Gifts of God -- Day 5

Read Romans 6:17-23

Context: Paul has been explaining how Christ brought life and put the sinful life to death, and the struggle we have as humans to avoid sin.

Text:

17But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. 18You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
19I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. 20When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. 21What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! 22But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Of all the gifts God gives us, life is the most basic. He knew us before we were born, and he placed us in specific locations or situations throughout our lives -- even before we knew him. He gives us everything we need for life, and he watches over us while we are on this earth.

But he goes a step further and he gives everyone eternal life. Those who understand and accept his gifts will joyfully spend that eternity in Heaven with him. Those who don't...well, their eternity may seem ever so much longer.

Did you ever stop to think that your eternity has already started? Many of us dream of heaven and look forward to the time we will live forever, but we forget that we are already living now! True, this world isn't the perfect place that Heaven will be, but there is so much here to enjoy. God has created this world and every good and perfect thing in it.

As you enjoy the holiday and look forward to the new year, make sure you aren't so focused on tomorrow and the future that you forget about the gift of life God has provided for you today. I know it's a little cliche, but remember today is a gift -- that's why it's called the present!


I pray that you and your family will have a joyful, Christ-filled holiday. I plan to sleep in late every day...except on Christmas when the boys won't let me! I'm taking the week off, so devotions will start again on January 2. Merry Christmas!

Gifts of God - Day 4

Read Ephesians 2:1-10

Context: Paul is explaining God's purpose and how he has set Christ as ruler of all things.

Text:

1 In the past you were spiritually dead because of your sins and the things you did against God.2 Yes, in the past you lived the way the world lives, following the ruler of the evil powers that are above the earth. That same spirit is now working in those who refuse to obey God. 3 In the past all of us lived like them, trying to please our sinful selves and doing all the things our bodies and minds wanted. We should have suffered God's anger because we were sinful by nature. We were the same as all other people.
4 But God's mercy is great, and he loved us very much.5 Though we were spiritually dead because of the things we did against God, he gave us new life with Christ. You have been saved by God's grace.6 And he raised us up with Christ and gave us a seat with him in the heavens. He did this for those in Christ Jesus7 so that for all future time he could show the very great riches of his grace by being kind to us in Christ Jesus.8 I mean that you have been saved by grace through believing. You did not save yourselves; it was a gift from God.9 It was not the result of your own efforts, so you cannot brag about it.10 God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us to do good works, which God planned in advance for us to live our lives doing. (New Century Version)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

One of the greatest gifts God gives is grace. Paul talks about grace more than any other writer in the Bible -- probably because he was reminded daily of how much he needed it. As today's passage shows, even though we probably didn't persecute the church as much as Paul did, we are all guilty of living for ourselves. If we are honest, it doesn't take long for us to look at yesterday and realize how much we still need grace even though we have become Christians.

The Greek word used by Paul here is 'charis' (pronounced khar'-ece). Strong's definition says "of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues."

I guess I had always seen grace as simple forgiveness -- sort of like when someone steps hard on your toes and you forgive them even though it hurts. But look closely at this definition. Grace is huge! God influences us to turn to Christ, and then he uses grace to keep us, strengthen us, and help us implement what we have learned. His grace is much more than forgiveness. It is a continuous expression of his love for us, his desire to bring us closer to him.

We cannot attain this grace on our own. The only way we can obtain it is by accepting God's gift. The cool part of this is that God has a vast storeroom of beautifully wrapped gifts of grace. Every time we want one all we have to do is ask!

Gifts of God - Day 3

Read Ecclesiastes 5:15 - 20

Context: It is believed that this book was written by Solomon near the end of his life. Looking back over all of his attempts to 'tame' the world and find meaning in earthly things, he shares the wisdom that life is meaningless without God.

Text:

15 Naked a man comes from his mother's womb,
and as he comes, so he departs.
He takes nothing from his labor
that he can carry in his hand.
16 This too is a grievous evil:
As a man comes, so he departs,
and what does he gain,
since he toils for the wind?

17 All his days he eats in darkness,
with great frustration, affliction and anger.

18 Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot. 19 Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God. 20 He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart. (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Do you ever see your job as a gift from God? Even if they like the work they do, most people see work as a burden, a chore, an additional stress on their lives. Unless you are born into a very wealthy family, you will most likely need to work in order to have a warm home and enough food to fill your stomach.

Because we see a direct correlation between the money we make from working and the amount of 'stuff' we can buy, it is easy to fall into the trap of believing that we are personally responsible for attaining our possessions and wealth. Nothing could be farther from the truth!

From the sixth day of creation, God has given each man and woman their jobs. Adam (with the help of Eve) was to "rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." In addition, he was put "in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it."

In the same way, God has put you into a particular place in the world and he has given you work. That work may not be in a paying job at the moment, but he still has a job for you to do. And he will provide all that you need for life (just maybe not the life we covet...).

Today, take time to thank God for the jobs you have to do and for the possessions and provisions he has given you. Look for reasons to "enjoy them ... and be happy" in your work. This is another gift he hopes you will accept!

Gifts of God, Day 2

Read Joshua 1:5 - 10

Context: Joshua was given the role of leader to the Israelites after Moses' death. As he is still mourning the loss of Moses, God speaks directly to him about the upcoming task of crossing the Jordan into the Holy Land.

Text:

5 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (NIV)

Taken from www.biblegateway.com

The Bible tells us that God's gifts are indescribable, good and perfect, irrevokable, and personal. But one of His most frequent gifts, his advice on life, is one we sometimes wish we'd never opened.

God has been giving his people advice since the beginning of creation. He's told us what to eat, what not to eat, how to worship, how to treat others, and how to grow into the person he created us to be. He's provided words that motivate, warn, and demonstrate his love. And, just so we don't forget, he's put a copy of his words right in our hands...in almost any language that is spoken.

Although we may not want his advice any more than a teenager wants the advice of a parent, we have to deal with the annoying fact that his advice is ALWAYS right! Once we have heard it, we are unable to return the gift and request one that is a 'better fit' -- despite the fact that we really don't want to follow, it we are now aware of the difference between right and wrong. His advice always pops up in our head at the most inconvenient times...just when we are about to give into a wonderful temptation.

Just think how wonderful next year would be if we all made a resolution to follow his advice no matter what! Ok, so maybe a year is pushing the envelope...how about if we just followed it for a day? God's advice can be a sharp, cutting sword and an all enveloping warm embrace. As you read you Bible this week, ask him what advice he is trying to give, and request his help in implementing it. You may be amazed at the results!

The Gifts of God -- Day 1

Read Micah 5:2-5a

Context: Micah was a prophet who lived at the same time as Isaiah. The theme of this book is judgment and deliverance by God.

