1 Peter 3 - 7.5.23

Scripture 

1 Peter 3:9, 13-16

9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult.  On the contrary, repay evil with blessings, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing….13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 

Observation 

Peter is speaking about suffering for doing good. As Christ followers, it is a blessing to suffer for doing good. 

“So, then, even in suffering, the Christian is still blessed.  When the suffering is for Christ, he is demonstrating his loyalty to Christ and is sharing his sufferings….No man escapes suffering, but for the Christian, suffering cannot touch the things which matter most of all.” (studylight.org)

Application

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).”

One of the greatest testimonies of our Christian faith is how we respond to suffering. We must overcome evil with good. When we overcome evil with good, we don’t give the enemy a foothold.

When things are going well in life, it’s easy to do good, but how about when someone hurts us deeply? How about when people slander us? (Oxford dictionary defines slander as making false and damaging statements about someone.)  On a deeper level, how about when the enemy tries to lie to us about the character and goodness of God or about our assurance of salvation, identity in Christ and our hope? I am reminded of Pastor Levi’s sermon last Sunday on putting on the Helmet of Salvation. If you missed it, I highly encourage you to watch it at this link: https://youtu.be/SYq3kBFOSfo

God’s Word says we are blessed when we find ourselves suffering for doing good and must continue to maintain our good behavior in Christ. I admit that this can be very difficult! Jesus suffered, on all levels, worse than anyone who has ever lived, so He understands it well.  Run to Him for help.

Prayer

Dear Lord,

I admit that when I suffer for doing good, my first response is to want to repay evil with evil.  I pray that even in hardships and suffering, the fruits of the Spirit would still be evident in my life and that I would overcome evil with Your good.  Amen. 

-Michelle Gaddi

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.”

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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