1 Peter

Prepare Your Mind for Action! {1 Peter 1}

12:00 PM

Today's Scripture Reading: 1Peter 1

How's your prayer life?

I'll be honest, the Lord has been calling me to get serious when it comes to praying for myself and others for years! I have all the greatest books ever written on prayer; some read multiple times and some barely opened. I've started different types of prayer journals, and tried many different programs, but it wasn't until just recently when God's Spirit took hold of me one Sunday, that it finally all came together, and I've been just itching to share it with you!!

Peter begins his letter by reminding us of some of what we've received because of Christ Jesus and then exhorts us to:


So brace up your minds; be sober; set your hope wholly and unchangeably on the grace that is coming to you when Jesus Christ is revealed. [Live] as children of obedience [to God]; do not conform yourselves to the evil desires [that governed you] in your former ignorance [when you did not know the requirements of the Gospel]. But as the One Who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all your conduct and manner of living. (1Peter 1:13-15 AMPC)
Peter is calling us to action.  He has packed a lot into this first chapter, but it's verse 22 I want us to focus on today: "Since by your obedience to the Truth through the [Holy] Spirit you have purified your hearts for the sincere affection of the brethren, [see that you] love one another fervently from a pure heart. (1 Peter 1:22 AMPC)
It's the love Peter mentions here that I want us to focus on. It's Christ's love in us poured out for others. We need to travel back to John 11:32-35 for a moment to truly understand,
When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled... Jesus wept.

Didn't Jesus know what He was about to do? That He was about to raise Lazarus from the dead and give Mary her brother back? Of course!

God has been calling me to a ministry of prayer for years and as mentioned earlier I've tried just about everything already to improve me prayer time with Him. But when I saw just those two words, "Jesus wept" (John 11:35) I finally understood the secret to an effectual prayer life.

The KEY is identifying with the other's pain, or even The Lord's pain over the sin!

Prayer connects a person's pain to God's sovereign power!   
  
It's standing in the gap and bringing the two together!

I'm a visual learning and so The Lord took this thought further and showed me the Japanese art of Kintsugi.

Kinsugi is translated, “golden joinery,” which means “golden repair” and is the centuries-old Japanese art of fixing broken pottery with a special lacquer dusted with powdered gold or silver.  
Kintsugi
The Japanese made no effort to hide the repairs, instead they look upon it as art; as actually improving the piece of pottery. And isn't that what our prayers are designed to do? It's our job to join the pain to God- our power source and God sprinkles our efforts with gold making the necessary improvement so that we can bring Him glory!

I chose the piece of pottery above because I thought it best displayed our role! All different; some fat blobs, some thin, some straight and some crooked, but each adding to the character of the piece.

The trouble lies in that we need to build relationships! We can't live on a superficial level  with others and tell them we'll pray for them and expect the desired results. Jesus wept, because He was crushed by Mary's and the other's pain, even though He knew He had the power to bring Lazarus back.

I've learned that if I truly desire to stand in the gap for others, I've got to get to know their heart in order to identify with their pain and then be willing to connect their pain to God's power! Only then, we'll be such beautiful creations; all reflecting His glory!

Blessings,
sue

1 Peter

Keep Fervent in Your Love {1 Peter 4}

12:00 AM


Monday Nov. 13, Keep Fervent in Your Love {1 Peter 4}



Some people mistakenly believe that being a Christian gives you a “get out of jail free card” when it comes to the trials of life. Adversity is a result of living in a fallen world, and believers aren’t immune from the pain of suffering. In this chapter Peter tells us that as Christians not only are we not to be surprised when facing persecution, we are to rejoice when we suffer for our faith.

“Therefore since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.” (vs. 1-2) No one knows more about suffering than Jesus. Not only did He suffer physically with beatings, torture and crucifixion, He also suffered the pain of betrayal, sorrow, and anguish. Yet He endured all of that willingly, obediently, and out of His love for us. And out of our love for Him and His gift to us of salvation, we also are to be willing and obedient in living to fulfill the will of God. No longer continuing in our former lustful ways of the world but instead pursuing lives of holiness, following the example set by our Lord.

But leading such lives isn’t easy. There is tremendous pressure from the world around us to be the same as we were before we received Jesus as our Savior. “They are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you.” (v. 4) Those who aren’t  followers of Jesus find it hard to understand why we would want to lead our life for anyone other than ourselves. They want us to do as they do. And when we don’t, we become targets of their ridicule and scorn. But Peter tells us that those same unbelievers, “will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” (v. 5) One day they will stand before the throne of God and give an account of their lives to the Almighty, who will judge both those who are living and who have been long dead. No one will escape. But until that time we are to, “be of sound judgement and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer” (v. 7) And we are called respond to those who persecute us the same way we respond to fellow believers....in love.

“Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.” (v. 8) Here Peter isn’t telling us that loving others earns God’s forgiveness. We know that our sins are paid for by Jesus’ death on the cross, and forgiveness for sin 
comes only through trusting in Him. Instead it means that even Christians are sinners who fail and need forgiveness daily. And in remembering that we can love each when hurt, we can forgive each other when wronged, and we can build each other up when we fall. Love makes it possible for us to be, “hospitable to one another without complaint”, using our God given gifts and talents to serve one another and lead others to the Lord, so “in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (v. 11)




Peter goes on to warn that trouble will indeed come into our lives, so we shouldn’t be taken by surprise when it does. “Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you.” (v. 12) Some people are thrown off guard when they suffer thinking that since God is in complete control of all things, He should stop adversity from entering our lives. But God uses trials to test His people, to deepen our relationship with Him, and to display His glory to the world. Not all suffering is testing, but regardless for the reason God wants us to be steadfast and holy throughout it all. 

Not only are we to expect trouble, we are to rejoice when we are persecuted for Christ’s sake, and find joy in the opportunity to share in His sufferings. “to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.” ( v. 13) When we face persecution because of our faith in Jesus, we can find great joy knowing that one day Jesus will be revealed in all of His glory, and we too will be revealed as His very own. For Peter reminds us that, “if you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” (v. 14) Suffering hurts. There are no two ways about it. And when we are knee deep in pain it can be hard to find the blessing. But when we are hated for following Jesus, we can comfort and joy knowing that God has chosen to glorify Himself through us, bless us, and love us. All because we belong to His Son!

1 Peter

12:00 AM


Welcome to Scripture Saturday!



Today we are memorizing 1 Peter 3:15:

…but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense so anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…

Here is the amplified version…

But in your hearts set Christ apart [as holy—acknowledging Him, giving Him first place in your lives] as Lord. Always be ready to give a [logical] defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope and confident assurance [elicited by faith] that is within you, yet [do it] with gentleness and respect.

What is our hope in Christ? Hope is a heartfelt, joyful conviction that our short term future is governed by an all-caring God, and our long-term future, beyond death, will be happy beyond imagination in the presence of the all-satisfying glory of God.

Hope is not an add-on to Christian experience. It is part of the first things. The essential things. It is a vital component of saving faith, because part of what we believe relates to our future. It is impossible to be a Christian and keep on believing that your eternity will be bleak. Saving faith is the “assurance of things hoped for,” and such faith believes that “God is the rewarder of those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:1, 6).

When people ask you about your faith, what do you tell them? Are you prepared to give an answer that might give them hope and show them the hope that you have in Christ? We should always be ready for that but to do so with “gentleness and respect.” No one was ever argued into heaven and no one can be debated out of hell. We just need to give them the reason for our hope and leave the results up to God and trust Him for He is the Lord of the Harvest.




Have a blessed and precious day everyone!

1 Peter

On Submission and Peacemaking {1 Peter 3}

4:48 AM



In 1 Peter 2:13-17, Peter advised readers to have such good behaviour that unbelievers will have nothing bad to say about the gospel. Peter admonishes us all to be subject, for the Lord’s sake, to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as set by him. In other words, keep the speed limits, pay your taxes, and be respectful toward policemen and senators.

Then in 2:18–25, Peter addresses the household servants (oiketai) in the church and admonishes them to be submissive to their masters with all respect, both to the kind and to the overbearing.

To set a good example, Christians should submit to civil authorities, and slaves should submit to their masters. He now continues this theme by addressing wives and husbands.

“Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behaviour of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives” (1 Peter 3:1-2).

When Peter says “in the same way,” he means that women are to submit just as men should, each to the appropriate authorities. 

Women by setting a God example can cause husbands to see that God’s grace makes wives to be cooperative rather than rebellious, that way they may be more willing to listen to the gospel, and eventually follow their wives into the faith.

A changed life speaks loudly and clearly, and it is often the most effective way to influence husbands who are not born again (or any other family member for that matter).



Peter’s next advice: “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewellery or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit” (verses 3-4).

This does not mean that Christian women should be sloppy; it is great to look after one self and look one’s best but is far more important to develop an inner spirit of godliness. True beauty begins inside.

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.- (Prov 31:30)

The Wider Virtue Of Submission

In Peter 3:1–6, Peter instructs the wives to be submissive to their husbands, including the husbands who are unbelieving. Then, in verse 7, he instructs husbands to live considerately with their wives as fellow heirs of the grace of life. Finally, in 3:8–12, Peter tells the whole church to have unity and sympathy and love and tender-heartedness and humility toward one another, and not to return evil for evil. In other words, submit to each other and serve each other. So, as we saw in Ephesians 5, submission is a wider Christian virtue for all of us to pursue, and it has its unique and fitting expressions in various relationships.
What submission is:
Submission is voluntarily cooperating with someone, first out of love and respect for God and then out of the love and respect for that person. Submitting to unbelievers can prove difficult, but once again it is a vital part of leading them to Jesus Christ. We are not called to submit to nonbelievers to the point that we compromise our relationship with God, but we must look for every opportunity to humbly service in the power of God’s spirit.

