1 Peter 5 - Shepherding in Suffering

LINK: 1 Peter 5 

BACKGROUND 

Peter was exhorted by Jesus to tend and shepherd His sheep (John 21:15-17), and this is what Peter is doing in this chapter by encouraging the local shepherds in Asia Minor!

He speaks to older men (elders) and younger men in 5:1-5. When he is talking to older men, he is specifically talking to appointed officials who have a shepherding role in the local church (See the posts on 1 Timothy 5 and Titus 2 for more about elders). He encourages the elders to shepherd voluntarily and humbly with no desire to control the flock or to gain financially. The younger men are to humbly submit to their elders. 

He ends the letter with many exhortations for living the Christian life:

1) Humble Yourselves

Pride is the biggest killer in the church, and we must look for it in our own lives. Peter quotes James 4:10 which had been written 13-14 years before this letter. I have already addressed the issue of pride in James 4, but it does not hurt to review:

In this diatribe James gives us a path from proud to lowly by submitting to God, taking a stand against the devil (who exploits the evil desires within by worldly temptations from without), drawing near to God, and confessing, with deep sorrow, your sins (1 John 1:9). This is all part of the process of humbling ourselves before the Lord (Micah 6:8). I had a pastor who used to say, "The way UP is DOWN!" Amen! 

(Since I wrote this post, I contacted that old pastor and had a lovely email exchange. He had quite a humbling experience when he was "let go" from my old church, but God has certainly given grace to him since this happened back in the 90s and blessed his ministry! Praise God!)  

Our best example of humility is Jesus. :)

2) Caste Your Anxieties Upon a Caring God - See Matthew 6:25-34; Romans 8:28-32; Philippians 4:6-7, 19.

3) Be watchful for and resist the devil - Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 22:31; John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; Ephesians 6:10-17 (try to look for parallels between Ephesians 6 and 1 Peter 5).   

He is real, but there is more power in one drop of the shed blood of Jesus Christ than all the power the devil can muster (Luke 10:17-20; Ephesians 1:18-23; 1 John 4:4). Notice how Jesus resisted the devil with the word of God in Matthew 4! If you resist (to set oneself against), he WILL flee (James 4:7). You can depend on our faithful God!

If we suffer at the hands of the enemy, we have the promise that God will perfect (equip, adjust, fit together; Amplified says "complete, make you what you ought to be"), confirm (make stable, set firmly), strengthen, and establish (lay the foundation, make stable) us! 

He ends the letter and mentions Silvanus who probably personally delivered Peter's letter and is the Silas that traveled with Paul on his second missionary journey (Acts 15:40).  The "she who is in Babylon" is probably the church in Rome. Mark is probably John Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, since Paul places him in Rome at that time (Colossians 4:10). 

REFLECTION 

What a great promise that God will perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish us when we have suffered (1 Peter 4:10). I remember quoting that verse over and over as I went down to Southern California to say goodbye to my dad when he was dying and having to face my two older brothers who were loud, outspoken, alcoholics, and doing cocaine! Talk about double suffering! I was so afraid of them, but God was my comfort and strength to where my older brother declared, "Carol, you have been a ROCK through all of this!" With this, I was able to testify of the ROCK inside of me!

APPLICATION 

We have learned a lot about suffering through the book of 1 Peter. The Daily Walk calls it "A Survival Manual for Suffering Saints" stating, "Persecution can cause you to grow or grumble in the Christian life. It all depends on your response"(December 2008, p. 22). I would have to wholeheartedly agree.

So how do you respond to fiery ordeals? Do you allow God to grow you through the suffering? Do you run away? Do you freak out and rely on your own strength to resist?

The Daily Walk states this about the book of 1 Peter:

It presents God's time-tested strategy for holding up rather than folding up, during difficult times.

If you want to get in shape physically, there are some helpful steps you can take: Eat properly, get adequate sleep, take a multivitamin every day. But there is no substitute for exercise -- working against resistance. The same is true in the Christian life. Proper nourishment from the Word is essential, but so too is "exercise" -- in God's strength, facing and conquering trials and difficulties. God, the perfect Coach, knows the perfect "workout" you need to turn an area of weakness into an area of Christlikeness.

Before you go to bed tonight, write out the words of 1 Peter 1:7 [I suggest 5:10 too.]. Tomorrow, let that note remind you that God wants to tone up your faith today -- and trials may well be part of the workout.

Getting into hot water occasionally has a way of keeping us clean. (p.22) 

The way to respond to suffering is to humbly submit to God, resist the enemy with the Word of truth, and just hold on rather than run away! God is on your side coaching you all the way!!!

PRAYER

Lord, help us to rely on Your resources to respond to suffering. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. 

1 Peter 4 - Living for Him in the Midst of Suffering

LINK: 1 Peter 4

BACKGROUND

The "therefore" here refers back to Christ's suffering in 3:18 (the verse I hope you will memorize). 1 Peter 3 is about suffering, in the flesh, according to the will of God. 1 Peter 4 is about living, in the flesh, according to the will of God. We are to suffer in doing what is right (Romans 6 is a great parallel passage for this). 

Can believers truly "cease" from sin? We have died and our life is hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3). We are released, freed, acquitted, and loosed from the power of sin. We are no longer a slave to sin (Romans 6:6). We are freed from the power of sin because we died with Him (Colossians 2:11-12). We have that power, but we do not always make the right choice. Our goal can be to "cease from sin" by striving for a holy life.

