1 Peter 2:7-9

Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject him, “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.” And, “He is the stone that makes people stumble, the rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them. But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:7-9

Dear God, I know that our sinful nature leads us to want to reject you and wallow around in our own humanness. How do I know this? Because it’s only 8:00 on a Saturday morning and that’s what I wanted to do already today. It’s as simple as asking myself if I want to spend some time in worship or if I want to be selfish with my time. I’m about to do a big exercise thing this morning, watch some College Gameday and then watch some football. But before I do that, as I make my breakfast, do I want to take a moment, listen to some Christian music and spend some time journaling this prayer, or do I want to put on some of my more adrenaline-pumping music, read some news, and let my emotions get caught up in the cares of this world? Do I want to till the soil of my heart, or do I want to water the thorns that will choke out your Spirit?

Father, I’m no better or different than anyone else. I want to indulge my desires and feed the emotions that make me feel right and make everyone else wrong. They feed my insecurity. They feed my need to increase at the expense of others. But for this morning, at least in this moment, I worship you and I thank you for everything you have done for me.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 

1 Peter 1:24-25

For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.
1 Peter 1:24-25

Dear God, it’s all very temporary, isn’t it? My glory. My problems. My suffering. My life. It seems so big in the moment. It seems so challenging and overwhelming. But then, when we look back years later it seems so small. That’s one of the reasons I am such a believer in study abroad programs and being a foreign exchange student in high school. When you get out and see a different part of the world, it makes your high school world seem so small.

Even as an adult, I’ve certainly walked through valleys that have overwhelmed me. But now I can look back on them with som perspective. And those are just periods of my life. One day, when I am in glory with you, I will see just how much I should have considered my life worth nothing to me (Acts 20:24). It will all seems so small. 100 years from now, my name and the things I actually did, while they might reverberate through history like dominoes knocking over other dominoes, will only exist on someone’s family tree. The problems I’m facing today will be gone.

Father, teach me to see the world the way you see it while simultaneously not missing the importance of these moments and my need for your direction and provision in them. These moments do, indeed, impact history more than we know. It’s just that has less to do with my identity than I will probably ever realize. So help me to decrease while you increase and guide me on this path.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 

1 Peter 3:8-9

Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.
1 Peter 3:8-9

Dear God, I wish we could stop assuming the worst in others. Man, Satan is good at this. He is so good at dividing us.

But Peter is right here. We should sympathize with each other. We should love others as brothers and sisters. We should be tender hearted. We should be humble. We should NOT repay evil for evil. We should NOT retaliate with insults when people insult us. We should bless others who curse us.

Now I need to change all of the “we’s” above to “I’s.” This is for Christians as a group, but it’s for me personally as well. I can be too dismissive of other people. I can judge way too easily. In short, I can be as much a part of the problem as anyone.

Father, whether someone is as bad as I am wont to believe or not, I should still show them love. The worst person I know should feel as much love from me as the best person I know. Why? Because that’s how you love me. It’s how you love them. And I am yours. I am your ambassador. Help me to recognize these attitudes in myself and opportunities to love and reject hate in real time so that you might have glory and they might be drawn to you. At the end of the day, I know it will draw me closer to you as well.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 

1 Peter 1:18-19

1 Peter 1:18-19 [NLT]
18 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. 19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.

 

 

Dear God, when I read this and the comparisons with Jesus life/death/resurrection and silver/gold I thought back to last week and the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral. There was an image that showed the inside of the burned cathedral and the shiny gold cross noticeably undamaged in the charred room.

Some posted online that it was a sign of your protection over it. Others countered their point that the fire just wasn’t hot enough to melt the cross. One person pointed out that wood fires often burn in the 600-degree range while gold needs it to be two to three times that temperature to melt. Was it a miracle or just chemistry?

My point is, the sacrifice that Jesus made is will never perish. It is more durable that the 900-year-old gold cross in Notre Dame Cathedral. It reaches deeper than the darkest parts of my heart. It gives me hope that my life can not only be meaningful now, but I can also expect to be in relationship with you for eternity.

Father, I inherited a sinful life from my ancestors, sure, but I’ve done enough on my own to add to it. I’m sorry. I really am. But I thank you for what you did, are doing, and continue to do. I worship you as my Passover Lamb, my Lord, and my God.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 

Peter & John — 1 Peter 5:12-14

1 Peter 5:12-14 NIV
[12] With the help of Silas, 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. [13] She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. [14] Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

Dear God, I don’t know how much there is to say about these final greetings, but it’s just nice that his last words in this letter are to encourage love and pray for peace.

