Saturday, November 30, 2013

There he is again in the Old Testament, the Son of God. Daniel and the other two believers were willing to put God above their own safety. Look at their reward: affirmation of the one true God and a few moments with his Son on earth.

Daniel 3:24-25
Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.”
“Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”


Friday, November 29, 2013

I would be scared to death if there were a lion stalking me, roaring, ready to pounce! "Resist him." Are you kidding? Apparently Peter is not kidding. "Resist him, firm in your faith." Then the promise for suffering a little: God himself will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you. OK, I'm game.

1 Peter 5:8-11

Be sober-minded; be watchful.
Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.



Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Why does stuff like this make women crazy? It says by your mere behavior you have the power to win your husbands to the word. What is wrong with that? Also, at this stage I am up for imperishable beauty.

1 Peter 3:1-4
Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,
when they see your respectful and pure conduct.
Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—
but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

As a kid, I remember how safe I felt in my father's arms. To feel that childlike sweetness of being truly safe we have to give up a couple of things.

1 Peter 2:1-2
So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.
Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—

Monday, November 25, 2013

Through the centuries one thing has never changed. It was true for Isaiah, it was true for Peter, and it will save you. "...the LIVING and abiding word of God..." (emphasis mine)

1 Peter 1:22-25

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;
for


“All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass.The grass withers,and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.”

And this word is the good news that was preached to you.




Sunday, November 24, 2013

Hate to interfere? Here is some encouragement from James.

James 5:19-20
My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back,
let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.