1 Peter

August 13th – 1 Peter 4:10

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1 Peter 4:10

Recently I went through a drive-thru. I pulled up to the window to find the car ahead had paid for my order. Pleasantly surprised by the generous gift, I happily paid for the car behind me to keep the blessing ball rolling. Each Christian is given a spiritual gift. Whether it be leadership, discernment, giving, helping, or teaching, each of us receives a gift of God’s choosing. And He  expects us to take that blessing and pay it forward. For just as God told Israel, we are blessed to in turn bless others.  (Gen. 12:2-3) Evangelical author Neil T Anderson wrote, “Your greatest fulfillment in life will come when you discover your unique gifts and abilities and use them to edify others and glorify the Lord.” If we want to glorify the Lord, we need to be willing to take the blessing ball God passes to us and pass it on. Serving others generously, giving kindness, encouragement, and strengthening to all who need it.

August 13th – 1 Peter 4:10 Read More »

July 11th – Philippians 2:3

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Philippians 2:3

God doesn’t want us to just be good, He wants us to be great. Being great is twofold. Because to be great is to serve God, and serving God means serving others. Each day we are called to make ourselves available to Jesus. Ready and willing to be used in His service. And whatever it is He asks of us, we are to do with love, humility, and joy. Not with an attitude of resentment, or with the “woe is me” spirit of a martyr. And especially not for our own ego, or for our star to shine. All things should be done for the glory of God alone. As believers we are given at least one spiritual gift and are commanded to, “employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”, (1 Pet. 4:10). When our hearts and minds are focused on pleasing the Lord and helping others, we can find a deep fulfilling joy. One that comes with being a humble servant of the Almighty God.

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June 21st – Psalm 46:10

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Psalm 46:10

Living in a busy world comes with its share of anxiety. But our stress doesn’t have to turn into distress. When God is our source of strength, we can “be still” and rest in Him. The phrase “be still”, comes from the Hebrew word, “raphah.” Translated it means to relax, cause yourselves to let go, or to let yourselves become weak. It’s a deliberate act of surrender. It means “casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” (1 Pet. 5:7) I once heard it said that to take control means surrendering control. It’s only when we surrender all to God, our fears, worries, and hurt, can we really take control of any situation. For as Isaiah 30:15 tells us, “in quietness and trust is your strength.” When we put God in charge, following instead of leading, we are free to walk through every circumstance with an inner quietness only He can provide.

 

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June 8th – 1 Peter 5:7

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1 Peter 5:7 

We all need a friend to share our troubles with. Someone to listen to our fears, cares, and worries. And while earthly friends may not understand, tire of hearing our complaints, or have troubles of their own, Jesus never will. In fact He implores us to, “cast all your anxiety on Him.” The word “cast” comes from the Greek verb “rhipto” which means to throw off or to lay down. It’s the act of deliberately laying something down and leaving it there. The Lord encourages us to hand the worries of our hearts over to Him. To lay them at His feet, never again picking them back up. Because there isn’t a difficulty or hardship He can’t handle. Not a problem He can’t solve. God knows us better than we know ourselves, and what’s best for us. So go to Him and bare your heart. For He loves you more than life itself. And is the best Friend you could ever have! 

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June 5th – 1 Peter 4:19

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1 Peter 4:19

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. But adversity is a result of living in a fallen world. And believers aren’t immune from the pain of suffering. Especially when trying to fulfill our duty to do the right thing. But we can find comfort in knowing God uses all things for our good. He may use our faith during hardships as a beacon pointing others to Jesus. God may use our struggles for His glory. Or, as is often the case, He may use our suffering to deepen our relationship with Him. But no matter the reason for our trial, we need to keep being obedient to the Lord. Keep doing the right thing. Because trusting God in all things, even when difficult times comes, always results in great blessings!

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April 14th – 1 Peter 2:24-25

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1 Peter 2:24-25

With each strike of the whip, the flesh of Jesus was savagely ripped open. Bruised, bloody, and beaten beyond recognition, the suffering Christ endured was beyond compare. Only to be followed by an agonizing, criminal’s death on the Cross. And Jesus suffered all of this for us. He willingly took our flogging, beating, and death. He bore our sins and paid our debt, so we could be free. Because of the Lord’s shed blood, no longer are we condemned, dead in our trespasses, and trapped in the bondage of sin. By His wounds we have been healed from the penalty, poison, and price of sin. Because with every stripe our Savior endured, He paid in full every sin we have or will commit. Through His glorious death and resurrection, we are free to live a righteous life that glorifies Christ and His amazing sacrifice!

