Category: I Peter

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Be Alert

A couple of days ago I made mention of the game we played, Follow the Leader. As a follower we needed to be alert to the actions of the leader, if they went right so did we. If they jumped, we did too. We were watchful.

In Psalm 23 a different type of alertness is described. It’s the leader who is alert. Using His rod and staff to direct our progress so we don’t fall into dangerous situations.

In my prayer time today, those are the two words that rose up in my heart, be alert. Immediately I remembered the story of Gideon and his army of 300 mighty men. In case you aren’t familiar with Gideon I will give you a brief backstory.

Gideon was the seventh son, last man in line for any inheritance or blessing. The Israelites were being attacked by Midianites every harvest time. They would rob the grain that the Israelites had grown. It got so bad that Gideon was threshing the family crop in a pit to avoid detection.

This is where the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon. He needed Gideon to lead an assault. He came to a cowering nobody and this is what He said and Gideon’s response:

“ The angel appeared and spoke to Gideon, ‘The Lord is helping you, and you are a strong warrior.‘ 13 Gideon answered, ‘Please don’t take this wrong, but if the Lord is helping us, then why have all of these awful things happened?…'” Judges 6:12-13 CEV

Through a series of events (I encourage you to read the whole story in Judges 6-8), the Lord showed Gideon if he would follow God’s leading, Gideon and his army could defeat the Midianites and the Amalekites who had been warring against them.

Gideon had 32,000 men enlist in the fight. The Lord said that was too many so Gideon sent home everyone who admitted they were afraid; 22,000 left.

“‘Gideon’, the Lord said, ‘you still have too many soldiers. Take them down to the spring and I’ll test them. I’ll tell you which ones can go along with you and which ones must go back home.’5 When Gideon led his army down to the spring, the Lord told him, ‘Watch how each man gets a drink of water. Then divide them into two groups—those who lap the water like a dog and those who kneel down to drink.’ 6 Three hundred men scooped up water in their hands and lapped it, and the rest knelt to get a drink. 7 The Lord said, ‘Gideon, your army will be made up of everyone who lapped the water from their hands. Send the others home. I’m going to rescue Israel by helping you and your army of 300 defeat the Midianites.’” Judges 7:4-6 CEV

300 men – men who were alert, always checking their surroundings for the enemy. With these 300 men at the ready, God led Gideon to victory!

“…Everyone shouted, ‘Fight with your swords for the Lord and for Gideon!’ 21 The enemy soldiers started yelling and tried to run away. Gideon’s troops stayed in their positions surrounding the camp 22 and blew their trumpets again. As they did, the Lord made the enemy soldiers pull out their swords and start fighting each other.” Judges 7:20-22 CEV

After the battle was over Gideon had gone from being the least respected man in town to hero. They wanted him to be there king.

“ ‘No,’ Gideon replied, ‘I won’t be your king, and my son won’t be king either. Only the Lord is your ruler.” Judges 8:23 CEV

God found in Gideon someone who was willing to be used. Gideon, with God’s leading found men who were alert and ready for battle.

“The eyes of the Lord go around looking in all the earth for people who are faithful to him so that he can make them strong.” II Chronicles 16:9 ERV

God is looking for those who will follow His lead.

“Give all your worries to him, because he cares for you. 8 Control yourselves and be careful! The devil is your enemy, and he goes around like a roaring lion looking for someone to attack and eat.” I Peter 5:7-8 ERV

“So give yourselves to God. Stand against the devil, and he will run away from you.” James 4:7  ERV

Just like the enemy ran from Gideon’s army, our enemy will run when we stand in God’s strength and follow His lead. Be Alert!

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Scars of Victory

Last night as I was falling asleep, I began thinking about Jesus’ nail scarred hands. In the natural we often see scars as ugly, unsightly, something that needs to be covered but in reality, scars are a sign of a battle and a victory.

“It was evening of the first day of the week. The followers had gathered together with the doors locked because they were afraid of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said, ‘May you have peace.’ 20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. When the followers saw the Lord, they were filled with joy.” John 20:19-20 NLV

Jesus’ scars showed the disciples the battle He had faced. They had been there, at the foot of the cross. They had seen the nails pierce His hands and His feet. They saw the spear cut through the flesh of His side. They saw Him die and their hearts filled with fear and defeat.

But now He stood before them and with His words He banished fear and with His scars He showed victory and brought joy.

“He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.” I Peter 2:24 NLT

His wounds, inflicted in the battle of His life, now have a testimony of healing.

