Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.
Summary: Everyone suffers. Peter understands this and encourages us to avoid suffering for doing wrong, even if we suffer for doing right.
Continue reading “1 Peter 4:15 — A List of Wrongs”
But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
Summary: Just like sports have sports fans, God and Satan have their fans. God invites you to share the joy of His victory over evil.
Continue reading “1 Peter 4:13 — Jesus’ Stuff”
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.
Summary: We have been called by God to get in the game. As soon as we step on the field, the enemy wants to take us out. This is called the ”fiery ordeal.”
Continue reading “1 Peter 4:12 — Feel the Ordeal”
To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Summary: Peter uses specific language to tell us how much honor is due to Jesus.
Continue reading “1 Peter 4:11 (c) — The Language of Praise”
If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.
Summary: Faith is trusting that God will provide strength for the task at hand. Our part is to praise God through Jesus Christ.
Continue reading “1 Peter 4:11 (b) — T.E.A.”
… because love covers over a multitude of sins.
Summary: Peter continues his thought on loving deeply by adding that love “covers over” sins. God models the power of love by forgiving our sin.
Continue reading “1 Peter 4:8 (b) — Formula for Forgiveness”
Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.
Summary: Peter draws our attention to our need to approach God properly when we pray so that it is possible to pray.
Continue reading “1 Peter 4:7 (b) — Primer on Prayer”
The end of all things is near.
Summary: The end of all things is not the end for everything. In truth, it is the beginning.
Continue reading “1 Peter 4:7 (a) — The End of all Things”
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.
Summary: A Rorschach test is to psychology what a mirror is to the face. God has placed occasional Rorschach tests in His Word. Today’s passage is one of them.
Continue reading “1 Peter 4:6 — Rorschach Test”
But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
Summary: The “living and the dead” does not mean that being dead is the end of the road. When called before the Judge, both the living and the dead will have to give account.
Continue reading “1 Peter 4:5 — Giving Account”