February 16-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
1 Peter 1:1, Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,
Observe what it is saying.
Today we begin a series on the Apostle Peter’s first letter in which he encourages believers to stand fast in their faith in the midst of persecution. It was written by him from Rome about 67 AD which would have been shortly after the first persecution of Christians by Emperor Nero. The recipients are Christians who are scattered throughout Asia Minor, which is present day Turkey. The names of these areas represent a large area and population giving further proof of the immense missionary work in a largely Gentile area that caused the early church to grow rapidly. The word scattered is the Greek word “diaspora” which was the technical name for the Jews who were scattered outside of Israel. This was often caused by their sin as they were sent into exile and, other times, it was by their own choice looking for work. But now, since the Messiah has come, the Church is the elect of God scattered around the Roman Empire. Once the Jews were chosen to be God’s representatives in the world, now it is the Christian church. This dispersion of believers is God’s plan to spread His message of grace and His kingdom throughout all creation to bring salvation, blessing, and peace to all who will receive this fantastic news.
Relate it to your life.
I am included among the Christian elect to be a witness of the good news of Jesus Christ.
Do something.
Father, use us today as You used those early Christians to rapidly spread the gospel into all the world. Help us to own this calling as we go forth in the power of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.
February 17-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
1 Peter 1:2, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
Observe what it is saying.
What an honor and privilege it is to be chosen to be a part of something significant. It should be all the more of an honor to be specially chosen by God to be among the exiles whose home is heaven. The church has been divinely elected by God’s omniscience. The church is not merely a human organization but is in existence because of the purpose and plan of the Father. The church is consecrated by the Holy Spirit which means the Holy Spirit awakens us spiritually, convicts us of sin and leads us to forgiveness at the cross, transforms our lives to be free from sin, and gives us the assurance of our salvation. This is for the ultimate purpose that we will be obedient to Jesus, to His way of life, and to His call upon our lives. We have been chosen and set apart to be in His service. The Israelites were set apart by God to be a blessing to the world. They largely failed their mission. Now, the church has been cleansed by the blood of Christ and elected to be obedient to His mission as a blessing to the world. I love Peter’s words of blessing that grace and peace would be with his readers in abundance. That includes us!
Relate it to your life.
Belonging to Christ’s church, I have been given great privilege and responsibility as an exile for the Lord.
Do something.
Father, thank You for choosing me to be cleansed by Christ and to be set apart for Your special purposes by the Holy Spirit. Help me to understand with such great privilege comes greater responsibility to live out my faith in obedience to Your word, will, and call. Use me as a member of Your church to be a spiritual blessing to all I meet and encounter this and every day. Amen.
February 18-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
1 Peter 1:3-5, Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
Observe what it is saying.
After his introductory salutation, Peter offers praise to God, not a generic god, but to the Father of our Lord Jesus. The praise is offered for God’s great mercy that grants us redemption. This is no subtle salvation. It is so grand that the only way to describe it is like being born all over again, and it offers two remarkable gifts. First, a living hope. This hope is described as such because it is fixed upon the resurrected Jesus who overcame bodily death and is alive again. What Jesus first experienced is what all newly born believers will enjoy one day. The second gift our new birth is an inheritance, a secured possession. This inheritance is imperishable which means it lasts forever. It will not spoil which literally means it is undefilable. The inheritance cannot be tainted by sin or evil. It is holy and pure. It is unfading. This inheritance will not lose its luster but will remain unchanging so that our joy and peace will be untouched and remain constant and strong forever. This is our living hope!
Relate it to your life.
By God’s great mercy, I am made into a brand-new person and given a vibrant hope of a glorious future.
Do something.
Lord God, it is by your vast mercy that I am redeemed and made brand new. Thank you for this new life, abundant hope, and eternal inheritance that is offered to everyone who receives Your grace. Amen.
February 19-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
1 Peter 1:6-7, In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Observe what it is saying.
“In all this” refers back to the new birth, the living hope, and inheritance that faithful followers of Jesus are promised to receive. It is easy to “greatly rejoice” when we hold to the promises of God’s beautiful blessings. Now, we discover the readers are experiencing persecution of various kinds for their faith. So, these promises become all the more important to keep before them as they endure the daily struggles of living out their faith. We endure our struggles today as we stay focused on the reality that the best is yet to come. Such trials are actually tests to prove we have a genuine faith. Before gold is pure it has to be tested in the fire. The disciplined workouts of athletes are not meant to weaken them but to develop greater endurance for victory. Trials are not meant to take away our strength, but to put strength into us. It is interesting that “all kinds” means “many colored.” Peter used this word only one other time to describe the grace of God. There is grace to match every trial! Finally, we must endure these troubles so that when Jesus comes again our faith is proven genuine as it generates praise, glory, and honor to Him and a “well done” to us.