“21 Then Jesus said to them again, ‘May you have peace. As the Father has sent Me, I also am sending you.’ 22 When Jesus had said this, He breathed on them. He said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you say that people are free of sins, they are free of them. If you say that people are not free of sins, they still have them.’” John 20:21-23 NLV

Once again Jesus speaks peace over them. He knows that fear tries to force out faith. Jesus didn’t start His ministry until the Holy Spirit descended on Him and now He is commissioning His disciples for the work ahead with the same Spirit.

“24 Thomas was not with them when Jesus came. He was one of the twelve followers and was called the Twin. 25 The other followers told him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ He said to them, ‘I will not believe until I see the marks made by the nails in His hands. I will not believe until I put my finger into the marks of the nails. I will not believe until I put my hand into His side.’

26 Eight days later the followers were again inside a house. Thomas was with them. The doors were locked. Jesus came and stood among them. He said, ‘May you have peace!’ 27 He said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger into My hands. Put your hand into My side. Do not doubt, believe!’  28 Thomas said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ 29 Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you believe. Those are happy who have never seen Me and yet believe!’”

Jesus is saying that to us. “Blessed are those who haven’t seen Me and believe”. We are blessed because we believe the message of the cross; we have heard that the scars are a sign of our salvation. They are scars of victory!

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An Ark on the Road

Just a few generations after Adam we find his (x7) great grandson Noah.

“The Lord saw how bad the people on earth were and that everything they thought and planned was evil. 6 He was sorry that he had made them, 7 and he said, ‘I’m going to destroy every person on earth! I’ll even wipe out animals, birds, and reptiles. I’m sorry I ever made them.’ 8 But the Lord was pleased with Noah, 9  and this is the story about him. Noah was the only person who lived right and obeyed God.” Genesis 6:5-9 CEV

It’s important to see that even if there is only one person who is living for the Lord He will still provide and protect them.

“Faith makes us sure of what we hope for and gives us proof of what we cannot see. 2  It was their faith that made our ancestors pleasing to God…6But without faith no one can please God. We must believe that God is real and rewards everyone who searches for him. 7  Because Noah had faith, he was warned about something that had not yet happened. He obeyed and built a boat that saved him and his family. In this way the people of the world were judged, and Noah was given the blessings that come to everyone who pleases God.” Hebrews 11:1,2,6&7 CEV

I’m sure you’ve heard it said that Hebrews, chapter 11, is the Hall of Fame of Faith. It records the deeds of those men and women who lived to please God. Each one had a personal encounter with God. None of them were perfect but their hearts were filled with faith.

The ark was a type of salvation. It provided everything that Noah and his family needed to live and thrive during the flood. God made a way to protect those who loved Him and were willing to follow His plan.

“Eight people went into that boat and were brought safely through the flood. 21 Those flood waters were like baptism that now saves you. But baptism is more than just washing your body. It means turning to God with a clear conscience, because Jesus Christ was raised from death.” I Peter 3:20-21 CEV

Noah and his family were taking steps of faith toward a cross they couldn’t see.

“Noah built an altar where he could offer sacrifices to the Lord. Then he offered on the altar one of each kind of animal and bird that could be used for a sacrifice. 21 The smell of the burning offering pleased the Lord, and he said: ‘Never again will I punish the earth for the sinful things its people do. All of them have evil thoughts from the time they are young, but I will never destroy everything that breathes, as I did this time.'” Genesis 8:20-21 CEV

The promise that God made to Noah is also for us.

“Again, God said to Noah and his sons: 9′ I am going to make a solemn promise to you and to everyone who will live after you...16 When I see the rainbow in the sky, I will always remember the promise that I have made to every living creature. 17 The rainbow will be the sign of that solemn promise.'” Genesis 8:8-17 CEV

The safety of the ark and the promise of the rainbow lead us down the road to the plan of salvation that the cross provides.

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Growing A Garden

About this time every year I begin to think about gardening. Where we live now I am unable to plant the gardens I used to. It makes me kind of sad; I so enjoyed watching the plants grow and tending to my flowers.

However, after my Bible reading yesterday I am encouraged to start planting again.

” I planted the seeds, Apollos watered them, but God made them sprout and grow. 7 What matters isn’t those who planted or watered, but God who made the plants grow. 8 The one who plants is just as important as the one who waters. And each one will be paid for what they do. 9 Apollos and I work together for God, and you are God’s garden and God’s building.” I Corinthians 3:6-9 CEV

This is a different kind of planting. The plants that grow are not the temporal kind that die off each year – no, this is a garden with eternal beauty.

“But you must stay deeply rooted and firm in your faith. You must not give up the hope you received when you heard the good news…28 We announce the message about Christ, and we use all our wisdom to warn and teach everyone, so all of Christ’s followers will grow and become mature.” Colossians 1:23 & 28 CEV

When I was doing a search for an image to use this morning, I found two types of beautiful gardens. The first were images like the beautiful Butchart Gardens in Canada; well-manicured paths, bushes meticulously trimmed, flowers planted in beds of coordinated colors. The second images were more natural, free-flowing, unstructured gardens.

Oh boy, does that ever remind me of the body of Christ.

Some Christians and the churches they attend are formal, their worship is structured and their messages have three points and last no longer than 30 minutes. Then there are others, more free flowing with contemporary worship songs and the Bible teaching is more interactive with those attending. Neither is right or wrong; both serve a purpose in pointing people to Christ.

I imagine that Peter was more like a free-flowing garden, willful and less structured while I see John as the more structured and reserved. Both taught the importance of growing in Christ.

“ Let the gift of undeserved grace and the understanding that come from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ help you keep on growing. Praise Jesus now and forever! Amen.” II Peter 3:18 CEV

“ I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him Who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have power over the devil. I have written to you, young boys and girls, because you have learned to know the Father. ” I John 2:13 CEV

Over the next few days, we will plant seeds in this garden we are called to be. Some of us will be a little more spontaneous in our growth and others will be more deliberate but we will all grow in Christ, bringing glory and honor to Him.

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Wrapped in Love

I have a big basket of knitted blankets in the living room. When the grandkids come they each want their own blanket. There’s just something about being wrapped up, all snug as a bug in a rug.

There are two fleece blankets in that basket, not homemade, but given to me by two dear friends and each time I snuggle in beneath them, I feel the love that their friendship has blessed me with through the years.

Wrapped in love!

As I read God’s word each morning. it gives me a feeling of peace, strength, security and love. Oh my…it’s much greater, so much greater, that snuggling in those blankets, but that warmth gives you a tangible example of how God’s word touches my life.

“Lord, your faithful love reaches to the sky. Your faithfulness is as high as the clouds. 6 Your goodness is higher than the highest mountains. Your fairness is deeper than the deepest ocean. Lord, you protect people and animals. 7 Nothing is more precious than your loving kindness. All people can find protection close to you. 8 They get strength from all the good things in your house. You let them drink from your wonderful river.9 The fountain of life flows from you. Your light lets us see light .10 Continue to love those who really know you, and do good to those who are true to you.” Psalm 36:5-10 ERV

Love, faithfulness, goodness, protection, loving kindness, strength – all these words and so much more are a description of the Father’s love for us!

“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. ” I Peter 4:8 NLT

Christ covered our sins with His death on the cross. The Apostle Paul says they were blotted out – the edict containing all our sins and failures, was saturated with the blood of Christ until the handwriting against us was no longer visible.

Our sins were covered by His love! And not just our sins but the sins of the whole world!

“ He paid for our sins with His own blood. He did not pay for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world.” I John 2:2 NLV

I hope that you will sense God’s loving arms wrapped around you and that you are consciously aware of His faithfulness, goodness, loving kindness and strength.

May you start each day wrapped in love!


    

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Forever & Always

My mind is filled with absolutes this morning. Do you know what I mean? Words like forever, never, always, everyone, only – these are absolutes. When using them to describe something or someone there can be no variation, no deviation, no substitute.

Sunday afternoon Dave and I watched a movie with absolutes. It’s one I’ve seen before, and I always come away from it with the same thing – an absolute. In fact, I think Dave may have tired of me saying, “Wait for it, just wait for it”.

“This is my word… and, as such, is beyond contestation.” spoken by Prince Edward in the movie, “A Knight’s Tale”.

Chaucer wrote a story, one of the Canterbury Tales, about a young man from humble means who lived with a dream of changing the stars, of changing his destiny. He took on the identity of a fictious character and fought hard to prove himself to be a royal. At the end of the story his charade is revealed, and people turn on him. All but one.

Prince Edward comes to his defense and proclaims, “He may appear to be of humble origins, but my personal historians have discovered that he is descendent from an ancient royal line.” And then Prince Edward has William take a knee and says this, “By the power vested in me by my father, King Edward, and by all the witnesses here, I dub thee Sir William.”

