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Peter & John — 1 Peter 4:7-11

16 Jan

1 Peter 4:7-11 NIV
[7] The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. [8] Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. [9] Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. [10] Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. [11] If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Dear God, it’s interesting that Peter and Paul were under the impression that you would be returning at any minute. I suppose that created quite a sense of urgency for them.

I wonder how my life would change if I felt that same sense of urgency. What would it look like if I were able to make some of my decisions as if I’m in this earthly life for the long hall and but still had this overriding drive telling me you could be returning at any moment? Would my job be the same, but interactions with others be different? Would I actually make a lot of mistakes because I would lose my patience with how slowly your plan can unfold sometimes? As I think about it, one of the things you’ve really taught me over the last few years is to wait on you. I can see where the overriding thought that you could return at any moment would actually nudge me into doing some damage.

Father, as always, help me to hear your voice and follow your leading at any given time. Love through me. Encourage and inspire through me. And also encourage me along the way, although it feels silly to ask you that last one because you’ve encouraged me several times over the last year (and always). So thank you for that too. I really am grateful and try not to take you for granted.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 16, 2019 in 1 Peter, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — 1 Peter 4:1-6

15 Jan

1 Peter 4:1-6 NIV
[1] Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. [2] As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. [3] For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. [4] They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. [5] But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. [6] For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

Dear God, I had a great compliment the other day. A young coworker told me that my wife and I are “goals.”

“What does ‘goals’ mean?” I replied.

She said, “You’re the kind of people we want to be like.”

I have to confess, I never imagined anyone would see us that way. Now, in her case, I think she sees a financially middle class life that she would love to have, but I also think she sees stability and peace. And while I don’t go around beating people over the head with the Bible, I do think that everyone knows how important following you is to me. I hope that at some point she will connect the dots of the parts of my life that she appreciates to the idea of submitting myself to you.

Lest I get too haughty, there are still plenty of areas where you are still refining my heart. I get that. So please help me to be aware of those areas of my life that still grieve you and help me to willingly purge them. Help me to make it clear to those around me that the decision to follow you is the core of who I am and that your grace and love can set them free.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 15, 2019 in 1 Peter, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — 1 Peter 3:8-22

14 Jan

1 Peter 3:8-22 NIV
[8] Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. [9] Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. [10] For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. [11] They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. [12] For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” [13] Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? [14] But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats ; do not be frightened.” [15] But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, [16] keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. [17] For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. [18] For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. [19] After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— [20] to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, [21] and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, [22] who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

Dear God, there’s a lot here, and maybe I should have broken it into a couple of pieces, but I couldn’t find a good separation point. It all flowed together pretty well.

I guess what struck me about Peter as I read all of this is that Jesus was his personal, real life example. Jesus taught him personally to love Gentiles. Jesus taught him to do good in the face of evil. And Jesus taught him all of the things he asks us to do here.

So now, Peter is teaching us, but it’s important for us to teach others. We become the part of the fire that is asked to pass on the spark to another: “[15b] Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, [16] keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”

Father, I told my wife yesterday that I am feeling convicted that I let too many of these opportunities pass me by. Whether it’s with friends, family, coworkers, clients, or a stranger whom I can tell is in pain, I am often too timid to teach. So help me to remember to do this when you present me the opportunity and help me to do it with gentleness and respect. I don’t want to push anyone away from you because I am an arrogant fool. I just want to offer them a peace that they won’t understand until they have embraced your mercy and forgiveness.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 14, 2019 in 1 Peter, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — 1 Peter 3:1-7

13 Jan

1 Peter 3:1-7 NIV
[1] Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, [2] when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. [3] Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. [4] Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. [5] For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, [6] like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. [7] Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

Dear God, oh boy! Now we get to deal with Peter the misogynist. I’m being sarcastic, but that is the first thing some people will see when they read these passages. It’s hard to remember context when you read stuff that was written 2,000 years ago. Heck, it’s hard to remember context for things written five years ago. A lot changes over time, and a lot has changed over the last few years.

I was watching some old Saturday Night Live sketches a few months ago, and when I say old I mean that they were from about eight years ago. The jokes they were making about men and women, sexual harassment, etc. would not be aired today—not even by SNL (South Park, maybe). They would be deemed inappropriate.

Then you go back 40 years. I’ll watch movies like “Smokey and the Bandit” and “Convoy” and consider how they treat law enforcement with such irreverence. I wonder if those movies, especially “Smokey and the Bandit” would be made in the same way today. How much of the script would be changed?

Of course, you can go back 150 years to The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and consider the language Mark Twain used to refer to black people. Of course, his publisher would never allow that now. Published for the first time in 2019, the book would have to be severely edited.

On the one hand, it is good that all of these things have morphed over time. We are growing as a society and as humans. We are recognizing the prejudices that have been baked into us as we grew. On the other hand, I think all of these pieces of art and recordings of our history help us to see where we used to be and how far we have come. One of the things I love about the #metoo movement is that Hollywood has taken its eyes off of judging a lot of society for things of which it disapproves and they have turned it back on themselves. We are all growing.

