toolbox

I marvel at people who use tools. Especially power tools- which generally awkward me out to a point of being freaked out when it comes to the bigger ones! (Like big saws, and nail-guns!) Nonetheless- there is a part of me that wishes I was good at using them, because I reaaly enjoy and appreciate the wonderful things you can make, and accomplish, with them!

I guess the tools I use most often, are found in the kitchen. Baking and cooking on a regular basis- I have many opportunities to use my skills! I am an okay cook, but I really enjoy baking. But, with so many on different diets...I don't do that as often as I'd like. (Nor do I need to eat a lot of baked goods!)

I can zip around the kitchen pretty well. I know (usually) where my tools are, when to use them, how to use them; I try to keep them clean and handy for the next time I need them- because I know it won't be long for most of them before I need them again.

Once in a blue-moon, I get a new kitchen tool/gadget. I love it! I enjoy having a new tool to help me do my job better, easier, and maybe even with a little more flair! I splurged the other day and bought a darling new apron (for those who don't spend a lot of time in the kitchen, 'yes!'- an apron is a wonderful tool)! It has a wonderful colorful design, and one of my favorite Bible verses. (John 10:10)

This past week I discovered another toolbox, which has been incredibly wonderful. It is in 2 Peter 1:2-9. The tools are listed in verses 5-7. They way it is written, the list looks a bit like these tool are listed in oder of 'get this first, then that'...but that is only the styl of the writing. Actually, each tool stands on its own, and works with each of the others listed-- in fact, altogether, they can be a virtual power tool!

Before I get into the tools- let's begin by looking at the tool maker and box: "2. Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; 3. seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 4. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divinge nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust."

So- in verse 2: How is that we can have grace and peace multiplied?...In the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord! He is the Tool Maker!....And because of Who He is, and His divine power, how much has He given us pertaining to life and godliness? EVERTHING! How much is that?! EVERTHING! (In my mind I can here a friend say. 'uh-huh- yes!, you got that right!- EVERYTHING!- that's what I'm talking about!)

Breathe that in! For those who know the Tool Maker- Jesus Christ, He has given EVERYTHING to you that you need pertaining to living out your life in a godly (God pleasing) way! By His power, because of Who He is!...He HAS given it to us- it was available to us...it is available to us...it will be available to us...everything we need... WOW!

I've read these verses before, but never have I been so struck by the reality of these verses up until this past week! The LORD has used it to minister to my soul in an amazing way!

Okay- He has called us, He is our Saviour- by His grace and mercy, and us trusting in His finished work on the cross for us, by His own glory and excellence...And in His mysterious ways- He has invited us to be partakers of the divine nature, and escape the corruption of this world (lust). Can I get an 'amen' to that!

Now that we are saved by Him, through faith- faith is one of the tools He gives us...and it is the universal tool to connect us to the rest of the list of tools here: "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."(verse 5-7) So, our tools are: diligence, moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverence, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love.

My mom used to say a married woman should have a 'wedding shower' every 15yrs to get new kitchen utensils, as the old ones get worn out! The great thing about the tools the Tool Maker gives- is that they improve with age! Making you more and more effective and productive! And who really would not want that? They can never be over used; not in the context of His love. Verses 8-9 say: "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."