It’s a simple story but for me it’s an example of what the power of God does in changing our lives; we go from common sinners to heirs and joint heirs with Christ.

“ The Spirit that we received is not a spirit that makes us slaves again and causes us to fear. The Spirit that we have makes us God’s chosen children. And with that Spirit we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’” Romans 8:15 ERV

What God speaks over us is beyond contestation. With God there is no variableness. We are His chosen children, adopted into His family.

“Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father who created all the lights in the heavens. He is always the same and never makes dark shadows by changing.” James 1:17 CEV

“ Jesus Christ never changes! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 CEV

“But you are God’s chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation. God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now you must tell all the wonderful things he has done. The Scriptures say, 10 ‘Once you were nobody. Now you are God’s people. At one time no one had mercy on you. Now God has treated you with kindness.” I Peter 2:9-10 CEV

“All who call out to the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13 CEV

“Your kingdom will never end, and you will rule forever. Our Lord, you keep your word and do everything you say.” Psalm 145:13 CEV

Absolutes! All, never, forever, always. God’s word spoken over us is beyond contestation – we are part of a royal family. We are sons and daughters of the King of Kings!

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Let the World Know

I have a question for you this morning. If I asked you to define friendship would the word love be in your definition?

It should be – true friendship is built on love and trust. A couple of days ago, in my blog “Love Covers” I showed you how God’s love covers our multitude of sins. Remember this verse?

“Most of all, have a true love for each other. Love covers many sins.” I Peter 4:8 NLV

and then yesterday there was this verse

“But I am giving you a new command. You must love each other, just as I have loved you. 35 If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35 CEV

Those were the two thoughts heavy on my mind this morning. Am I a good and loving friend? Love and trust. Do I express those two characteristics with the people I call friends and those who are family?

Do I love the way Christ does? I think of the adulterous woman who the religious leaders wanted to stone. Jesus proved to be her friend; she could trust Him. He didn’t humiliate her or put her failure on display, He covered her actions with His love. He told her she was forgiven and to go and sin no more.

Look at Peter. Christ told him to be on guard because satan was going to trip him up and get him to sin. Peter in his own boisterous way said NEVER and then he denied Christ three times before the sun came up. After Jesus rose from the grave and encountered the disciples on multiple occasions He never once ridiculed or chided Peter in public. Jesus only spoke good things over Peter’s life.

How will the world know that we are disciples, followers of Christ? We are to love one another. That means that we cover the failings and shortcomings of those we love. We don’t repeat their mistakes, we don’t embarrass them with their past. We cover them with love.

“You will keep your friends if you forgive them, but you will lose your friends if you keep talking about what they did wrong.” Proverbs 17:9 CEV

There’s a story that you may not know. After he and his family were off the ark and living on land again, Noah got drunk and one of his sons found him naked in his tent. That son went and reported the incident to his brothers. He made his father’s shame public. Look what the other two sons did.

“Shem and Japheth put a robe over their shoulders and walked backwards into the tent. Without looking at their father, they placed it over his body” Genesis 9:23 CEV

They covered their father’s sin and shame. This is what God expects from us. This is how the world will know that we are His disciples.

“Do as God does. After all, you are his dear children.” Ephesians 5:1 CEV

With all we have learned about God’s love for us during the past month we have a mandate to walk in that kind of love to those around us. Be an encourager, be someone who builds others up. Don’t speak of past failures – cover them.

Let the world know we are His disciples by our love!

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Love Covers

The first thing I did this morning was start the coffee, get my Bible, computer, journal and my blanket. What is it about being covered that makes us feel warm and safe?

When our grandkids come to visit, each one comes with their own blanket. There’s a sense of security, of comfort. So, of course, this morning I told the Lord how comfortable and safe I feel knowing I am wrapped in His love.

“But I have learned to feel safe and satisfied, like a young child in its mother’s arms.” Psalm 131:2 CEV

One of the first things a newborn experiences is being wrapped tightly in a blanket. It keeps them warm and gives them a sense of still being in the womb. It’s a comforting feeling.

“He will spread his wings over you and keep you secure. His faithfulness is like a shield or a city wall.” Psalm 91:4 CEV

“I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won’t be afraid. You are with me,” Psalm 23:4 CEV

The Father knows we need that sense of security and protection that’s why He covers us when we are in the presence of danger. Do you remember how the Lord covered the Israelites when they left Egypt? The Bible tells us He covered them with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.