The Amplified Bible helps me understand 4:1-2 better: 

So, since Christ suffered in the flesh for us, for you, arm yourselves with the same thought and purpose [patiently to suffer rather than fail to please God]. For whoever has suffered in the flesh [having the mind of Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [has stopped pleasing himself and the world, and pleases God], so that he can no longer spend the rest of his natural life living by [his] human appetites and desires, but [he lives] for what God wills.

The Gentiles might scorn the followers of Jesus for not participating in their desires, but the time will come when they will be judged for their actions here on earth. 

Peter says that God will judge the living and the dead. Then, he says that the gospel has been preached to those who are dead (1 Peter 4:5-6). This could mean those spiritually dead in sin, those who believed but then died before the Second Coming of Christ, those who died without hearing or believing the gospel, or all the dead. 

Did those who missed their opportunity have a second chance after they died? The famous commentator William Barclay interprets the passage this way (The Letters of James and Peter, p.295), but I do not see this view supported by other Scripture (see Hebrews 9:27).

Here is the interpretation from two commentaries:

In verse 6 Peter, in contrast with verse 5, encouraged his readers with the fact that rather than facing judgment for their sins, those who had heard and believed the gospel of Jesus Christ faced an altogether different future. The penalty for their sin has been paid by Christ on the cross. The last earthly effect of sin is physical death. Believers still die physically; they are judged . . . in regard to the body (cf. suffering in this life “in his body,” v. 1). But for Christians physical death does not lead to judgment but to eternal life. They live . . . in regard to the Spirit. Those armed with a Christlike attitude will live forever in God’s presence. (The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Volume 2, p. 853)

We must not interpret 1 Peter 4:6 apart from the context of suffering; otherwise, we will get the idea that there is a second chance for salvation after death. Peter was reminding his readers of the Christians who had been martyred for their faith. They had been falsely judged by men, but now, in the presence of God, they received their true judgment. “Them that are dead” means “them that are now dead” at the time Peter was writing. The Gospel is preached only to the living (1 Peter 1:25) because there is no opportunity for salvation after death (Heb. 9:27).  (The Bible Exposition Commentary: Volume 2, 1 Pe 4:4, p. 420-421)

The remainder of the chapter contains ten exhortations ("ten commandments") to follow before Christ returns. 

(By the way, we will learn more about Christ's return when we do 2 Peter but here are some verses to look at if you want to explore this further: Daniel 12:9-13; Hebrews 1:1-2; Acts 2:16-21; 1 Peter 1:5,20; 2 Peter 3:3; 1 John 2:18; 1 Corinthians 15:22-24.)

The "Ten Commandments" 

1) Be of sound judgment and sober spirit - Do not give way to frenzy in light of persecution and the return of Jesus.  

2) Pray - In your calm and sound state, let prayer be your top priority during persecution. 

3) Keep fervent in your love - "Fervent" was "used to describe the taut muscles of an athlete who strains to win a race" (The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Volume 2, 1 Peter 4:8-9, p. 853). The Amplified Bible says: 

Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others].

4) Be hospitable - "Generous to guests, strangers."  

5) Employ your spiritual gifts - 2 Timothy 1:6, 1 Corinthians 12:1. Many distinguish between speaking gifts and serving gifts here.   

6) Do not be surprised at "fiery" suffering - Accept it! Suffering is normative for the follower of Christ. You could be a "low-maintenance project" for the enemy, but that is not what God wants! The word used for "fiery" is from the root pyroō, "to burn." This may very well have been related to the fact that Nero accused Christians of burning Rome and burned Christians for their faith, using them "as living torches to light the imperial gardens at night" (The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Volume 2, 4:12, p. 854). Perhaps Peter thought they would do this in Asia Minor also. Remember that the fire burns away the dross and makes us shine forth as gold (1:7).  

7) Keep on rejoicing in suffering - We learned about this in James 1? Here is the post if you have forgotten. James 1:2-4 in the Phillips version is an essential passage to memorize! 

8) Do not be ashamed in suffering - But be ashamed if you suffer because you have broken the law or sinned.  

9) Glorify God in suffering - The unbelieving world is watching our witness. Will we react or respond with grace? 

10) Entrust your soul to our faithful God in suffering - This is an accounting term, "A technical meaning is 'to deposit,' 'to entrust,' in the legal sense of leaving an object in another’s keeping, with strict penalties for embezzlement. A transferred sense develops out of the technical use" (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, p. 1179). God would not embezzle - He adds interest in our eternal account because He is faithful! 

REFLECTION 

Those "ten commandments" are very, very convicting. As I have reread and edited some of the old posts for 1 Peter from three years ago, I have been reminded of the "fiery" ordeal of persecution I was going through at the time. I had a person "rake me over the coals" for things I did not say or do and for motives I did not possess. All the time thinking I was ministering and helping that person by listening to heartaches and problems, inviting that person to my home to meet people for ministry, and carrying some of the load so that person could be more effective in ministry. I felt nothing but compassion and love for that person. It was devastating to be so falsely accused!

It took me from June - September to finally work through it going to a prayer retreat for five days where I made the choice to forgive. I thought I had worked through it, but all those old emotions have resurfaced, and I have had to entrust myself to my faithful Creator once again, choosing to forgive, straining to fervently love! It has been painful but good. 

This was three years ago, and I have not had this kind of drama since then. This person has a pattern of persecuting and judging others and then pulling away.  I have heard what that person has said about me behind my back, but it has not usually bothered me until doing this post. Since that was my last time "suffering for doing good," it was good to remember how painful that can be. 

