Marriage Monday ~ Blessing our Parents............~

At Chrysalis is asked
Show of hands please…
How many of you were raised in Christian homes? Let’s define that. Both of your parents were believers, you were active in church and ministry, and a biblical worldview was upheld and promoted.

OK, how many of you were raised in a home where only one of your parents was a believer, they took you to church, and tried to raise you according to biblical standards.

Now, a show of hands from those of you who were raised in a secular home. You came to Christ through a ministry such as a youth group or a Christian friend. As an adult you’re considered an oddball in your extended family; Thanksgiving and Christmas are usually uncomfortable affairs.

Most of us fall into one of these three categories—or some variation. We were either strongly influenced toward faith in our family, somewhat influenced, or not at all.

The joys or difficulties of upholding the values of a Christian marriage go back to our childhood. Unless they've had a conversion experience (or fell away) later in life, the kind of support we experience from our parents today, is no different than it was in our formative years. Along with a host of other in-law issues, the expression of faith in our marriage can create ongoing conflicts.
Q & A

Q. How should we respond to our parents’ well-meaning attempts to offer marriage and parenting advice that's not based on a Christian worldview?

A. The short answer is based on simple good manners—and comes straight from Scripture. We must honor our mother and father (Eph 6:2-3). Thank them for their kindness and concern. However, we can choose to respect the person, and not the message. We can use our spiritual discernment to determine how much of our parents' advice really lines up with God’s Word. One good ol' southerner (USA) summed it up this way: “Takin’ the advice of our elders is a lot like eatin’ fried chicken. Chew up the meat, but spit out the bones!”
Q. What’s the long answer?




Choose a Title for Your Post
Choose One topic

• Long-Distance Grand-parenting: What Works for Us
• The Wisdom of Our Elders is Welcome (in Small Doses)
• Tips for Caring for Aging Parents
• In-Laws & Outlaws: My Story of Forgiveness

Last week i encountered already the topic of this Marriage  Monday....
July’s topic, “Blessing Our Parents” taps into the joys of extended family. How are we incorporating the older generation into our married lives in healthy ways? And what are the issues we're struggling with?
 And was thinking "shall i shall i not"? "How must i put my thoughts down be honest and still respecting my parents and in-law privacy"?

I see myself and my husband struggling in our married lives with each of our in and out laws......
But on the other hand i see Gods Power of
* Healing
* Restoration 
* Salvation
In our relationships and in our marriage and indivudual relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ


In fact we are in the middle of the proces
For myself i can say i came an long way in the healing process the moment i start forgiving my parents for childhood issues and others going into adulthood and around our marriage!
It brought me this year to be able to make an "Fathersday blogpost" where i felt since long i can let go of some feelings

For our marriage life we have circumstances what gave strain but also "road-block" to build-up easily healthy ways for relationship with our in-laws

We live on 3 continents
My parents live in South-America
My in-laws in Africa
And we life in Europe
There are beside spiritual issues, also language and different customs and cultural influences......
You can imagine HUGE BARRIERS of comunication issues...explaining our motives, try to place ourselves in the shoes of the other ........and FORGIVENESS and ACCEPTING eachother for who he or she is and learn to RESPECT and HONOUR eachother with our words and actions.....

Looking back ...I can see that we where so in love with eachother and where SURPRISED that those "roadblocks" need to be taken by us and would affected our marriage if we are not aware of it.....
BUT GOD HE KEPT US and learns us how to respect and honour our parents and the same time  works on each of us spiritual growth.....He learned me to PRAY and witness answered prayers a long those years and that gave me confidence to keep on TRUSTING and hoping the best for our relationships....

