1 Peter 5 - 2.8.25

Scripture

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1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬-‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

Observation

Peter is encouraging the church with words that would help them remain faithful to Jesus, because they were experiencing persecution. (Reference: 1 Peter intro in the Bible app)

First, Peter writes to the elders of church, then to the flock about how to be humble and submissive towards each other and to God.

Lastly, he speaks about the devil’s tactics and that the church needs to continue standing firm in the faith. Also, he encourages them that they are not alone in their suffering. He describes their suffering as just for “a little while” and that God would eventually restore them. (Vs. 10)

Application

Remain steadfast in the faith.

Have you ever felt like you were the only person going through something? Whether it be loneliness, grief, loss, misunderstanding, temptations, hurt, trials, struggles, etc. The Bible says we are not alone. Believers all over the world are undergoing the same sufferings we as Christ followers are.

“We also take comfort in knowing that we are never alone in our spiritual warfare. Our brothers and sisters in Jesus have fought, and are fighting, the same battles.” (David Guzik, enduringword.com)

The devil likes to keep us isolated through difficult times, but the more we focus on others and serve others, the more full our lives in Christ becomes!

Stand firm in the faith through prayer, fasting, His Word, worship and being involved with our church community!

Prayer

Dear Lord,

Thank You that we have a hope, a purpose and a future because of You! Thank You that grief, suffering, trials and temptation are nothing new to You, because You have experienced it and overcame it! Thank You for the words of wisdom from Your Word and the people of the early church who can help us persevere through anything the world throws at us. I pray that our faith would prove to be genuine through our trials. I pray that we would remain steadfast in You. I pray for all my brothers and sisters in the faith who go through the same trials and suffering. May we continue to live as foreigners on this earth as we await our permanent inheritance and home in Heaven with You. Amen.

-Michelle Gaddi

1 Peter 2 - 2.7.25

SOAP: ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭

Scripture: “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. 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.” ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭9‬-‭10‬

‭‭Observation:

Peter gives 4 descriptions of who we are:

• Chosen people

• Royal priesthood 

• Holy nation

• God’s special possession

Looking at them, I love how they progress in depth. Also, each position has a descriptive adjective adding to the meaning. 

First, out of all the people on earth He chose us. When I need to choose something I don’t grab the first thing I see, but carefully decide what is best.  We need to walk in the knowledge that we are chosen, picked out for something better. 

Then, we are a royal priesthood. The word royal implies we are serving the king. The priests were set apart for special service in the temple. They offered the sacrifices. Being royal is a greater honor. People who are royal walk differently. More is expected of them. 

Next, a holy nation. A nation is a group of people united with common bonds, location, government, and purpose. We are “holy” because of Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross for us. He is our Head, the cornerstone as mentioned in the previous verse.  We are not on this journey alone. 

Lastly, Peter says we are God’s special possession. We are bought with the ultimate price. We are special to God, treasured by Him above all else. People have possessions they treasure. There have been so many stories lately of the one thing people saved or mourn that they lost  in the fire. We are God’s one thing. 

Application:

We are all of the above “that you may declare …”

I want to walk as a person who truly believes and walks out all I am to God. 

Focusing on that will have a huge impact on how I view myself and others. Then, my actions will be more purposeful. 

God called me out of darkness into His wonderful light. There’s another adjective, one that means joy-bringing, delightful, beyond good.  How can I not share His goodness with others?

I want to be grateful for the mercy I have received and be God’s vessel to share that mercy with others. 

Prayer:

Father God, Thank you for choosing me. I do not deserve it, but your love saw something in me and you give me purpose.  Jesus, thank you for dying for me. What a concept you were the sacrificial lamb, rose again, and now are our High Priest. What a testimony of the change God brings. Nothing is impossible. Holy Spirit, thank you for living in me reminding me of the truths of God, showing me the way to go, and speaking to me how to pray and speak. 

Lord, I surrender to you. Please help me remember who I am, chosen, holy, royal, and special so that I may declare all you speak to me to a world who needs to hear how you love them. 

Amen

-Cindy Howard

1 Peter 1 - 02.06.25

SCRIPTURE: 1 Peter 1:6-7 NIV

“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 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.”

OBSERVATION:

Scripture reminds us that we are ALL going to face Trials—of many kinds. It’s a fact, it’s inevitable, and it is part and parcel of the Christian Walk. So in full disclosure, at 44 years in as a Believer, I’m not sure why I find myself caught off guard when a Season of Trial comes.

Peter, James and Paul each addressed Trials in their letters to the Churches as a “when” not “if””.

More important, each called on believers to Rejoice IN Trials. This is because Trials are never in Vain. They have a specific purpose—To TEST and GROW our FAITH to the glory of Jesus.

The imagery here is that of gold being refined in the Flaming Fires of the Smelting Furnace.

Are you still with me???

As the gold melts the impurities rise to the surface where they are carefully removed. The goldsmith then applies MORE heat and repeats the process multiple times. Each round of heat brings more impurities to the surface AND each time the impurities are carefully removed—until Finally the gold is tested PURE [the genuineness of our Faith].

When the goldsmith can clearly SEE His Image mirrored in the surface of the melted liquid, he knows the gold is PURE.

“So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” (2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT)

APPLICATION

Test my Faith for Your glory, Lord.

“Examine me, Lord, and put me to the test; Refine my mind and my heart.”

(Psalm 26:2 NASB2020)

No one likes to go through a season of trials and testing. But understanding God’s divine purpose to purify us, grow our Faith and prepare us for eternity gives me greater courage to say to Jesus,

“Examine me, Test me, Refine my mind and my heart”. No matter these present circumstances, I don’t desire for them to be lifted one moment sooner than God has completed His perfect purpose. Today as I am writing this, God has already revealed something to me about the words of my mouth (dross that has risen to the surface and surely needs to be removed). Thank You Jesus for your new mercies every morning, I desire that the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart are pleasing to Him.

Jesus IS the Author of our Faith. How does He author our Faith? HE continually writes New chapters on our heart through ongoing trials and tests. Every test tells a story of our endurance being developed and our faith being strengthened. The More our endurance is developed and our Faith is strengthened, the More we are a reflection of His glory and bring Him Praise and Honor.

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for GREAT JOY. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it GROW, for when your endurance is FULLY developed, you will be MATURE and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)

PRAYER

LORD Jesus,

Thank You that You Love us SO much that You Refine our faith. And not just once. You give us many opportunities to be made mature. Thank You that IN the process, You never leave us alone. Just like with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, YOU are IN the Fire WITH us. Thank YOU that though there is always a Season of testing— a time of refreshing follows. YOU are a Good Good Father. Faithful in ALL YOUR Ways. Keep my eyes heavenward and on the eternal. Thank You for such a godly and faithful church family who stands by my side with constant encouragement. What an honor to come together and pray for each other and see prayers being answered. The earnest prayers of a righteous person has Great Power and Wonderful results. Here I am Lord, [melt me, mold me, fill me, use me] Send me.

In Jesus Name, amen.

Tina L Kudelka