2 Peter 1 - 2.11.25

SCRIPTURE:  2 PETER 1:3, 5-8

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

OBSERVATION

This scripture brings about the building blocks for the Christian life. It all begins with becoming a believer in Christ, and through God’s power, we have everything we need to live a godly life. From that point, we can take each topic listed in verse 5 – 7 to grow closer in the Lord and live our Christian life to the fullest – as He intended.

APPLICATION

First of all, as a believer, verse 3 is such an encouragement. Read it over a few times and let each word sink in. If you’re feeling defeated or discouraged, verse 3 says we have everything we need to live a godly life and it’s given to us through God’s power.  Take ownership of what He’s given to you!

Living the Christian life, according to God’s plan, is a step-by-step process. It begins with our step in faith to recognize our sin and separation from God. We can then see the need for his forgiveness and accept Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Once we ask Him into our life, we can then repent from our old life and begin His glorious plan for our life. Some people think that’s it for the Christian life. Well, if we want to be effective and productive in our Christian life, we can take our faith into practicing goodness, gaining knowledge through His Word, which then brings about more self-control, and grows into perseverance. Through all of these steps, we can live a godly life that will easily bring mutual affection and ultimately love for those around us.

There’s one caveat in verse 8 - all of these steps need to “increase in measure” through your life if you truly want to be effective and productive. Bottom line: we must be growing in our faith and all that is mentioned in verses 5 - 7. Take comfort in knowing you don’t have to acquire all of these things at once but it’s a day-by-day, step-by-step process with steady increase throughout your life. If you’re feeling like you’re not growing and moving in these steps, it’s time to do a re-set and start moving into growth in the Lord. Thankfully God’s door is always open and you can do this at any time, any day. Today is a great day to reignite your growth!

PRAYER

Lord, you are such a loving and gracious God. You have given us everything we need to live the life you’ve given to us. You’ve given us the power to achieve it all. Help me, Lord, to live each day in the steps you’ve provided, to live in victory through your power and to grow in You. In Jesus name! Amen.

- Mary Oberg

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