Text:

2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans [a] of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins [b] are from of old,
from ancient times. [c] "
3 Therefore Israel will be abandoned
until the time when she who is in labor gives birth
and the rest of his brothers return
to join the Israelites.

4 He will stand and shepherd his flock
in the strength of the LORD,
in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.
And they will live securely, for then his greatness
will reach to the ends of the earth.

5 And he will be their peace. (NIV)

Footnotes:
Micah 5:2 Or rulers
Micah 5:2 Hebrew goings out
Micah 5:2 Or from days of eternity

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Just like we sometimes give hints to others about their Christmas gifts, God gave the Israelites hints about the greatest gift he would give. No matter how obscure the clues, the recipient of the gift understands what they meant when the gift is finally opened.

It is much easier for us, in hindsight, to comprehend the hints and understand how they were fulfilled by Jesus. But it's a fascinating puzzle to go back and find the clues, knowing that no man could have created such links between prophecy and reality.

In these four short verses, so much is told about the Christ who is to come:
- from Bethlehem
- tribe of Judah
- ruler of Israel
- one of ancient times (you can't get much more ancient that creation!)
- born of woman
- shepherd to his flock
- with the strength of the Lord
- bringer of peace

To those who doubt, these prophecies may seem weak or coincidental, but to believers they are a clear demonstration that God has a plan for the world. His plan will unfold in due time, and it will prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that he is in control and that he loves us.

Imagine how Mary and Joseph would have looked back at the prophecies...to see what had been fulfilled and to understand what was yet to come. We don't know if they had access to the holy scrolls or the training to do this, but the stories about the coming Christ were ingrained in Israel's history so they would have at least heard some of the prophecy.

In fulfillment of Micah's prophecy, God gave us the gifts of leadership, strength, and peace. Enjoy them!

Awaiting the Dawn

Read 2 Peter 1:19-21

Context: Continuation from yesterday when the text talked about Peter and others being eyewitnesses to the transfiguration.

Text:

19And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. 21For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

This passage really needs to be linked to the one from yesterday to show that the personal witness of Biblical things has to be linked to prophecies of scripture (word of prophets) for either to be valid. For instance, if someone today says that he is the Christ or that he has seen the Christ, we know it can't be true because scripture tells us that all will witness His second coming.

Peter does not use many word pictures in his writing, but in this passage his analogy to light and the dawn paint a clear picture. A light (the word used refers to a candle) can brighten up a dark place, but when the sun rises it eliminates the darkness so that all is bright. Now we have the scripture and faith to help brighten up the darkness (and the word Peter used here means 'squalid and dirty'), bringing some sin into the open. But when Jesus returns (the morning star), all will be revealed and he will get rid of the evil darkness forever!

In the meantime, we still need to hold up our candles to light the way.

God's Voice

Read 2 Peter 1:16-18

Context: Continuation

Text:

16We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." 18We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Have you ever wondered what God's voice really sounds like? I know there are a lot of people who say "God told me to do this," but most of them never heard an audible voice. They have received internal nudges from the Spirit that led them to act in the way God directed.

God spoke in many ways in the Bible. Elijah heard his voice in the gentle whisper of the wind. Moses heard his voice on the mountainside and in the Tent of Meeting. Adam and Eve walked with him in the garden while he presented his creation, and he spoke to Samuel at night...perhaps in a dream. Other times God spoke, but most were only able to hear thunder, as when he spoke to Saul on that Damascus road. Often he passed his messages along with the help of angels and prophets.

But Peter, along with James and John, had the opportunity to hear the pride and love in God's voice as He proclaimed to the world that Jesus was his son. I wonder how often Peter played that day again in his head, awestruck at the presence of Elijah and Moses. He had heard wonderful stories about these two heroes of the faith, and now they were standing before him. And Jesus, transfigured before their very eyes so that his face shone like the sun and his clothes were as white as light. If Peter had had any doubts about Jesus' origins, this single moment would convince him the Jesus was, indeed, the Christ.

But one day we shall all hear his voice. Either one at a time when in Heaven on our own judgement days, or all together when Jesus returns triumphantly. More than anything, I pray that he says, "Well done," and "Welcome Home."

Final Advice?

Read 2 Peter 1:10-15

Context: Continuation from yesterday

Text:

10Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
12So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. 13I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, 14because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things. (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Peter had a close relationship with Jesus -- he was one of the three members of the 'inner circle' who seemed to be with Jesus wherever he went (Peter, James, and John). He sat at Christ's feet, heard his message multiple times, and had the opportunity to ask some difficult questions. But none of the apostles were really ready when Jesus was arrested.

Peter knows that his time is short. 'Tradition' says that he was crucified upside down because he didn't feel he was worthy of a Christ-like death. Like Jesus, he is trying to share the most critical pieces of advice before he dies. He's not just repeating what has been said before, he's trying with a sense of desperation to make sure we really understand the most important things about our faith. The things we will learn from this book are his final words to those who weren't physically close to him.

I'm sure that, from Heaven, Peter is pleased that his advice lives on!

He Forgets, But I Can't

Read 2 Peter 1:5-9

Context: Continuation from yesterday, where Peter told us that God has given us everything we need for life and godliness.

Text:

5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Do you ever forget that you have been cleansed from your sins? Satan will go out of his way to make you think it isn't true. Late at night, when you can't sleep, he'll whisper into your ear things like, "I can't believe you did THAT!" or, "Surely you are bad to the core, look at all you've done," or even, "How could he forgive you for THAT?"

When we ask for forgiveness with a humble, repentant heart, God has promised that he will forgive and forget...as far as the east is from the west. But he doesn't take our memory away. He doesn't want us to dwell, or even revel, in our misdeeds, but he does want us to remember what we are capable of and how far we'd fallen before we let him pick us up. After all, how can we live and learn if we never remember the life lessons?

He wants us to remember, but not to be haunted by the memory. Next time Satan wants you to wallow in your past, just thank him for reminding you how great God is!

God is Enough

We are home again. Sammi's headache hasn't gone away yet, but she's feeling better and is glad to be home. She's on a new medicine and we hope this one will work. Thanks for your prayers.

Today, read 2 Peter 1:1-4

Context: Despite the claim in 2 Peter 1:2, there is quite a bit of doubt that Peter actually wrote this book. Many claim that it was written by a scribe or that someone very close to Peter wrote about the things Peter would have said in a letter. While there isn't much evidence to support Peter's authorship, there was more evidence for this letter than many that were omitted from the Bible. The purpose of this letter was to alert believers to error and to stimulated them to spiritual growth.

Text:

1Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:
2Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

God has given us everything we need for life and godliness...how different would our lives be if we truly believed that statement?