I am not usually around "drama people" like that anymore, but I need to continue to have a soft heart toward them and fervently love from the heart, and "forgive and disregard" offenses.

2015 Update: I am totally free from anything related to the above. It has been five years. I continue to choose not to be around "drama people" anymore. It does not mean that there are not people in my life who are going through very tough things, but they are open to growing, and that makes all the difference in the world. 

2023 Update: Sadly, I have heard reports of this person doing it to other people since she did it to me 13 years ago. It seems to be a pattern. I must remember to pray. But as far as my issue, I have no hurt or pain from it. 

APPLICATION 

Go through the "ten commandments" and pray for an "I will" statement to come out of it.

For a study on suffering and persecution see  Matthew 5:10-12; John 15:18-22; 2 Timothy 3:12; James 1:2-4, 12; 1 Peter 1:6-7; 5:1, 10.

PRAYER

Lord, we entrust ourselves to You. You know our suffering and pain and are there to give us perspective on all of it. Amen. 

1 Peter 3:8-22 - Standing Firm in the Midst of Persecution

LINK: 1 Peter 3  (Memorize 3:18)

BACKGROUND

Peter has been exhorting the persecuted believers of Asia Minor to stand firm in doing what is right. In 3:8-12, he gives a list of specific things a believer should do to show he is walking in love with others. He maintains a positive mindset by telling them that if they do these things, they will have life and see good days (3:10). 

He concludes the chapter by giving instructions for those who suffer for the sake of righteousness. We are to not fear or be troubled but are to sanctify Christ as Lord in our hearts. The Amplified Bible says, "But in your hearts, set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord."  This indicates a focus and trust in Christ in the midst of unjust punishment and persecution. He is in control of our circumstances, and we do not need to fear. 

1 Peter 3:18 is a key verse to memorize. Christ is just. We are unjust (sinners). In order to bring us to God, He died for our sins and rose again so that we might be justified (declared righteous) and have newness of life! This is a very important verse! Read the post on Romans 3 to review the important concept of justification. 

1 Peter 3:19-22 is a tough passage and has many interpretations. I think the best interpretation is one that stays in the context of good behavior amid unjust persecution. Noah is put forth as an example of one who proclaimed God's message to mankind and bore the ridicule of the people. His reward was the salvation of himself and his family who were saved through the waters of the flood. Peter connects this with baptism. Baptism does not remove one's sin (3:21), but like Noah, it symbolizes a break from one's past to a new life. Public baptism would symbolize that clean break and help them resist the temptation to renounce their faith amid persecution.

REFLECTION

"The right response to undeserved suffering results in blessing." 

Warren Wiersbe

I can honestly say I do not mind being challenged for my beliefs by non-believers. I enjoy the dialogue. I grew up in a non-believing family and lived with non-believers all through college. I am really accustomed to it. I have even been discriminated against because of my beliefs (did not get a job because the person before me, who was a believer, did some things that made them say they never wanted a believer in that position again). I have experienced persecution for my faith, and I have experienced the blessings of standing firm in the midst of persecution.

But I can really whine like a martyr when I am treated unjustly. I hate to be misunderstood and falsely accused! The last time I had this happen to me was in June of 2010. I was accused of saying something I did not say. When I attempted to clear up the misunderstanding, I was condemned for how I tried to clear it up and make peace! (Then I was slandered by the person to multiple people.) I did not know how to respond. It was so hard, but I am still growing in how to respond to undeserved condemnation rightly. We are all in process. 

But this kind of persecution is nothing compared to what followers of Jesus go through in countries closed to the gospel!

APPLICATION

How do you respond to those who treat you unjustly or challenge your beliefs?

Pray for the persecuted church by praying through the iCommit Prayer Update.

PRAYER

Lord, help us to "be Jesus" in situations of persecution and unjust treatment. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. 

1 Peter 3:1-7 -- Husbands and Wives

LINK: 1 Peter 3

BACKGROUND 

If a man became a follower of Jesus, his whole family would come into the church (Acts 16:29-33), but if a woman became a believer, she came into the church alone. Roman law gave a husband and father absolute control over their wife and daughter. Peter encouraged women in this situation to let their gentle and quiet spirit and godly behavior win over their non-believing husbands (1 Timothy 2:9-11). 

Here are some Greek word definitions that might help you understand what submission with a "gentle and quiet" disposition looks like:

Submissive (HUPOTASSŌ) - A Greek military term meaning “to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader”. In non-military use, it was “a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden” (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, G5293).

Gentle (PRAÜS) - Meekness toward God is that disposition of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting. In the OT, the meek are those wholly relying on God rather than their own strength to defend them against injustice. Thus, meekness toward evil people means knowing God is permitting the injuries they inflict, that He is using them to purify His elect, and that He will deliver His elect in His time. (Is. 41:17, Lu. 18:1-8) Gentleness or meekness is the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest. It stems from trust in God’s goodness and control over the situation. The gentle person is not occupied with self at all. This is a work of the Holy Spirit, not of the human will. (Gal. 5:23). (Strong's, (G4239)

Quiet (HĒSUCHIOS) - Tranquility arising from within, causing no disturbance to others (1 Tim. 2:2) (Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words: With Topical Index).

Sarah is used as an example of submission. Here are the verses related to her relationship with Abraham: Genesis 12:5, 10-20; 16:1-6; 17:15-21; 18:1-15; 20:1-13; 21:8-12. 

