Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
But do this with gentleness and respect…
Summary: When we share our story of knowing God with others, we need to do it in a way that communicates both with the mind and the heart. Gentleness and respect both speak to the heart.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:15 (c) — The Keys to the Heart”
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
Summary: Everyone who knows Jesus has a story to tell about their meeting with the Lord. Practice sharing your story so that you are prepared to give an answer to everyone who is curious about the hope that you have.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:15 (b) — Story Time”
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.
Summary: Peter reminds us to invite Jesus into the center of our being. When your life is built around the God of the Universe, there isn’t anything that can scare you.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:15 (a) — House Guest”
“Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.”
Summary: Peter warns us against the power of fear and the danger of turning our imagination against ourselves. We need to keep our focus on Godly possibilities.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:14 (b) — Godly Possibilities”
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.
Summary: Peter has a unique insight into suffering for our Lord.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:13-14 (a) — Reason & Fact”
…but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.
Summary: Looking at the whole of verse 12 we see that Peter is contrasting God’s reaction to righteousness and evil. It is helpful to know what God thinks each of those words means.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:12 (c) — God’s Whiteboard”
“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous …”
Summary: In which we revisit 1 Peter 3:12 (a) and further explore the topic of righteousness.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:12 (a) II — Confession”
… and his ears are attentive to their prayer …
Summary: Like a toy figure is made in the image of man, so is man made in the image of God. God is infinitely more than man can begin to comprehend, and yet he still listens to our prayers.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:12 (b) — The Toymaker’s Toy”
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous …
Summary: ”Righteousness” is one of those words with multiple meanings. We are not righteous under the law, but we are righteous in God’s eyes when we accept his Son and set our eyes on his will.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:12 (a) — Slaves to Righteousness”
… because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
Summary: Peter gives us an important lesson in why God has called us. He wants us to stop responding to hurts and insults with more hurts and insults. Instead, he wants us to respond with a blessing, just as he has blessed us.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:9 (b) — The Godly Response to Evil”