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Memorize Scripture: 1 Peter 2:23

Hiding God’s Word In Our Hearts

This final section of Peter’s second chapter is a great summary of the message of the Gospel. Christ suffered on our behalf, so that we could enjoy eternity with God. That suffering was intense, and yet he bore it without complaint. That is the message of Easter!

You can see this week’s passage in 1 Peter 2:23.

1 Peter 2:23

As we read this, we must remember the context: Peter is writing this to believing slaves, who faced unjust treatment by their masters. Peter encourages them to stand firm, submitting to their authority, and uses this example of the suffering of Christ to underline his point. However, this lesson is applicable to us all.

Following the pattern of Christ is the challenge slaves were faced with in this time period, especially if they were believers and their master was not. Peter encourages them by using the example that Jesus set as a call for them to follow. Jesus suffered without retaliation. He accepted their insults. He took the punishment and the beatings, and the scourging, and the mockery, and finally the cross, without striking back, or getting even, or even threatening.

He suffered because he trusted the Father. Peter explains that in this passage, in the latter half. Jesus entrusted himself to God and his will, because he knew that God’s plan was perfect, and that , in the end, it would result in salvation for all those who also placed their trust in the Father.

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Book Review – The Watchers In Jewish And Christian Traditions

The Watchers In Jewish And Christian TraditionsOver the past couple of years, I have developed a deeper interest in early Christian history, and even more, pre-Christian history. I have enjoyed digging into the beliefs and events surrounding the communities at Qumran, where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered, and other events and occurrences during the late second temple period of Jewish history.

As a result, I read the book of 1 Enoch, and other period literature, as well as some more contemporary accounts of this time period. Most recently, I finished reading The Watchers In Jewish and Christian Traditions.

I found it to be very interesting and thought provoking. The concept of the Watchers comes from a brief statement found in Genesis 6, about the sons of God and the daughters of men. This small portion of Scripture has produced volumes of historical speculation and study, including 1 Enoch.

I feel that this is based on a faulty interpretation of this passage, and that the information contained in this short excerpt from Genesis 6 has been taken to mean something that it does not. My own views notwithstanding, I have enjoyed studying what other interpretations have been over the centuries. The Watchers is a great overview of that course of study. Each chapter is written by a different scholar, and provides an overview of the concept of “watchers,” the offspring of the sons of God and daughters of men, throughout these various periods of Jewish and Christian history.

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Coffee Break – 01.09.2017

Your Monday Dose Of Inspiration

On this day in history: In 1493, Christopher Columbus, sailing near the Dominican Republic, mistakes manatees for mermaids. In 1793, Jean-Pierre Blanchard made the first successful balloon flight in the U.S. And in 1902, New York State introduced a bill to outlaw flirting in public.

Coffee Break

Aeropress Traveling – I love my Aeropress. It is one of the most simple, and tasty, ways to make coffee on the go. It usually finds its way into my bag whenever I travel, whether that is an overnighter, or for a longer period of time. If you don’t have one, you need one. Here’s the one I have.

10 Tips To Look Smart Fast – I love to look my best. More and more, I dislike looking sloppy and shoddy, even around the house. Here are a few tips to looking your best, and in this case, smarter.

5 Common Mistakes People Make Spending Their Time – I am all about being efficient, and being productive. As a result, I have made several tweaks and changes to my daily routines that help me make the most of my time. But sometimes, it’s good to get the big picture overview. This article sums that up nicely.

Read Scripture: Ecclesiastes – One of the books we tend to skip over, if inadvertently, is the book of Ecclesiastes. But this short book in the middle of the Old Testament is full of practical wisdom and sage advice for our lives, even today in the twenty-first century!

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Memorize Scripture: 1 Peter 2:21-22

Hiding God’s Word In Our Hearts

As 2017 begins, we couldn’t be in a better spot in 1 Peter than this passage. What better way to begin the New Year than with a reminder of what Christ sacrificed on my behalf?

You can see this reminder for yourself in 1 Peter 2:21-22.

1 Peter 2:21-22

Peter makes a very clear statement here, completing his thoughts from the previous passage, where he addresses slaves, and encourages them to be submissive. Because of their status as slaves, they will probably face unjust suffering. But Peter encourages them with the ultimate example, that Christ suffered unjustly as well, and for their sake.

But, as with much of Peter’s writings, it carries weight far beyond just this immediate context, and gives us a principle to hold on to also.

Peter pulls no punches here. His though begins with “To this you were called…” Two words stand out in this phrase. First is the word “called.” Peter has spent some significant time in this letter speaking about the Christian’s calling, and about the One who does the calling. What he is stating here is that this is not just something we happened to stumble upon. We have been specifically called, and the goal of the calling is holiness, according to 1:15.

The second word that stands out is the word “this.” To this we have been called. To what? To suffering. We are called to patiently endure it when we face unjust suffering. My first thought is why? Why not just avoid it? Because this carries me closer to the goal of becoming like Christ. It creates holiness within me.

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One Word 365 – 2017 Edition

Forget The New Year’s Resolutions - Just Choose One Word

For the past six years, I have selected one single word to focus my life on for the duration of the coming twelve months, instead of making a bunch of New Year’s resolutions that I probably won’t keep. This one word is the word I will strive to live by for the coming year.

Identifying a word to live by for the year helps me to keep my focus on a specific area of growth, and helps me become more of the person God has created me to be.

One Word 365

I’ve set my focus on several different words over the last few years. For example, in 2011, I chose to focus on the word passion. This word underlined all I did throughout the year. It defined the year. Everything I did, I did with enthusiasm, and passion was pretty visible in most areas of my life.

In 2012, I chose the word commit. One of my biggest struggles in life has been to stick to many of the things I decide to do. Focusing on this word helped me to address that deficiency.

In 2013, I chose the word intentional. We have a large family, and as a result, we have a lot going on. I realized that I needed to be intentional, especially in my relationships with family and friends, and in my ministry.

In both 2014 and 2015, I chose the word wait. I tend to be very impatient at times, and focusing on waiting helped me see the bigger picture. And, rather than take matters into my own hands, it allowed my faith to grow by waiting on the Lord.

In 2016, my word was prudence. It simply means to use wisdom and discretion in all that I do. It’s actually very similar to the word wait, and God has continued to teach me to be patient and wait on him.

Each year, I choose to identify and implement a single word as a part of my Life Plan. I add this word to the beginning of my plan, and try to use it as a piece of the foundation for every portion of my plan. Some areas are more successful than others.