Think about the time in history when this text was written. What do we have access to now, both possessions and Biblical references, that they didn't have then?

In the days of the early church, there was almost no written way to study God's word. There were Old Testament documents locked up in the temples, and there were probably a few copies of letters from Paul or the apostles being circulated. I bet we have more Bibles and biblical materials in each home than existed in all of Jerusalem or Rome. Yet many people were closer to God at that time than we are today.

And stuff...I'll be one of the first to admit that I like stuff...alot! But how much of my effort goes to obtaining and maintaining stuff instead of trying to get closer to God?

God gives us all we need...yet we always seem to want more than we have. More information before we feel qualified to witness to others, more time to pray or study His word, more money to buy stuff that didn't even exist 20 years ago, much less 2000 years ago. When will we realize that He is enough?

Dailies On Hold

I won't be posting any Faith Builder's Dailies this week...Sammi (our 15 year old daughter) is in the hospital with migraines. If you are in the Faith Builder's class, please read 2 Peter 1 to prepare for Sunday!

thanks,
Susan

Commendable?

Read 1 Peter 5:12-14

Context: Peters final greetings to his readers.

Text:

12With the help of Silas,[a] whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. 13She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ. (NIV)

Footnotes:

1 Peter 5:12 Greek Silvanus, a variant of Silas

taken from www.biblegateway.com


When you get to the end of one of the books of the Bible in letter format, do you skip over the final greetings? I tend to, but I've discovered that there is a wealth of information there. In this letter to the 'elect' scattered across the globe, Peter only references two people (Paul tends to reference lots), Silas and Mark and he gives a veiled reference to one woman. Who were these people and why were they so special that he calls them out to all the readers of his letter?

First is Silas, whom Peter regards as a faithful brother. Apparently Peter wrote about him before (there is no reference to that prior letter in the Bible) explaining that he represents the true grace of God. Silas is referenced in Acts 15:22. The Council of the church at Jerusalem heard Paul talk about his miracles among the Gentiles, and they chose two men who were 'leaders among the brothers' to send with Paul and Barnabas on their journey to Antioch...Silas was one of these men. I wonder what had happened in his life that made him such a testimony to grace?

There is a lot of controversy over who "she who is in Babylon" really is. Some commentaries say that she is Peter's wife, who traveled with him frequently on his missionary journeys. Others say it is a reference to the church which was in Babylon.

The final person is Mark, whom Peter identifies as his son. Most scholars believe that this is the Mark who wrote the gospel. He is referenced a couple of times in Acts. In Acts 12:12, Peter has escaped from prison and he went to the house of Mary, mother of Mark (remember when the servant girl was so excited she forgot to let Peter in?). Later he is mentioned in chapter 15. Barnabus wanted Mark to go along with him and Paul to revisit many of the cities they'd been to, but Paul refused because Mark had deserted them previously. Apparently Mark made amends, because Paul's letter to the Colossians his second letter to Timothy actually commend Mark. Colossians 4:10 tells us that Mark is actually the cousin of Barnabas. Many believe that Peter helped Mark accept Jesus as his Savior.

Both of these men, along with the 'woman' from Babylon must have been well known among the many different churches who received Peter's letter. They were examples of faithfulness and grace. If you were to write a letter to Christians in another area, do you know whom you would commend and why? Would someone else commend you?

Stand Firm

Read 1 Peter 5:8-10, several passages from Revelations

Context: Peter has been instructing the elders and the young men of the church on leadership principles.

Text:

1 Peter 5:8-10 8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
10And 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.

Rev 2:10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Rev 12:12 Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short."

Rev 20:10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Did you know that the word 'devil' only shows up in the New Testament? Your trivia fact for the day!

Peter tells us that the devil is looking for someone to devour. If you read the above passages in Revelation, you find out that he is angry because he knows that his time is short. He's angry at God, therefore he will take his revenge out on those God loves most, the faithful. When we stand firm and do good in the name of the Lord, it's like throwing salt on his wound and he's furious.

Peter reminds us that others around the world are standing firm through suffering, which gives us greater motivation to make it through the devil's fury. But in our insulated world, we lose sight of what our brothers and sisters are suffering. If you have a minute, check out this story

This is from the Voice of the Martyrs website (www.persecution.com). If you go there daily, you will read new stories about specific people who are suffering the wrath of satan so the gospel of Christ may be known. Their ability to remain faithful will be rewarded with the crown of life. And check out the last verse from Revelations -- God wins!

Take a minute and pray for these brave young men and women -- your prayers may make the difference in their ability to stand firm.

Vaccinations

Read 1 Peter 4:12-19

Text:

12Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18And,
"If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"[a]
19So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. (NIV)

Footnotes:

1 Peter 4:18 Prov. 11:31

taken from www.biblegateway.com

The longer I'm a parent, the more insight I get into a tiny part of God's world. As the Father, he must share the same frustrations, joys, disappointments, and laughs that we receive as parents.

I struggled with verse 19, where Peter says we will suffer according to God's will. God tells us he's a loving Father, so why would he want us to suffer?

When I look at the same verse from a parents' perspective, though, it's more clear. No, I don't particularly want my children to suffer, but there are times when I know they must for their own good. Vaccinations, for instance. I willingly take my children into a strange environment and allow them to feel physical pain, seemingly for no reason from their perspective. They never really know why, because they are spared the ravages of the disease that could have infected them.

How is God vaccinating you? Are you in a place (physically, emotionally, or spiritually) that seems strange to you? Is there some painful event you are going through? We may never understand what this suffering prevented in our lives until we get to Heaven. But faith is knowing what we cannot see -- God asks us to know that he has our best interest in mind when we go through trials. We just have to learn to pay attention to difficulties that are no fault of our own and look for the lessons God wants to teach us.

Cast Your Anxiety On Him

Let's finish our reading for Sunday.

Read 1 Peter 5:1-12

Context: These are Peter's closing thoughts to the Christians scattered around the world.

Text:

1To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
5Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
"God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble."[a] 6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

10And 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. 11To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings
12With the help of Silas,[b] whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. 13She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ. (NIV)

Footnotes:

1 Peter 5:5 Prov. 3:34
1 Peter 5:12 Greek Silvanus, a variant of Silas
taken from www.biblegateway.com

I woke up this morning with the classic hymn "What a Friend We Have In Jesus" playing in my head and I can't seem to shake it. The sad part is that I only remember six or seven lines, so it's almost like a mantra. I can't begin to tell you the last time I sang this song -- it could have been when I was in high school. I'm not sure if it is intended to prepare me for something, to remind me to pray, or to pass along to you, so I'll plan for all three!

