Out of Darkness into Light

1 Peter 2:9 “ But 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 marvelous light.”

            Lord, her I have to remember who Peter is writing to.  He is writing to believing Jews spread all over because of the persecution of the church.  Here he calls them a chosen people, holy nation, people belonging to God.    He also calls them a holy priesthood.  They do not have to be from the tribe of Levi anymore to be a priest.  Through Your shed blood they became a people belonging to God in a totally different sense. They now have a different purpose.

            As Gentile Christians, we are different in that we come from every tribe and nation and have never been a nation unto ourselves. Through that same blood, we become a people united with them, holy priests to You, and a people belonging to God as well.  Because we have been brought out of darkness into Your marvelous light, we should be declaring Your praises to all who will hear.  We are to share our wealth!

           

            Lord, what a wonderful beautiful gift salvation is!  It is of no cost to us to accept and receive, but came at a great cost to You.  Now, after salvation, it may cost us even our very lives in martyrdom, but the marvelous light and eternal life with You is well worth it.

That We Should Walk in His Steps

1 Peter 2:21 “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should walk in His steps.”

            Lord, in Your steps…that is a tall order.  I am so thankful You do not ask or expect us to do that in our own power!  There is no way I could fulfill this command on my own.  You didn’t have to send the Holy Spirit to be our guide, teacher, helper, and comforter, but You did and I could not be more grateful. 

            Your way is so revolutionary compared to human nature.  Being willing to suffer unjust punishment with a sweet submissive attitude and lack of bitterness is not something we would look forward to or see as commendable to God, but it is with You.  I know it is because our testimony becomes much stronger and visible when we act as You would under such circumstances.  The sole reason You leave us here after our conversion is to win souls for Your Kingdom.  If we look, act, and speak as the world does, they will see no difference in us.

Willingly Submit to Kind and Harsh Masters

1 Peter 2:18 “Slaves, submit your selves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.”

            Lord, I can only remember having one harsh employer in all of my 62 years and that was a brief encounter.  I could have left my job for another at that point, so I cannot imagine what it is like to be a slave to a harsh master and have no hope but death to be released.  It is not hard to serve someone who is kind and considerate, but our human pride would certainly be an issue and would get in the way of my being willing to submit to a wicked and harsh master.

            We must always remember that if they are an unbeliever, we cannot hold them to Christian standards, but by our actions we may win them.  If they are a believer and act in such a way, we must leave that judgment up to the You.  You see and will hold them accountable for their actions.  We are held accountable for our own.  Lord, help us all!

Enduring Unjust Punishment to the Glory of God

1 Peter 2: 19-20a “For it is commendable if a man bears up under pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God.  But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it?”

            Lord, I have never had to suffer a beating of any kind, and have never had to suffer at all because of my consciousness of You!  I have been disciplined in error and, Lord, I honestly had a very hard time with that.  It is very difficult to not let pride and the root of bitterness grow in those times.

            When, and if, I ever have to suffer a beating or other “discipline” because of my stand for You, may I have the grace and mercy to endure it as You did, knowing that the Ultimate Judge” sees and will deal with the oppressor.

1 Peter 2:20b “But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.”

            Lord, You are to be my example always.  Because of the truth You spoke and the miracles You did while You were here, You unjustly suffered rejection, false witness, ridicule, rejection, and death but You never railed against anyone except the “religious leaders” who should have known better.

            Lord, help me to always follow Your example every day and in every situation!

God's Provision and Protection

The Lord has shown Himself worthy of praise this last week as well.\  On Friday, our son Jeff's home was struck by lightning.  Cindy, who is nine months pregnant and the three children were in the house when it happened; Jeff was at work.  A neighbor "just happened" to be coming home from work, and put the fire out with his big extinguisher.  All are safe and sound!  Thank You, Lord!

Lance, our oldest son, after many years of waiting, graduated in the first class of Thomas Terrace Bible Institute today!  He has defied all the "odds" given him by the world and has proven that with God nothing is impossible!  Praise to the One who is our help!

Do Right So Your Light Will Shine Bright

This past week I have been in 1 Peter chapter 2.  There have been no daily posts because I have been with my son Tommy's family of three small children, ages five and under.  Each day we have had vacation Bible School here at home as the children were missing theirs at home. 
On day one we learned about creation and the awesomeness of God because he is the same now as He was when he spoke the world into existance.  Then we started learning in 1st Peter where I have been in devotions.  We learned what it means to love and respect one another and used the lighthouse as an example of how our light needs to shine for others, but when we sin, we splash mud on the lens and even though the light is still shining inside, no one will be able to see the warning light.
We learned about Noah and how he tried and tried to tell others that the flood was coming no one believed him, so they all died.
We learned about waiting upon the Lord so we could mount up with wings like eagles.  The kids had a great time with the gliders we gave them.
Most of all we learned how important it was to avoid getting as close to the evil end of their "Behavior Line" without getting into trouble and how it is much more pleasing to God, others, and themselves when they strive to get closer to the  good end of the line instead.

