Today’s chapter is about preparing humans in such a way that they’ll not just be prepared for “the court case against them”, but they’ll avoid being charged.
READ 1 PETER 4 Make notes, if you’d like, of what stands out for you. Feel free to use the “Leave a Comment” box below to also write some of your thoughts
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
As I read this portion of Peter’s letter, I wondered what to write. It seems that most of the writers of these last 1st Century letters are fixated on the same message. I was trying to come up with a different topic so that my Breadcrumbs wouldn’t be repeating themselves. Then I read it:
“If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.” [v11]
So what do I think that the Creator God is saying to me today? …Well… for one thing, I’m looking forward to the day when I’m finished with doing what’s wrong. If I want to “be done with sin” [v1], however, I need to also expect that this, in some way, will also involve “suffering in my body”. [v6] In other words, I shouldn’t be surprised at the fiery ordeal that I may face while trying to correct “wrongdoing” in my life. The uphill climb out of bad patterns, is like a test. [v12]
Now I’m beginning to wonder if it’s better to get myself out of hot water and go through “the Refiner’s fire”[a] now, while it’s still only a metaphoric fire! To be a good “image-bearer”, I want to commit and recommit myself to my Maker then, keep doing what’s right. [v19] At the end of it all, I don’t want to simply avoid being charged, when I finally “meet my Maker”.[b] Instead, want to be “overjoyed when His Glory is revealed”. [v13]
Read More? … CLICK to follow “09 December – Additional Notes”
But what about your thoughts – can you tell me what today’s “breadcrumb” is? Leave a note in the “Comments” box below to tell me what you think of today’s chapter.
Finding it hard to connect with your Maker? The rest of this webpage uses Jesus’ own prayer to help.[c]
THE LORD’S PRAYER:
1. Praise: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Your Kingdom come! Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven …”
Lord, I want to sing joyfully to You. It’s fitting for the upright to praise You. [Psalm 33:1]
2. Ask: “…Give us today our daily bread…”
The World: The people of the USA[d]
Your Country: The ministry of national Help Lines
Yourself: The need of your immediate family
Your concerns for today
Jesus said, “…everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” [Luke 11:10]
3. Admit: “…Forgive us our sin as we forgive those who sin against us…”
Father God, help me to get wisdom and understanding. Help me not to forget Your words or turn away from them. [Proverbs 4:5]
4. Protect: “…Lead us not into temptation but delivers us from evil.”
“Don’t tremble, don’t be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You’re my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there’s no other Rock; I know not one.” [Isaiah 44:8]
“For Yours Lord is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory now and forever. Amen!”
When Jesus was questioned, tested, tricked or in His hour of great need, He always spoke things that were previously written in God’s Word.[e] Following these memory verses from ten topics, will help you learn 52 verses from the bible in a year! THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE: Topic = Spiritual Conflict
“Put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” [Ephesians 6:13]
[a] Malachi 3:2
[b] Daniel 7:10
[c] Matthew 6:5-15
[d] http://www.operationworld.org/country/unsa/owtext.html
[e] Matthew 4:4,6,7,10; 11:10; 21:13; and 26:24,31