In today's passage, Peter tells us to cast our anxiety on Christ because he cares for us. Actually he is more specific..."because He cares for you." Isn't that cool? As you prepare for your day, Jesus is watching over you. He cares about how you are feeling and what your day will bring. I found the words to the song at a site called Jazz Worship. If you go to this site you can listen to a rendition of the song.
I'll let them finish our devotion for the day:

What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear -
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged:
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful,
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness -
take it to the Lord in prayer!

Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Saviour still our refuge,
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He'll take and shield you,
you will find a solace there.

Suffering For Being A Christian

Let's start this week by reading through our text...today we'll do the first half

Read 1 Peter 4:12-19

Context: Peter has just finished telling the Christians how to live Godly lives.

Text:

12Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18And,
"If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"[a]
19So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. (NIV)

Footnotes:

1 Peter 4:18 Prov. 11:31
taken from www.biblegateway.com

Before You Take A Bite

Read Luke 22:14-20

Context: Jesus and his apostles are in the Upper Room celebrating his last passover meal.

Text:

14When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God."
17After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. 18For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."

19And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."

20In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

According to the concordance, there are seventeen times in the Gospels where Jesus gives thanks for his meal before he eats. Some of these times are repetitions of a single event. I hadn't really thought about it before, but Jesus, who was present at the dawn of creation and is fully God, is thanking his father for provisions. There is never a time when Jesus eats that he does not first give thanks.

We are good about praying before meals in our home, but I can't say I've ever thought about giving thanks for a snack. And there are times when I haven't prayed before eating in a public place. I'm ashamed to say that it wasn't because I was embarrassed to pray... I simply forgot. Other times I may pray, but it's very short and sweet so I can dive into my food; I'm not really praying thankfully, I'm praying in autopilot.

Yet there isn't a bite of food that I could consume that wasn't provided for me by my Father in Heaven. He not only provides enough to nourish my body, he provides the good stuff -- freshly baked cookies, Fritz's frozen custard, and stuffed crust pizza! I don't want to take this for granted. I want to be truly thankful, even if I only eat manna and quail for forty years.

Giving Thanks for the Little Things

This week we are reading 1 Peter 4 and continuing to use the Chapter Summary Method of Bible study. A major element of this method is to focus on the text itself and not to read commentaries or other items relating to the text that might change your perspective. Therefore this week's devotions will deal with thanksgiving, not our text.

Read Psalm 95:1-7

Context: According to the NIV Study Bible, this psalm is a call to worship the Lord spoken by a priest or Levite to the Israelites assembled at the temple.

Text:

1 Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.

3 For the LORD is the great God,
the great King above all gods.

4 In his hand are the depths of the earth,
and the mountain peaks belong to him.

5 The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.

6 Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;

7 for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care. (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

As we enter the holiday season it is easy to get caught up in the stress of preparation and forget all about the reason we celebrate. Whether you are hosting a feast at your home or are traveling somewhere else this Thursday, remember to find some quiet time to thank God for his blessings on your life.

I tend to thank God for the large and obvious things...trees, shelter, sunrises, people, salvation. A friend of mine, however, is really good at praising God for little things. I remember one time she gave thanks for her toothbrush...something that surprised me a bit. But in thinking about it, I am VERY thankful for toothbrushes...my own and those belonging to others! What things do you take for granted that are blessings in your day? Could you list a hundred things?

The Message Version

Happy Friday! We are going to read our verses out of The Message version of the Bible. This translation was published in pieces between 1992 and 2001. It was created to "in order to recreate the spirit of the original language of scripture which was written in the street language of the day." (wikipedia, The Message (Bible)). It is much easier to read, but there are criticisms about its theological content and New Age influence.

1 Peter 3
1-4The same goes for you wives: Be good wives to your husbands, responsive to their needs. There are husbands who, indifferent as they are to any words about God, will be captivated by your life of holy beauty. What matters is not your outer appearance—the styling of your hair, the jewelry you wear, the cut of your clothes—but your inner disposition.
4-6Cultivate inner beauty, the gentle, gracious kind that God delights in. The holy women of old were beautiful before God that way, and were good, loyal wives to their husbands. Sarah, for instance, taking care of Abraham, would address him as "my dear husband." You'll be true daughters of Sarah if you do the same, unanxious and unintimidated.

7The same goes for you husbands: Be good husbands to your wives. Honor them, delight in them. As women they lack some of your advantages. But in the new life of God's grace, you're equals. Treat your wives, then, as equals so your prayers don't run aground.

8-12Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing.

Whoever wants to embrace life
and see the day fill up with good,
Here's what you do:
Say nothing evil or hurtful;
Snub evil and cultivate good;
run after peace for all you're worth.
God looks on all this with approval,
listening and responding well to what he's asked;
But he turns his back
on those who do evil things.

13-18If with heart and soul you're doing good, do you think you can be stopped? Even if you suffer for it, you're still better off. Don't give the opposition a second thought. Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. They'll end up realizing that they're the ones who need a bath. It's better to suffer for doing good, if that's what God wants, than to be punished for doing bad. That's what Christ did definitively: suffered because of others' sins, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones. He went through it all—was put to death and then made alive—to bring us to God.

19-22He went and proclaimed God's salvation to earlier generations who ended up in the prison of judgment because they wouldn't listen. You know, even though God waited patiently all the days that Noah built his ship, only a few were saved then, eight to be exact—saved from the water by the water. The waters of baptism do that for you, not by washing away dirt from your skin but by presenting you through Jesus' resurrection before God with a clear conscience. Jesus has the last word on everything and everyone, from angels to armies. He's standing right alongside God, and what he says goes.

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Your Job:

Central Lessons -- write down themajor insights, principles, and lessons you learned while studying this chapter

Conclusion - This is the application portion. Answer questions such as: How do these truths apply to me personallly? What specifically am I going to do about them?

New King James Version

We're on day 4! The New King James Version is our translation for the day. This Bible translation is based on the King James Bible written in 1611, but it has updated language (the most significant change is the elimination of 'thee', 'thou', and 'thine'. This new version used the same Greek and Hebrew texts as the original KJV. Many are critical of that fact because it used only the texts that were available in 1611, not texts that have been discovered since then. It's a little more difficult to read, but gives a different, more poetic perspective.

1 Peter 3:
1 Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. 3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 5 For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.
7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.
8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;[a] 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For

“ He who would love life
And see good days,
Let him refrain 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 prayers;
But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.”[b]

13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”[c] 15 But sanctify the Lord God[d] in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us[e] to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, 19 by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20 who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited[f] in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 21 There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.

Footnotes:

1 Peter 3:8 NU-Text reads humble.
1 Peter 3:12 Psalm 34:12–16
1 Peter 3:14 Isaiah 8:12
1 Peter 3:15 NU-Text reads Christ as Lord.
1 Peter 3:18 NU-Text and M-Text read you.
1 Peter 3:20 NU-Text and M-Text read when the longsuffering of God waited patiently.

