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1 Peter 2:4-5:11<\/strong><\/span> 1 Peter 2 verse 5 is beautiful imagery: \u201cAnd now God is building you, as living stones, into his spiritual temple. What\u2019s more, you are God\u2019s holy priests, who offer the spiritual sacrifices that please him because of Jesus Christ.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0Do you believe that you are a living stone in God\u2019s spiritual temple?\u00a0 Do you believe you are a holy priest of God?\u00a0 If realizing that you are a holy priest of God is something new for you, how might this change how you live your life? <\/span><\/p>\n 1 Peter 2 verse 11 is powerful \u2013 \u201cSo I warn you to keep away from evil desires because they fight against your very souls.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Do you believe evil desires fight against your soul?\u00a0 If so, will you keep away from evil desires?\u00a0 Will you not entertain those desires anymore?<\/span><\/p>\n Verse 24 today about Jesus is so strong \u2013 \u201cHe personally carried away our sins in his own body on the cross so we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. You have been healed by his wounds!\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Are you dead to sin?\u00a0 Are you living for what is right?\u00a0 Do you believe you have been healed by Jesus\u2019 wounds?\u00a0 Will you accept this healing?\u00a0 Will you kneel down at the foot of the cross and be healed?<\/span><\/p>\n 1 Peter 3 verse 13 is definitely something for each of us to consider \u2013 \u201cNow, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good?\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 I think this is very true.\u00a0 If you are \u201ceager\u201d to do good, who will want to harm you?\u00a0 Well, true, maybe someone who becomes jealous or who is just plain having a bad day\u2026 but generally speaking, I think we can avoid a lot of troubles in our life if we stay focused \u2013 no, eager \u2013 to do good.\u00a0 All the time.\u00a0 Are you eager to do good?<\/span><\/p>\n Suffering.\u00a0 Not something we like to think about \u2013 much less experience\u2026\u00a0 1 Peter 4 verses 1 & 2 are well worth letting sink in a bit \u2013 \u201cSo then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you are willing to suffer for Christ, you have decided to stop sinning. And you won\u2019t spend the rest of your life chasing after evil desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Do you believe these verses to be true?\u00a0 Are you ready to suffer for Christ?\u00a0 Have you decided to stop sinning?\u00a0 Are you anxious to do the will of God and abandon chasing evil desires?\u00a0 Do you believe this is the Way?<\/span><\/p>\n In First Peter chapter 5 verse 8 today we receive a stern warning we all must heed: \u201cBe careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Do you believe the Devil prowls around like a roaring lion?\u00a0 Will you take a firm stand against him?\u00a0 How will you do this?\u00a0 Memorizing scripture on a regular basis I believe is one very effective tool in this battle.\u00a0 As is reading and studying the Bible each and every day.\u00a0 I actually was sitting in the waiting room of a doctor\u2019s office recently and I picked up a Christian magazine that had an article on how to fight temptation.\u00a0 This article basically said to \u201cknow thyself\u201d \u2013 know what and where your weaknesses \/ temptations are.\u00a0 Then, after taking this inventory, memorize a scripture verse or two that you can easily bring to mind when you find yourself in one of those times of weakness \/ temptation.\u00a0 And to cling to that scripture verse for all its worth.\u00a0 I haven\u2019t personally tried this yet, but I think I will.\u00a0 I do think that we can cling to scripture like a life preserver in our moments of weakness \/ temptation.\u00a0 Let us not ever forget that on this side of heaven the devil is out there prowling\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video: <\/strong>Today\u2019s readings in First Peter remind me of Phil Wickham\u2019s song \u201cThe Day True Love Died:\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n
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