The reading for day 86 was 1 Peter through 3 John.
1:3 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Wow! What an awesome thing God has done for us in salvation! He has secured an inheritance for us in heaven. We are kept by the power of God. This sounds like a very secure salvation to me. My palce in heaven is held there by God Himself.
2:9 But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people;
that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Check this out...God chose us so that we would bring Him glory! It wasn't anything desirable in us, it was what He desired to show through us.
2:20 For what glory [is it], if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if,
when ye do well, and suffer [for it], ye take it patiently, this [is] acceptable with God. 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: This is another example from scripture that says we are called for the purpose of suffering.
4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh,
arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
4:13 But
rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
We should be looking for suffering to come. If we are living a godly life we will encounter suffering and when we do we should consider ourselves blessed by God for what He has brought into our lives.
1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
1:3 According as
his divine power hath given unto us all things that [pertain] unto
life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
1:4 Whereby are given unto us
exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
I think that if I knew what these verses truly meant I would be transported to heaven to stay with the Lord forever. I can't think clearly enough to even sort out all the wonderful things that are said here. This is one of the most wonderful things in scripture. Think on it for a while. Please share any thoughts you have on these verses.
3:16 Hereby perceive we the love [of God], because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down [our] lives for the brethren.
3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels [of compassion] from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
3:19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
3:20 For
if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Praise the Lord, amen, hallelujah!