Recently my mother in-law passed away and i am so thankful we could bring her honour as an family to attend her funeral....
The memories we made with her when she was a live can't be taken away from us....
She welcomed me in her family as an daughter the 1st time ( and only time) i visit my in-laws in Nigeria. She appreciated us that we where able to let her come two times for vacation to Amsterdam....She came to know our living-circumstances and our life....She met her grandchildren,was witness of there baptism.....God prepared it that the same time my MIL came over  my mother had to travel for an "socialorganization" to Europe......
We combined that both grand-mothers could meet and be on the baptism of both there grandkids....
Awesome memories who i know in my heart where God ordained and answers to prayers....... 

" God Calling "~ Savior and Savior ~

Savior and Savior
If you believe it is My Hand that has saved you, then you must believe that I am meaning to save you yet more, and to keep you in the way that you should go.
Even a human rescuer does not save a man from drowning only to place him in other deep and dangerous waters.  But rather to place him on dry land -- and more -- there to restore him to animation and health, and to see him to his home.
From this parable learn what I your Rescuer would do, and even more.  Is the Lord's Hand shortened that it cannot perform and cannot save?
My cry on the cross of "It is finished" is My Cry of Salvation for the whole world.
I complete every task committed to Me. So trust and be not afraid.
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.  Philippians 1:6
( Out of devotion God Calling )

Fearless Friday ~ TRUST OBEY and PRAY ! ~

 Why Doubt?
Joy in Me. Joy is infectious. Trust and pray. It is not sin for one who knows Me only as God, as Creator, to doubt Me, to question my Love and purposes.
But for one who knows Me as you do, as Friend and Savior, and who knows the world's God as Father -- for that one to doubt My purpose and saving Power and tender Love is wrong indeed.
But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice; let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them; let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.  Psalm 5:11
 ( Out of devotion "God Calling")

Friends i was reading this and an song also " popped-up"  my head an old hymn TRUST and OBEY...there is no otherWAY than to TRUST and OBEY!!
PRAYING is OBEYING it is the power of us as Christians.....
Even when we do not know what to or how to pray...We can be before Him in silence and know Jesus is praying for us.......He said He will do it for us and He is doing it!
Let's putting our hand in His hand and walk life's Journey with Him....

Today we put as bloggers our hands together and Jesus is holding us while we pray together on this "FEARLESS FRIDAY"


“They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly.” ~ Psalm 112:7-8 NLT
Share about this day on your blog and post your link at our host "Angela" of Free SpiritHaven or put in the comment overhere or at here place prayer requests....We are more than willing to pray for you!
And put your hand in Jesus His hand......Trust and Obey Him!
Talk with Him....Sing with Him and worship Him in your WEEKEND and everyday!

W.O.W

with

ONE HEART

MAY YOUENJOYA
SPIRITUAL SUNDAYwith Charlotte and Ginger
and of courseTHEN SINGS MY SOUL SATURDAYwithAmy at Signs, Miracles & Wonders

andEACH ONE of the GREAT
PARTICIPANTS!
LINK UP or JUST ENJOY andBE BLESSEDAS YOU ENTER into WORSHIP 

Video Nicole Bus - Jerusalem van Nicole Bus - MySpace Video

Video Nicole Bus - Jerusalem van Nicole Bus - MySpace Video

THANKFUL THURSDAY ~ A Prayer of Gratitude To God ....... ~

Today is Thursday and i want to Worship and bring Thanks to the Lord.









our host is Lynn at Spiritual Unequal Marriage~July 2010

My Secret

God Calling 
My Secret
You are being guided but remember that I said "I will guide thee with Mine Eye."
And My Eye is My set purpose -- My Will.
To guide with My Will is to bring all your desires into one-ness with My Will, My desires.
To make My Will your only will.  Then My Will guides you.
Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.  John 4:34

John 4:34 (N I V)

"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work

WFW ~Isaiah 55:12 ~

In Other Words Tuesdays ~Women of God~

 

“If we’re going to become the women God wants us to be, we’re going to have to begin being consciously selective, which means we ask ourselves questions like: Is this the best use of my time, money, energy, and resources? Is this God’s highest and best for me? Is it the healthiest thing for my spirit, soul, and body? … Do my daily choices reflect my true values or am I taking the path of least resistance simply to avoid the hard work of making conscious selections?”

