Archive for month: January, 2024

Hi GAMErs!

Today we begin the book of Haggai.  Despite being the second shortest book in the Old Testament, the book of Haggai is packed with powerful lessons.  
 
Here is some historical background that will help you understand what’s going on in the book of Haggai:
 
–  In approximately 612 B.C. Babylon became the pre-eminent power in the world after defeating Assyria and later Egypt in 605 B.C.  Babylon would invade Judah 3 times over the next 20 years and each time they would take Jewish captives with them back to Babylon.
 
–  In approximately 586 B.C. the Babylonians destroyed Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem where the Jews worshiped and took back with them to Babylon most of the Jews living in Jerusalem.  For the next several decades, the Jews would live as exiles in Babylon.
 
–  In approximately 539 B.C. the Persians defeated the Babylonians and allowed the Jews living in Babylon to return to Judah under the leadership of Zerubabbel as governor and Joshua as high priest.  The Persians gave the Jews permission to re-build the temple that the Babylonians destroyed.  However, after 6 years of trying to rebuild the temple (from 536 BC to 530 BC), the Jews gave up working on it and apathy set in.  

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is 2 Peter 3:10-18.  Let’s go!  As usual, I recommend that you read the whole passage by yourself first and see what you can glean on your own.  Then take a look at this GAME sharing below. 
 

2 Peter 3:10-14 (NIV) 
10  But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 
11  Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 
12  as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 
13  But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
14  So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

On verses 10-14:  In these verses Peter is talking about “the day of the Lord” (v1)?  The “day of the Lord” is a term found in both the Old Testament and the New Testament.  It refers to the end times, or more specifically as we see in the New Testament, the time when Jesus will return to earth, physically raise Christians who have died back to life, gather His people, establish His kingdom and issue His final judgment on those who have rejected Him.  For this reason the New Testament writers sometimes refer to the day of the Lord as the day of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:8; 2 Corinthians 1:14; Philippians 1;6, 10; 2:16).

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is 2 Peter 3:1-9.  Let’s go!  As usual, I recommend that you read the whole passage by yourself first and see what you can glean on your own.  Then take a look at this GAME sharing below. 

2 Peter 3:1 (NIV) 
1  Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.
 
On verse 1:  As an ongoing theme in 2 Peter, we see that successful Christian living is not just about constantly learning new things; it’s just as much about reminding ourselves of the truths of God’s Word that we often forget or take for granted.  How well you recall and rely on the promises of God’s Word will determine how well you live and deal with life’s challenges.
 

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is 2 Peter 1:12-21.  It is one of my favourite passage in all the Bible and is packed with powerful truths.  Let’s go!  As usual, I recommend that you read the whole passage by yourself first and see what you can glean on your own.  Then take a look at this GAME sharing below.

2 Peter 1:12-15 (NIV) 
12  So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have.
13  I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body,
14  because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.
15  And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.

On verses 12-15:  Why is Peter so set on reminding his readers about these things?  Is it because he has nothing new to say?  No, it’s because in Peter’s mind there is nothing more important for him to do at this late stage of his life than to remind Christians that God’s divine power has given us everything we need for life (v3), that trusting in God’s divine promises is the key to experiencing God’s power and living out God’s destiny for our lives (v4), and that being an effective, fruitful Christian is not just about having faith but about being intentional about growing in Christ-like character (v5-11).