In Him I Have Everything!
2 Peter 1:3-4
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I want you to picture something with me.
A man sits in a Roman cell—no natural light, no comfort, no certainty about whether he’ll see tomorrow. His hands, once rough and calloused from hauling nets on the Sea of Galilee, now hold a pen. And I wonder—sitting there in that cold, dark cell—if Peter’s life felt like a pile of scattered pieces that no longer made any sense.
The bold fisherman who walked on water. The one who swore he’d never deny his Lord—and then did, three times before the rooster finished crowing. The man Jesus called “the Rock” who sometimes felt anything but solid. Can you imagine looking at the pieces of a life like that and trying to see a coherent picture?
And yet Peter wasn’t writing a letter full of confusion. He wasn’t unraveling. Because in between the moment in the courtyard when he wept and the moment when he picked up that pen, Peter learned something—something he desperately wanted us to know too.
God had always held the completed picture!
Not one piece of Peter’s life—not the failure, not the restoration, not the prison cell—had ever been outside of His purposeful, knowing, loving hands. Every jagged puzzle piece. Every piece that seemed like it belonged to someone else’s story entirely. God had a place for all of it. And friend, He has a place for all of yours too.
There are seasons when the pieces of my own life look like someone dumped them on the table and walked away. Maybe you know exactly what I mean. Maybe you’re in the thick of raising children and can barely see past the next carpool line. Or maybe the children are grown and gone, and the quiet in your house is louder than you expected it to be. Maybe you’re caring for a husband—or grieving one. Maybe you’re watching your parents need more of you just as you were starting to catch your breath. Maybe you’re somewhere in the middle of all of it, holding onto a job and a household and an aging body and a heart that sometimes wonders, How did I get here—and is this what I’m supposed to be doing?
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On a more daily level, maybe there are mornings when you scroll through social media and feel that familiar sinking feeling—like everyone else somehow has a prettier picture and a more perfect life than you do. You look at your calendar and feel the overwhelm rising before you’ve even finished your coffee. You watch the news and feel the weight of a world that seems to be coming apart at the seams. Or maybe it’s quieter than that—just a slow, steady sense that life is moving too fast and you can’t quite find your footing. That you’re behind somehow, though you can’t explain behind what exactly. That the pieces are not fitting quite the way you thought they would by now.
So many pieces. And such little clarity about where they all go.
But this is exactly why Peter picked up that pen. To press this truth into our hands: The God who held every scattered piece of his story together—the glory and the grief, the calling and the failure—has already provided everything you and I need for life and godliness. Everything. He knows how every piece fits. He knows how to keep us steady through a delicate conversation with a boss, a sick child at two in the morning, and caring for aging parents.
God’s Word is filled with promises, and God keeps every promise He makes. Remembering His promises to us isn’t always easy as we go about our daily lives. But it’s His promises that will empower and sustain us no matter what season we are in or what problems we are facing. His promises show us how to fit all the pieces of life into the picture He has designed for our lives according to His plan. God’s power, conveyed through His promises, means we never have to stare at the pile of one thousand puzzle pieces alone again.
Perfectly Placed Power of God
We cannot figure out the grand plan or put all the pieces together in our own strength. But here’s what we can do: We can draw on God’s power, which Peter tells us is always available to us. In fact, he says God has already given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3)—that’s the first puzzle piece. You may be asking, “What exactly is godliness?” Godliness is really just another way of saying “Christlikeness”—the behaviors, words, and attitudes that reflect what God would do on earth if He were here—as He was during Christ’s incarnation. Since Jesus is God, we can learn how to live in a godly way by imitating the example of Jesus. And this is the part that we absolutely cannot do on our own…we must tap into the power God has freely given to help us place the Christlikeness piece at the center of our lives.
It’s Unlimited Power
How do we get God’s power? First, we have to truly reckon with the kind of power we’re talking about. Peter says that God’s power is “divine power” (verse 3), which means it has no limits, no boundaries, no end to its force. Human power gives out, and we become weary, but God’s power is never diminished. And did you know that that power is available to us? Paul says that God’s mighty power which raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the heavenly realms is the same power that is in us (Ephesians 1:18-20)! Sit with that truth for a moment—the power that raised Christ from the dead is in you! When you’re struggling to be patient as a mother or gracious as a daughter—when you’re trying to love a difficult person at work or hold yourself together at a graveside or find the strength to start over at a stage of life when starting over feels impossible—remember this: God’s unlimited power is in you!
It’s Unleashed Power
We also have to recognize the scope of God’s power; it covers everything! Peter says this divine power “has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness” (verse 3, emphasis added). This word “all” has no asterisk next to it, no fine print, no age limit, no expiration date—“all” is universal! Whatever we need for godliness (think of things like joy, purpose, mercy, wisdom, purity) is available through His divine power. If you want to see other places in the Bible that explain the phrase “all things” read Psalm 57:2; Matthew 19:26; Romans 8:28, 32; 2 Timothy 2:7; Philippians 4:13; and 2 Corinthians 9:8. It will take your breath away.
It’s Unlocked Power
If we have this unlimited power that provides everything we need for godliness…how do we access it? Peter says that this power gets unlocked through our knowledge of Jesus. Not just knowing about Jesus but truly knowing Jesus personally. It’s the difference between knowing of someone and knowing them at the kitchen table. As we come to know Jesus better, growing in His Word, growing in prayer, and growing in faith, His unlimited power is unleashed and unlocked in us. Can you already see how tapping into God’s divine power, which has already given us everything we need to live a godly life through our knowledge of Him, enables us to firmly put godliness as a center piece in the puzzle?
Perfectly Placed Promises of God
God strengthens us to live with His power, and He also gives us what Peter calls “exceedingly great and precious promises” to complete the picture of how everything in our lives is meant to fit together. He knows each and every puzzle piece, friend. He knows its purpose, and He knows its place. And nothing is more powerful than a promise that cannot be broken. The Bible teaches that God will keep every promise that He has ever made (Joshua 23:14), and He will keep them fully, totally, in every detail, and forever. His Word cannot be broken.
God’s Promises Are Incalculable
Did you know that the Bible is filled with the “exceedingly great” promises of God in every single verse? It is! For example, 2 Corinthians 1:18 says, “God is faithful.” That’s a statement of fact, but it’s also an implied promise. God will be faithful to us because He is a faithful God. We also have promises that are “disguised” as prayers in the Bible. For example, when Jesus taught us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11), He was implying that God can certainly provide for us and He will do it in answer to our sincere prayers. His promises are everywhere—you just have to look!
God’s Promises Are Infallible
God’s promises are great because they are infallible. Second Corinthians 1:20 says, “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God” (NIV). If you find a promise in the Bible, you can ask, “Is that for me?” Christ says, “Yes!” and we say, “Amen!” That exchange never gets old.
God’s Promises Are Available
God’s promises are also available and precious. Peter doesn’t use the word “precious” to mean “cute” or “sweet” as we often do. He was using the word in its truer meaning: something that is rare and of great value, like gold and platinum and diamonds—precious metals and precious stones. Each and every promise God has issued to us in His Word is precious in this sense—so valuable that a woman who holds just one of His promises would be infinitely richer than royalty with all their jewels and crowns. And friend, that woman is you. At thirty. At fifty. At seventy. At one hundred! His promises do not have an expiration date.
Perfectly Placed Purpose From God
God’s divine power given to us through His promises has already put into place everything we need…but why? So that “through these you may be partakers of the divine nature” (verse 4). God’s power and promises sustain our faith and guide us, forming us increasingly into the image of Jesus Christ so we can understand the pieces of our lives. As we grow in Christ, we should be able to graph our lives on two trend lines. They may not always be as steady as you’d like, and friend, I can personally testify to that, especially in the seasons when everything seemed to be shifting at once. But they should certainly reflect a progression of maturity. The godly line increasing, and the ungodly line decreasing. More like Jesus. Less like the world. This is what God’s power through His promise equips us for!
Perfectly Placed Plan Through God
God’s power in you, God’s promises to you, God’s purpose for you! This is His legacy of truth for every believer. But you may be wondering—how do I actually get this power working in my life right now, in this season, with these circumstances? What practical steps can I take to figure out the pieces of my puzzle? I have some suggestions, and I know they will serve you well wherever you are on this journey.
Analyze
Begin by taking inventory. Where do you need God’s power in your life and in your pursuit of godliness? What pressures are threatening to sink you? Review the last few weeks and make a list of things that most concern you. Maybe it’s your marriage, your parenting, a prodigal child who has broken your heart. Maybe it’s a friendship that has grown complicated, a health challenge that has frightened you, a financial pressure that keeps you up at night. Maybe it’s a grief you’re still carrying that you haven’t quite known what to do with—the loss of a spouse, a parent, a future you thought was certain. Maybe it’s simply the quiet question of who am I now?—in this new season, this new chapter, this life that looks different than you planned. Prayerfully consider where you want to see more of God’s divine power at work. Write it down.
