1 Peter 2 - 7.4.23
Scripture
I Peter 2:16
Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.
Observation
Jesus died to free us from the consequences of our sin. We are forgiven – we are free. But we have not been given a “free” pass to do whatever we want.
Application
Today we celebrate America’s freedom. DAILY we should celebrate our freedom in Christ. Thank you, Jesus!
John 8:31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
I Peter tells us to live as free people – no longer slaves to sin, no longer under condemnation. Instead, now we live as God’s slaves. We used to let sin rule our lives; now we let God rule our lives. What does this mean? The sole purpose of a slave is to serve his master. Are we serving our master with that same devotion? Or do we sometimes use our freedom as an excuse to do what we want?
Prayer
God, please forgive me for the times that I take You for granted. The times that I do what I want instead of what I know you want of me. The times that I put myself and my desires in front of You, trusting that I am saved, and that you will forgive me. You are the master, and I must be ready and willing to do Your will.
- Debbie Dunn
1 Peter 1 - 7.3.23
Scripture
1 Peter 1:15 NLT
“But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.”
Observation
Peter is writing the Church here and he is calling them to live holy lives; lives that are set apart and dedicated to God.
“So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then.”-1 Peter 1:14
Application
Just like a child imitates what their parents do, I must imitate what Jesus did.
Do you remember that Anti-Drug Commercial from the 80’s? In that commercial you have a father who approaches his son. In the father’s hand is a small box filled with illegal drugs. The father then tells the son that his mom found that box in his room. So the father begins to grill his son yelling: “Where did you get this stuff?! Who taught you how to do this stuff?!” To which the son sharply replies: “You alright!!! I learned it from watching you!”
I’m sure that was a very effective commercial for parents to be mindful of what they are exposing their kids to. Our children are smart, and they tend to imitate what they see their parents do.
Now we, who put our faith in Jesus, are now children of God. And we are called as His children, to imitate everything He does. And unlike that child in that commercial I just spoke of, who didn’t quite have that father/role model to look up to; we as children of God have the perfect role model to look up to and imitate. You see, our Father in Heaven, loves us so much He came down from Heaven and became flesh, (in Jesus), and showed us exactly how we should live our lives. He loved and honored God. He submitted to the Father’s ways. He loved others, and loved them so much He was even willing to die for them. ❤️
Now I’m far from perfect. Only Jesus is. But I will strive each day to be more and more like Him in everything I do.
Prayer
Father God, I pray for Your forgiveness for whenever I fall short of Your standards. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, and help me to be obedient to Your Holy Spirit so I can live a life that is holy and pleasing to You. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
-Moses Gaddi
James 5 - 6.30.23
Scripture
James 5:7
Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.
Observation
During my senior year of high school I worked on a farm, re-roofing some old buildings. Every day I showed up to work, the farmer was already out in his fields dripping sweat. And as the sun was setting and I was packing up for the day, he was often still out there, working tirelessly. Day after day, his bank account didn’t see a single deposit. He didn’t get to enjoy a single ear of buttered corn. Why keep working so hard and so faithfully? Because he knew the harvest was certain.
James says that we should be laboring in the Lord faithfully, patiently and confidently awaiting his appearing. Just as the harvest comes for the farmer, the moment will come when Jesus returns and we will receive the fruits of our labor for the Lord, an eternal inheritance.
Application
Keep laboring, the Lord is coming soon.
In the busyness of life and all the day-to-day activities, it can be easy to lose sight of Heaven and Jesus’ return. Even in ministry there are times we find ourselves going through the motions instead of laboring out of genuine love for God, with his coming in mind. And, when you lose sight of the harvest, or Heaven, it can be tempting to abandon the work when you get tired.
Prayer
God, please help me to live in light of heaven. Make us so eternally minded that we would labor faithfully today. Regardless of the fruit we see now, we know 1 Corinthians 15:58 that says “your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
2 Timothy 4:8
Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Like Paul, may we continually long for your appearing. And like James encourages us, may we labor with confidence and patience. Come, Lord Jesus. Come. Amen.
-Levi Thompson