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Your Job:

1. Cross References -- Using the cross reference system in your Bible, look up som other verses that may hlep shed light on the meaning of this chapter and list them.

2. Christ seen -- Write down anything you learn about Jesus; anything that sheds light on God's revelation of Himself through His son.

New Century Version

It's day three of reading 1 Peter 3 through five times! Let's try the New Century version of the Bible today -- it's Max Lucado's favorite. This version was created in 1991 and was actually a revision of the International Children's Bible. It was written in plain, easy to understand language that is conservative and evangelical in tone.

1 Peter 3:
1 In the same way, you wives should yield to your husbands. Then, if some husbands do not obey God's teaching, they will be persuaded to believe without anyone's saying a word to them. They will be persuaded by the way their wives live.2 Your husbands will see the pure lives you live with your respect for God.3 It is not fancy hair, gold jewelry, or fine clothes that should make you beautiful.4 No, your beauty should come from within you—the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit that will never be destroyed and is very precious to God.5 In this same way the holy women who lived long ago and followed God made themselves beautiful, yielding to their own husbands.6 Sarah obeyed Abraham, her husband, and called him her master. And you women are true children of Sarah if you always do what is right and are not afraid.
7 In the same way, you husbands should live with your wives in an understanding way, since they are weaker than you. But show them respect, because God gives them the same blessing he gives you—the grace that gives true life. Do this so that nothing will stop your prayers.

8 Finally, all of you should be in agreement, understanding each other, loving each other as family, being kind and humble.9 Do not do wrong to repay a wrong, and do not insult to repay an insult. But repay with a blessing, because you yourselves were called to do this so that you might receive a blessing. 10 The Scripture says,
"A person must do these things
to enjoy life and have many happy days.
He must not say evil things,
and he must not tell lies.
11 He must stop doing evil and do good.
He must look for peace and work for it.
12 The Lord sees the good people
and listens to their prayers.
But the Lord is against
those who do evil." — Psalm 34:12–16

13 If you are trying hard to do good, no one can really hurt you. 14 But even if you suffer for doing right, you are blessed.
"Don't be afraid of what they fear;
do not dread those things." — Isaiah 8:12–13
15 But respect Christ as the holy Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to answer everyone who asks you to explain about the hope you have, 16 but answer in a gentle way and with respect. Keep a clear conscience so that those who speak evil of your good life in Christ will be made ashamed.17 It is better to suffer for doing good than for doing wrong if that is what God wants.18 Christ himself suffered for sins once. He was not guilty, but he suffered for those who are guilty to bring you to God. His body was killed, but he was made alive in the spirit.19 And in the spirit he went and preached to the spirits in prison20 who refused to obey God long ago in the time of Noah. God was waiting patiently for them while Noah was building the boat. Only a few people—eight in all—were saved by water.21 And that water is like baptism that now saves you—not the washing of dirt from the body, but the promise made to God from a good conscience. And this is because Jesus Christ was raised from the dead.22 Now Jesus has gone into heaven and is at God's right side ruling over angels, authorities, and powers.

taken from www.biblegateway.com


Your Job:

Crucial Words -- write down the key word or words in the chapter

Challenges -- List any difficulties you have with this chapter.

New American Standard Version

Today, let's read the New American Standard version. This comes with a lot of cross references which I have removed to make it easier to read. If you want them, please go to www.biblegateway.com and look up the text in this version. The capitalization of certain portions of the text is the way it was printed at biblegateway.

Your assignment is at the end!

2 Peter 3:
1In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives,
2as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.

3Your adornment must not be merely external--braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; 4but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.

5For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; 6just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.

7You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

8To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; 9not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. 10For,
"THE ONE WHO DESIRES LIFE, TO LOVE AND SEE GOOD DAYS,
MUST KEEP HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT.
11"HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD;
HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT.
12"FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE TOWARD THE RIGHTEOUS,
AND HIS EARS ATTEND TO THEIR PRAYER,
BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL."

13Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?

14But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, 15but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; 16and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.

17For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. 18For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; 19in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, 20who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water.

21Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you--not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience--through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.

Your Job:

Chief People -- list he most important people in the chapter. Ask questions such as, "Why are they included? What is significant about them? (this includes groups of people, like wives and husbands...)

Choice Verse -- choose a verse that summarizes the whole chapter, or one that speaks to you personally.

Chapter Summary Method Day 1

Our daily Bible studies will be a little longer this week. We are going to use the Chapter Summary Method of study, which tells us to read the entire chapter five times. I'll put the entire text of 1 Peter 3 in a different Bible version each day.

There are ten activities to do as we read the text -- I'll give you two of those each day. By the end of the week we should have this down!

Today we'll use the New International Version:

1Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. 5For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, 6like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.
7Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

8Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10For,
"Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from deceitful speech.
11He must turn from evil and do good;
he must seek peace and pursue it.
12For 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."
13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." 15But in your hearts set apart 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, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20who disobeyed 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, 21and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Your job:

1. Caption -- give the chapter a short, descriptive title

2. Contents -- describe, paraphrase, summarize, or outline the major themes and points in the chapter.

Grace Under Pressure

Read: Mark 15:16-20

Context: Jesus has been arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. He's gone before the Sanhedrin and Pilate, and he's been condemned to death.

Text:

16The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. 17They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. 18And they began to call out to him, "Hail, king of the Jews!" 19Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. 20And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him. (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Peter, who was nearby the whole time, tells us that Jesus did not retaliate in any way and that he made no threats. "Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly."

Do you ever wonder what was going on in Jesus' mind as all this was happening? The God portion of his being knew that he would die and knew the glory that would result. And the man part of him was hurting in a way that he had never hurt before. As a carpenter, I'm sure he'd hit his thumb with a hammer a time or two, and he may have received splinters and cuts as he worked. As a child he most likely fell from a tree and scraped his knees. But we have no evidence that he's been abused intentionally by the world before.

Did the human side of him take control, even for a moment? In other texts it says that the soldiers blindfolded him and taunted him to 'prophesy' who had hit him. Don't you think that just once he wanted to show them that he knew who caused each blow? That he wanted to lay each of their sins in front of them, if not to prove that he was God, then maybe just to get back at them a little?

Yet he remained silent, and he took each blow. He knew they were wrong, yet he suffered through their torture so that we wouldn't have to.

He didn't deserve what he received, and we don't deserve what he gives us in return. Yet he gives it freely if we only believe. Isn't it amazing?

