Monday, March 18, 2024

1 Thessalonians 1:1-5

Summary: Paul is back. He has very fond experiences with the people in the church in Thessalonica, that they had such effort towards the work of the church and accepted the gospel so readily. 

Response: I'm not nearly to the point that I remember offhand which Pauline letter goes to which kind of church or what topics will get covered. And if this book is speaking to one that didn't question much and got to work fairly early, this might be good for me to hear. Lord, help me listen for You in this letter. Help it to change me for the better. 

Thursday, February 29, 2024

1 Peter 5:5-14

Summary: Peter finishes up, adding one last submission (young church workers, to their elders) and one more hope of suffering (after a little while, God will Himself take care of you). And he sends greetings from one church to another, and he's out. 

Response: Submission, suffering, grace. It's what I hear over and over again in this letter. Lord, help me to submit to the authorities You have chosen to be in my life. Help me to accept suffering with joy. And help me to see and accept Your blessings for me. Help me to be part of Your Church. 

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

1 Peter 5:1-4

Summary: Summarizing himself (that: we have been chosen for God's work, that that work often looks like submitting to those around us, and that any suffering that may come will ultimately bring God glory), Peter then applies his thoughts to church leaders. He tells them to act towards those who follow them like a shepherd would with his flock: not as just a paid duty or as a lavish position of influence, but instead as a kind and helping exemplar of the faith. Peter says that this will lead to true glory, just not in this world. 

Response: I am certainly guilty of wanting those two in any amount. Lord, help me to care for those You would have me disciple. Let me see how to help, but first slow me down enough to see. 

Monday, February 26, 2024

1 Peter 4:16-19

Summary: Peter gives another reason for Christians to be okay with suffering: judgement is coming, and if it's this bad for us, think of how it will be for those who don't know Jesus!

Response: I'm trying very hard for it to be anything other than "yeah, make 'em suffer!" Mostly because that's terrible. I could treat it as knowing that is an option for others and working diligently for them to avoid that fate, but showing others cruelty to placate "fairness" doesn't sit well with me. 

Lord, help me to understand this passage. Help me to see those I need to bring You to, and help my heart break for the consequences of their choices. 

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

1 Peter 4:12-15

Summary: Peter again encourages believers who suffer for their faith: to expect it, to rejoice in it, to count it as a blessing, and not to do crimes to get it. 

Response: Suffering for doing good, and suffering for doing evil... Sounds like Peter just expects suffering to happen in this life. And I can take that for myself, it's when it affects my spouse or kids that I have a hard time giving in. 

Lord, You planned out this life. What I see as suffering is just another paint in your palette. Help me to trust in You. 

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

1 Peter 4:7-11

Summary: Since Christ's return is so near, Peter reasons, we should be nice to each other. The body of the church should function well together. 

Response: There's a bit more to it than "be nice," but not by much. It's a "do this" paragraph, which I like a whole lot better than "don't do this" paragraphs, until I have to do them.

Lord, supply Your strength when I serve. I can't do it alone. 

Monday, February 19, 2024

1 Peter 4:1-6

Summary: Peter talks to those who have suffered for their faith, noting their new resolve: they don't feel a need to go along with the frivolous actions of worldly people. Instead, these people, who are dead as far as the world concerns, can go on and live on God's terms. 

Response: Have I suffered for my faith? I'm a white protestant male in America. There is no blatant persecution here. (There just isn't, you can give that up.) I might overwork myself on church stuff sometimes, but it's not really suffering. 

I'm not sure I should ask to suffer. I don't want my family to be collateral, after all. But I do desire to be dead to the world, not dead to God. And sometimes I feel pushed that way. 

So, Lord, I'm going to try to be open to suffering in Your name. Help me to trust in you regardless of consequences.