Peace. Of the “Fruits of the Spirit” from Galatians 5:22, it’s the one I use most to evaluate how I’m doing with you. I can fake a lot of things including love, joy, patience, gentleness, faithfulness, kindness and self control. I can will myself to exhibit all of those things. What I cannot will myself to do is experience peace.

Not that everyone is that way. My wife and I have talked about this, and for her it’s not peace. It’s another one that experiences more of when she is close to you. So I’m not pretending like this should be true for everyone.

A young friend who is a new believer and has really been through some emotionally trying things said recently that he is concerned about a lot of his friend from high school. They aren’t doing well. They seem stressed and depressed. And these are college students who, outside of worrying about their grades, shouldn’t have a lot of stress in their lives. But what I never go a chance to tell this young person is that I was worried in the same way about him just a few months ago. He has a peace about him that he has only recently begun to exhibit.

Father, please bring me peace and then make me an instrument of your peace. Help me to tap into you so that you will flow into me and then through me to others.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 

Peter & John — 1 Peter 5:5-11

1 Peter 5:5-11 NIV
[5] In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” [6] Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. [7] Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. [8] Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. [9] Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. [10] And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. [11] To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Dear God, when I selected these verses this morning I didn’t realize how many different admonition are in here. I think I need to break them down.

1. Younger people submit yourself to elders – This can be hard to do because there are just some things that young people haven’t experienced yet. Life looks a lot clearer at 18 than it does at 45. And it probably looks clearer at 45 than it does 65. My wife and I were talking yesterday morning about how our perspective on things changes after we experience the humility of parenthood, careers, failure, caring for aging parents, etc. All of that seems a lot easier before you’ve done it. To be sure, the people in my life who have been quickest to give me parenting advice are those with no children. Those with children often know better. So I should definitely be more humble in my relationships with elders.
2. Humble yourself before each other and God – Ah, that was an unintentional segue when I said humble at the end of number 1. This is just a good command. If everyone is proud then you get what we have right now in Washington and leaking into the rest oof the country. Or maybe it’s the rest of the country that’s leaking up to Washington. Regardless, whether it’s in your own home, you workplace, your church, or your interactions with others, it’s a lot better and it’s going to go more smoothly if we humble ourselves rather than be proud and arrogant.
3. Cast my cares on God – That can be hard to do. It is certainly a learned skill. And then, as I’ve said before, there’s a fine line between living by faith and living in denial. It only comes through prayer and intentionally humbling (there’s that word again) myself before you.
4. Be alert and resist Satan – Just remembering that Satan is there and working against us is a big part of the battle. It’s easy to see everything around us and forget that it is actually Satan attacking. There is suffering, but that’s where casting our cares on you comes in.
5. In the end, through God’s help you will be strong and steadfast – This is all actually a nicely structured admonition from Peter. There is simply no way to become strong without suffering. It doesn’t work. Whether it’s physical strength or spiritual strength, that’s what it takes to learn to live in your peace.

Father, with all of this said, help me to live under Peter’s admonition today. Help me to respect and submit to my elders. Help me to live I humility. Help me to cast my cares on you and be aware of and resist Satan. And help me to stand firm in you.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 

Peter & John — 1 Peter 5:1-4

1 Peter 5:1-4 (NLT)
And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.

Dear God, I’m not an elder in the church, but I am a leader of an organization and a person who is involved in a lot of aspects in our community. The question for me, I think, is, what are you calling me to do to care about the people around me? How should I care for the flock entrusted to me? How do I do it with humble love?

If I were to make a list of the needs in our community that are on my radar it would get out of control quickly. Just off of the top of my head:

• Early childhood intervention for children in poverty
• Human sex trafficking
• Drugs and substances like vaping in the schools
• Social worker for the school to help with situation-by-situation interventions
• Domestic violence
• Men’s Bible study for those economically disadvantaged

A couple of those tangentially touch my vocation, but none of them would be part of our organization’s mission statement. Any involvement in them would be absolutely extra work for me. Thankfully, you partnered me with others who have been able to take up the domestic violence issue and there is now a group taking that and running with it without me. And I know there is a nonprofit along with churches in town who are looking at childcare–perhaps not real intervention for traumatized children, but it’s a start. In fact, most of these things have others who care about these issues besides me. I think what I need to do is figure out at what level you want me to be involved in each one through prayer to you and the Holy Spirit’s leadership.