Don't (just) Read The Words

Read 1 Peter 2:13-25

Context: Our passage for the week -- this time in New Century Version

Text:

13 For the Lord's sake, yield to the people who have authority in this world: the king, who is the highest authority,14 and the leaders who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.15 It is God's desire that by doing good you should stop foolish people from saying stupid things about you.16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. Live as servants of God.17 Show respect for all people: Love the brothers and sisters of God's family, respect God, honor the king.
Follow Christ's Example
18 Slaves, yield to the authority of your masters with all respect, not only those who are good and kind, but also those who are dishonest. 19 A person might have to suffer even when it is unfair, but if he thinks of God and can stand the pain, God is pleased. 20 If you are beaten for doing wrong, there is no reason to praise you for being patient in your punishment. But if you suffer for doing good, and you are patient, then God is pleased.21 This is what you were called to do, because Christ suffered for you and gave you an example to follow. So you should do as he did.
22 "He had never sinned,
and he had never lied." — Isaiah 53:9
23 People insulted Christ, but he did not insult them in return. Christ suffered, but he did not threaten. He let God, the One who judges rightly, take care of him. 24 Christ carried our sins in his body on the cross so we would stop living for sin and start living for what is right. And you are healed because of his wounds. 25 You were like sheep that wandered away, but now you have come back to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls (NCV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Have you been reading your passage every day? Remember the process for devotional-style Bible study:

Pray for insight on how to apply the passage
Meditate on the verses or passage you have decided to study
Write out an application – personal, practical, measurable and achievable
Memorize a key verse from your passage
Today, be sure to actually do these four things...it's amazing how much more likely you are to apply God's word to your life when you actually write down application ideas. Studies show that we only retain about 10% of what we read. If you hear the text (www.biblegateway.com will read it to you...), you will remember about 20% of the information. But if you see, hear, AND take action (such as writing and applying), you will remember 90%!

So -- read the passage outloud and write down the actions you will take. You may not remember the words exactly, but a year from now you are more likely to have the concepts imbedded in your life. And didn't God tell us to hide his word in our hearts?

We Have A Choice

Read Genesis 39:1-6

Context: Joseph, the favorite son of Jacob, has been sold by his brothers to a passing caravan of Ishmaelites. They, in turn, sold him to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's officials in Egypt.

Text:

1 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh's officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there.
2 The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, 4 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. 5 From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the LORD blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the LORD was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. 6 So he left in Joseph's care everything he had; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

It's so easy to forget how good we have it in our lives. While we may not enjoy our jobs all the time, but we always have the option to leave and find something else. I don't want that to sound pat; it is currently taking people 6 - 12 months to find a new job, but the point is that we are not literally slaves to our bosses. We have options.

Joseph had options, too. He had the option to rebel, fight his master, and try to escape. He had the option to pout and hold a pity party because of what his family had done to him. But he chose the option of doing his very best and glorifying God with his efforts. The text says that God gave him success in all he did. Do you think that would have happened if Joseph wouldn't have been willing to work hard?

Even if your boss doesn't like you or is a tyrant, Peter tells us that it is commendable for us to bear up under unjust suffering because we are conscious of God.

Today, if you are tempted to rebel, pout, or just take it a little easier than you should, remember Joseph and his choice. God blesses us, too, when we give our all!

Curing Ignorance

Read Luke 6:27-36

Context: Jesus has just selected his twelve apostles, and he is beginning the Sermon on the Mount. This passage follows the 'beattitudes'.

Text:

27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Take a look at this week's reading, verse 15, in the Message version:

"It is God's will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you're a danger to society."

How well do we show the enemies of Christianity that Jesus died for them, too? For, if they think that Christians are a danger to the society, they are actually living in ignorance. Remember, ignorance is not stupidity, it is the absence of knowledge. It may sound simplistic, but if people believe that Christians are 'dangerous' to someones' way of life, they really don't understand that Jesus is trying to protect them from the lies of Satan (who tells them that everything they do is good, fun, and inclusive).

Is there someone who gets enjoyment out of making fun of your faith? Or maybe others who tend to stay away because they are afraid you might 'rub off' on them? With each good thing you do for them (including praying), it is possible that God is loosening the scales over their eyes (just as he did with Saul) so they may see the truth. The ignorance falls away and they can see glory of God.

What if we did something nice to those who have very different beliefs that we do? Loved those who are seeking love in all the wrong places? Did good to those who would be happy if we (Christians) just went away?

We may not be there when they realize Jesus is the only way to survive this life, but know that each good deed, each word of prayer, each word of encouragement brings them one step closer to God.

How can you help your 'enemy' better understand the grace of God today?

The Boss Knows Best???

Each day this week read 1 Peter 2:13-25.

Text:

13Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. 16Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 17Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
18Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20But 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. 21To 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."[a] 23When 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. 24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (NIV)

Footnotes:
1 Peter 2:22 Isaiah 53:9
taken from www.biblegateway.com

Ok, I admit it, I have a little problem with authority. It's not that I don't like the people, and I definitely want to keep them happy, I just usually think that they are wrong. So frequently I'll listen to their directions then I'll work hard to come up with a politically appropriate way to get them to take a different approach.

One of my best bosses (and thankfully he was one of my first), was used to the 'new kid syndrome' and he would often let me head off in the direction I thought was best. Well, it wouldn't be too long before my enthusiastic but uninformed plan would flop. When I'd go back to admit defeat, he would gently explain what would have made his approach, based on 30 years of experience, the better way.

While I still don't like to be told what to do, I've learned to respect the fact that each leader has been put into his or her position for a reason. While sometimes it's hard to find, each boss has always some skill or experience that I can learn from. I will still speak up when I see something that just doesn't seem right, I am more willing to try it someone else's way (at least for a while!).

Unfortunately, I'm the same way with God. I KNOW his way is best and he knows all things, but can't he see that sometimes his way doesn't make sense? I'm sure my life would be easier if I could just learn to do everything his way without trying to take control...and I'm better at this than I was. But I have a long way to go. How about you?

In a Strange Land

Read Hebrews 11:13-15

Context: This is commonly called the "Hall of Faith". So far in this chapter, Paul has commended Abel, Enoch, Noah, and Abraham.

Text

13All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Have you ever been in a place where you were a total stranger? Maybe you moved to a new city and didn't know a soul in the area. Don't tell my mother or my husband, but once, on a business trip to Spain, I left the hotel alone and ventured out into the busiest area of Madrid (their equivalent to our Times Square). Despite assurances from co-workers back home, no one I encountered spoke English. I left my purse back at the hotel because I'd been warned about pickpockets, and it occurred to me that if something happened, not a soul would know who or where I was.

But Madrid is a very friendly city, and I'd traveled that way before with coworkers. Once I got past the "you know you shouldn't be doing this" thoughts in my head, I had a marvelous time. The city is beautiful, the people animated, and the energy of the place is amazing.