It was a great time together and I pray that it made an impact on their little hearts.
We will miss them now as they have had to return home, but we will keep in good contact with them.  They also brought a wonderful, sweet young lady from their youth group with them.  How precious it is to witness her sweet spirit, servant's heart, and the respect she showed not only to us, but also to the children as well.

Stumbling Over the Rock because of Disobedience

1 Peter 2:8 “And, ‘A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.’  They stumble because they disobey the message- which is also what they were destined for.”

“The cross is an offence.  So if you are offended then I am doing my job.  If you are not offended, then the Holy Spirit is doing His.” Tribulation Force by Tim LeHaye and Jerry Jenkins

            Lord, You are a stumbling block to many.  You were to me until the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to the truth.  Believing there was a God was a no brainer for me.  We lived on a farm and saw His handiwork all around us in seeds becoming plants and food to watching the miracle of procreation in the animals.  But I never really prayed to You even during the Cold War and threats of nuclear attack that happened in my childhood.  We had to learn drills in school, folks were building bomb shelters and even my mom was a member of the Civil Defense League,  but I never prayed for safety, guidance, or protection because You seemed to be a  far away God that was not really integrated in or interested in our daily lives.We sang grace at the table, said our ,  “now I lay me down to sleep”  prayer before bed, and listened to the very long Pastoral Prayer during the church services.

            Lord, I am sure that I heard messages and stories about You in Sunday School and church, but You seemed detached from God somehow and neither You or the Father seemed real, approachable, or caring.   I stumbled because I disobeyed the message until that beautiful day when, through the Holy Spirit, You revealed Yourselves to me.  Again, thank You seems so inadequate for how I feel.

The Holy Capstone that the Builders Rejected

1 Peter 2:7 “Now to you who believe, this stone is precious.  But to those who do not believe, ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone’.”

            Lord, I understand that when building a building of most kinds, there needs to be a starting stone.  It must be perfect in height, length, and depth, perfectly square, a stone with no defects, or the whole building will be off “plumb”.  You are that perfect cornerstone on which Your church is built, but the builders, the Jews and all who do not believe, reject You.  They miss Your perfection.

            How precious You are to me though, Lord, and to all other believers.  You are the most holy and pure, righteous and just capstone on which we are to build our spiritual building.  Building our faith on You will mean that it will always be true to plumb and will be a perfectly square life; a life worthy of being called a spiritual building for Your glory!

            Lord, there are a lot of lopsided and defective stones on which people are choosing to build their lives: pride, power, wealth, prestige, popularity, and ego.  It is so sad, and they need to know that their building will not stand in the day of trouble.  You, Lord, are the only Stone for me!

Jesus- the Living Cornerstone

1Peter 2:4-5 “As you come to Him, the living Stone- rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to Him-you 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:”

            Lord, what spiritual sacrifices have I offered You lately?  Tall I have offered is the sacrifice of praise, service, and unconditional love for others.  That does not seem like much.

1 Peter 2:6 “For 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.’ (Isaiah 28:16)”

            Lord, so long before Your birth the Father caused Isaiah to write about You, and yet so many of Your chosen people, the Jews, rejected You and Your message.  How sad it is that the very ones who held the prophecy and considered it holy, missed You altogether.

            I almost missed You too, even though I had been brought up in church.  Lord, Satan is such a deceiver and has so many counterfeits and creates such a ruse for the unbeliever who wants to be religious.  He gives them so many choices and hopes that they will not choose that narrow road.  I praise and thank You that the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to the true entrance to that road.

            Lord, You are the precious cornerstone and all Christians since You were here have been living stones built into a spiritual house; and since anyone who believes and trusts in You starts living their eternal life, that house must be huge by bow.  However; it is not as massive as it could be if everyone who heard the Gospel would have believed.  How wonderful and yet how sad as well.

Feed on the Word as Newborns

June 9, 2011

1Peter 2:2-3 “Like newborn babies, crave the pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”

            Dearest Lord, how good You are! Having brought up in a church, one would think I would have known a lot about Your Word.  But, You know, Lord, that I knew the “stories” of the Bible, but not the true meaning behind them and that the God of those times is the same God for the present.  I was so spiritually ignorant when You saved me.  Lord, when I finally trusted You for my salvation, I could not get enough of Your word either through reading the scriptures myself or by listening to Pastors.  Oh, how I craved and sought after that pure spiritual milk!  After all these years of growing up in my salvation, not much has changed.  Unfortunately, there have been periods of “snacking not “feasting”, and for those times, Lord, I am saddened and ashamed.  During those snacking times, You always allowed something to happen in my life to bring me back to the feasting table jarring me out of my mediocre walk with You.  Thank You!

