I like to cook, and I like simple recipes. For example: open can; pour contents into pan; heat until hot; serve in bowl. Now that's my kind of recipe. Coach Lou Holtz gave the recipe of a winner when he said, "Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it." Ability,motivation and attitude are all ingredients of a winner, and they cannot be omitted or substituted.

Likewise, Peter gave us the recipe for effective Christian living. The two main ingredients the Lord provides are His power (2 Peter 1:3) and His promises (v. 4). As we mix His power and promises into our believing and living, He'll strengthen our ability, inspire our motivation and empower our attitude.

Peter then listed the ingredients we must add to our faith: virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love (vv. 5-7). Adding these into our mix will make us fruitful, and we'll not stumble in our walk with God. Omitting any of these vital ingredients will have a profound effect in us.

Don't change the Lord's ingredients and then blame His recipe when things don't go your way. Instead, follow His instructions diligently, and you'll find that His recipe will bring spiritual growth and success in your life. Remember, "...if you do these things you will never stumble" (2 Peter 1:10).