Peter spent more time exhorting the wives in this section because he was dealing with the problems unique to a believing wife with an unbelieving husband. Believing men have many more responsibilities toward their wives (see Ephesians 5:25-33)! Peter exhorted the believing men to live compassionately with their wives and honor them as fellow heirs of grace. Anyone would submit to a man who did that! 

REFLECTION

I did a Bible study on 1 Peter (Precept Upon Precept: 1 Peter) ten years ago, and here were some of the questions, and my answers:

Question: When God tells women to be submissive to husbands even if the husband is disobedient to God's Word, does this mean that a woman is to obey her husband if he tells her to do something that is definitely contrary to God's clear teaching?   

My answer: Absolutely not! We are to submit to God first. We must obey God rather than men (Acts 5:7-42). After this, we are to submit to human institutions if a husband asks his wife to do something illegal, and that law is not against Scripture.  

Question for 1 Peter 3:7: If you were explaining to a man what it means to live with his wife in an understanding way, what specific suggestions would you give him regarding how this verse could be applied in a practical way? 

Answer: Listen to her . . . Understand her emotional ups and downs . . . Help relieve her emotional stress by giving her nights and weekends off.  (I wrote this when my kids were 8 and 5 years old! LOL! And my husband did this regularly!) 

How would you answer these questions?

APPLICATION

If you are married, here are two things to ask yourself when being asked to submit to something your husband might want you to do: 

Does the husband's request conflict with the Word of God? 

Is the stronger command of God to obey the husband or to do what the wife feels Scripture says she should do? 

Here is another excellent Bible study on marriage: Marriage without Regrets. 

2023 Update: Sometimes the "submission" issue can be used as a weapon in a marriage. If you feel like you are being abused, please contact Called to Peace Ministries.

I also heartily recommend watching this very important video called The Emotionally Destructive Marriage:

PRAYER

Lord, give us gentle and quiet spirits so that we might be a witness to all around us of Your ability to allow us to live with peace and without fear. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. 

1 Peter 2:11-25 -- Living Lives that Demand an Explanation

LINK: 1 Peter 2

BACKGROUND

From 2:11-3:7, Peter issued several "command verbs" to suggest ways believers could "declare His praises/proclaim His excellencies" before the world (2:9). He challenged believers to live a life that is different from the world around them by standing against sin, keeping excellent behavior, submitting to governmental authority, and submitting to masters who treated them harshly.

REFLECTION 

Peter's audience lived under harsh authority. This created a natural question: Should Christians obey these authorities? For Peter's original audience that question is even more understandable since the Roman authorities clashed with Christians over the issue of loyalty. Peter's answer was simple: All authority is from God, so we must obey the authorities that are over us. The Lord Jesus himself gave us the perfect example of how to submit to authority. When we reject those over us, we are ultimately rejecting God's hand on our life. When we obey, we affirm the fact that God oversees our life. Your life too is being overseen by authorities that God has put in place. (1 & 2 Peter and Jude Life Application Bible Studies (NIV), p.42) 

I homeschooled my kids, and there are many people in the homeschool movement that believe that they do not need to comply with the laws of their state when it comes to schooling their children. I always go back to what the Bible says in 1 Peter 2:13 and Romans 13. Of course, we should not submit to a government that is asking us to compromise our faith (Acts 5:29), but many laws do not; and when we obey these laws, we are "living good lives among the pagans" who will "see our good deeds and glorify God' (1 Peter 2:12).   

When my kids turned sixteen, I put them under the authority of a school district that paid for all their college tuition for two years. They never went to that high school but went full-time to the local community college. We had to submit to the state rules for public school kids by taking their standardized achievement tests. It did not conflict with my beliefs, so I had no problem submitting to the state statutes! (Although the tests were pretty ridiculous, but that is another story.) 

Many Christian kids have done really well in this state-run program, and it has been a testimony to the administrators of the program!  

I wish believers would get MORE involved with things run by non-believers and even work alongside them! We need to not cloister but get out and be a light to the world! 

APPLICATION 

Do you rebel against authority?
Why should you submit to governing authorities?
Can you make a commitment to submit to authorities? (And only if you do not compromise your beliefs in the process.)
Who are you going to tell about this commitment?

Can you get involved with the community? Sometimes there are regulations involved with federal, state, or locally run programs, but they are a great opportunity to work alongside non-believers!

Here is a great book that addresses this subject called The Externally Focused Church:

Maybe you can spearhead a discussion for your church to get involved with your community! 

2023 Update: Since I wrote this post, my church has gotten involved with the Foster Kid program. It has been a wonderful partnership with the community! 

PRAYER


Lord, work through us so that we might live to honor You and proclaim You to a watching world. Help us to live lives that demand an explanation. We pray this so that the name of Jesus may be lifted high. Amen. 

1 Peter 2:1-10 -- Milk, Living Stones, and Priests

LINK: 1 Peter 2

BACKGROUND

The keywords in this book are suffering and glory. Mark them as you read. 

Peter lists five sins of attitude and speech (Greek words are in parenthesis):

1) Malice (kakian)- desire to cause pain, injury, or distress to another (the New Testament views kakian as destructive of fellowship)

2) Deceit (dolon)- deliberate dishonesty

3) Hypocrisy (hypokriseis) - pretended piety and love

4) Envy (phthonous) - a feeling of displeasure produced by witnessing or hearing of the advantage or prosperity of others

5) Slander (katalalias) - literally "to speak (laleo) against (kata)," defamation

They were "newborn" believers, and they were to put aside these old ways of life and "have a yearning desire for" the Word of God like a newborn baby longs for milk at his feeding time! Just as pure milk helps a baby grow, the Word, helps a new believer grow. The Greek word for "pure milk of the Word" refers to the "rudimentary spiritual teachings." 