Then there is the leadership I need to provide to my own family. What does my wife need from me? What do my children need? There has been one thought that came to me a week ago regarding one of my adult children, and I still feel like I need a lot of wisdom from you before I know what to do about it. But I know that, whatever you call me to do, you want me to do it through gentle love and not by lording it over them.

Father, help me to know how to lead, and also help me to know how to follow and be an easy person for others in authority over me to lead. Help me to not grumble, but to find ways to finish the race and complete the tasks you have given to me.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 

Peter & John — 1 Peter 4:12-19

1 Peter 4:12-19 NIV
[12] Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. [13] But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. [14] If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. [15] If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. [16] However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. [17] For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? [18] And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” [19] So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Dear God, when I read this passage I have two thoughts:

1. I have no idea what this type of persecution is like.
2. There are plenty of people in the world who do and I need to pray for them.

When I hear people wonder why there is suffering in the world, I can explain most of it, but there is some evil I cannot explain. One of the biggest is human sex trafficking—especially sex trafficking. I think about the young victims and how helpless they are. Of course, even that evil would happen if there wasn’t a long list of people waiting to exploit them. From watching porn to actually purchasing their services, it’s a horrific situation. I saw “The Mule” with Clint Eastwood recently, and it’s the same kind of thing where, once you’re in, you are trapped and you’re not getting out without outside intervention.

But I digress. There are literally Christians around the world being tortured and killed because of their faith. Father, please see them, support them, alleviate their suffering, and don’t let it go to waste. If it must happen at the hands of evil people, please at least make it count. Make it count. I don’t know how to help them. I don’t know if sending money to someone would help. I don’t know if writing my Congressman or President would help. I don’t perceive that it would. I just want you to please, please help these people.

As far as thinking about this passage from Peter’s perspective, he knows about this suffering first hand, and he knows the pain of it and the power of it to witness to others.

Father, help me to live a life that is a prayer to you. Help me to represent you in all ways. And please help these Christians around the world and touch their persecutors so that they might see your glory, repent, and turn to you.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 

Peter & John — 1 Peter 4:7-11

1 Peter 4:7-11 NIV
[7] The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. [8] Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. [9] Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. [10] Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. [11] If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Dear God, it’s interesting that Peter and Paul were under the impression that you would be returning at any minute. I suppose that created quite a sense of urgency for them.

I wonder how my life would change if I felt that same sense of urgency. What would it look like if I were able to make some of my decisions as if I’m in this earthly life for the long hall and but still had this overriding drive telling me you could be returning at any moment? Would my job be the same, but interactions with others be different? Would I actually make a lot of mistakes because I would lose my patience with how slowly your plan can unfold sometimes? As I think about it, one of the things you’ve really taught me over the last few years is to wait on you. I can see where the overriding thought that you could return at any moment would actually nudge me into doing some damage.

Father, as always, help me to hear your voice and follow your leading at any given time. Love through me. Encourage and inspire through me. And also encourage me along the way, although it feels silly to ask you that last one because you’ve encouraged me several times over the last year (and always). So thank you for that too. I really am grateful and try not to take you for granted.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 

Peter & John — 1 Peter 4:1-6

1 Peter 4:1-6 NIV
[1] Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. [2] As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. [3] For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. [4] They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. [5] But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. [6] For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

Dear God, I had a great compliment the other day. A young coworker told me that my wife and I are “goals.”

“What does ‘goals’ mean?” I replied.

She said, “You’re the kind of people we want to be like.”

I have to confess, I never imagined anyone would see us that way. Now, in her case, I think she sees a financially middle class life that she would love to have, but I also think she sees stability and peace. And while I don’t go around beating people over the head with the Bible, I do think that everyone knows how important following you is to me. I hope that at some point she will connect the dots of the parts of my life that she appreciates to the idea of submitting myself to you.

Lest I get too haughty, there are still plenty of areas where you are still refining my heart. I get that. So please help me to be aware of those areas of my life that still grieve you and help me to willingly purge them. Help me to make it clear to those around me that the decision to follow you is the core of who I am and that your grace and love can set them free.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen