2Pt 1:1 Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ (5:1 fellow elder), To those who have obtained like precious faith with us (12 though you know and are established in the present truth) by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
2  Grace and peace be multiplied to you thru/by/in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,
3  as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, thru the knowledge of Him who called us by/to glory and virtue, 4  by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that thru these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 

I. Knowing God's Purposes: Life on this planet won't go as we'd want, but as God wants  (He's God, we're not)

A. Life will involve suffering, and trials which purify and reward our faith in the goodness of God, deepening our relationship with Him

1Pt 1:3 Blessed be the God..according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4  to an inheritance...reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6  rejoice..grieved by various trials,7 that the purifying of your faith..result in praise, honor, and glory [given to you – see context] at the revelation of Jesus Christ

B. Eventually we need to get to the place where we ask" "How does God intend to bless me through this?"
and the corollary, "How does he want me to respond in order to be blessed?"
 
1Pt 1:13  Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober-minded, and fix your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14  as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former desires, as in your ignorance;
15  be holy in all your conduct, 17  And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay  here in fear;

C. Suffering is a vaccine against shortsightedness of the soul. Col 3:1-4 set affections above...glory   “Turn your eyes upon Jesus“
God's plan for us is: Christlike dependence contentment Lk 22:42 Phil 4:13,19, showcase for His grace 2Cor 12:9, discipline/holiness/profit Heb 12

Ps 46:1God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 10  Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! 11  The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge.  [we must value His glory]

II. Knowing God (and His Program) Personally: We become fruitful and reap our reward by growing in grace

2Pt 1:8  For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

A. We must build on our faith and follow the way of righteousness to Christlike freedom...

2Pt 1:5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 self-control, perseverance, godliness 7 brotherly kindness,  love. 8 (above) 9  For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins 10 Therefore brethren, be even more diligent to make your calling/invitation and election/choiceness sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11  for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  12 For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things,

B. ...rather than false teachers and false teaching to bondage.  Jn 8:32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free

2Pt 2:19  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a person is overcome, by that also he is brought into bondage. 20  For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in it and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 

2Pt 3:11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
13  according to His promise, 14..be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;
 3:17  You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18  but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. How can/do you know God? How do you grow in grace? How have you built upon your faith? Why do some have just a foundation?
2. Why does a good God allow evil? Why are the world/life/people/believers imperfect? What are some of His purposes for imperfection?
3. What's our natural response when things don't go our way? How can we have/develop a supernatural response? What glorifies God?
4. How can you prevent yourself from being deceived/enslaved by false teaching? Isn't the essence of deception not knowing it's happening?
5. What steps will you take this week to deepen your knowledge of God and experience the good life He has promised?