In verse four, Peter uses a new metaphor as he describes Jesus as a "living stone rejected by men" that became the "choice . . .cornerstone foundation" (Isaiah 28:16; Psalm 118:22) of the spiritual house in which the persecuted Christians scattered throughout Asia Minor (modern Turkey), were also living stones. Peter here identified Jesus as the "rock" in which He would build His church (Matthew 16:18). The Jews stumbled over this stone because Jesus was not the Messiah they imagined Him to be (Matthew 21:42ff; 1 Corinthians 1:18ff), and they were simply disobedient to the Word. 

Finally, Peter describes the church as a holy and royal priesthood. Jesus is both a King and a Priest (Hebrews 7). Each individual believer can come into the presence of God (Hebrews 4:16; 10:19-25) through the Mediator, Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:1-8). We are chosen by God to declare His praises and bear witness of Him throughout the whole earth (2 Corinthians 5:18-21)!

REFLECTIONS from Great Saints (click on links for their biographies)

"The word is to be desired with appetite as the cause of life, 

to be swallowed in the hearing, 

to be chewed as cud in by rumination with the understanding, 

and to be digested by faith." 

Tertullian 

"The Word of God, rightly used, does not leave a man as it finds him, 

but improves and makes him better . . . [It] is the great instrument whereby [God] discloses and communicates His grace to men. Those who feed upon the sincere milk of the word taste and experience most of His grace." 

Matthew Henry 

(this site also has an online version of his book A Method for Prayer) 

"When Christians are growing in the Word, they are peacemakers, 

not troublemakers, and they promote the unity of the church." 

Warren Wiersbe

When I wrote this blog in 2010, Wiersbe was still alive, and I always wanted to go and see him and thank him for his commentaries! He died in 2019. 

APPLICATION

Pray through 1 Peter 2 sentence-by-sentence allowing God to speak to You so that it goes from Biblical knowledge in your head to your heart and to your actions. Each sentence may cause you to examine your heart, lead you to confession and repentance, worship, petition, or action!  Let God's Word transform You today!

The "rudimentary spiritual teachings" for a young believer (and any believer needing a "back to the basics" spiritual shape-up) are contained in Discipleship Essentials. I am going through it right now with a new believer, and it has been so fantastic! The lessons are very simple, but they are foundational and should be returned to again and again. We did it with our kids in 2010-2011, and it was wonderful. 

2023 Update: I also like a newer resource, The Reservoir, by Renovare. It is a longer-term commitment, but one of the women I discipled is using it with a younger woman she is discipling, and they are enjoying it. You can download the introduction and the first month to try it out! (If the link is ever broken, here is the PDF in my Dropbox.) 

Find two other people and covenant together to grow in your spiritual walk this year by going through one of these books! For the Discipleship Essentials book, I find it takes about 1 1/2 hours to complete the lessons and 1 1/2 hours to discuss the lessons with one to three other people. That is a three-hour investment that will reap eternal dividends! I had one woman from the last cycle of the BBC do it, and she thought it was "too basic," but I encourage you to do it anyway and "beef it up" by springboarding off of it into deeper things. If you think it is "too basic" you might try The Reservoir. I have never led a group through this before. So, I am not sure how long it takes to go through it with others. Individually, each day is about 30 minutes of prayer and meditation.

Another alternative is a simple Discovery Bible Study through the "Discovering Obedienced-Based Discipleship" or the "Commands of Christ" studies. Jesus said to "make disciples of all nations teaching them to observe ALL that I commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20), and these are great studies for that. Obedience, trusted relationships, love, and accountability are the keys to transformative growth as disciples.

Here is a downloadable handout explaining a simple way to facilitate a Discovery Bible Study (and you want all the participants to take turns facilitating it) and the four Scripture lists associated with each study: 

DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY WITH LISTS

Here is an app with the first list and in multiple languages both audio and written:

Discover App

PRAYER

Lord, give us a longing for the pure milk of Your Word. Help us to live up to our holy, royal calling as believer-priests. Give us hearts to declare your praises to a lost world. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. 

1 Peter 1 - Trial Turned to Gold

LINK: 1 Peter 1  

BACKGROUND 

1 Peter

Peter was one of the twelve disciples who was the first to identify Jesus as the Lord Christ who had "words of eternal life" (Matthew 16:16; John 6:66-69; 18:10). Peter was one of the more zealous disciples boldly saying that he would "die for Jesus" (Matthew 26:35).

Yet we know that less than 24 hours after this bold statement, Peter denied Jesus three times just as Jesus predicted (Matthew 26:70-75; John 13:37-38; 18:25-27). For other examples of Peter's unbelief, see Matthew 14:29-30; 16:23; 17:4, and Galatians 2:11-13.

Yet, Jesus did not look at the immediate reality and give up on Peter. He saw what Peter could become. He saw that potential from the first moment he saw Peter when he changed his name from Simon to Peter because Peter means "stone/rock" in Greek (John 1:42; Matthew 16:17-19).  Jesus did not freeze Peter in time but saw his potential in the future.

1 & 2 Peter indicates what Peter had become. He followed Jesus' parting admonition by tending and shepherding the sheep (Acts; John 21:15-25). He definitely lived out his identity name of "rock"! He was even willing to die for His faith. Tradition has it that Peter was crucified upside down. You can read more discussion on that topic HERE.

