September 15, 2026

Notice “Grace and Peace,” are increased [multiplied] to us in the “knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.”    I think this is one of the most encouraging greetings one could receive. As we pursue knowing Yahweh, by His Word, and walk in fellowship with Yeshua [Jesus], miraculous things happen in our inner soul. For one thing, the Bible tells us that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Rom 10:17 nkjv   When we ingest the living Word, it is faith food that produces divine life in us, we are also having divine fellowship with our Lord and Savior, Yeshua. We can, by His Holy Spirit, grow in the “knowledge of God,” which also increases our understanding.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” prov 9:10 nkjv

We live in a time, where the spirit of this age, oppresses the “knowledge of God;” our culture draws us to its “own understanding,” which conflicts with the above, and compare this:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” prov 3:5-6 nkjv

When Peter wrote Second Peter, he was concerned for these things. This next paragraph is taken from the introduction to Second Peter, from my New King James Bible (Broadman & Holman Publishers, Nashville, TN):

“First Peter deals with problems from the outside, Second Peter deals with problems from the inside. Peter writes to warn the believers about the false teachers who are peddling damaging doctrine. He begins by urging them to keep close watch on their personal lives. The Christian life demands diligence in pursuing moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and selfless love. By contrast, the false teachers are sensual, arrogant, greedy, and covetous. They scoff at the thought of future judgment and live their lives as if the present would be the pattern for the future. Peter reminds them that although God may be longsuffering in sending judgment, ultimately it will come. In view of that fact, believers should live lives of godliness, blamelessness, and steadfastness.”

Has anything changed since Peter wrote Second Peter’s words? Very little, except for a few material modernity changes. Life has always been the same in the human heart and relationships people have with one another… and their consideration for Godly instructions.

Peter in verse one, directed his letter to, “those who have obtained [received] like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.” How do we think we fit into this equation… are we honest in our assessment of ourselves? Please take a few minutes to read the three short chapters of Second Peter, it will make you wiser and stronger in your walk with Yeshua… aren’t you glad for the writings of the apostles. We are told the Word of God is health to all our bones and healing to all our flesh… how does that work? What if we ignore it? What if like Peter says, we ingest the teachings of charlatans and false teachers; or just become pawns in religious and theological exercises?

Peter uses Abraham’s nephew Lot in this following example of cultural degradation:

“and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked 8 (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)” 2 pet 2:7-8 nkjv

This example tells me that our surrounding environment is an influence on our spiritual well-being. Lot is said to have been tormented from day to day “seeing and hearing” their lawless deeds. Nearly everywhere we look nowadays we are bombarded by evil conduct of wicked and vulgar examples of a corrupt society… even in some places that pretend to be churches. We must cleanse our eyes and ears [that transport such examples into our minds and souls]. This is no small thing. It is a very monumental task to try to manage your life separated from all these demonically designed plans to “torment” our righteous souls. And please hear what I’m going to say next… If we don’t continually cleanse our minds and ears with the Holy Scriptures and prayerfully fellowship with The Word and Spirit of Yahweh, we will be diminished in our standing before a Holy God… perhaps even perish.

Psalms 119:37 reads like this: “Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way.”

Peter says, of false teachers and influencers:

“For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. 20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.” 2 pet 2:18-21 nkjv

Peter is faithfully warning us that we live in perilous times and much evil is working against us, and Yeshua told us to beware of being deceived… Stay hand in hand with your Lord and Savior… and please read the short three chapters of Second Peter to better appreciate this devotional. Second Peter 1,2,3

Shalom, John