            Now in these last days, maybe not THE last days but mine now that I am a senior citizen, You have given me that same thirst and hunger I had when I first came to know You.  O Lord, You are so good!  Feed me until I cannot take any more, if that is possible.

Spring/ Life Cleaning

1 Peter2:1 “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.” (Emphasis added)

            Lord, this could not be any clearer as a command.  Loving others deeply from the heart and all of these things cannot co-exist.  Loving YOU deeply and doing these things cannot coexist!  You are holy, they are unholy.

            Lord, You know at times I have been guilty of all of these things and You and others have graciously forgiven.  I must confess that there are still times I have malicious thoughts toward those who commit heinous crimes.  Then I have to remember that I am to hate the evil act, not the perpetrator.  I have to remember that they are still slaves to sin.  But You say to rid myself of ALL malice.  Lord, give me a greater love, YOUR love for others.  After all, as You were being tortured, mocked, lied about, slandered, betrayed, and murdered; You said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”  I am to follow Your example.

            When I am in the car and someone who is driving recklessly cuts me off, tries to run me off the road, or pushes me to speed, Lord, slander comes too easily to mind and I have to confess.  Again, give me Your love for that one and help me to pray for their safety as well as my own and for whatever condition they are in that causes them to do what they are doing.

            Deceit and hypocrisy certainly go together.  One thing I prize in a relationship is pure honesty (in love of course).  I want to be, and want to be around people who are always, the “real deal”, not a fake or one who puts on a façade.  I want others to see me as I am (with all the warts and wrinkles with no make up to hide them).  I never want to give just lip service to You, but live out my Christianity boldly and honestly before You and others.  Help me, Lord

Spring/ Life Cleaning

1 Peter2:1 “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.” (Emphasis added)

            Lord, this could not be any clearer as a command.  Loving others deeply from the heart and all of these things cannot co-exist.  Loving YOU deeply and doing these things cannot coexist!  You are holy, they are unholy.

            Lord, You know at times I have been guilty of all of these things and You and others have graciously forgiven.  I must confess that there are still times I have malicious thoughts toward those who commit heinous crimes.  Then I have to remember that I am to hate the evil act, not the perpetrator.  I have to remember that they are still slaves to sin.  But You say to rid myself of ALL malice.  Lord, give me a greater love, YOUR love for others.  After all, as You were being tortured, mocked, lied about, slandered, betrayed, and murdered; You said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”  I am to follow Your example.

            When I am in the car and someone who is driving recklessly cuts me off, tries to run me off the road, or pushes me to speed, Lord, slander comes too easily to mind and I have to confess.  Again, give me Your love for that one and help me to pray for their safety as well as my own and for whatever condition they are in that causes them to do what they are doing.

            Deceit and hypocrisy certainly go together.  One thing I prize in a relationship is pure honesty (in love of course).  I want to be, and want to be around people who are always, the “real deal”, not a fake or one who puts on a façade.  I want others to see me as I am (with all the warts and wrinkles with no make up to hide them).  I never want to give just lip service to You, but live out my Christianity boldly and honestly before You and others.  Help me, Lord

Our Lives are Temporal- God's Word is Eternal

1 Peter 1: 24-25 “For, ‘All men are like grass and all of their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.’ (Isaiah 40:6-8) And this is the word that was preached to you.”

            Lord, Isaiah’s words could not ring more true to me right now.  One of our dear Sunday School members lost her battle with cancer, but won the war because she is now totally healed and with You!  All of us will meet death at some point unless You return first. 

            Lord, something troubling and exciting is happening.  Chrislam-a mix of Christianity and Islam, is spreading across America, and it is being promoted by once solid Pastor Rick Warren, the author of “The Purpose Driven Life” and “The Purpose Driven Church”.  Both we have read and the latter we did as a church.  I know from Your Word that in the end times there will be a one world religion.  Could this be it, Lord?  Personally, I do not know how two such diametrically opposed “religions”- one true the other very false, could ever unite.  Islam calls Christianity “The Great Satan”,  and their Jihad is to eliminate all of us “Infidels”.  How could we ever be blended…even through “Love your neighbor as yourself” as “Pastor” Warren is purporting?  I can love my Islamic neighbor and try to lead them to the truth, but I can never even think of blending their cult with my “Relationship” with You!