Peter wrote this letter about A.D. 62-63. He did it to encourage the suffering Jewish Christians driven out of Jerusalem and scattered throughout northern Asia Minor (modern Turkey) to stand fast to witness to a watching world (5:12). The persecutions were probably those under Emperor Nero. This letter was also written to Gentile believers who were probably in these local churches. 

It is believed he wrote it from Rome (referred to as "Babylon" in 1 Peter 5:13. Rome is called Babylon in Revelation 17:5 and 18:10). He encouraged them to stand fast in the grace of God amidst suffering which is referred to fifteen times in this letter. 

BACKGROUND 

1 Peter 1

Peter called the recipients of this letter "strangers" (1:1; 2:11) because they were citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20; Hebrews 11:8-16). He also called them "scattered" (diaspora). This referred to Jews who lived outside of Palestine, but this letter is for both Jew and Gentile believers (1:14, 18; 2:9-10; 4:1-4).  These believers had been chosen according to God's predetermined plan. "To foreknow means 'to set one's love on a person or persons in a personal way" (The Bible Exposition Commentary: Volume 2, 1 Peter 1:2-4, p. 391). 

After his introduction, Peter goes on to encourage them amid their trials, encouraging them to rejoice in them because they have been born again to a living hope that includes the eternal glory of God. The glory of God is "the sum total of all that God is and does" (The Bible Exposition Commentary: Volume 2, 1 Peter  1:2-4, 391).  

This living hope includes an inheritance in glory because we are children of the King (1:4; Romans 8:17-18; Ephesians 1:9-12; John 17:22-24). This inheritance is incorruptible, undefiled, reserved, guaranteed, and eternal. Isn't that exciting???? WOOHOO!

Because of this, we are constantly being "shielded by God's power" (1:5). Shielded is a military term. He is our military guard from the enemy through every persecution!  I love being a "kept" woman if that is what "kept" means! It is not by my strength but His faithfulness that I am constantly kept. We are kept until Jesus returns where this great salvation will be fully revealed. 

Therefore, we can rejoice! The trials of this life will refine us like gold is refined -- making us come forth with a more genuine faith that is prepared for this glory. Regarding the refining process:

No goldsmith would deliberately waste the precious ore. He would put it into the smelting furnace long enough to remove the cheap impurities; then he would pour it out and make from it a beautiful article of, value. It has been said that the Eastern goldsmith kept the metal in the furnace until he could see his face reflected in it. So our Lord keeps us in the furnace of suffering until we reflect the glory and beauty of Jesus Christ.  (The Bible Exposition Commentary: Volume 2, 1 Pe 1:6-7, p. 393)

I LOVE that Peter gives a shout-out to the prophets in 1:10-12. It is a Scarlet Thread of Redemption kind of verse and what the Bible Book Club is all about: seeing that thread of Christ from the Old Testament to the New Testament. The plan of salvation was still a mystery to the Old Testament prophets, but they understood that their Spirit-authored prophecies of Jesus' suffering and glory were for those in a future time who would hear the gospel proclaimed through the Holy Spirit and believe.

What a privilege to be part of this mystery made known. The prophets could only guess, but we do not have to. The gospel is made clear to us. Peter exhorts his recipients to live holy lives in light of Christ's return. He exhorted them to be mentally alert, disciplined, and focused.

He also exhorted them to be holy (1:16; Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2; 20:7, 26), as God is holy since we have been given His divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). We are to walk away from our old life of disobedience and darkness into new lives of light (1 John 1:5)! This means "fearing" (reverencing) God and being serious about saying no to sin and living holy lives (1:17). When the Lord returns, there will be a judgment for our works when we are called to the "Judgment Seat of Christ" (Romans 14:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:9-10). He will judge us to find something good and not condemn us.

Then he reminded them that they had been redeemed with the precious blood of Christ. God's love and forgiveness should give us love for one another. 1 Peter 2 will deal with the specifics of what that love means. 

He closed the chapter by quoting Isaiah 40:6-8. We have been born again through the living and enduring Word of God! We are alive and given the power to change.

REFLECTION

I am writing this post on Memorial Day Weekend Sunday; and for some strange reason, I decided to listen to Handel's Messiah this morning! Most of it is Old Testament prophecy. I was typing this New Testament post and got to 1:10-12, and my heart began to sing. It all lines up so well. Jesus is the "king of glory" who came to save us all (Psalm 24:7-10). Isaiah 53 just played and predicted the suffering of Christ (1:11).  Perfect timing from a perfect God.

This is a good time to plug Handel's Messiah. In December, we will go through all the Scripture in the movements of Handel's Messiah. This is a great review of all that we have learned over the last three years and is also a great Christmas devotional! I have it as a separate book if you want it for Christmas. 

Here it is for download: Messiah Meditations. 

Here it is in blog form: Messiah Meditations Online.

We will spend November doing a review of everything you learned by going through the Jesse Tree which is a great way to teach your children about the Scarlet Thread of Redemption. 

 APPLICATION

When trials come, do you rejoice or react? What is your theology of suffering? Look up James 1:2-4,12 and Romans 5:1-5. Talk to God about this.  

PRAYER

Lord, thank You for trials that purify us. We want them to make us like pure and genuine gold. Amen. 

Put James Back on the Bottom Shelf!

Only seven more books and 51 days left of the Bible Book Club!

James 5 - "Don't Grow Old -- Grow Up!"