1 Peter 3 (VS 8-22)

Responding to evil …Called to be peacemakers




In verse 8, Peter gives a general appeal to all the believers: “All of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing” (verses 8-9).
If someone treats us wrong, we are to respond by doing good, not by getting revenge. God set the example for us by doing good to us even though we had done evil to him. Peter supports this advice by quoting Psalm 34:12-16: “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it” (1 Peter 3:10-11).

Too often we see peace as merely the absence of conflict, and we think of peacemaking as a passive role. But an effective peacemaker actively pursues peace. He or she builds good relationships, knowing that peace is a by-product of commitment.
The peacemaker anticipates problems and deals with them before they occur. When conflicts arise, he or she brings them into the open and deals with them before they grow unmanageable.

Making peace is hard work, but it results in God’s blessings.

Peter has already pointed out that Jesus did not retaliate with threats against his persecutors (2:22-23); here he repeats the need for us to keep our words and our actions in control. Peter asks, “Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?” (3:13). Unfortunately, some people persecute those who do good, so Peter adds, “But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed” (verse 14). Persecution itself is not a blessing, but God rewards those who suffer unjustly.
Have a blessed weekend!


Angie

1 Peter

Our Anchor Holds {1 Peter 1}

12:00 AM




I remember Max Lucado telling a story in  his book, Six Hours One Friday, of how he and his boat survived a hurricane. Someone had advised him to take his boat out into the deep water and drop four anchors off each corner of the boat, and pray that the anchors held. Max and the boat survived, but he claimed that he learned an important lesson during that storm, which was, all of us need an anchor that will hold during the storms of life. That anchor for all of us is called, faith.

I've got to start by asking you, what have you put your faith in? I've caught myself over the years anchoring my faith in my husband, my bank account, eating right and exercising, my home, church, family, etc. All of which are temporal and could be taken away tomorrow. Not one of those anchors are strong enough to help me weather any and all storms.

Do you remember where you were on 9-11- 2001? Do you remember how you felt that day and the days following? I remember our house was full of neighbors and friends that evening all coming together to pray and seek to comfort one another. I remember the nation's churches overflowing the following Sunday. People knew only God was powerful enough to anchor their faith to then.

When Peter wrote his letter, things were changing. As the first century church grew, the constrictions of the government were increasing, and people were finding it more and more difficult to live out their faith in the midst of such fierce persecution. Even today it's not easy being a Christian at times. We're being criticized or worse because of our beliefs, and we need to find a way to live out our faith without compromising it.

Peter knew how important our faith would be and gives us a great picture of faith, and helps us gain some insight into how to live out an authentic Christ centered faith in the midst of trying times.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:3-7

 Peter assures us that if we will anchor our faith in Christ Jesus we will find our faith to be:

A faith that is imperishable


We have the advantage of so much history behind us to know that kingdoms have come and gone, economies have risen and fallen, and nations have been established and destroyed. BUT there is one kingdom that has remained constant for over two thousand years in spite of all the opposition. Our faith is to be set in heaven, and not on the things of this world.

A faith that's undefiled & uncorrupted

I'm sure you've heard the saying, "absolute power corrupts absolutely". It's a statement which speaks of our sinful nature. History is full of leaders (men and women) who started off with the very best intentions but pride got in the way. BUT if we place our faith in the power of an Almighty God and Christ Jesus who knew no sin, we can rest in knowing God has absolute power that remains uncorrupted.

A faith that is unfading

We all know fads come and go just as quickly as they came, BUT Jesus will always be the same yesterday, today, and forever. There's great comfort and peace that comes when we can trust that the faith we have now will see us through to eternity.

  A revealing faith (1:7)

As our faith begins to reflect our deeper knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, our lives will change. We'll begin to think and  live differently, because our faith is growing, and those around us will begin to see a difference in us.

A faith centered on our love for Christ (1:8)

Peter talks here about how we love Christ even though we have not seen Him. The author of Hebrews has defined faith as, "... the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen." (Hebrews 11:1).  In essence, Peter says that real faith is loving Jesus, who we have never seen, but still know exists.

The truth is all of us have faith, but will our anchor of faith hold in the storms that will come? Has your faith been tested and proven to be sure? Is your faith the very same faith Peter has described for us in the first chapter of his letter?

I remember that first Sunday after 9-11, when the whole country was wondering what would happen next? Would the stock-market crash? Would more attacks come?  Would the airline industry recover? On and on the questions kept running through people's minds. The days ahead were so uncertain, but as I sat in church that Sunday a man in our congregation got up and began to sing a song and The Lord quieted my spirit and assured me through the song that everything was going to be alright. He was still reigning over all. The song was, The Anchor Holds... Enjoy!