DAILY REMINDER – Today, December 22’s Bible reading is 1 Peter 1-5.
NEXT DAY REMINDER – Tomorrow, December 23’s Bible reading is 2 Peter 1-3.
May God bless you with the reading of His WORD.
1 PETER Introduction
The first epistle of Peter was named after its author who wrote it
around 64 A.D. during a time when
Christians were under intense persecution. The Apostle Peter addresses this
letter to the Christians scattered all throughout the Roman world who were
known as “strangers in the world.” Peter’s theme in this letter is regarding
various doctrines, Christian life, and responsibilities. He encourages the
believer to stay strong in God’s grace that perseveres during times of testing
and trials. Peter reminds them of the inheritance that they will receive as a
reward for their faithfulness and endurance. Jesus’ perseverance during
suffering was to be their example, and they were to expect that they would
encounter the same for being His followers. Therefore, they could not expect to
be free from trials but were to remain steadfast in the hope to come.
1 PETER MOMENT – (22DEC19) “Be alert and of sober
mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for
someone to devour. Resist him,
standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers
throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings” (1 Peter 5:8-9). The Christians had been scattered to various nations during the
time that this letter was penned by the Apostle Peter. One can only imagine the
hardships that they were encountering and knowing that at any moment their
lives could be the price for their faith in Christ. Nevertheless, Peter wrote
to them so that they would remain faithful and know that Christ also suffered
so that they could have life, for He called them a royal priesthood. Their
suffering was not to be looked upon in shame, but with honor as long as they
did what was right. The Apostle Peter wrote: “But just as he who called
you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy’
” (1 Peter 1:15-16). The apostle was reminding
them to not live as the pagans did, with whom they were neighbors to, but they
were to live as one who was sanctified in Christ. Peter encouraged them to act
respectful to those in authority as well as gave counsel to the married couples.
Husbands and wives were to honor each other so that their prayers would not be hindered.
Women were to dress modestly and allow their beauty to be inward and not isolated
to outward adornment. In all areas of their lives, they were to be examples to
others because of the mercy and grace that God had shown to them.
Peter admonished the church to be aware of the enemy who acted as a
roaring lion always looking for a prey. The devil was out to claim anyone with
whom he could find a weakness in. He was after the believers and he wanted to
destroy their faith where they would give up on Jesus. Nevertheless, they had
to stand firm in their faith and endure to the end in order to receive the reward
that God had for all His faithful.
We too must watch out for the enemy because he has many traps that he
has set to take those who are unaware off course. He does not play fair, but he
aims to steal, kill, and destroy. The devil will use anyone or anything to take
our focus off Christ. He will use your family, friends, job, health, finances, and
even other believers to have your mind occupied where he can creep in. Nevertheless,
we are to be wise to his deceptive methods. The Bible says: “Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if
there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your
sake, in order that Satan
might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes” (2 Corinthians 2:10-11). The devil has had centuries of practice where he has perfected his
craft. Even so, God has given us a way out so that we will not be destroyed by
him. The Word is our sword and we have prayer as our weapon of defense to thwart
the attacks of the enemy. He wants us to suffer through fear, anxiety,
depression, loneliness, and despair, but Jesus said: “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to
destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more
abundantly” (John 10:10). The devil cannot take our joy if we do
not give it to him. We are not defeated but have victory in Christ no matter
how our situation may seem. Therefore, put on the whole armor of God so that
when the enemy comes, you will be prepared to defeat him with the blood of
Jesus. Something to ponder….
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