LINK: James 5

BACKGROUND 

James gives his final words to the arrogant rich. Money can corrupt and become a cancer from within if it is hoarded. Jesus said we should store up for ourselves riches in heaven where moth and rust cannot destroy (Matthew 6:19-21). Money is not inherently bad, but if you use your workers in the process, you better watch out! Money will be worthless when Christ returns, and we should use our time wisely in collecting the kind of treasure that will last into eternity in the Kingdom of God. Money is not evil but the love of it is (1 Timothy 6:10).

Poor laborers during that time were often thrown in prison or forced to sell all their possessions if they had debts. Sometimes even family members had to be sold into slavery. Some even died of starvation. James called the exploitation of these kinds of people, murder (5:6).

James 5:7 begins with a "therefore, be patient." The "therefore" is directly related to the coming judgment of the hoarding, and exploiting by the rich. Suffering saints were to "patiently endure" until the Second Coming of Jesus when he will right all the wrongs in this world. The world has tribulation (John 16:33; Acts 14:22).  The Greek word for patience in 5:7-8 is makrothumeo, which means to be "long-tempered," and the Greek word for endure in 5:11 is, hupomeno, which means "to remain under."  He uses the example of the farmer, the prophets, and Job when he speaks of patiently enduring. 

James warns against grumbling or blaming others when we are suffering. We should not judge others for their shortcomings because Jesus is the Judge who will evaluate us in the end (Matthew 7:1-5; 25:31-46).  God will make it all work out in the end because He is compassionate and merciful!

James' warning against making an oath seems out of place, but people often make "bargains" with God when they are suffering and under pressure. If you are patiently enduring, there is no need to make bargains or oaths. We just need to be honest, straightforward, and trustworthy through it.

James concludes this wonderful letter with an emphasis on prayer. Prayer and its synonyms are mentioned seven times in eight verses and eight if you count "praise" as part of prayer (5:13-20)! 

Prayer demonstrates active care for other believers and faith in action as we pray for those who are sick and suffering. It is also a means of patiently relying on God through suffering and trials. It is interesting to note that the conservative commentators interpret the anointing with oil by elders as being for spiritual suffering and not for physical sickness. They contend that the Greek words for "healing," iáomai (5:16), "restore," sozo (5:15), and "sick," astheneo (5:14) and kamno (5:15), indicate spiritual healing and restoration of "spiritual weariness" rather than physical sickness, but my dictionaries say it can be either.  

He calls believers to follow the example of suffering, ordinary Elijah who prayed earnestly and persistently in faith for the cessation and resumption of rain (1 Kings 17:1; 18:41-46). Like Elijah, righteous believers, (because of the blood of Christ) can pray in faith and see God answer! "Tremendous power is made available through a good man's earnest prayer" (James 5:16, Phillips). We should also pray for and go after believers who wander from the Word of God.

REFLECTION/APPLICATION from Warren Wiersbe!

This brings us to the end of our study of James. His emphasis has been spiritual maturity. This would be a good time for us to examine our own hearts to see how mature we really are. Here are a few questions to assist you:

1. Am I becoming more and more patient in the testings of life? (Chapter 1) 

2. Do I play with temptation or resist it from the start? (Chapter 1) 

3. Do I find joy in obeying the Word of God, or do I merely study it and learn it? (Chapter 1) 

4. Are there any prejudices that shackle me? (Chapter 2) 

5. Am I able to control my tongue? (Chapter 3) 

6. Am I a peacemaker rather than a troublemaker? Do people come to me for spiritual wisdom? (Chapter 3) 

7. Am I a friend of God or a friend of the world? (Chapter 4) 

8. Do I make plans without considering the will of God? (Chapter 4) 

9. Am I selfish when it comes to money? Am I unfaithful in the paying of my bills? (Chapter 5) 

10. Do I naturally depend on prayer when I find myself in some kind of trouble? (Chapter 5) 

11. Am I the kind of person others seek for prayer support? (Chapter 5)  

12. What is my attitude toward the wandering brother? Do I criticize and gossip, or do I seek to restore him in love? (Chapter 5)  

Don’t just grow old—grow up! (The Bible Exposition Commentary: Volume 2, Jas 5:19, p. 386) 

2023 Update: I have a couple of other tools to evaluate maturity in Christ:

The Critical Journey book

The Critical Journey Summary PDF

The author's website has free tools for evaluating where you are in this journey:

The Spiritual Life Inventory online. 

The Spiritual Life Inventory PDF (This is from my Dropbox in case the link is ever changed)

Life Model Works:

Maturity Skills Assessment  

PRAYER

Lord, I am so convicted to be a persistent prayer warrior for those who are suffering. Please help me do that. Amen. 

James 4 - Draw Near to God

LINK: James 4  (Meditate on and memorize 4:1-4)

BACKGROUND 

James 4 is called a diatribe with worldly believers. A diatribe is a "debate with an assumed opponent" using "the question-and-answer method along with many imperatives (commands)" (Precept Upon Precept: James, p.98). In this diatribe, he talks about the war within, the war with others, and the will of God versus making plans without Him.

The war within consists of our inner sensual lusts and pleasures that lead to war with others. James has already talked about conflict in previous chapters (1:19-20; 3:13-18) and will in the next one too (5:1-6). The Greek word for "pleasure" is hēdonōn. It is where we get the English word, hedonism, which is "the doctrine that pleasure or happiness is the sole or chief good in life." 

