Monthly ArchivesMay 2020

1 Pet 2:9–10 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 You once were not a people, but now you are God’s people. You were shown no mercy, but now you have received mercy.   One thought:   We are given a very special status amongst humanity, so that we might proclaim His virtues & excellencies.   Three questions:   Compare this passage with Exodus 19:4-6   Consider what you were or would be outside of Christ.   Memorise 2:9     Prayer:   Give thanks that God has ...

1 Pet 2:7–8 2:7 So you who believe see his value, but for those who do not believe, the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, 8 and a stumbling-stone and a rock to trip over. They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.   One thought:   There are many hard truths in life. These realities can either be denied, avoided or accepted.   Three questions:   See God’s sovereignty and human responsibility – humans reject Christ by not believing, but this was also their destiny.   How do you feel about this hard truth?     Pray that God would help you to see His goodness and righteousness in mercy & ...

1 Pet 2:4–6 2:4 So as you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight, 5 you yourselves, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood and to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it says in scripture, “Look, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and whoever believes in him will never be put to shame.” One thought: Christ has a purpose, to be the cornerstone. We too, have a purpose. We are God’s and He is building us into His temple – that we might offer spiritual sacrifices that glorify Him.   ...

1 Pet 2:2–3 2:2 And yearn like newborn infants for pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up to salvation, 3 if you have experienced the Lord’s kindness. One thought:   We crave so many things that are unhelpful or unhealthy – we need God’s help to crave what will help us grow Three questions:   What is spiritual milk (consider the context 1:23-25)?   Do you feel you need to grow? Or are you just happy where you are?   Set a goal to spend 10 minutes each day doing devotions Prayer:   Give thanks that God is good and that we have tasted His goodness. Give thanks that God feeds His children with what they ...

1 Pet 2:1 2:1 So get rid of all evil and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. One thought:   This list appears connected to the command to love in (1:22) – sincere love is a love without strings attached “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,” (1.22) Three questions:   Pick one of the items in this verse – what does that look like in your life?   Who do you envy? Why?   How could you rid yourself of these things? Why not tell one person to pray for you in one of these areas. Prayer:   Give thanks that we ...

1 Pet 2:1–10 2:1 So get rid of all evil and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 And yearn like newborn infants for pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up to salvation, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. 4 So as you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight, 5 you yourselves, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood and to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it says in scripture, “Look, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and ...

Psalm 4 4:1 For the music director, to be accompanied by stringed instruments; a psalm of David. When I call out, answer me,O God who vindicates me! Though I am hemmed in, you will lead me into a wide, open place. Have mercy on me and respond to my prayer! 2 You men, how long will you try to turn my honor into shame? How long will you love what is worthless and search for what is deceptive? (Selah) 3 Realize that the Lord shows the godly special favor; the Lord responds when I cry out to him. 4 Tremble with fear and do not sin! Meditate as you lie in bed, and repent of your ways! (Selah) 5 Offer ...

1 Pet 1:23–25 1:23 You have been born anew, not from perishable but from imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For all flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of the grass; the grass withers and the flower falls off, 25 but the word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the word that was proclaimed to you. One thought:   One thing that bothers me about backyard gardens is how short the lifespan of a plant is. How good that we are born of imperishable seed and our fertilizer is the eternal word of God. Three questions:   Consider the greatest achievements of your life. How long will they ...