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April 2nd – 1 Peter 1:3

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1 Peter 1:3

Did you know Peter is often called the apostle of hope? Even as he watched his beloved Master, Friend, and Teacher, hang upon a Cross, he didn’t despair. Because through the blood of Jesus, Peter knew that now everyone who received Christ as their Savior can experience hope. And not just a wishful hope. But a living, confident, expectation through the resurrection of Jesus. Because of His great mercy, God doesn’t want us to remain dead in our sins. And so He offers us a grace we don’t deserve, and can never earn. A grace through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. And because of Christ’s great sacrifice, we now can be born again. Our heavenly Father chooses, sanctifies, and gives us great purpose. And our lips should offer continue praise and blessings to Him for all He is, and does!

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March 28th – Ephesians 6:18

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Ephesians 6:18

After telling Christians about each piece of the armor of God, Paul adds on another crucial part of our uniform. Prayer. And although it’s not something we wear, without it, winning any war is impossible. Why? Because prayer is our lifeline to the power of God. And as our great Commander, the instructions we receive through prayer can mean the difference success and failure.

To be a victorious prayer warrior, Paul goes on to give us, the soldiers of God, practical applications when praying. First he tells us to pray in the Spirit. Praying in the Spirit isn’t about the words we say. Instead it means praying according to the prompting and leading of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit then carries those petitions to our Heavenly Father and lays them at His feet. But praying in the Spirit can only happen when we have a close, personal, relationship with God.

Next Paul tells us to stay alert. Being alert includes being sober minded and watchful. (1 Peter 5:8) For the Enemy’s attacks are never ending, and his deviousness knows no bounds. But nothing stops Satan faster in his tracks then when we drop to our knees in prayer. So just like soldiers who keep their guns at the ready, we are to be ready at a moments notice to go to God with all perseverance in constant and fervent prayer.

Paul ends by telling us the the importance of praying for the needs of other believers. I once read that as prayer warriors, we are spiritual weapons in God’s mighty hand. I love that! That means we have the honor and great privilege of being part of God’s master plan. And when we pray for others, we become important, intricate, parts of seeing that plan come to fruition. Both in the world, and in the lives of other Christians.

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February 23rd – 1 Peter 2:2-3

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1 Peter 2:2-3

Like a newborn needs the life giving nourishment of a mother’s milk, Christians need the nourishment of the spiritual milk of God’s Word. Because God’s Word is living and life giving. And it is tailored to provide us with the spiritual comfort and nutrition that we need to grow and thrive. Just as breast milk changes to meet the needs of an infant, God tailors what we receive from the Bible to meet our spiritual needs. I can read through a passage of scripture that I’ve read countless times before and God may show me something completely new. Something that meets my current needs and broadens my understanding. Showing how He is working in my heart and life at that particular time. And it is the the sweetness of those experiences that makes me thirst for more.

Do you remember the popular ads for milk? The ones where various celebrities pose with milk mustaches proudly displayed and the caption “Got Milk?” This ad campaign started to emphasize the necessity of always having milk on hand. And the unfortunate struggles of running out. The evidence of their thirst quenching experience is proudly displayed above a beaming smile. I think that our time being nurtured by the milk of God’s Word should leave similar evidence for the world to see. They should see that something has been tasted and left our spirits satisfied with God’s goodness!

Blessings,

Becky

 

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February 9th – 1 Peter 4:14

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1 Peter 4:14

It’s hard to consider suffering a blessing. But for the Christian, suffering is God’s “refining fire”. A fire that burns away the impurities of our flesh nature, producing in us a new nature. One reflective of the purity of Christ. Those who suffer on behalf of Christ do so because they have a unique perspective.  They are focused on the eternal instead of the temporal, they value God’s opinion more than the opinion of mere man. And they know that if God allows suffering, it is to serve the higher purpose of His will. God promises that such suffering has eternal merit and reward.

If we are submissive to His will, God will give us the strength and resources to endure whatever circumstances He allows into our lives. He wants us to trust even when we don’t understand and challenges push us to our utter limits. To depend completely on Him and trust that He has a higher purpose. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

Blessings….Becky

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