A Royal Priesthood

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. — 1 Peter 2:9

On Friday, my wonderful coworkers took me out to lunch.

Here we are at UTC - most of our marketing team plus a friend who drove over from another building to join us.

A beautiful afternoon in sunny San Diego.

God has blessed me with fun coworkers who enjoy having a good time together.

We are a royal priesthood, a chosen people.

As Christians, we are a holy nation, God's special possession.

Called to declare His praises!

Fear the Lord

 Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. — Joshua 24:14

On Thursday we drove over to Las Vegas for the weekend.

We had a great time with 11 of our friends who drove and flew over to join us.

Here we are at dinner Saturday night before going to hear Sting.

This is one of our tables - the other was in the next room.

We had a delicious dinner and fun conversation.

So blessed to have such a great group of friends.

All of whom serve the Lord and fear Him.

We Will Serve the Lord

But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. — Joshua 24:15

Today we drove back from Las Vegas.

After a fun weekend of laughter with friends.

We stopped at the Black Bear Diner in Barstow.

And we got an apple cobbler to bring home.

Very tasty.

We had a huge lunch with our friends Brad and Peggy.

I had birthday cards and gifts waiting when we got home.

Then we watched Sidekicks together and shared popcorn in the evening.

They Have Been Cleansed

But whoever does not have them [these qualities] is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. — 2 Peter 1:9

Yesterday my work friends treated me to lunch at UTC after decorating my desk.

My friend ordered a whole pizza, and Kirk got to enjoy the leftovers! Yum.

A very fun way to end my work week and start my vacation.

God calls us to add to our faith.

Goodness, perseverance, self-control, mutual affection, knowledge, and love.

Without these I'm just nearsighted - and I really am.

Without these qualities I'm blind to God's goodness in my life.

When I'm not exhibiting these qualities, I'm ignoring the sacrifice Jesus made for me.

I'm forgetting that He has cleansed me from my past sins.

Your Knowledge of Our Lord

To godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For 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.  — 2 Peter 1:7-8

If we possess the qualities of godliness, affection, and love, God can use us for His purposes.

These qualities will keep us from being ineffective.

They will keep us from being unproductive in our knowledge of Jesus.

Saturday when Abby and I went to Fashion Valley, we were greeted by this Christmas tree.

It wasn't even Halloween yet, and the Christmas decorations were up.

It seems strange to celebrate so early.

But we do want to remember the birth of our Savior.

Every day - not just during the Christmas season.

Add to Your Faith Goodness

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness. — 2 Peter 1:5-6

God gives us situations where we need to have self-control.

And at times it seems impossible without His guidance.

He gives us situations where we need to persevere.

And at times we can't keep going on our own.

Last week I prayed with and for a coworker who was struggling in many ways.

She was broken downhearted, and defeated.

I asked God to wrap a hedge of protection and love around her.

And this morning that prayer was answered, and she was surrounded by support and love.

When she shared with me this turn of events, I mentioned that it was a complete answer to the prayer I had prayed over her last week.

Our God is an awesome God.

He loves and cares for us.

He is adding daily to my faith.

And God is teaching me self-control, perseverance, and even godliness.

Thank You, Lord!

He Has Given Us Everything We Need

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

Today is the first day of November.

Last night we had about a dozen kids dressed up and excited to trick or treat.

Friday we had our office party and my team dressed up as 50s.

We won the group costume contest.

God. has given us everything we need for a godly life.

Help me to shine your glory and goodness throughout the week.