"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness" (2 Peter 1:3).

I first started using computers in the early nineties.  “Upgrade” is a term computer users are quite familiar with and I've been through several since I began with a faulty XT, 386, 486 and several generations of Pentiums. Of course the same is true of operating systems. The newest Windows system, Vista, now comes on new computers.

Since last summer I’ve been limping along with the hard drive on my older computer.   Yesterday I finally purchased a new desktop after several frustrating days of trying to make my computer last just a little longer. I suppose at this time my upgrade model is pretty fast, but I’m fully aware that in several years (should the great trumpet remain silent) I'll be compelled to look into another upgrade. Vista is brand new and really has some cool features but it will be old stuff in a few years. That's just the nature of progress.

This makes me wonder about "spiritual upgrades".  Many, today, and I suppose all through church history, have promoted a new revelation, a new upgrade.  Although not said in these words, the message conveyed is "You've been completely missing out and You must have this new teaching or experience."  People clamor to hear the latest preacher, the newest teaching, the hot new musical group, or jet off to wherever the current fad "revival" or life-changing conference is located.  Since I've been in ministry I've seen many fads come and go and some come around a second and third time!

Now let me clarify this.  Surely we all need to grow in faith and be on a lifelong quest to deepen our understanding and knowledge of God. There are many enriching opportunities where we will be challenged to deeper levels of growth in our walk with the Lord.  In fact Peter was concerned for his readers and at the end of his book he challenges them to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (3:18).

Do we need spiritual upgrades?  I realize any illustration can be misunderstood, particularly seeking to apply a technical concept to a spiritual matter, but I believe the truth in our daily verse is vitally needed today. Peter, under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, made the powerful assertion to the early believers 2,000 years ago that Christ’s “divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness…”  I especially find richness in the phrase "everything we need."

Perhaps in seeking to use the operating system analogy I could put it this way. The initial version, “the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints” (Jude 3), is altogether complete and adequate. We will spend a lifetime learning and applying the features!

But have additional "upgrades" been developed in the spiritual realm since Peter wrote this?  Is the "everything we need" that was absolutely sufficient for Peter’s original readers also sufficient for us living in 2007?  A billion times yes!!! 


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, when we place our trust in You we’ve only begun to tap into the unlimited resources You make available to the believer. You have blessed us with Your special favor and Your unsurpassed peace and it only gets better and better as we grow to know You more and more. The illumination of Your Word is truly a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path revealing the mystery of the Gospel to us.  May we be found consistent from day to day growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen. 

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Brooksyne’s Note:  In considering our devotional today I think of some believers I’ve known who crawl along spiritually until the next Christian retreat is scheduled or their favorite music group is back in town or whatever it is that moves them out of complacency.  When I was a teen I went to church regularly but I didn’t expect growth spiritually until youth camp came around every year.  It was almost like I “saved up” for the spiritual charge directed at my age group instead of feasting on God’s manna daily and realizing God’s power is altogether sufficient to meet all my spiritual and physical needs through His divine Word.  I didn’t have to wait for a special occasion to grow in His grace and knowledge.  I could do it each day in my quiet time with Him. And that was my biggest problem since I didn’t have a devotional life.  May You find Christ to be all-sufficient as You make time for Him each day. And may You also find those special occasions such as retreats, camps, revivals and such to be frosting on the cake!

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The song that comes to mind today that we do well to inform us is simply titled, "Enough".  Many of you have heard it and perhaps sung it in church. I used this song just last week but it seems to go well today as well!