Relate it to your life.
The glory to come far outweighs all temporary trials I may experience as a Christ-follower.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, keep me focused on what is to come so that I do not lose hope in my troubles today. Amen.
February 20-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
1 Peter 1:8-9, Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Observe what it is saying.
Peter was different from the audience to which he wrote. He had laid eyes on Jesus, but his readers had not. Even though they had not seen Him, when they heard the message about Him, they believed it. A week after Jesus’ resurrection, we read, “Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:27-29) These were the kind of believers that Peter was writing to. The gospel message captured their hearts so gloriously that it created a deep love for Jesus. Not only that, but their new birth filled their hearts with a joy that could not be logically understood. It is beyond words and description. You cannot fully enjoy this transforming power until you personally encounter the resurrected Lord in total belief and surrender. This joyous love for the Lord is the result of our faith and is a sign that we are receiving the salvation of our souls. Peter writes that salvation is a continuous event. We have received it but also are still receiving the full benefits of this amazing grace.
Relate it to your life.
Real belief results in real love and joy in the Lord Jesus.
Do something.
Oh Lord, I want to continue to receive all the wonderful benefits of the salvation of my soul. Keep my belief strong and my heart surrendered to You. I love You. Amen.
February 21-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
1 Peter 1:10-12, Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
Observe what it is saying.
We are told that the prophets searched and inquired about the salvation that was to come. We are also told that the Spirit of Christ was already at work in their lives telling them about Him. God used these careful, searching prophets by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to write down what the Messiah would experience in His suffering and His glorious resurrection. Psalm 22 and Isaiah 52 are two passages that describe the suffering. Psalm 2, 16, and 110 speak of the triumph of Christ. We find Scripture’s inspiration is the product of a careful search of the mind of mankind and the revelation of God’s Spirit. They knew they would not see the fulfillment of these prophecies but were serving later generations where the message would be preached again by the enlightening presence of the Holy Spirit. Here’s the astounding thing: angels were eager to catch a glimpse of this sacred message God gave to mankind. This should emphasize how incredibly valuable the gospel message is in which we have been entrusted.
Relate it to your life.
God has had a plan in mind for a long time for me to receive this life-saving message.
Do something.
Lord, may I treasure and desire this rich message as much as the angels of heaven long to see it. Amen.
Write out the Scripture.
1 Peter 1:1, Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,
Observe what it is saying.
Today we begin a series on the Apostle Peter’s first letter in which he encourages believers to stand fast in their faith in the midst of persecution. It was written by him from Rome about 67 AD which would have been shortly after the first persecution of Christians by Emperor Nero. The recipients are Christians who are scattered throughout Asia Minor, which is present day Turkey. The names of these areas represent a large area and population giving further proof of the immense missionary work in a largely Gentile area that caused the early church to grow rapidly. The word scattered is the Greek word “diaspora” which was the technical name for the Jews who were scattered outside of Israel. This was often caused by their sin as they were sent into exile and, other times, it was by their own choice looking for work. But now, since the Messiah has come, the Church is the elect of God scattered around the Roman Empire. Once the Jews were chosen to be God’s representatives in the world, now it is the Christian church. This dispersion of believers is God’s plan to spread His message of grace and His kingdom throughout all creation to bring salvation, blessing, and peace to all who will receive this fantastic news.
Relate it to your life.
I am included among the Christian elect to be a witness of the good news of Jesus Christ.
Do something.
Father, use us today as You used those early Christians to rapidly spread the gospel into all the world. Help us to own this calling as we go forth in the power of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.
February 17-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
1 Peter 1:2, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
Observe what it is saying.
What an honor and privilege it is to be chosen to be a part of something significant. It should be all the more of an honor to be specially chosen by God to be among the exiles whose home is heaven. The church has been divinely elected by God’s omniscience. The church is not merely a human organization but is in existence because of the purpose and plan of the Father. The church is consecrated by the Holy Spirit which means the Holy Spirit awakens us spiritually, convicts us of sin and leads us to forgiveness at the cross, transforms our lives to be free from sin, and gives us the assurance of our salvation. This is for the ultimate purpose that we will be obedient to Jesus, to His way of life, and to His call upon our lives. We have been chosen and set apart to be in His service. The Israelites were set apart by God to be a blessing to the world. They largely failed their mission. Now, the church has been cleansed by the blood of Christ and elected to be obedient to His mission as a blessing to the world. I love Peter’s words of blessing that grace and peace would be with his readers in abundance. That includes us!
Relate it to your life.
Belonging to Christ’s church, I have been given great privilege and responsibility as an exile for the Lord.
Do something.