by Donna Partow, Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be: A 90-Day Guide to

Living the Proverbs 31 Life

Being consciously selective ; ask ourselves questions........is living purposefully

1 Peter 1:18-21 (The Message)

 ^18-21Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God. It cost God plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in. He paid with Christ's sacred blood, you know. He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb. And this was no afterthought. Even though it has only lately—at the end of the ages—become public knowledge, God always knew he was going to do this for you. It's because of this sacrificed Messiah, whom God then raised from the dead and glorified, that you trust God, that you know you have a future in God. 

1 Peter 1:18-21 (New International Version)

¹⁸For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, ¹⁹but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. ²⁰He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. ²¹Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

The quote from Donna Partow is really true!

To become the woman God wants me to become is an walk of CHANGE......

There is only change possible when you ask youreself questions......in light of God's Word

I have no empty way of life to go but an life full of purpose...God's purpose for my life

The Proverbs 31 woman is “clothed”: with splendor and honor, strength and beauty. This beauty is godliness. She “laughs without fear of the future” and “shall rejoice in time to come.”

Her inner beauty shines Jesus! Look at these New Testament verses.

Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of your sinful nature. Romans 13:14

As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble.” 2 Peter 5:5b

Proverbs 31:30

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” In this context, the word “fear” means to revere, to honor, to adore.

So my belief  is my beauty. So is yours.

You can write it as a simple equation:

BELIEF = INNER BEAUTY

My believe reflects my inner beauty ..........my true values 

Donna asks "do my daily choices reflect my true values"........Yes when my basis is The fear of God.......,my values get right in place .....and effect my daily choices....my inner beauty is shining!!

It IS  hard work to make conscious selections and the temptations are great to choose the path of least resistance simply to avoid the hard work!

But God's LOVE  His redeeming power towards me draws and carry me through my "life's Journey" and i praise Him for that to give PURPOSE to my life !

In Other Words will be hosted today ( tuesday)by Patricia on her blog, Typing One-Handed. 

  

 

My Walk @ Talk..........~ God at Eventide...BREAK FREE..!!~

God At Eventide

Break Free

For by whom a man is overcome . . . he is the slave.
I cut the bonds of sin which bound you to evil. With loving Hands I replaced each with my cords of Love, which bound you to Me, your Lord.
The power of evil is subtle. A cut cord, a snapped cord, would awaken your slumbering conscience, but strand by strand, so carefully, with gentleness cunningly acquired, evil works until a cord is free. Even then the work is slow, but oh, so sure, until presently the old bond I severed is binding you to evil, strand by strand.
Snap off these returning fetters. Satan hath desire to have you that he may sift you as wheat. He works with an efficiency My servants would do well to copy. He has marked you as one who will increasingly bring souls to Me.

Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.  Jude 1:24-25

This devotion let me look-up some verses and think things over and make an "My walk @Talk" blogpost

Proverbs 5:22 (New International Version) 

22 The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him;
the cords of his sin hold him fast.

Proverbs 5:22 (The Message) 

21-23 Mark well that God doesn't miss a move you make;
he's aware of every step you take.
The shadow of your sin will overtake you;
you'll find yourself stumbling all over yourself in the dark.
Death is the reward of an undisciplined life;
your foolish decisions trap you in a dead end.


Proverbs 16:6 (New International Version) 

6 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;
through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil.

Proverbs 16:6 (The Message) 

6 Guilt is banished through love and truth;
Fear-of-God deflects evil. 

Indeed Lord I want to break free....I need to break free.....

I always think in pictures.........
Picture myself in my walk and talk with The Lord : I saw beeing as FREE as an butterfly......
But the catterpillar is to me as interesting as the butterfly to look at it as an symbol.....of how i grow in my faith and get disciplined not to walk in sin ( as above said to stumbling all over myself in the dark).
The catterpillar is transforming and breaking out of the cocoon of entanglement.......

