Fire and Gold

Take some time and pray, just for a few minutes. Ask God to reveal himself to you through His Word. Open your hearts to what God wants to say to you

1 Peter 5:22-25 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for

“All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.”

And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

Let's talk about gold, gold is one of the most expensive materials on the planet. But gold is not pure in its natural state. It needs to be purified... Through fire. When gold is heated to extreme temperatures it melts and the impurities float to the top. The that impure stuff is skimmed off the top. I'm sure all of us have been burned at least once in our lives. Fire is really hot and getting burnt really hurts!

Jeff talked last week about how the Word of God is like a scalpel. I'm sure we've all had some kind of surgery or have been cut before, getting cut hurts! But surgery helps us heal and fixes our bodies. Being cut by a sharp knife is necessary to our bodies for healing sometimes.

Being pure is going to require heat and cutting. We can't live our lives wanting to be pure while wanting to hold on to the impure things in our lives. In order for us to be pure we need to let God apply heat to our lives and cut us. Becoming pure will hurt. It will require us to allow God to take control of our lives. God will decide cut off. It may be painful, but gold is purified by fire and bodies are fixed through surgery. Our spiritual bodies need surgery too.

Verse 22 "Having purified your souls by your obedience" purification requires obedience to God. To let Him control your life. To trust Him as he holds the flame to you and performs surgery on you.

Questions:

1. What are things in your life that need to be skimmed off or cut off to make you pure?

2. How can God make you pure?

3. Think about this through the rest of your day and really consider what it means and what it takes to be pure.

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Written by Max Davis

Porkchops and Applesauce

1 Peter 5:17-21 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

Once upon a time there was this little boy on a farm, working hard and melting in the sun on this hot July day. All he could think about was what he saw in town the day before when they brought all the corn to the town and sold it at the market. He saw people celebrating, cooking food, playing ball, and fireworks - he especially loved the fireworks.

Well, the boy had to work for his families farm, money was tight and they couldn't afford to take the holiday off when so many people would pay top dollar for their fresh corn for their BB’Q’s. He said to his friends Duck, Pig, Cow, and Rooster “I would love to know what it’s like to have a bar-b-q like that someday and just taste all that delicious food”.

His friends told him (because animals talk in this story) they said “we will pull together all the money we have and we will make you a great party like we usually do with Roasted Corn and Sweet Potatoes and enough apples to sink a battleship” ... the boy smiled and thanked his friends and said “thanks, guys, i appreciate that you would do that for me, but it’s just not the same... that how we always celebrate”

Then Pig got an idea, he pulled the other animals around and shared his plan... “are you sure?” they asked him.. “absolutely”.

Hours later Duck, Cow, and Rooster came to the boy with the most delicious smelling bar-b-q you could imagine... there was smoked ribs, pulled pork, ham sandwiches, and enough bacon to choke a camel. The boy was so excited!!

He couldn't wait to taste it and share with his friends, and then he asked “wait, where’s Pig?”

You see the Bible says that we were bought with a price... sure it would have been impressive if those animals gave all their money for a vegetarian bbq. That would be the same as paying gold and silver for a ransom... but this bbq was different... Pig paid a greater price for the boy to be happy.

Our relationship with God is like that plus some! He didn’t just buy us with silver and gold... he paid our ransom with his Son’s blood.

Do you think that the boy would have taken that meal for granted ? Why is it that we often take for granted our relationship with Christ and the forgiveness that he offers?

Questions:

1. Are you sure that you have a relationship with Christ?

2. How do you know that you have a relationship with Jesus?

3. What does it do to you to know that God paid your ransom with the blood of His own Son?!

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Written by Jeff Harkins

Comfy Cozy

1 Peter 5:13-16 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

When I read this verse I think of it telling us two things. In your Christian lives you can either...

1)   Be tempted to do something unholy, that you’ve probably done before, but this time you decide not to do it. This can be going to a party you know will have alcohol. It could be participating in gossiping. Or, going too far with a guy or a girl.

2)   Step out of your comfort zone to do something beneficial to God’s kingdom. This could be going on a mission’s trip and participating wholeheartedly, or standing up for someone getting bullied at school. Maybe even giving up of your time, money or possessions to help someone in need.

When I was in youth group I didn’t do the mission’s trips. I didn’t like to be in vulnerable, unpredictable situations. I’m still not a fan of those situations but over the last few years I really felt led to go on an oversees mission’s trip. Shortly after becoming a youth leader there was the opportunity to go to Ecuador. I knew it was just something I had to do. Was I nervous? Yes! Was I scared? Of course. But, like this verse says, “Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then.”

I “toughed” it out and had a great time! It was amazing to see God move in another country and in another language. I would have missed seeing this if I slipped back into my old ways. I wouldn’t have seen teens in a small village give their lives to Christ. Sometimes, living for God puts you in vulnerable situations. What brings me comfort is knowing that God is there in those situations.

So, stay strong. Step out of your comfort zone when God prompts you to share His love. Or, stay out of those places that will tempt you into going back into your old lifestyle. God is always with you!