Personalize
Now that you have a list, open your Bible and start finding powerful promises in God’s Word that deal with these challenges and pressures. You can use a concordance or a Bible study app to build a customized treasure of verses that speak to each of the issues you’re facing. You might consider jotting down the verses you discover in a journal, on colored note cards, or even on your favorite stationery—whatever makes them feel like yours!
Memorize
When you’ve found some Bible verses that speak to the pressures you are facing, begin memorizing them. There is no substitute for hiding God’s Word in your heart that you may not sin against Him (Psalm 119:11). Try using 3” x 5” note cards, writing the Scripture reference on one side and the words to the verse on the other. Periodically throughout the day, prompt yourself by reading one side of the card and trying to recall the content of the other side. If you don’t want to carry your cards, consider downloading a Bible memory app to your phone or affixing the cards to your bathroom mirror.
Verbalize
To cement these promises in your heart and mind, speak them out loud. Share them with others. Find every excuse to recite them audibly. There is something about letting the words of God come out of your own mouth that drives them deeper into your soul.
Organize
Find a way of organizing your collection of biblical promises. Think about using a small loose-leaf notebook. If you wrote your verses on colored index cards, you might use a small photo album or a binder with plastic inserts, placing each card in a slot so you can flip through them easily.
Friend, the power, promises, and purposes of God are His gifts to you. To you—the one in the middle of the hard season, the one helping others through a hard season of their own, the one who is finally starting to find her footing, and the one who isn’t sure yet which of those she is. His power inwardly strengthens us and puts everything in place that we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Jesus. He has given us His exceedingly great and precious promises so that through them we may participate in the divine nature and grow in godliness.
I do, however, want to take a moment to gently remind you that this process is not automatic. Reflecting the image of God is not going to happen if your spiritual life is on autopilot. Don’t be discouraged though—be encouraged towards diligence. God has put everything in place for us to live a life of godliness, but it all must be built on God’s power, His promises, and His purposes revealed through Jesus Christ. God has provided His power, His promises, and His purpose as a foundational puzzle piece so that we can be diligent in seeing the place for other pieces in our life. These pieces are character traits like diligence, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. These pieces rest on the foundation of our faith as we grow in Christlikeness.
Reflect
- Women live with considerable pressure from outside sources. What are some of the specific pressures in your life? What has helped or hindered your ability to withstand these pressures?
- How does it make you feel knowing that God’s power is for you? In what areas of your life would you like to unlock more of God’s power?
- Spend some time in Scripture looking for promises that relate to the areas of life where you would like to unlock more of God’s power. You can use a concordance or Bible website to help you search. When you discover a promise, underline it or put a star next to it. Choose one of those promises to memorize and reflect on. Write the promise on a note card and place it where you can easily reference it.
Respond
Group Questions
- As we’ve discussed, the pressure to have all the pieces of life fit together can be overwhelming. Share with each other some of the pressures you each are facing. Then take a few moments and pray for God to give each of you the power you need to withstand the specific pressure you are facing today.
- Share with each other about any times when a particular biblical promise strengthened you from within and helped you in a crisis or delivered you from discouragement.
- Take a few moments to reflect on the answers from group question 1 and share any specific Scripture verses that relate to the pressures mentioned. The Scripture God has used in your life He can use in the lives of others too!
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the great and precious promises You have given to me as Your daughter. Help me to make time each day to study those promises in Your Word, and when I go through times of pressure, I ask that the Holy Spirit bring Your promises to mind that I may be strengthened by them. As I go through each day, open my eyes to notice those around me who might be struggling and help me to encourage them with the promises in Your Word and in practical ways too.
Amen.
Life Change Challenge
Okay, here’s your life change challenge for the week. As you’re moving through your normal life, interacting with others at home, work, church, or other events, keep your ears open! Listen thoughtfully for the “pressure points” people mention—stress, fear, self-loathing, discouragement, anxiety, doubt…anything and everything! If it feels appropriate, encourage at least one person (outside your Bible study group) with a promise from God’s Word. In doing so, you’re handing them a sturdy little puzzle piece of truth they can hold onto, something that will give them the power they need to withstand the pressure they are facing. One person. One promise. Watch what God does!
This article is an excerpt from A Place for Everything and Everything In Its Place. Based on the teaching of Dr. Jeremiah specifically for women.
Based on the teaching of Dr. Jeremiah specifically for women.
In a world filled with pressure, disorder, and confusion, many women are searching for answers.
Who am I? Why am I here? How should I live?
The good news is that God has already provided everything you need for life and godliness through His promises. In this first Ruby Women Bible study based on 2 Peter 1:3–11, you'll discover how every area of life finds its proper place when God is in His rightful place.