Tag: family

I Peter 5–The Most Amazing Wrap Up Ever Written…

Peter finishes up the 1st letter with a package of truths that would blow away any theologian. For the church leaders, lead like shepherds laying their lives down for their sheep. For the up and coming, He says submit and be humble–the God will lift them up and then they will learn from the best!  With that, Peter tells the folks to toss God your burdens! He does not mind, because He personally cares for His own.  

 

Then Peter speaks of the enemy–Look at the world soberly and alert.  The enemy is prowling around just looking for opportunities to devour God’s chosen.  The great truth is that if one will resist Satan, in time He, like any bully will flee as an embarrassment.  The trails and suffering people face are not unique. So, if Christ’s own will trust and follow Him after they face the training and discipline,  He will lift them up, bless them, and cause them to be strong.
 
In our lives, the groups of truth contained in Chapter 5 are unprecedented in their magnitude and depth. If we could cling to this one group of verses we could face anything the enemy or the world might throw at us.  Help me, Lord, to take this word to heart and honor You through Good times and trials.
 
God Bless You

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”[a]

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power forever and ever.

Amen.

 

I Peter 4 Part 1–Spiritual Discipline and Christ-like Love

Peter reminds his readers that they are facing the end times.  As such, they need to live with a focus on the eternal and not the temporal. He reminds them that they can no longer chase the passions of the world, but must live in a manner that is worthy of God.  Peter stressed that they had to quit chasing the things that give instant gratification–sexual sin, materialism, selfishness, and lawlessness. He calls them to be self-controlled, sober-minded and prayerful.  He also reminds them to love earnestly and act hospitably to others. 
 
Nothing has really changed, people are still chasing little gods like lust, greed, sensuality and instant gratification. they now worship their phones, i-pads, computer screens, and TV.   We fall into the trap of living in the “Grand Illusion” as sung about by an 80’s rock band Styx. The illusion makes us think that what we see on the screen is a reality, when in fact we live lives that are not nearly so glamorous but so much more substantial. Still, we need to be self-controlled, sober-minded, loving and hospitable.  Peter reminds us that earnestly loving folks covers a multitude of sins. We need to live as ones who are headed for an eternity with the Lord, not just living in the here and now.  If we will, we will experience more life than we can imagine.  Additionally, we will leave a mark of love and compassion that will last well beyond our time here on earth. 
 
God Bless You

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh,[a] arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:

I Peter 3 Part 2–Living Lives of Distinction

Peter, more than anyone could understand the importance of living a life that honors Christ despite the reaction of the world. He was the guy that denied Christ during Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion. He was the one Jesus specifically asked to feed His sheep.  He was the one God had to scold about what God makes clean, is clean indeed.  He was the one Paul got onto for ignoring the Gentiles when the Jewish church folk came to town.  Peter was real, he was not perfect.  Peter was also responsible for thousands of folks coming to Christ. 
 
So, when Peter says the best way to honor God is to live in unity, humility, and holiness, one can count on the fact he taught from experience. It is very easy to understand that our lives affect the lives of others.  Our attitudes, behavior, and response to struggles are apparent for all to see.  That is why it is incumbent that Christians live lives that honor and glorify God. All of our actions, our behaviors, and our discussions are there for the world to expose and criticize the faith.   We have to be the people that show our relationship with the Lord truly makes a difference in how we behave and how we respond.  As we live our lives in that way we will be distinct from the crowd.  In addition, that distinction will draw others to Christ, and it will help us to grow stronger and more like Him each day.
 
God Bless You

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10 For

“Whoever desires to love life
and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit;
11 let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

I Peter 3 Part 1–Wives and Husbands

Truly one of the most important roles in life is the roles we lead in marriage. Peter discusses the roles in a very specific and direct way.  First, he talks about how critical a wife is to the spiritual condition of her husband and of her family.  Peter tells wives that their respect for their husbands could be the greatest evangelistic tool in their toolbelt.  Men who see Christ in the lives of their wives are more apt to seek him.  In addition, as he talks about wives, Peter says for them to look on the inside and assure it is right before worrying about hair and make-up.  In short, there is so much beauty that Christ produces within us, that it will greatly outshine any outfit, jewelry or ensemble that can be assembled. 
 
Peter also speaks to the Husband.  Husbands are to treat their wives with honor.  Husbands are to lead with grace and realize the critical role their wives have in the family. Wives make the house a home and the group of humans a family.  It is not the role of master-servant, it is the role of CEO and COO.  Husbands are to lead and face the daily battles of provision and protection of their families and their homes. But, that is impossible without a person doing the day to day operation of the home.  With what is provided, wives raise the family and teach them decorum, survival, salvation, and socialization. Husbands that do not understand how critical their spouse is to the survival of the family fail in being the leader God calls them to be. I not only respect my wife and love her; I truly stand amazed at all she has accomplished despite me and my battles in life. She is amazing on all fronts and counts. As a family, we are not worthy of her, but, we are sure grateful that she is who she is–the Chief Operating Officer of this group.  She deserves all the respect and praise available but continues with or without it. Thanks, Wives and Moms (ESPECIALLY MINE) for all that you do!
 
God Bless You

Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. 5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.

7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you[a] of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

I Peter 2 Part 2–Fear God, Love the Brothers and Honor the King

Peter gets to the heart of living the Christian Life.  As God’s kids, we have to live in a way that honors the Lord.  That means that as we are in the world, our actions should not detract from the glory of God. One of the most telling verses is verse 17–Show proper respect to everyone…Love the family of God, Fear the Lord and Honor the Emporer. Simply stated, our treatment of family, friends, and authority speaks volumes about who we are in Christ. If we claim to follow God but then are irreverent, then we will not have the respect or credibility as we live each day. If we claim to be people of faith but ignore the folks we are worshipping with it makes the faith ring hollow. Finally, if we claim to live holy lives, but are in constant trouble with those in authority we not only dishonor ourselves–but, we dishonor God.
 
We are to be people that love each other, support each other and Honor God before those in authority.  In a culture that is so self-absorbed that there is little respect for anyone; we need to be the ones that stand up and act differently. By being the ones that fear God, love the brothers and honor the king, we show Christ and honor Him in all sections of our lives. In addition, we will be able to live lives of peace and have a purpose that is so much bigger than ourselves. Living under authority is an amazing experience.  We must disregard the culture that respects no one.  We must be Holy as God calls us to be; it will impact our lives and the lives of so many others!
 
God Bless You

Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

22 “He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.”[e]

23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,”[f] but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

1 Peter 2 Part 1–Living as a Cornerstone

Peter was calling the church to be Holy and like Christ.  He was not making that call flippantly, instead, he was reminding the Church of who and whose they were and are.  Since the time of Abraham, His chosen people were to be a nation of priests.  It was their job to spread the Gospel message that Jesus is the Savior and Redeemer. In order to better preach the truth, Peter was reminding the Church that they need only to realize how great the salvation they have received from the lord.  The rejection of Jesus by the world was the world’s great loss; but, as it will see, Jesus is the cornerstone of life and redemption.  So, Peter was reminding the Church that it is their gift to know the Lord and to spread the news of the great gift Jesus’s redemption really is.
 
In our lives, as we enter into the season of Christ’s birth, we need to carry the message of this great salvation to all that will listen.  What is more, we need to live as those that are redeemed and not as those without hope.  The world would have us be just like them–hopeless, purposeless and without care for others.  Christ calls us to be set apart as those with hope, with purpose and being selfless and following Him in our journey.  Like Christ, we need to live as those proud of who we are and whose we are in Christ. We can never look back qnd never question the life we have received as His chosen people.
 
God Bless You

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture:

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,
a cornerstone chosen and precious,
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,

“The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,”[a]

8 and

“A stone of stumbling,
and a rock of offense.”

They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

I Peter 1 Part 2–How to Live in a Crazy World

So when listing out the components of a Christ-like life, Peter highlights three critical pieces. First, live lives that are alert, sober, and holy. It is critical that we as the church pay attention to what is going on around us.  We live in a culture that is only steps away from Christian persecution.  We, as a nation, have moved from a nation founded on Christian principles to a nation that has moved to eradicate God from any and all public and government displays.  As is often the case, our efforts to separate God from the government have left a void that is being filled with chaos and unrest.  As a church, it is our responsibility to continue to stand for God and separate ourselves from the Chaotic self-absorption that captures our culture. 
 
Second, we need to live as a foreigner in a strange land.  We cannot focus on this world as being our home.  As ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:19) we need to live as citizens of eternity with our heart and allegiance focused there.   We cannot become too invested or in love with this aspect of life.  We live in this world but do not identify with its culture or desires. Our allegiance to Heaven may cost us, but in the long run it will provide hope and a future unmatched by the finest of this world’s treasures.
 
Finally, we love deeply those that are a part of the body of Christ.  Since we do not live as a part of this world, we will not be loved by this world. Knowing that, we must show love to one another.  We must be ready at all times to stand firm and support those who are a part of God’s family.  As we do, our unity will set us apart and draw others to Christ. 
 
Be Holy, set your focus on the eternal and finally love and support others in the family.  That is a worthy call. A call for the Chosen of God!
 
God Bless You

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”[a]

17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.[b] 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For,

“All people are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25     but the word of the Lord endures forever.”[c]

And this is the word that was preached to you.