If you haven’t spent much time in the desert those words might not mean much to you but let me tell you on a hot sunny day clouds are a welcome relief. Nights get bitterly cold in the desert and there is nothing more comforting than a fire. Those two things, the cloud and the fire, were a reminder to the children of Israel that they were not alone – God was with them.

They were covered by His love.

Now, we are almost to the end of January and I will probably go on to another subject soon but before I do there’s one more aspect of God’s love we have yet to cover. That is – how do we show God’s love to one another.

“Most of all, have a true love for each other. Love covers many sins.” I Peter 4:8 NLV

We read yesterday that we are forgiven once and for all. We also read that God doesn’t remember our sins, He removes them from His memory. He not only does that for us, but He also does that for everyone we meet. His love covers many sins.

We need to follow His example. Instead of gossiping about someone’s mistakes, failures or sins we should be covering them. Not denying that they happened but not recalling them either. Don’t keep drudging them up; cover them with love.

“But I am giving you a new command. You must love each other, just as I have loved you. 35 If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35 CEV

Let’s use our love to cover and bring comfort to someone today!

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In The Storm

The wind decided to blow, ALL NIGHT! When you live in an RV you hear the wind, at times it sounded like a freight train moving rapidly alongside the 5th wheel. I’m so glad for the shelter of my home.

Peter and the disciples were in a storm on the sea. Jesus was exhausted and fell asleep “in the back of the boat”. The waves grew larger and as they crashed against the bow, the boat began to fill with water. Jesus still slept.

Finally, in desperation the disciples woke Him with a startling cry.

“A very bad wind came up on the lake. The waves were coming over the sides and into the boat, and it was almost full of water. 38 Jesus was inside the boat, sleeping with his head on a pillow. The followers went and woke him. They said, “Teacher, don’t you care about us? We are going to drown!” Mark 4:37-38 ERV

Don’t you care – aren’t you worried, don’t you love us?

Here’s the answer: Jesus didn’t have a care about the situation; no, He wasn’t worried but yes, He loved them dearly. So He stood, and said:

“ Jesus stood up and gave a command to the wind and the water. He said, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind stopped, and the lake became calm.” vs 39

Have you ever had the same reaction as the disciples? Lord, don’t you care? I can’t pay my rent this month, the doctor said cancer, my child has left home and I don’t know where they are, my loved one is dying. Don’t you care?

“God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.” I Peter 5:7 CEV

God isn’t weighted down with worry but He definitely cares for you!

Jesus was right where He needed to be, He was resting in the peace of God.

“You can go to God Most High to hide. You can go to God All-Powerful for protection.
2 I say to the Lord, “You are my place of safety, my fortress. My God, I trust in you.” Psalm 91:1-2 ERV

The disciples did the right thing. In their worry, they ran for shelter, shelter was found in the presence and protection of the Father.

Is the wind howling and are the waves crashing in around you today? Run to the Father. Be grateful – there is always shelter from the storm!

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Lost & Alone

This morning my thoughts went back to the sheep we learned from a few days ago.

The nighttime temperatures have dropped in the desert. This morning, although I had the window open all night, I needed to close it. When I first got up it was 52* and now it’s down to 47*. Not freezing but chilly. Then I heard the coyotes; they are on the prowl, seeking an unsuspecting prey.

That little sheep that was lagging behind can be easily separated from the flock and the Shepherd. It becomes vulnerable to the elements, the darkness and to predators.

“Give all your worries to him, because he cares for you. 8 Control yourselves and be careful! The devil is your enemy, and he goes around like a roaring lion (or a coyote) looking for someone to attack and eat. 9 Refuse to follow the devil. Stand strong in your faith. You know that your brothers and sisters all over the world are having the same sufferings that you have.” I Peter 5:7-9 ERV

Worry will sidetrack us, it causes us to lag behind and become separated. It leaves us searching, trying to be self-sufficient and we lose sight of the Shepherd. Then like a coyote or a wolf the devil, our enemy, comes in for the kill.

He’s a faith killer.

Remember what he said to Eve in the garden, “The snake spoke to the woman and said, “Woman, did God really tell you that you must not eat from any tree in the garden?” Genesis 3:1 ERV

He asks questions like did God really promise to never abandon you, did He really tell you not to worry, does His word really say He will protect and provide for you. He is the great deceiver, and he will bring doubt wherever he can.

Enter the good Shepherd.

“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!” Luke 15:4-7 NLT

Jesus is in the seeking and saving business. He leaves the 99 safely in the sheep fold and goes searching for the lost.

For those who feel lost and alone, cry out – the Shepherd is there, He will save you!

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