Yes Lord in some area's of my life i am like an butterfly but in others i am still in an cocoon entangled....stumbling in the dark because i am not disciplined enough to surge for Your Truth......or even afraid to surge for the truth.......or be confronted with it!

But YOU cut and are cutting the cords of evil Lord Jesus.......so I AM NOT TOTALLY in the dark like the catterpillar......the cocoon is cracking and letting in Your light.....My conscience is awakened because of Your LOVE and TRUTH........

YOU are drawing me in with Your cords of Love!!

Your spirit what dwells in me Lord Jesus humbles me and make me walk more in Fear of the Father.......

Yes before my will was strong and i felt proud so fear for My Father was pushed away......

my prayer is to let My Will diminish and Your will grow in me.......

That Your spirit of Love in me BREAK FREE all the cords of sin in my life...so i can walk in Love and Truth and become an beautiful butterfly ..........AMEN

"Just when the caterpillar thought the world was
over, it turned into a butterfly."

Unknown

"How does one become a butterfly?" she asked pensively.
"You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give
up being a caterpillar."

Trina Paulus

Pictures from this site

Friend of Mine

Friend of Mine

What man calls conversion is often only the discovery of the Great Friend.  What man calls religion is the knowledge of the Great Friend.  What man calls holiness is the imitation of the Great Friend Perfection, that perfection I enjoined on all, the being perfect as your Father in Heaven is perfect, is the being like the Great Friend and in turn becoming to others a Great Friend too I am your Friend.  Think again of all that means -- Friend and Savior.  A friend is ready to help, anticipating every want, hand outstretched to help and encourage, or to ward off danger, voice of tenderness to soothe tired nerves and speak peace to restlessness and fear. Think of what, to you, your friend is and then from that, try to see a little of what the Perfect Friend, the tireless, self-less, all-conquering, all miracle-working Friend would be.  That Friend, and more even than your heart can imagine, that Friend am I. Were I to read My Kingdom -- My Kingdom of the Child Hearts -- the doctrines of your churches, so often there would be no response.  But the simple rules I gave My followers are known, loved, and lived by them all. In all things seek simplicity.  A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly; and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.  Proverbs 18:24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.    Jude 1:24-25 ( From the devotional "God's Calling )

W.O.W

with

ONE HEART

MAY YOUENJOYA
SPIRITUAL SUNDAYwith Charlotte and Ginger
and of courseTHEN SINGS MY SOUL SATURDAYwithAmy at Signs, Miracles & Wonders

andEACH ONE of the GREAT
PARTICIPANTS!
LINK UP or JUST ENJOY andBE BLESSEDAS YOU ENTER into WORSHIP

WFW ~ STAND.....& "IMMUNE FROM EVIL" ~

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always...... Eph 6:13-18

God At EventideGod At Eventide


Immune from Evil

Evil was conquered by Me, and to all who rely on Me there is immunity from it.

Turn evil aside with the darts I provide.

Rejoicing in tribulation is one dart.

Practicing My Presence is another.

Self-emptying is another.

Claiming My Power over temptation is another

You will find many of these darts as you tread My Way and you will learn to use them adroitly, swiftly. Each is adapted to the need of the moment.

---

blessings to you and yours this day and always ...

In Other Words Tuesdays ~Ministry to the "suffering world".~

This is today's quote for "In Other Words Tuesdays"

over the weekend i read it and was thinking what this quote says or means to me......

I was agreeing in my thoughts with it.

How do i relate with others who suffer?

In my work with patients with Alzheimer and dementia for example.....?

When i see suffering around me........

When i suffer myself who do i run to?

Do i seek others who i can identify with..?

Another part of the quote says God gave an role to suffering people .....

and suffering gives credibility in an 'suffering world"!

The thought crossed my mind that:

" To relate with suffering to reach the ones who suffer....

To talk so to say the same language"

You need to identify with the suffering"

You must be aquainted with sorrow.........!!

The person who is the best aguainted with sorrow was/is 

JESUS CHRIST!

Jesus Suffers With Us

In Philippians 3  Paulus said

^10-11I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it. 

Revelation 3:20

 ^20-21"Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I'll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That's my gift to the conquerors!  

The best person to minister to people who suffer is Jesus Christ and we as followers of Christ must be His hands and feet in this suffering world....

We bring Him ;His Message...His Love......and all that He wants to be in and through us to the suffering world. 

We are linking up with Kathryn today at expectant hearts, please join us.

My Walk @ Talk..........~ My WILL your JOY ~

Where/How do i start......?
I'm struggling in an way how to "blog' and what to blog about?
When i opened this blog beginning of 2009...I gave it the name as you see "My Journey".
It was like an kind of "New years resolution" to put so to say "pen on paper" about the "thoughts @ directions" i get from God  while i'm traveling through 'life's Journey".

I felt God wanted to learn me about himself while blogging and encountering other "christians bloggers".
I tried to find my way through "blogland" and indeed learned alot and am still learning. Also i get  more and more encouraged to keep on focussing on God's will and goals for me and my family's life.......


I choose to link-up with meme's who stimulate my christian growth....; foccussing on the bible through verses.......On thursday's bringing thanks to the Lord and friday's focussing on prayer for and with eachother.

For some weeks now : I am debating in my mind to find an way how to share about ; "My walk and talk" so to say with The Lord......
It felt like God wants me to share it ...and He knows the purpose.......
I was debating about it because it feels strange to share those thoughts/prayers with the "outside world" ........My walk and talk!!??
I must say outside the linking-up posts i blog some  about topics that came to my mind.......i believe it was on fathersday and with some verses out of the bible what made me wonder......"Life's Journey.....~ My soul find rest in God Alone~" @"WOW " DEAR FATHER God
When i made those blogs i experience kind of victory over feelings of insecurity about my writings ( also not in my "native" language) and like after my "fathersdaypost" an release in my 'spirit' i was able to share and like "the Holy Spirit' could get more way in myself......
For me that i felt clearly an release of an "kind of bondage " made me think and pray more deeply ...and the same time my sister in Christ "One heart" shared about " Way of Worship" to the Lord.......

I believe that "My Walk and Talk " with The Lord.......;probably sharing my prayers and devotions of the day and my thought frame and maybe also the effect on my daily living .Must become the first priority on my blog....
It will give God's spirit more way overhere and also in myself.......
To Him and him Alone i want to bring Glory....In "My Walk" ;and blogging became an part of my walk in and with Christ......and "My Talk (prayers)" to the Lord.....i want to reflect my love to Him because HE LOVED ME FIRST!


On my shelf since my teen years was always an book "God's Calling" Now i know that is the original name because i encountered it in the dutch version" Jezus Spreekt"

I got it from my "great aunt " Esselien " I can picturing her dancing or playing music or singing now or chatting with the Lord because she loved to chat....Also with me as an child....Really found memories to recall. My favorite time was to sleep with her in her "master-bed" in the afternoons or evenings chatting a long try to get her attention while she was reading or writing in her dairy or writing  with her 'penpals' all over the world........
One day i recall i asked her why she reads "Jezus Spreekt" every day and she told me about the book...the history and that it inspires her especially that it where messages to 2 woman who wanted to listen to The Lord and follow.......and that is what she want also for her life.......
So i began to read also in it and one day she gave me one as present..... and that was before my traveling to Europe......Along those years i have seasons of not looking in it but there are periods and days i see it and pic it up........
There is now also an companion book "God at Eventide"
So today i share out of this book
 

My Will - Your Joy

Our Lord and our God. Lead us, we beseech Thee. Lead us and keep us.

You can never go beyond My Love and Care.  Remember that.  No evil can befall you. Circumstances I bless and use must be the right ones for you.