The war within leads to war with others. Paul also addressed the issue of conflict in 1 Corinthians 6:1-8; 14:23-40, Galatians 5:15, Ephesians 4:1-16, and Philippians 4:1-3. It was common then, and it is common today. We set our minds and hearts on worldly things. We want more money, more possessions, exalted status, and recognition, even in the church. We will even fight to get these things. By the way, the murder in 4:2 is probably not physical murder but more figurative. The Amplified Bible says, "To hate is to murder as far as your hearts are concerned." 

There are many ways that commentators look at 4:5, but because it follows on the heels of a discussion about worldliness, the best way to read this verse is that "the Holy Spirit, imparted to us by God at conversion, yearns enviously for our total loyalty and devotion to Him" (The Epistle of James: Tests of Living Faith by D. Edmond Hiebert). The Amplified Bible says, "The Spirit Whom He has caused to dwell in us yearns over us and He yearns for the Spirit [to be welcome] with a jealous love." 

We need to abandon our spiritual adultery (4:4; 2 Corinthians 11:2-3; Ezekiel 6:9-10; Hosea 2:19) with the world and be wholly devoted to our one true Husband (Isaiah 54:5)! And our God is a very jealous (in a good way) Husband (4:5) who wants to bless us far beyond anything the world can give with grace upon grace. This continual grace is greater than the enemy within, the power of the enemy, and the world without. 

In this diatribe James gives us a path from proud to lowly by submitting to God, taking a stand against the devil (who exploits the evil desires within by worldly temptations from without), drawing near to God, and confessing, with deep sorrow, your sins (1 John 1:9). This is all part of the process of humbling ourselves before the Lord (Micah 6:8). I had a pastor who used to say, "The way UP is DOWN!" Amen! 

Another "war without" involved condemnation and judgment of other believers (11-12). 

Here, again, we see the wrong use of the tongue. Christians are to speak “the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15); they are not to speak evil in a spirit of rivalry and criticism. If the truth about a brother is harmful, then we should cover it in love and not repeat it (1 Peter 4:8). If he has sinned, we should go to him personally and try to win him back (Matt. 18:15–19; Gal. 6:1–2). 

James was not forbidding us to use discrimination or even to evaluate people. Christians need to have discernment (Phil. 1:9–10), but they must not act like God in passing judgment. We must first examine our own lives, and then try to help others (Matt. 7:1–5). We never know all the facts in a case, and we certainly never know the motives that are at work in men’s hearts. To speak evil of a brother and to judge a brother on the basis of partial evidence and (probably) unkind motives is to sin against him and against God. We are not called to be judges; God is the only Judge. He is patient and understanding; His judgments are just and holy; we can leave the matter with Him. (The Bible Exposition Commentary: Volume 2, Jas 4:11-12, p. 267) 

The Jews were the great traders of the ancient world. James concludes his diatribe by taking aim at their belief that they were in control of their future destiny. James emphasizes that man's future is in God's hands and that all plans must be committed into His hands for safekeeping. God knows what is best for us, even when we do not.  

James concludes the chapter with an exhortation to do good which is really a reiteration of all that he has been saying thus far in this great epistle! 

REFLECTION 

My sophomore year (1979) in college was possibly the worst year of my entire life. I was playing basketball, which was a full-time job in and of itself, carrying a full load as a science undergraduate, struggling with some pretty deep sin issues (war within), and in conflict with someone who I thought was the most important person in my life (war without). Despite being stressed and struggling, I skipped bible study one night. I returned to a handwritten 3 x 5 card in my mailbox:

Draw near to God and

He will draw near to you.

James 4:8

As I read this card in the tiny hallway, with the yellow walls, at the bottom of the stairway of my sorority house, I was immediately convicted. You could say that those eleven words were the turning point in my life. 

And I have not looked back.

Life is a balancing act, but James 4:8 tells us what our ONLY priority needs to be. All other things fall into place after it.

Dr. A.W. Tozer has a profound essay in one of his books, entitled, “Nearness Is Likeness.” The more we are like God, the nearer we are to God. I may be sitting in my living room with my Siamese cat on my lap, and my wife may be twenty feet away in the kitchen; yet I am nearer to my wife than to the cat because the cat is unlike me. We have very little in common. 

God graciously draws near to us when we deal with the sin in our lives that keeps Him at a distance. He will not share us with anyone else; He must have complete control [emphasis mine]. The double-minded Christian can never be close to God. Again, Abraham and Lot come to mind. Abraham “drew near” and talked to God about Sodom (Gen. 18:23ff), while Lot moved into Sodom and lost the blessing of God.  (The Bible Exposition Commentary: Volume 2, Jas 4:8, p. 370) 

APPLICATION 

Draw near to God and

He will draw near to you.

James 4:8

Eleven words that can change your life. 

Do not be afraid. A whole life awaits you.

Perhaps you need to stop whatever you are busy doing today and make God your number one priority by drawing near to Him. Go for a walk with Him and talk! 

PRAYER

1. I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
   And it told Thy love to me;
   But I long to rise in the arms of faith
   And be closer drawn to Thee.
   • Refrain:
     Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
     To the cross where Thou hast died;
     Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
     To Thy precious, bleeding side.
2. Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
   By the pow’r of grace divine;
   Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
   And my will be lost in Thine.
3. Oh, the pure delight of a single hour
   That before Thy throne I spend,
   When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God
   I commune as friend with friend!
4. There are depths of love that I cannot know
   Till I cross the narrow sea;
   There are heights of joy that I may not reach
   Till I rest in peace with Thee.
5. (Frances J. Crosby, pub.1875)