A few Americans had relocated there to help get a satellite office started, and they had adventurous stories of unusual customs and lessons learned. And yes, I did find many within that office who spoke beautiful English...just not many on the street.

Can you imagine how Abram felt when he left his family and friends behind to travel to a new land? They spoke a new language and had very different ways of doing things. It was up to Abram's family to learn the new ways in order to survive. I imagine they grew very close to each other since they were the only ones with shared experiences. And they influenced others with their beliefs.

God has put us, as Christians, into a world that is very foreign to his perfect righteousness. We need to learn about the language and the customs, but he doesn't want us to become so familiar that we are no longer distiguishable from the natives. We need to cling to each other for support, and we should live our lives in such a way that others, though they may persecute us, will see God and be drawn to him.

What will you do today to represent God to those around you?

Get In The Game

Read John 15:16, Ephesians 1:3-6, 2 Thes 2:13-15

Context:
John 15 - Some of Jesus last words to the disciples.
Ephesians 1 - Beginning of Paul's letter to expand their knowledge of God's purposes and grace
2 Thes 2 - Letter of Paul warning Thessalonians of false teachers

Text:

John 15 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

Eph 1 3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

2 Thes 2 13But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you[b] to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings[c] we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Have you ever waited on the sidelines to be chosen for a team? I was never athletic, so I usually waited a long time. I knew I would get chosen because the gym teacher oversaw the whole process, but the embarrassment of not being good enough started the moment team leaders were picked and pretty much stucks with me through the whole game. Especially when I did 'unathletic' things that justified the leader's desire not to pick me!

The Bible tells us that God chooses us. But we don't have to stand around wondering where we fall in the line up. He chooses us before we are born and he puts us right into the key parts of the game. He understands that we will falter and fail, but he is patient enough to use these times as lessons. The game is the longest one in history, and (shhhhhh!) it's fixed! God knows the outcome, and he wins.

Many of the players he picks will be frustrated with the plays God calls and they defect over to the team that looks like it's having more fun -- wild parties, spectacular plays, and that cocky sort of arrogance of a group that thinks it will win hands down. But God's plan is steady, and he uses the least likely players to persistently move the game forward. And he has a pinch hitter warming up in the bull pen that will cause all members of both teams to fall to their knees in awe.

God chose you for his team. You...with all your fears and failures. Make him proud! I hear there will be one heck of a victory celebration -- see you there!

The Living Stone

Read 1 Peter 2:4-8

Context: This is part of our reading assignment for the week. I decided to send it in 'The Message' version for a different perspective.

Text:

4-8Welcome to the living Stone, the source of life. The workmen took one look and threw it out; God set it in the place of honor. Present yourselves as building stones for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life, in which you'll serve as holy priests offering Christ-approved lives up to God. The Scriptures provide precedent:

Look! I'm setting a stone in Zion,
a cornerstone in the place of honor.
Whoever trusts in this stone as a foundation
will never have cause to regret it.
To you who trust him, he's a Stone to be proud of, but to those who refuse to trust him,

The stone the workmen threw out
is now the chief foundation stone.
For the untrusting it's
.. . a stone to trip over,
a boulder blocking the way.
They trip and fall because they refuse to obey, just as predicted. (msg)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Is there anything on earth that seems less alive than a stone? Yet the stone is given great power throughout the Bible. Jacob set up several memorials to God using large stones. With God's help, Moses caused water to flow from one. They are used as pillows, chairs, building blocks, and foundations. Stones can become weapons, protection, barriers, tools, and altars. Jesus said he could raise up children for Abraham from the stones, and he knew that they would cry out in praise if the people were silenced. And even a very large one could not hold back the resurrected body of our Lord.

In our passage, Jesus is called 'the cornerstone'.The cornerstone is a key piece in the building process -- all other rocks or bricks are lined up with it. If the cornerstone is true and square, the building will be strong. But each rock has to be lined up directly with the cornerstone, not with the stone it is placed next to, or over time the walls will no longer be straight.

Jesus is our firm foundation, our true guide in living our lives. If we line up our lives with his, his church cannot be shaken. But if we look to man to be our guide, over time we will lose our direction. If we stay true to our cornerstone, we will all become living stones, creating a church that provides protection, direction, and a weapon by which Satan will fall.

Just think, you are part of a real, live rock group!

Maturing Gracefully

NOTE: This week we are studying 1 Peter 2:1-12. Remember the four steps of the Devotional Method for Bible Study? Read this passage every day (it can be found here,
then:
1. Pray for insight on how to apply the passage
2. Meditate on the verses or passage you have decided to study
3. Write out an application – personal, practical, measurable and achievable
4. Memorize a key verse from your passage

Each day the devotion will address a concept in Peter's text. Today

Read Philippians 3:10-15

Context: Paul has been talking about his ideal background as a Jew and how it has been worthless in his new life.

Text:

10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
15All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16Only let us live up to what we have already attained. (NIV)

Taken from www.biblegateway.com

Peter and Paul both talk about the need for us to become spiritually mature. What does that really mean? Doug and I have been Christians for about 13 years, but some days I don't feel any more mature than I did early in my Christian walk. I don't seem to know lots of scripture, it takes me a long time to find specific passages about a topic, I'm not satisfied with my prayer life, and I continue to find some way to sin on a daily basis. I've talked to people in their eighties who have been Christians all of their lives, and it's discouraging to find that they feel the same way.

Yet, if I compare myself today to who I was back then, I can see that I have made significant progress. My daily habits have changed, the questions I have are very different, and I find that I rely much more on God on a daily basis.

In another text, Paul says that maturity is attaining the full measure of Christ. I know that we are not able to do that on this side of heaven. Yet that is to be our goal, and we press forward daily, trying in our feeble ways to be more like Him. And if we apply those things we have already learned while continuing to seek the prize, we will someday cross the finish line directly into the waiting arms of Jesus!

Lost Amidst the Clutter

Read 1 Peter 2:1-12

Context: This follows Peter's advice to obey the Word and to love each other deeply, from the heart.

Text:

1Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

4As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— 5you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6For in Scripture it says:
"See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame."[a] 7Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
"The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone,[b]"[c] 8and,
"A stone that causes men to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall."[d] They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.
9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

11Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12Live 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. (NIV)

Footnotes:

1 Peter 2:6 Isaiah 28:16
1 Peter 2:7 Or cornerstone
1 Peter 2:7 Psalm 118:22
1 Peter 2:8 Isaiah 8:14
taken from www.biblegateway.com

Have you ever been to an estate sale? We went to one this summer that was just amazing. I would never have believed that all that stuff could have fit into a single house. There had to be seven or eight sets of dishes alone...and all the accompanying serving dishes, flatware, glasses, etc. to literally feed an army. There was hardly any room to walk. I can't imagine where the homeowners had kept everything (and I verified that it was just from one household). The relatives who were running the sale had priced every single piece. Some items were really great deals.