O Lord, open the eyes of Your true people to be “wise as serpents and peaceful as doves.”  I cannot thank You enough that I can depend on Your Word to endure forever, unchanging, strong, alive and powerful enough to change lives from broken and vile to saints of Glory!  This same gospel Peter speaks of is the same gospel that was preached to me years ago and is preached today.  Your word, like You, is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Even so, Lord Jesus, quickly come!

Born Again of Imperishable Seed Through the Living Word of God

1 Peter 1:23 “For you have been born again, not with perishable seed, but with imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.”

Lord, Sweet Lord, Your Word is like You, eternal and unchanging.  Hallelujah!  In this ever changing world, it is so reassuring to know that truth.  To know that gives such comfort and peace.  You are the imperishable seed as You rose from the dead defeating death and the grave.  Nothing in Your Word will ever change, have to be updated and will never be outdated and die.  It is all true and dependable.  And thanks be to the Holy Spirit for opening the eyes of my spirit to the truth that had stared me in the face for so long so I could be born again!

            Lord, help me to share this truth, grace, and mercy with unbelievers.

Love One Another Deeply From the Heart

1 Peter 1:22 “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying truth so that you have a sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.”

You have purified yourselves by obeying the truth:

·         By accepting as true the action of Christ on our behalf, sent by the Father to shed His blood as a perfect sacrifice for our sins

·         By preparing our minds to be self-controlled

·         By depending on the grace of God that will be given when Christ is reveled

·         Being holy as He is holy

·         By living in reverent fear

·         By understanding our hope and faith is in God

·         By confessing our sins and weaknesses.

So that you have a sincere love for your brothers:

            Lord, I think Peter is saying here that all Jews are considered “family” because of their heritage through birth, but they do not really love all other Jews.  But now that they are a “blood bought” family, they have a sincere love for their Christian brothers and sisters that supersedes their first blood line.  Now they are true brothers in spirit as well.

Love one another deeply, from the heart.

Lord, no more lip service.  No more facades.  Loving deeply demands action:

·         Service to one another

·         Time spent together in ­fellowship not just socializing

·         Earnest prayer for one another

·         Providing for one another

·         Having deep conversations about the word

·         Encouraging one another daily

So it must be with us Christians today.  Each Christian is our brother and sister, and we must accept them as they are with the grace, mercy, unconditional love and patience that have been given to us.  Your command is very clear.

            Lord, I must confess here that at times I am too busy with my own chores, work, or family to reach out to my other brothers and sisters of faith, even to our vary small Sunday School class.  Please forgive me, Lord,  help me to make better use of my time for eternal value.

Father-Son Fully God-I do not understand but believe

1 Peter 1:20 “Through Him you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him, and so your faith and hope is in God.”

Lord, the Trinity is hard for my human brain to wrap itself around.  You have tried to help me understand by looking at an egg, clover, picture frame, and with the understanding of how I am a wife, mother, and daughter all with different functions, but I still don’t fully understand.  I believe it wholeheartedly, but I do not thoroughly understand.

You, the Son, are fully God, and the Spirit is fully God, but because of You and Your completed work on the cross on my behalf, I now believe in God (the Father), who raised You from the dead and glorified You.  Although You are fully God, You could not (or would not?) raise or glorify Yourself.  Did You set aside those powers for my sake?  God setting aside His powers to be obedient to His Father to save sinners like me…incredible!  All three fully God…but seemingly not…maybe in heaven I will understand, but for now even though I don’t, I can enjoy Your  three person work in my life and gladly accept those benefits.  Thank You, Trinity, for your love, grace, mercy, and salvation!

Christ- Chosen and Revealed for Our Sake

1 Peter 1:20 “He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in the last times for your sake.”

Chosen and revealed for my sake…

“When I survey the wondrous cross,

On which the prince of Glory dies,

My richest gain I count as loss,

And pour contempt on all my pride.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,

That were a present far too small.

Love so amazing so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all!”

Lord, thank You for first being willing to be chosen of the Father, and second for revealing Your amazing love for us!  Why You love me is still a great mystery to me, but I gratefully accept Your love, knowing I can never earn or deserve it.  May I always walk worthy by Your sustaining grace, and may my live bless You, my Lord and my King.

Preciouis Blood of the Spotless Lamb of God

1Peter 1:19 “but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”

O Lord, how many millions of lambs have been slaughtered and offered on the altar?  All of their blood collectively could not rid the ones who offered them of sin.  But just one holy drop of Yours cleansed the whole population of planet earth from Adam and Eve until we have a new heaven and a new earth of their sin!  Thank You seems such a shallow expression of my gratitude, Lord.  Human words just cannot express how grateful I am for You and Your willing sacrifice on my behalf.  I praise You, glorify Your name, bless and thank you, Lord for such a wonderful gracious gift!