So I say all of that, probably unnecessarily, to point out that this is Peter (and Paul did it too) moving the ball forward. This is Peter telling women that they have power and influence that is beyond their sexuality. He might not have totally gotten it and been “lit” on this issue, but he was certainly pushing the boundaries of a cultural norm of the time. And then he turned it on the husbands. He tells them that their treatment of their wife will impact their relationship with you (“…so that nothing will hinder your prayers.”). No, Peter is not “lit,” but anyone judging him for that probably doesn’t realize how “unlit” they themselves are.

Father, give me a mind that is open enough for the Holy Spirit to give me your thoughts. Be glorified in my words and my actions. Help me to see your truth beyond the millennia of lies that have been baked into my training. And help me to be the man my wife needs me to be. No, better said, help me to be the man that you need me to be for my wife. And help her to be what you need for me. Teach me through her and teach her through me. Do this all so that you might use us in your world for your maximum glory and the benefit of others.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 13, 2019 in 1 Peter, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — 1 Peter 2:13-25

13 Jan

1 Peter 2:13-25 NIV
[13] Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, [14] or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. [15] For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. [16] Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. [17] Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. [18] Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. [19] For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. [20] But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. [21] To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. [22] “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” [23] When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. [24] “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” [25] For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Dear God, there are a lot of parts to this, and I almost took them apart and did one section at a time, but I think they are interwoven. I saw the first part about submitting to earthly authorities and I thought, ultimately, about Jesus and asked myself whether or not he submitted to the earthly authorities by going against what the church leaders were saying throughout his life. What about Peter himself, the author of these words? Didn’t he get himself imprisoned and killed?

But then I found verse 20, kind of tucked away in the middle of this passage: “But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.” I think there might be times when we will have to follow our conscience and suffer at the hands of those in authority over us, but if we do it because we are following you then it’s okay. I think maybe the submission part is us submitting to the earthly consequences of our actions. Jesus submitted to being beaten and crucified. Paul submitted to being imprisoned. Peter was beaten and jailed several times and ultimately killed, but he submitted to it.

We are coming up on the day we observe Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday in about 10 days. He and a lot of other people like him certainly walked this road, before MLK, with MLK, and after MLK. He didn’t raise up a physical revolution, but he did force the authority in his life to deal with them and their positions. I guess it’s not fair to say, “he,” because he certainly wasn’t alone. But you certainly imparted a leadership gifting upon him that helped to change a lot of things.

So where does all of this leave me and lead me? I tend to keep myself on fairly safe political ground even thought I have some strong political feelings. Part of it—okay, a lot of it—is a defense mechanism because I know that I have to raise money from people of all political persuasions and I don’t want my political opinions to jeopardize the work that we do. I also do it because my thoughts are not completely formed. I haven’t taken the time to educate myself and research the issues from trusted sources (not just the media on either side) so I don’t want to be wrong. I don’t know. Maybe I’m getting off on a tangent here.

Father, I guess I can cut this line off by just saying that I need to you guide me into my role in the world around me. I need you to let me know what to do, what to say, and what to think. I need you to let me know who needs my energy and my love. I need your grace over me for my failings. I need your grace to flow through me so that others might be drawn to you, to freedom, and to wholeness.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 13, 2019 in 1 Peter, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — 1 Peter 2:11-12

09 Jan

1 Peter 2:11-12 NIV
[11] Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. [12] Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

Dear God, I absolutely believe in choosing to abstain from sinful desires, but I also think it’s important to admit when we’ve failed. As I get ready to speak to a group of men this weekend, the thing that keeps coming to me is that I don’t want to come off as holy and perfect. I don’t want to be impressive. I want at least some of them to find something from the struggles through which you have brought me that will speak to them and give them hope in you.

It’s always interesting to try to find that line. One of the interesting things about my job is that I end up being publicly recognized for doing good works. And I get too much of the credit for the hard work of my coworkers. I don’t know how much of an effective example for you I can be in that light. Yes, I can use my position to encourage others in how much they serve the community, but my best moment with a donor last year was when they came for a tour and our conversation turned to our struggles as parents.

Father, you make me strong through my weaknesses. Of course, none of that would be possible with Jesus’ love and redemption. Without that I am nowhere. But I have your grace and that helps me to deal with my weaknesses and sins honestly and then use them to help draw others to you. Help me to do that, both this weekend at the retreat and every day.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 9, 2019 in 1 Peter, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — 1 Peter 2:4-10

07 Jan

1 Peter 2:4-10 NIV
[4] As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— [5] you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. [6] For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” [7] Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” [8] and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for. [9] But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. [10] Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Dear God, what I see Peter emphasizing to the new Christians and early church in this passage is the importance of community and coming together to build a church—with Jesus as the cornerstone. They weren’t to do it alone. They needed each other to grow closer to you and then be salt to the world.

I visited a new church plant yesterday. At one point the pastor said that their emphasis is going to be Jesus, Bible, and then Community. He has a couple of graphics on each corner of the stage that he said will remain there. He mentioned that they would try to avoid the organizational traps of becoming inward focused and thinking more about their programs that about the people within and outside of the church. Yes, I thought, that is good. Of course, it will be hard, but it is good.