To the woman who had owned all these things, each item was a treasure and she could have probably told you where it was purchased and how it had served her family. Many of her beautiful crystal serving pieces were being sold for a dollar or two. I'm sure some were worth well over $100 if you knew what you were looking for. When faced with all that stuff, the family had to guess at its worth and they priced it so little would be left at the end of the day.

Our faith is like those crystal dishes. To many who pass by it may be something to ignore, something unwanted or unneeded. But we know what Christ gave up so we could have this faith, and we understand its eternal value. Often, however, it gets lost among the daily trappings of our life. When your life is over, will others recognize the value of your faith, or will they see it as just another 'thing' that cluttered up your life?

Just Do It!

Read James 4:13-17

Context: James, the brother of Jesus (not the apostle), wrote this letter to Jewish Christians spread throughout the world. In this chapter he has been warning the readers against worldliness.

Text:
13Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." 16As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. 17Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.(NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Do you have plans for Thanksgiving dinner yet? How about the Christmas holiday -- are you going out of town, or maybe having visitors at your home? James isn't telling us not to plan for the future in this text, I think he's telling us not to wait for the future to live our lives. He goes on to say that if we know the good we should do and don't do it, we are sinning

In the 1 Peter1 passage we've been reading all week, Peter tells us that we are like grass that withers -- here today, perhaps gone tomorrow. If you look at both of these passages together, it gives us motivation to take action now on those good things that we know we should do, not wait until we feel the time is right.

So, what can you do today that will make a difference? Did you spend time reading your Bible and praying? Can you tell a co-worker who is stressed by life's difficulties where to turn for peace? How about forgiving someone for their failures? Or maybe asking for forgiveness yourself? In most cases we know what it is we should do...we just don't want do or don't think we can. Even a small step in the right direction gets us closer to our goal!

Like Mist in the Sun

Read Isaiah 44:22-44

Context: This chapter of Isaiah is a reminder to the Israelites that, no matter how they have sinned, they are God's elect and he will restore their nation.

Text:
22 I have swept away your offenses like a cloud,
your sins like the morning mist.
Return to me,
for I have redeemed you."
23 Sing for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done this;
shout aloud, O earth beneath.
Burst into song, you mountains,
you forests and all your trees,
for the LORD has redeemed Jacob,
he displays his glory in Israel.

24 "This is what the LORD says—
your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb:
I am the LORD,
who has made all things,
who alone stretched out the heavens,
who spread out the earth by myself, (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

I love to see the morning mist on a lake. I don't see it often in this part of town, but every once in a while I go on an early morning trip and I have to be careful not to drive off of the road as I 'rubberneck' every time I pass a pond or river! It's fascinating how quickly this mist will burn off when the sun hits it...it's almost magical.

In this passage, God tells us how he sweeps away or sins in the same way. If we look back at our reading in Peter, it tells us about how we are redeemed from our empty way of life not by gold, but by the blood of Jesus. The concept of a redeemer is pretty vague for us these days, but in Jesus' time it was a relatively common concept. If someone was in difficulty, danger, or bondage, they could be delivered from it by the payment of a ransom price. A redeemer could buy back property or enslaved people, he paid the Temple to receive back dedicated property and firstborn livestock, and he could even take the life of one who had murdered a relative as a 'blood price'.

Usually the redeemer was the family protector -- the father. One who was always there for you and to whom you could turn in times of trouble. God places himself in this position for the whole family of Israel -- and for the Gentiles. God is called "Our Redeemer" in the Bible 18 times. As Peter says, gold and silver will not redeem us from sin -- that required a blood sacrifice. Jesus has fulfilled that role.

Just like the mist on a pond, Christ swept open his arms and redeemed us from death. It's amazing how quickly our sins 'burned off' when the Son rose!

Hope

Read Psalm 33:16-22

Context: This is a psalm of praise.

Text:
16 No king is saved by the size of his army;
no warrior escapes by his great strength.
17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
despite all its great strength it cannot save.
18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

19 to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.

20 We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.

21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.

22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,
even as we put our hope in you.(NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Do you remember and hoping for something special as a child ? That sense of excitement on Christmas Eve as you hoped you could stay awake to see Santa and you knew he would bring something special? I like the Disney commercial where the little boy is going to Disney World the next day and he's 'too excited to sleep' (as is his dad).

That is the kind of hope God wants us to have. He wants us to know without a doubt that Heaven is a fabulous place, to hope that all of our expectations will be fulfilled. Peter tells us in 1 Peter 1:13 that we should 'set our hope fully on the grace to be given us when Jesus Christ is revealed.' Can you imagine -- standing before God, knowing that you are a sinner, and knowing that Jesus will step between you and God so that you can enter those pearly gates? This isn't the 'I hope it won't rain' kind of hope...it is a hope worth betting your life on. Peter did!

Meditate?

Read Joshua 8:6-9

Context: Moses has just died and God is telling Joshua what he needs to do to bring the Israelites into the promised land. In this passage, God is speaking.

Text:

5 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

After we pray for inspiration, the second step in the Devotional Method of Bible study is to read and meditate on the passage. I don't know about you, but the first picture I get in my mind when I think about meditation is someone sitting cross-legged on the floor, with their hands up by their shoulders making 'ok' signs. Their eyes are closed and they continually say some unintelligible word over and over. There is incense in the background.

I found it interesting that God actually commanded Joshua to meditate. Since incense was to be used only at the altar of God, I don't think this is the same type of meditation that I think of.

The Hebrew word that was originally used in the text is 'hagah', which means (among other things) "to utter, to mutter, to imagine, to speak". God has asked Joshua to continually speak the words written in the law, to think on it, and to follow it. He was to use the word of God as a standard by which to plan, to act, and to rule the Israelite nation.

How can we apply that today? I think that sometimes it is too easy to turn to God's word in print. Because I know that I always have a Bible nearby, I don't really hide the word in my heart or memorize any passages because I know I could always look it up if I needed it. I don't think that's what God had in mind. He wants us to know his word SO well that we can make our plans and act based on what we already know.

Today, find a short phrase or even a word in the passage we are reading daily (1 Peter 1:13-25 -- you can find it here) and use it as your guide. The first verse in our reading has several we could use:

- prepare your mind for action

- be self-controlled (hmmm...don't know that I want to pick THAT one!)

- set your hope fully on God's grace

Use it as a basis of your actions for the day. Let me know how it works!