Steve writes a daily devotional called "Morning Inspiration," each Monday-Friday which can be found on his Facebook page, Steve Stucker, New Mexico Weatherman. Morning Inspiration is designed as a daily ‘thought starter’ to encourage everyone to begin their day in the scriptures, thinking about the Lord. A short passage of Scripture is followed by several paragraphs of explanation and application. Steve’s hope is to encourage followers of Jesus, and to attract Seekers who have never been exposed to the Bible, or those who have wandered away from the church.
Sample Morning Inspiration:
Why We Work So Hard
So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove you really are among those God has called and chosen. Doing this, you will never stumble or fall away. ~ 2nd Peter 1:10
So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove you really are among those God has called and chosen. Doing this, you will never stumble or fall away. ~ 2nd Peter 1:10
In several places, scripture makes it clear; that we cannot earn our way into God’s heart. His grace to us, the forgiveness required to allow our sinful selves to live in His presence…is a free gift.
Regardless of how much we do, even our best efforts at being and doing good, will not pull us through! So then why does the Apostle Peter tell us to work hard?
He clearly understands our attempts at goodness will not get us into heaven. Peter is simply explaining our hard work in the name of Jesus, proving we truly believe in His promises. In other words, we are looking forward, while we are working toward, our eternity in paradise with our Lord! Our passport has been stamped. It’s already a done deal.
Jesus taught that a good tree produces good fruit. This means the powerful personal transformation we each go through in allowing the Holy Spirit to change our ways, produces visual evidence in our lives, for the world to witness with their own eyes. Drug addicts and alcoholics stay clean. Thieves and criminals change their ways. Habitual adulterers stay faithful to their spouses for the rest of their days. The testimonials from every imaginable type of sinner are mind-boggling and never-ending!
When Jesus calls us, He changes us. It may take a while, but the world can’t help noticing the difference. That is often the beginning of Him, changing them! Our words alone usually won’t convince those who knew us before we came to know Jesus. We can’t just ‘talk the talk’, they need to see us ‘walk the walk’. Our outward actions become PROOF to the world of our inner change!
Peter then points out just a few of the many benefits we enjoy while we live our lives through the Word of Jesus. When we are consumed with the Lord's work, we are too busy doing good, to be caught up in anything bad! His goodness radiates through us and is then reflected out onto the world around us. Scripture teaches mankind was created to work! When we do the right work, in the right way, for the right reason…Jesus allows us to shine through every season!
Figure out what good works Jesus has created you to do...and go for it with gusto! It will often be hard things no one else wants to do. But doing it as if you are working for the Lord Himself brings beautiful rewards, and He will see you through. The next line, (verse 11 in 2nd Peter) reminds us of of the treasure that is waiting for us when our job is done: "And God will open wide the gates of heaven for you to enter into the the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
Regardless of how much we do, even our best efforts at being and doing good, will not pull us through! So then why does the Apostle Peter tell us to work hard?
He clearly understands our attempts at goodness will not get us into heaven. Peter is simply explaining our hard work in the name of Jesus, proving we truly believe in His promises. In other words, we are looking forward, while we are working toward, our eternity in paradise with our Lord! Our passport has been stamped. It’s already a done deal.
Jesus taught that a good tree produces good fruit. This means the powerful personal transformation we each go through in allowing the Holy Spirit to change our ways, produces visual evidence in our lives, for the world to witness with their own eyes. Drug addicts and alcoholics stay clean. Thieves and criminals change their ways. Habitual adulterers stay faithful to their spouses for the rest of their days. The testimonials from every imaginable type of sinner are mind-boggling and never-ending!
When Jesus calls us, He changes us. It may take a while, but the world can’t help noticing the difference. That is often the beginning of Him, changing them! Our words alone usually won’t convince those who knew us before we came to know Jesus. We can’t just ‘talk the talk’, they need to see us ‘walk the walk’. Our outward actions become PROOF to the world of our inner change!
Peter then points out just a few of the many benefits we enjoy while we live our lives through the Word of Jesus. When we are consumed with the Lord's work, we are too busy doing good, to be caught up in anything bad! His goodness radiates through us and is then reflected out onto the world around us. Scripture teaches mankind was created to work! When we do the right work, in the right way, for the right reason…Jesus allows us to shine through every season!
Figure out what good works Jesus has created you to do...and go for it with gusto! It will often be hard things no one else wants to do. But doing it as if you are working for the Lord Himself brings beautiful rewards, and He will see you through. The next line, (verse 11 in 2nd Peter) reminds us of of the treasure that is waiting for us when our job is done: "And God will open wide the gates of heaven for you to enter into the the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."