“Make every effort…” “You have all you need…” So begins our disciple-journey with 2 Peter 1. Let’s look now at these spiritual fruits in Peter’s list. 

We have been reminded that God has given us everything we need to live well. What we have in Jesus is more than enough. We are now ready to make every effort to… do what?

In Jesus, God has given us everything we need to live well.

What did Jesus mean, “make disciples”? Did He have something in mind? Of course He did.

The magi brought Him gifts…
The “sinner” bathed His feet in tears and treasure…
The apostles rejoiced to suffer for His sake…
The heavenly host never ceases night and day to shout His praise…

What is “glory”? It’s connected to luminosity, to light: the sun’s brilliance is glorious. It’s an essential attribute of God: God is glorious. And it’s something we give God: give Him glory! All three of these uses appear in Revelation.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30)

Jesus deserves our wisdom, just as He deserves our power—our influence and authority—and our wealth—our possessions and capabilities.

Jesus deserves “wealth.” What does this mean?
The only other place this word is used in Revelation is in 18:17, "...in a single hour all this wealth has been laid waste.

You might notice in the list of things Jesus deserves that there is another word related to this: “might.” It’s helpful to have these both so that we can contrast them and be sure to give Jesus His due.

What does Jesus deserve? In a word, “everything.” But just so we’re clear, the angels in Revelation 5 shout in unison seven desirable things that everyone possesses, all of which Jesus deserves to receive.

We think we have to be perfect. After all, how is it that I—little ol’ me—could really be a conduit for God’s love? A blessing to people?

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. -Matthew 5:48

What is the "Kingdom of Heaven"? Or, we might ask, "What is it for you?" Gold streets? Oh yeah! Great food? Alright! Tons of fun? Super!

When I thought, “My foot slips,” Your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up.
When the cares of my heart are many, Your consolations cheer my soul. (Psa 94:18-19)

When I thought, "My foot slips," Your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up. (Psalm 94:18)

This prophetic indictment of Israel continues to guide us today.

These verses, at the end of Deuteronomy, are a prophetic indictment of Israel. They see into a future where Israel has not received God’s grace, walked in His light, or done His will; they would not serve Him, and they reap the consequences.

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.

Our journey of devotionals through Deuteronomy 1-2 is coming to a close.