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Faithful Stewards

 "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." — 1 Peter 4:8-11 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, This is the second time Peter instructs believers to love one another deeply, fervently. Our love for one another overlooks small offenses. Without our deep and fervent love, every little irritation becomes a grievance. It should not be that way in the body of Christ. Because this early church met in homes, hospitality was necessary. To be hospitable means welcoming people into your home, but ...
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Enough Time

 "For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead." — 1 Peter 4:3-5 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, Thank You for the day when I realized I had spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do. Those days are long behind me and I thank You for pulling me out of that life. I know that my life today is strange and they are astonished that I live differently. Today this shows up when non-believers are shocked that I don't value what they value. My beliefs about sexuality, gender, morality, and self-control are confusing and even repulsive to those who are far from God. As a result, they feel the conviction of their sin. That feeling is detestable to them...
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Done With Sin

"Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God." — 1 Peter 4:1-2 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, You suffered in Your body in order to be victorious over sin once and for all. Fallen humanity avoids suffering and resists pain. One commentator wrote, "Many of us are defeated in our battle against sin because we refuse to sacrifice anything in the battle. We only want victory if it comes easily to us." Jesus, You are calling me to have your attitude of sacrifice in my battle against sin. When I suffer for You, something changes in me. I am more acquainted with the temporariness of this world. I long for Heaven. I am no longer interested in living the rest of my days trying to fulfill fleshly desires. I want to please my King. Whoever suffers in ...
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Made Alive

 "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him." — 1 Peter 3:18-22 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, Peter's Christology (theology of Christ) is clear and stunning. Jesus, Your once and final suffering on the cross—the righteous for the unrighteous—was to pay the full penalty of my sin in order t...
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Be Prepared

 "Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil." — 1 Peter 3:13-17 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, "Be Prepared," is the Boy Scout's motto. As an Eagle Scout and as a former adult Scout leader, I've spent a lot of time learning and teaching how to be prepared. Peter is teaching his readers about preparedness. First, be prepared to do good and be prepared to suffer even when you do good. If you suffer for doing the right ...
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Seek Peace and Pursue It

 For, “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. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” — 1 Peter 3:10-12 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, Peter quotes Psalm 34:12-16 and reminds us if we love life and want to see good days, here's how. First, I am to keep my tongue from evil and my lips from deceitful speech. James 3:6 explains what happens when I don't control my tongue, "It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire..." We're seeing that in our world today. People being fired from good jobs because they didn't keep their tongue from evil. They gave into the temptation to speak deceitful speech. I can destroy trust and ruin my reputation with just a single sentence, 280 ...
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Compassionate and Humble

"Finally, 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." — 1 Peter 3:8-9 Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King, My heart is still unsettled, grieved and hurting. As our nation is split in two—half reeling from Charlie Kirk's assassination, half either apathetic or celebrating his death—I'm saddened and confused. As I see people I dearly love be taken over by hatred and depression, so quick to demonize those who believe differently, my heart weighs heavy and I continue to intercede in prayer. Your Word reminds me how to live today. Even if I just have these two verses as my focus today, this is Your direction for me. "Be like-minded,"— be harmonious, of one mind, literally "together-minded." To have unity of mind. Lord, may I drop any conten...
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