Father, thank You for choosing me to be cleansed by Christ and to be set apart for Your special purposes by the Holy Spirit. Help me to understand with such great privilege comes greater responsibility to live out my faith in obedience to Your word, will, and call. Use me as a member of Your church to be a spiritual blessing to all I meet and encounter this and every day. Amen.
February 18-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
1 Peter 1:3-5, Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
Observe what it is saying.
After his introductory salutation, Peter offers praise to God, not a generic god, but to the Father of our Lord Jesus. The praise is offered for God’s great mercy that grants us redemption. This is no subtle salvation. It is so grand that the only way to describe it is like being born all over again, and it offers two remarkable gifts. First, a living hope. This hope is described as such because it is fixed upon the resurrected Jesus who overcame bodily death and is alive again. What Jesus first experienced is what all newly born believers will enjoy one day. The second gift our new birth is an inheritance, a secured possession. This inheritance is imperishable which means it lasts forever. It will not spoil which literally means it is undefilable. The inheritance cannot be tainted by sin or evil. It is holy and pure. It is unfading. This inheritance will not lose its luster but will remain unchanging so that our joy and peace will be untouched and remain constant and strong forever. This is our living hope!
Relate it to your life.
By God’s great mercy, I am made into a brand-new person and given a vibrant hope of a glorious future.
Do something.
Lord God, it is by your vast mercy that I am redeemed and made brand new. Thank you for this new life, abundant hope, and eternal inheritance that is offered to everyone who receives Your grace. Amen.
February 19-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
1 Peter 1:6-7, In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Observe what it is saying.
“In all this” refers back to the new birth, the living hope, and inheritance that faithful followers of Jesus are promised to receive. It is easy to “greatly rejoice” when we hold to the promises of God’s beautiful blessings. Now, we discover the readers are experiencing persecution of various kinds for their faith. So, these promises become all the more important to keep before them as they endure the daily struggles of living out their faith. We endure our struggles today as we stay focused on the reality that the best is yet to come. Such trials are actually tests to prove we have a genuine faith. Before gold is pure it has to be tested in the fire. The disciplined workouts of athletes are not meant to weaken them but to develop greater endurance for victory. Trials are not meant to take away our strength, but to put strength into us. It is interesting that “all kinds” means “many colored.” Peter used this word only one other time to describe the grace of God. There is grace to match every trial! Finally, we must endure these troubles so that when Jesus comes again our faith is proven genuine as it generates praise, glory, and honor to Him and a “well done” to us.
Relate it to your life.
The glory to come far outweighs all temporary trials I may experience as a Christ-follower.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, keep me focused on what is to come so that I do not lose hope in my troubles today. Amen.
February 20-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
1 Peter 1:8-9, Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Observe what it is saying.
Peter was different from the audience to which he wrote. He had laid eyes on Jesus, but his readers had not. Even though they had not seen Him, when they heard the message about Him, they believed it. A week after Jesus’ resurrection, we read, “Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:27-29) These were the kind of believers that Peter was writing to. The gospel message captured their hearts so gloriously that it created a deep love for Jesus. Not only that, but their new birth filled their hearts with a joy that could not be logically understood. It is beyond words and description. You cannot fully enjoy this transforming power until you personally encounter the resurrected Lord in total belief and surrender. This joyous love for the Lord is the result of our faith and is a sign that we are receiving the salvation of our souls. Peter writes that salvation is a continuous event. We have received it but also are still receiving the full benefits of this amazing grace.
Relate it to your life.
Real belief results in real love and joy in the Lord Jesus.
Do something.
Oh Lord, I want to continue to receive all the wonderful benefits of the salvation of my soul. Keep my belief strong and my heart surrendered to You. I love You. Amen.
February 21-Stand Fast
Write out the Scripture.
1 Peter 1:10-12, Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
Observe what it is saying.
We are told that the prophets searched and inquired about the salvation that was to come. We are also told that the Spirit of Christ was already at work in their lives telling them about Him. God used these careful, searching prophets by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to write down what the Messiah would experience in His suffering and His glorious resurrection. Psalm 22 and Isaiah 52 are two passages that describe the suffering. Psalm 2, 16, and 110 speak of the triumph of Christ. We find Scripture’s inspiration is the product of a careful search of the mind of mankind and the revelation of God’s Spirit. They knew they would not see the fulfillment of these prophecies but were serving later generations where the message would be preached again by the enlightening presence of the Holy Spirit. Here’s the astounding thing: angels were eager to catch a glimpse of this sacred message God gave to mankind. This should emphasize how incredibly valuable the gospel message is in which we have been entrusted.
Relate it to your life.
God has had a plan in mind for a long time for me to receive this life-saving message.
Do something.
Lord, may I treasure and desire this rich message as much as the angels of heaven long to see it. Amen.
Posted in Daily Devotionals