, when you are born again, you will be that way afterwords. The Bible calls your body "the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19), and also only temporary as in "jars of clay" (2 Cor. 4:7). We are told to take care of our bodies and someday they will die and our spirits will leave them (2 Cor. 5:6).

There will eventually come a day at the appearing of Jesus that our bodies, too, will be transformed and we will then have brand new transformed ones, (2 Cor. 5:3).

To recap

The Bible says, "as long as we are in this earthly tent" (your body), you must work to do everything you can do to serve God faithfully until He returns, (Heb. 3:14-18).

You must study your Bible to discover God's truths (2 Tim. 2:15) and apply them to your thinking to transform your mind (Rom. 12:2).

You must pray for and about things (spirit), (1 Thes. 5:16-18).

God will do it!

And, finally, the next verse following today's promise about your spirit, soul, and body says that God Himself, will make it happen for you "He will do it", because He is "faithful!"

"The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it." (1 Thes. 5:24 NIV)

And, that too, is an amazing and wonderful promise!

"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Eph.2:10 NIV)

This is a promise that I personalize and say to myself every day as part of my positive confession routine.

I say it this way:

"I am God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus, to do good works which He has prepared in advance for me to do!"

By repeating this passage in first person, I am doing several things. First, I am making this promise mine! Secondly, I am stating it as though it has already been done for me (and it has been done already "in advance.") Thirdly, I'm recognizing in this promise that God has created me for a specific purpose that I am able to do because he has prepared both it and me to do it.

Activate your faith

Believing and confessing these things personally is an active part of faith! It activates the promises and makes them happen!

"Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request." (1 Chron. 4:10 NIV)

This short, heartfelt prayer by an old testament man named Jabez, was answered positively by God.

And, why may you ask, did God agree to what Jabez was asking?

First, he asked God! That's right, he actually brought his request to God in prayer! Sadly, many don't receive blessings from God simply because they don't bother to ask Him! "You have not because you ask not." (James 4:2 KJV) In order to receive from God, you must actually ask him!

Second, he "cried out to God" passionately. His prayer was sincere, heartfelt and genuine! God's word says, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16 KJV). The wonderful advantage we have as New Testament believers, is we are made righteous through the blood of Jesus!

Third, he was very specific and clear about what he wanted and asked God for. Because he asked clearly and specifically, God could answer clearly and specifically as well.  Unfortunately, many don't ask that way. The Bible says, "Let your requests be made known to God." (Phil. 4:6b NKJV).

To recap (with one addition)

1) Pray!

2) Be genuine, passionateand sincere.

3) Be specific. Make it very clear what you are asking for.

4) Use Jesus's Name. As New Testament followers of Jesus Christ who have been given the right to come "boldly to God." (Heb 4:16), you must pray in Jesus's Name! That seals it! And, that is another great promise you can thank God for!

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people." (Eph. 1:18 NIV)

It's a problem that has been around for a long time and still is the same today! You don't know what you don't know! And if you could see into the spiritual world you would be astounded at what you would see!

 Army's of Angels!

There is a story in the Old Testament, that tells how the king was mad at the prophet Elisha, and sent his armies to attack him. When Elisha's servant saw the armies coming he was afraid. But Elisha wasn't concerned or alarmed because he knew something that his servant didn't know. "And Elisha prayed, 'Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.' Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." (2 Kings 6:17 NIV)

They were surrounded and protected by God's army of angels!

In the same say, our promise is saying "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people." (Eph. 1:18 NIV)

You have so much readily available to you as a follower of Christ! Open your spiritual eyes and see!

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (1 Peter 5:7 KJV)

Sometimes when a HUGE problem comes suddenly and and unexpectedly, (this happens to everyone from time to time) you need to remind yourself of this great promise! "cast 'all' your care upon him!" This means every care, no matter how small or how big!

 Where you will get the the best results

The word "cast" means to throw something in a specific direction. A fisherman casts where he believes he will get the best results. In the same way, our best results (solution) to any and all problems will always come from God! When you "cast" your care on him, He will help you! And, He even gives the reason why He will help you; "Because he cares for you!"

"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord." (1 Cor. 12:4-5 NIV)

When you become born again by receiving Christ, (John 1:12 & John 3:3) God gives you at least one spiritual gift, and sometimes several. (1 Cor. 12:11)

To help you and others!

These wonderful gifts are provided to help you grow in your relationship with God and to help you be effective in helping others, too.

You can find these gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28-30, Romans 12:6-8, Ephesians 4:11, and 1 Peter 4:11.

God gives these gifts for a number of great reasons:

To equip His children for service. To build up His church. To bring unity in faith. To bring knowledge of Jesus. To bring spiritual maturity. And, to bring the whole measure of fullness in Christ. (1 Peter 4:10 and Eph. 4:11-12)

You must "stir them up" and then put them to work, so both yourself and others can benefit from them!

 "Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you..." (2 Tim 1:6a NKJV)

"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deut. 31:8 NIV)

I turn this promise around and begin with the ending (the result), and I say it this way:

"I am not afraid or discouraged, because the Lord Himself goes before me, is with me, and never will forsake me!"

 Then I say to myself

"He promised it! I believe it! And, that settles it!" 

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV)

Notice that this section of scripture, containing several promises, is about how to get help from God for many different types of people who may be weak, weary, or have stumbled and fallen.

 How does the answer come?

It comes from "putting hope in the Lord!"

This is not a difficult thing to do to receive such great benefit!

Here's what you get

 "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:31 NIV)

Such great promises!