Heavenly Father, I echo the words of the Psalmist: I love You, Lord, because You have heard my voice and my supplications. You have inclined Your ear to me, therefore I will call upon You as long as I live. The cords of death have encircled me, and the pains of Sheol have on more than one occasion taken hold of me; I found trouble and sorrow. Then I called upon You and Your name: O Lord, I plead with You, deliver my soul.” Gracious is who You are and righteous; indeed, You are merciful. You protect the simple; I was brought low, and You helped me. [Psalm 116:1-6]
Holy Spirit, I have grown in wisdom and knowledge of Your word and some of the intent behind it. I have taken to heart and made it a life pattern to follow the Psalmist in saying: Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. I have learned from Your inspiration of Paul in his letters to the different churches that I am a living Temple for You to dwell in. I am a living sacrifice dedicated to doing Your will. I am to constantly renew my mind with truth, wisdom,
and knowledge so that I can walk in Your light. I am too shy away from my old self and allow You to create a new self in me that serves You wholeheartedly. I am to avoid unwholesome talk and to encourage others so that they can be strong in You. James wrote that we should learn to bridle our tongue so that we do not destroy, harm, or cause undo pain to others. What I say, how I say, and when I say it is extremely important if I truly want to represent and serve Christ. Truth should always be my policy, and temperance also.
Grace and peace will be multiplied to me through the wisdom and knowledge I gain and retain of God and of Jesus. He has given to me the ability to receive all things that pertain to life and godliness through this knowledge I am learning of Him and how He sees me and the world around me so that I can learn to strive for perfection and righteousness as seen in His own glory and excellence, and through this I am learning of the blessings and precious promises He has bestowed upon me for learning and knowing. This way I can abide and partake in being a child
of His and to avoid and not be influenced by this world through lust, envy, pride, rebellion, or bitterness. I will make every effort to increase virtue in my faith and that virtue to the kind of knowledge that leads to self-control. This self-control will teach me patient endurance that I need to endure this evil world and the hate of godliness. From the virtue I add to my knowledge and endurance, I will learn to demonstrate and exhibit brotherly kindness and ultimately the love of God through every part of my being. All of this growing in the knowledge of God will lead to me being useful and fruitful as I fulfill the purpose God created me for and the drive of my will to serve God and help build the kingdom. I will not forget that for this reason I was cleansed from my sins by the blood of Christ, and I am a new creation that needs to grow and be productive while I continue to grow in wisdom and knowledge of God. This will help me know when doubt attacks that I am God’s child and that I am doing His will so that I do not stumble and fail. For I know that God provides for me enough to live life fully and with a joy that can not be stolen and that one day I will
enter into heaven, my eternal home. The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. [2 Peter 1:2-11, paraphrased to align within me; 1 Peter 4:7-11]