But I know always that the first step is to lay your will before Me as an offering, ready that I shall do what is best, sure that, if you trust Me, what I do for you will be best.

Your second step is to be sure, and to tell me so, that I am Powerful enough to do everything ("The hearts of kings are in My rule and governance"), that no miracle is impossible with me ("With God all things are possible" and "I and My Father are one").

Then leave all with Me. Glad to leave all your affairs in a Master Hand. Sure of safety and protection. Remember you cannot see the future. I can.

You could not bear it. So only little by little can I reveal it to you. Accept My Will and it will bring you joy.

The Lord is thy keeper; the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. Psalm 121:5

Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.    Jude 1:24-25

( Today's reading out of an devotional book " God Calling" )

Thank You Father, Thank You Lord Jesus, Thank You Holy Spirit
I worship and honour You this moment
Your Word Father is precious to me and like water to quench my thirst.......
Your LOVE and CARE Lord will be always there for me.....NO evil will befal me......
Circumstances you are blessing and using.........
Oh Lord HAVE YOUR WAY ..........
I TRUST MY LIFE and of my loved ones in YOUR hands our present and future ....Yes Lord you know BEST and are the beginning and the end of everything and of our life's.....
Quench our thirst with YOUR  Word of wisdom....with Your Word of Life....with Your living Word Your Son Jesus Christ........Have Your Way Lord Jesus take in Your place ALL Your place...
Captivate our hearts and mind..........
Your love for us Lord Jesus is what our hearts need
Your love Lord blows my mind away and made me stretch my hands up to You Lord Jesus as reverence Lord that i need You more than ever and that i adore and worship YOU.
Yes lord i am nothing without You.
Forgive me Lord for all the times i am seeking my own will...going my own way.......
Take my will and align it with our Father's will.....Break what needs to be broken.....cut what needs to be cut of ...........
Let your spirit come down and flow Lord freely in our Life.......
Have Your way.......
Let Your Joy  and Peace be ours in all circumstances 
Thank You Lord Haleluya 
Amen 

From an devotion to study in the bible..........

Eternal Life June 27
ETERNAL Life is a matter of VISION.

Spiritual Vision is the result of knowledge
which engenders further knowledge.

"And this is Life Eternal ... to know Thee
the only True God and Jesus Christ Whom Thou
has sent."Eternal Life.

Eternal in so far as the quality, the character
of the Life Is concerned. Being of God it implies
immortality.
It is My Gift of the Life that is Mine. Therefore
it must be Power-Life. This is your Life, to
absorb, to live in, and through.
"He that believeth bath eternal life."
God At Eventide A Companion Volume To God Calling 
 

I let this devotion "sink in" this sunday afternoon and did an surge in 'biblegateway' on the word knowledge
There are an lot of verses on this subject but 2 peter 1 confirmed to me what was said in this devotion!
We need to look always in our bibles if what we hear or read is sustained by it.......

2 Peter 1 (The Message)

 ^1-2I, Simon Peter, am a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ. I write this to you whose experience with God is as life-changing as ours, all due to our God's straight dealing and the intervention of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Grace and peace to you many times over as you deepen in your experience with God and Jesus, our Master.
[ NIV  ²Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.] 

Don't Put It Off

 ^3-4Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you—your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust.  ^5-9So don't lose a minute in building on what you've been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can't see what's right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books.
 [ NIV  ⁵For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. ⁸For 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. ⁹But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.]

 ^10-11So, friends, confirm God's invitation to you, his choice of you. Don't put it off; do it now. Do this, and you'll have your life on a firm footing, the streets paved and the way wide open into the eternal kingdom of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ.

To put the words of both the NIV and The message version beside eachother made me understand the "GROWTH" ( maturing in my experience with our Master Jesus )better ....

Thank You Lord Jesus for Life...for eternal Life for our daily life with and through You and You alone.
Grant us more and more knowledge of You and form our character.
let self-control,perseverance,godliness,kindness and love be seen in us everyday of our life. Amen