I Peter 1:3-9

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.  Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

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,

brotherly kindness;

and to brotherly kindness,

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 if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

What encouragement this passage is!  God has given us everything we need for life and godliness! And Peter urges us to pursue the things of God that we might be effective and productive in our knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.  It is remembering that we have been cleansed from our sins, by the power of the blood of that same Christ, that sustains us, transforms us, and cheers us as we pursue all of the good things listed above.

Today there are many things we need to do in our homes, our jobs, and our relationships.  They far exceed our abilities and capacity (if we're honest with ourselves.)  So rather than focus only on the tasks, let's pursue the tasks before us today with a little more faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love.

Would it not be a delight today, even in the mundane, to be effective and productive for Christ by pursuing the things He calls us to - which are much greater and lasting than any thing we check off our to-do lists?  I find in my line of work, that very little I do is lasting, but the change God works in me as I do those things is lasting.  Of greater value than gold or silver.

Yes, I want to posses these qualities in increasing measure to Christ's glory.  How about you?