Read I Peter 1 -- 2
Highlights In Today's Reading:
Don't be discouraged! Our hope is in Christ Jesus and what He did for us (2:9,21-25). You are a special possession of God — A royal priesthood (2:9-10).
Frequently we find ourselves in circumstances beyond our ability to find a solution for, and often (intuitively), we begin to inquire of God as to HOW He will help us. HOW will He guide us in our present perplexity?
Our natural reaction is to think HOW — one way or another — the Most High can see our need and supply it. Sometimes we're confident that God will provide in a certain way or through a particular person but, on other occasions, we don't see any way possible HOW the Almighty can undertake for the needs that face us — who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. . . . (He tells us to) greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations (all the problems we face): That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ (1:5-7).
Our fears are turned to faith when we exchange the adverb HOW for the pronoun who. Our assurance comes in knowing who hears and answers our prayers. If we know God as the one who controls the outcome of our life we can depend wholly upon Him who knows what is best. Therefore, it need not concern us HOW He will come to our aid.
Recall the Word in Isaiah 55:8-9 in which the Almighty assures us: For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord. Actually, God always has the best plan for our life which is beyond our imagination or understanding. He is not limited to our thoughts and ways, and we should fear limiting the Creator. It is never a question of HOW but of knowing the all-powerful One.
Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby (2:1-2). Peter was led to remind us that the spiritual nourishment of the Word is essential if we're to live as obedient children (1:14). Our desire to know the Bible in order to do the Lord's will is always in our very best interest. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the Truth through the Spirit (1:22) explains how surrender to the Lord's authority and the power of His Word transforms lives. Peter describes Christians as a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ (I Pet. 2:5).
Thought for Today:
God's Word says He would supply all your need according to His riches in glory (Phil 4:19), not ours. Aren't you glad His supply has no limits?
Cross References:
For I Pet. 1:16: See Lev. 11:44-45. I Pet. 1:24-25: See Is. 40:6-8. I Pet. 2:6-7: See Is. 28:16.; Ps. 118:22. I Pet. 2:22: See Is. 53:9. I Pet. 2:24-25: See Is. 53:4-6,12.
Word Studies:
1:17 sojourning =b> temporarily residing; 2:2 sincere =b> perfect, pure, without a mixture; 2:4 disallowed =b> rejected; 2:19 thankworthy =b> acceptable, literally grace.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Staff: Mary Kay Wagner • Country: Slovakia (5 million) central Europe • Major languages: Slovak and Hungarian • Religious freedom • 60% Roman Catholic; 8% Protestant; 4% Orthodox • Prayer Suggestion: Praise the Lord for His loving-kindness and faithfulness (Ps. 138:2).
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 6:33
December 18
Read I Peter 3 -- 5
Highlights In Today's Reading:
Godly living in the home, the church, (3:1-12), before the world (3:13-17). Example of Jesus' suffering (3:18-4:6). Conduct (3:13-17), commands (4:7-19), and ministering in suffering (5:1-9).
The danger of defecting in the face of suffering can hardly be overlooked since suffering is directly referred to in this letter sixteen times (1:11; 2:19-21,23; 3:14,17-18; 4:1 (twice),13,15-16,19; 5:1,10), as well as in other ways (1:6-7; 4:12-14).
The Apostle Peter, author of this letter, could well recall his Lord's loving reminder: When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren (Luke 22:32), and again: Lovest thou Me? . . . Feed My sheep (John 21:15-17).
When thou art converted, indeed! Before Pentecost, Peter was far from being a spiritual rock; he was a shifting compound of human loyalty to Christ and self-interest. "Not the cross!" had been his advice to his Lord (Matt. 16:22). As Jesus went toward that cross of suffering, in obedience to His Father's will, He did so without Peter's encouragement.
Through the years, Peter experienced much suffering, many beatings, and faced execution at Herod's court (Acts 12:1-3). He then wrote encouragement to the dear brethren of Asia: If ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy (blessed) are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled. . . . Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin (I Pet. 3:14; 4:1).
Peter knew from experience that witnessing for Christ would bring persecution and the temptation to become secret disciples. This subtle denyal of our Lord tempts God's people in every age.
This again brings to mind Peter's admonition when he said: Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the Name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you (4:12-14).
Jesus warns us as to whom to fear: Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which (God who) is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (Matt. 10:28).
Greatly rejoice . . . that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth,though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ (I Pet. 1:6-7).
Thought for Today:
The faithful witness tells the story as well as lives it. The old hymn says: "I will tell the wondrous story of the Christ who died for me."
Cross References:
For I Pet. 3:10-12: See Ps. 34:12-16. I Pet. 5:5: See Prov. 3:34.
Word Studies:
3:11 eschew =b> turn himself away from; ensue =b> earnestly pursue; 3:20 were saved by water =b> were saved from the water by entering the ark (that illustrates Christ); 4:15 busybody =b> one who interferes in other people's affairs that do not concern them.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Staff: Mike Moore • Country: Slovenia (2 million) in southeastern Europe • Major languages: Slovenian and Serbo-Croatian • Freedom of religion • 81% Roman Catholic; 1% Muslim • Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to reveal what is not pleasing to Him (Ps. 139:23-24).
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 6:33
December 19
Read II Peter 1 -- 3
Highlights In Today's Reading:
Peter emphasizes the Lord's divine power and virtues given to us (1:3-14). Recalls his presence at Jesus' Transfiguration (1:15-18). Do you recognize false teachers? Read about their danger, destruction and description (Ch. 2). People may mock, but Jesus is coming again (Ch. 3). Read 3:9!
This second letter begins with one significant thought: God . . . hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue (1:2-3). When we read His Word with a desire to please the Lord (Christ, who is the Living Word), our inner life is strengthened . God has made full provision for every Christian to live a victorious Christian life. His Holy Spirit enables us to endure temptation, suffering, failure, sin, and even success or pride as we read His Word.
The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation (conduct)? (3:10-11).The word conversation means more than just one's speech. It includes one's manner of life and character. A holy conversation means our daily life is transformed by the Holy Spirit to reflect His life through us. A holy conversation is the result of a life familiar with God's Word and one who continually responds to His will. Our union with Christ takes place at the moment of conversion and its results exclude all that is not in harmony with His Word.
Peter's key thought is that a life of godliness is made possible by appropriating the exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence (earnestness), add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance (self-control); and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged (cleansed) from his old sins. . . . give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fail (1:4-10).
Thought for Today:
If we are to be able to live a godly life, we must allow the Holy Spirit to guide us. The Spirit of Truth . . . will guide you into all the Truth (John 16:13).
Cross Reference:
For II Pet. 2:15: See Num. 22:5,7. II Pet. 2:22: See Prov. 26:11.
Word Studies:
2.7 vexed =b> distressed; filthy conversation =b> immoral conduct of unprincipled men; 3:16 wrest =b> distort.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Radio Sri Lanka International Shortwave Broadcasts in memory of Josephine Valgus • Staff: Dan Murton • Government Official: Rep. Adrian Smith (NE) • Country: Solomon Islands (455,000) in the southwestern Pacific • Major languages: 120 indigenous languages • Religious freedom • 66% Protestant; 17% Roman Catholic; 4% spirit worship, ancestor worship, and sorcery • Prayer Suggestion: Trust the Lord and ask Him to direct your steps (Ps. 143:8).
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 6:33
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