Life Unscripted

Shhh… it’s naptime. And sometimes those sweet little wild-haired cuties that call me Mom have been known to fall asleep while eating.  It’s hard not to giggle, I know.

I’m sorry I’m a day late posting!  I’ve been working on our church website and social media.  Feel free to check it out at www.livingpraisetrenton.com .  It’s still a work in progress.  If you have any web design tips, please hit me up!  🙂

I’m super stoked about sharing with you some great insights and encouragement from the book of 1 Peter this week! I pray that if you’re not already subscribed to my free email updates, that you’ll do so to stay connected by entering your email address into the space provided to your right. It’s free and encouraging! 🙂

I want to share with you today 10 key points I have found through studying, highlighting and praying about chapter one. But before I do that, I want to give you a little brief bio on Peter and an intro to this little book of insight.

Peter was a fisherman when Jesus found him, befriended him and called out to him, “Follow me.” {Matthew 4:18-20}

Do you remember who you were when Jesus found you?

Peter became a right-hand-man to Jesus. You could say they were best friends. He watched in awe and wonder as Jesus performed many miracles throughout his ministry. He suffered greatly for following Jesus and even denied him, but later got his act together and inspired many to follow his Savior. I think we all can take notes from his life.

In chapter 1, Peter writes to God’s chosen people and describes them as being “scattered” throughout many regions. He wishes them grace and peace and goes on to share this living hope they {and we} have through the death, burial & resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Here are 10 things I found so encouraging! Pull out those highlighters!

1. We have a living hope in Jesus Christ! If He hadn’t risen like He said He would on the 3^rd day, we wouldn’t have this living hope! He’s a promise keeper! (vs. 3)
2. We have a protected inheritance waiting for us in Heaven! No one can touch or destroy what God has prepared for us! (vs. 4)
3. Through faith, we are shielded by God’s power! Kay Arthur touched heavily on this one during her live simulcast Friday night. It doesn’t matter what comes our way, we are protected through faith by God’s power! Praise God! (vs. 5)
4. We will have trials and struggles, but this refines our faith and brings glory to God! We can’t escape frustrating situations and unexplainable circumstances we are faced with, but if we maintain the right attitude and remain faithful, God will receive the glory and we may see others around us be encouraged in their journey. (vs. 6-9)
5. Suffering always comes before glory. Jesus suffered tremendously on the cross. Unfortunately, those mere words don’t even do it justice. However, when all was said and done, He was glorified through the Father. One thing is for sure, God’s power and glory was revealed in a mighty way that day! Remember – suffering always comes before glory. (vs. 11)
6. Everything is not about ME. That’s a shocker, isn’t it? So many times we make things all about us. Our successes, our struggles, our pity parties. If we would only grasp this concept like the disciples did, we would make such a greater impact on this world around by allowing the life-changing light of Christ to shine through us. (vs. 12)
7. Be prepared. Have self-control. Be holy & refuse to conform to the evil of this world. I’ve heard all my life we are living in the “last days” and boy do I believe it now. There is so much evil and perversity in this world; it’s scary. We as the body of Christ have got to be prepared. Stay in the Word and be holy. Have self-control and refuse to conform – no matter how hard the big ugly giants stare us coldly in the eyes. (vs. 13-16)
8. This isn’t our home. This world we live in is temporary, praise God! We must live in reverent fear of the Lord as strangers in this world. Remember, as believers we have an inheritance waiting for us in Heaven! This world has nothing in comparison! (vs. 17)
9. We were bought with a price. And it wasn’t cheap. I don’t know many who would willingly lay their life down for people who they knew would reject them. Yet Jesus was in this thing for the long haul and said, “Yet not as I will, but as you will”{Matthew 26:39-42; emphasis mine}. We were bought with a heavy price – every last drop of life and blood our precious Savior had in His body. We ought to live like we are grateful. (vs. 18-21)
10. Love one another deeply – from the heart. We are told many times throughout the bible to love one another. In 1 Corinthians 13 we are reminded of what love is. Love is patient, love is kind.. You can find so much more there if you continue to read along. Then backing up to John 21:15-17, Jesus speaks to his beloved Peter and says “Feed my lambs” and “Take care of my sheep.” Jesus didn’t place limitations on this command. Not to only love when we feel like it or when it’s convenient, or when it is reciprocated. Do you love one another deeply, from the heart?

I don’t know about you today, but I’m encouraged! I’m encouraged to know that we are not alone in this life. There are so many warriors in the faith that have walked this road before us and have left us such precious, golden nuggets of wisdom waiting to be unpacked in the Word of God.

I’d love to hear what God has spoken to you through 1 Peter 1 today! Will you share your thoughts below? Please share with a friend if you enjoy these posts!

Live Life Unscripted,

❤ Brittany