I currently am responsible for an organization that gets bigger and bigger, but one of the things I have to ask myself is, do we do more and more? Are we helping more and more people or are we just growing in inefficient areas. I think churches and all groups can struggle with this concept and trap. I know the pastor from yesterday wants to avoid it and I do as well.

Father, help me to keep Jesus as our cornerstone at work and as the cornerstone for my individual life. Help me to be a voice within my church that will help others to make Jesus our cornerstone there as well.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 7, 2019 in 1 Peter, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — 1 Peter 2:1-3

06 Jan

1So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. 2 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, 3 now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.

Dear God, I know someone who was recently baptized as an adult. I know she grew up in a Christian home where her parents did a lot of Bible lessons with her and through middle school she went to church, but I don’t know how much of that initial spiritual nourishment remained after her years of wandering away and trying to figure out her faith for herself. I know she examined other religions and toyed with the idea of not being “religious” at all, but ultimately she came back. Not to the faith of her parents, but a faith that seems to be her own. It’s not necessarily different than her parents’ faith, but it is not because of her parents that she has this faith. That’s a very good thing.

At the same time, my prayer for her is that she will crave pure spiritual milk. My prayer is that the Holy Spirit will help mold her into the woman you want her to be and that, ultimately, she wants to be. It starts, I believe, with her being baptized in the Holy Spirit—having that pivotal experience of being truly transformed in you. It was eight years between my water baptism and what I consider to be the point in my life when the Holy Spirit changed me. For those who have deep spiritual walks, I think there is usually some sort of a lag. And maybe that lag can be that the Holy Spirit baptism happens before the water one. But I learned long ago that water baptism and baptism in the Holy Spirit is not the same. And I’m not talking about speaking in tongues or anything like that. I’m talking about a time of revelation and experience in relationship that is beyond description and lifechanging.

Father, I pray for this friend that she would know how to be nourished—both with milk and then how to move on to solid food. Put people around her who will be your voice and guidance. Direct her on her path. And direct me on my path as I continue to explore what I still don’t understand about you and your nature. In no way do I think I am where I need to be in my understanding of you or in my interactions with the world around me. Give me this day my daily bread.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 6, 2019 in 1 Peter, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — 1 Peter 1:22-25

04 Jan

1 Peter 1:22-25 NIV
[22] Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. [23] For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. [24] For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, [25] but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.

Dear God, so it seems that Peter’s message to the Gentiles church so far is to appreciate their faith in what they didn’t see with their own eyes, encourage them to take their grace and use it to live holy lives, and now, with this passage, to love others richly.

Yes, if I were him and I wanted to get a message out to Gentiles new to Jewish/Christian faith I can see where those would have been my leadoff messages. So what does it mean to love one another deeply from the heart and how am I doing?

I suppose loving others deeply from the heart means to first consider others with empathy and to not just extend kindness, mercy or live for selfish gain. For example, I have a staff member who go injured this week while she was at home. She is fairly new to our staff and this is going to require us to work around her a little. I think it has really pleased her to see that our style is to do what we need to do to ensure that she is cared for first and then figure out how to have as little impact on our clients as possible. I have another staff person who experienced some trauma over the Christmas break. I’ve spent some time with her this week to try to help get her some access to counseling. Not because it benefits our organization, but because I care about her and it’s what she needs.

Okay, so those are the good examples. What about when I fail others? I would really like to improve in the area of taking my personal time to reach out and bless others. I tend to be pretty protective of my time outside of work even though I end up wasting a lot of it watching TV or whatever. My wife and I have also talked about the need to improve our hospitality.

Father, help me to love others deeply and from the heart. Touch them through me and touch me through them. Help me to experience all of this growth so that I might descend deeper into your presence and that my heart might grow closer to yours.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 4, 2019 in 1 Peter, Peter and John

 

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Peter & John — 1 Peter 1:13-21

03 Jan

1 Peter 1:13-21 NIV
[13] Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. [14] As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. [15] But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; [16] for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” [17] Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. [18] For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, [19] but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. [20] He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. [21] Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

Dear God, Peter seems to be emphasizing the fresh start we can get through Jesus’ grace and how we should move forward in holiness as much as possible. Accepting his grace is our reset button, but we have to do our kart if we are going to live transformed lives from that point on.

As I sit here on January 3, it kind of makes me think of New Year’s resolutions. We get in our heads what we resolve to do for the new year and more often than not (much more often than not) we fail after a short period of time. In this case, we resolve to be holy, but do we count the cost? Do we play the tape to the end and really think through what our resolution to be holy will cost us in terms of actions and denying ourselves?

Father, as I resolve to be holy, help me to assess what that will mean in terms of the media I consume, the ways in which I judge others, and the love I am called to show. Help me to also dedicate myself to the worship of you that you deserve from me. It’s easy to say that I will be holy, but it’s another thing to resolve to think through what that means and then submit myself to that process.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 3, 2019 in 1 Peter, Peter and John

 

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