1 Peter 5:8, 2 Peter 1:5-11

Philip Morris

If you are sports mad like me you will no doubt be ecstatic that there are the Olympic Games, and also the football European Championships to look forward to this summer. In my role as a youth and community worker it presents so many opportunities for outreach projects in the summer to share my love of sport and also my love of Jesus with young people. Evangelistic heaven if you ask me!!

I can see so many ways to fill my diary, and could quite easily make it a 7 day working week. I find it hard to sit and do nothing at the best of times, but throw sport in to the mix and I will struggle to keep still. With so much going on, I know I need to be alert and aware to make sure that I am wise with how I plan to use my time.

Whatever your plans are for this year, it's really important to understand why you are doing what you are doing, so that when asked, you are able to explain. If someone asked you why you do the things you do, or why you live the way you do, what would you say?

Here are some possible answers and they are all correct:

• You want to share God's love with people in whatever you are doing


• You want to see people's lives influenced for the better around you


• You want to see community transformation


• You want to see God heal people


• You are drawn to God and you want to demonstrate his love to others

All of that is really exciting.

With all this good stuff going on and opportunities this year, it means that we need to be on our guard against filling our time unwisely and making sure that we work on the things that God has called us to. It's when you become tired and burnt out that you can easily be knocked down.

'Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.' 1 Peter 5:8

Now imagine a lion. A lion will not go for something that will fight back. It will normally attack a smaller, weaker animal, who is perhaps on their own, or who is perhaps tired. If you want to use a sporting analogy, think of a boxer who was been hit so many times on his arms during a fight that he does not have the energy to lift his arms and fight back.

The amazing news though is that although there is a force out there that looks to stop all the good stuff that is going on, God has given us everything we need to fight and win. It is found in his word.

'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; and 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. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.' 2 Peter 1:5-11

Peter talks about the following attributes and says that if we demonstrate them, we will never stumble:

1. Faith
2. Goodness
3. Self control
4. Perseverance
5. Godliness
6. Brotherly kindness
7. Love

Someone who has these characteristics is someone who spends time wisely and spends it with Jesus. He looks like someone who will stand firm, resist the enemy and do great exploits for God. It is easier to stand firm if you believe in what you are doing and know what you believe in and why you are doing it.

I encourage you to go to him when you are thirsty, to follow his leading, and trust yourself that you are hearing him right when you listen to his voice. Stand firm and do great exploits for God

Have a fantastic year, and get excited with what God is doing and get excited with what he is calling you to. Listen to his voice and get on board with his plans. Be blessed.