1. What is one way you have seen other people go out of their comfort zone and do something that ended up serving God?

2. When is the last time you went out of your comfort zone to do the right thing or to do something that would make an impact for God?

3. Who is a Christian friend that you need to challenge to get out of their comfort zone and so something for God?

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Written by Melissa McKechnie

It's my party, I can cry if I want to

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look. (1 Peter 1:10-12 ESV)

Entitled. Spoiled. Ungrateful. Lazy. These are words often used to describe young adults and teenagers. Our parents have often worked hard to provide great things for us and we expect good things. Right?

I love watching Survivor. One of the last episodes I watched, it was Rodney's birthday. Rodney hasn't won a reward challenge all season. 30 days in and everyone else who is left has won a food reward or some cool experience. But not Rodney. So a few people had told him that if they won, they'd pick him to go on the reward with them.

When they get to the reward challenge, it's a team challenge, not an individual one. Rodney's team loses, so he then begs the three winners to give up their reward so he can go. He feels like they owe it to him to celebrate his birthday. No one is willing to do so. (and I don't blame them – they've all been eating a scoop of rice a day for 30 days! Plus, they were going to an orphanage to give the kids toys and school supplies… No one wants to turn that down!)
Anyway, Rodney and the others on the losing team go back to the beach, where Rodney has a major temper tantrum. He's so ticked off that no one would give up the reward to make his birthday special. He complained that it was the worst birthday ever. One of the women said to the camera, "he's on Survivor - millions of people would think that's a pretty great birthday."

It seems funny to see a grown man acting that way, but we do the same sort of thing.

Christ has come – we know who the Messiah is. We have the complete Bible and it's easily accessible to us – you probably have more than one Bible as well as access to all different versions on your phone or computer. Beyond your Bible, you can attend church and Bible studies, free of persecution. You can buy a plethora of books – commentaries, Bible studies, any resource you can imagine – to help you learn the Bible and apply it to your life.

These verses talk about the prophets who proclaimed grace and salvation – for us! They earnestly, carefully, diligently searched and inquired of the details of the coming Messiah for us. Yet, like Rodney, we feel entitled and complain over things we don't have rather than recognizing the blessings we do have.

Recognize the incredible blessings you've received. Make the good news that has been given to you real in your life.

1) We have so many tools for learning God's word at our fingertips. Which of those tools are you most thankful for?

2) The prophets "were not serving themselves, but you." And others "have preaches the good news to you." How are you doing these things for others?

3) Do you feel like the words used at the beginning of this devotional describe you – entitled, spoiled, ungrateful, lazy? If so, what can you do to change that?

4) Take sometime and journal about this passage.

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Written by Amber Carter

Make me a sword!

1 Peter 5:6-9 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Upon several occasions, I have had the opportunity to visit working blacksmiths shops and have learned some interesting facts. If a blacksmith wants to make a sword, for example, he must place the piece of metal in a forge, heat it to 1700-2000 degrees Fahrenheit, and then hammer it. This process is repeated until the sword is the correct shape. Next, the blacksmith hardens the sword by heating to a very high temperature and then plunging it into a pool of cold water. Finally, he must temper the sword. This is done by heating it and putting it in cold water over and over to make it hard, but flexible.

The book of 1 Peter addresses this refinement. It was written to churches who were being religiously persecuted and says that we should rejoice even though we experience trials. It says that these trials happen in order to prove the genuineness of our faith and result in praise, glory, and honor to Jesus.

The passage says that our faith is refined by fire. And just like that sword, we must go though trial after trial to become strong and flexible enough. We have each had and will always have our own challenges and it is these struggles and how we deal with them that make us unique. Even though at the time we may not know what to do, every challenge we conquer will make us a better person and give us new insight into life and our faith and we will be able to use this knowledge to relate to others and help them.

The second part of this passage addresses the fact that even though we do not see God we still love Him and have faith in Him, and this faith produces an inexpressible and glorious joy. It is this belief that leads to our Salvation and although we cannot see God now, we will eventually be able to spend eternity with Him.

Questions:

1.What trials have you been though that have helped to make you a better person?

2. Are you trusting is God the way that you should be and experiencing the joy this passage talks about?

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Written by Hannah Pergolizzi

Pass the popcorn

You know how we sometimes do those popcorn praise prayers at youth group? That's basically what Peter does after his introduction. Reading it, I can't help but get excited. Take your time as you read today's passage.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:3-5 ESV)

"Blessed be" is also translated at "praise be." So Peter is saying praise God and is about to tell us why.
Also, I like that Peter specifies that God is the father of Jesus Christ. Remember, these letters are being written to the early church. Comments like this reinforce the authority of Jesus' life and teaching.

"According to his great mercy" This makes me excited because I know I need mercy and not only does God have some, it's great! It's powerful and abundant. And I find myself wanting to keep reading to see what his mercy will compel Him to do.

As we continue reading verse 3, we see what it is He has done. "Born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" this should blow your mind. But this is such common knowledge to us, you probably didn't give it much thought. Read it again: "Born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" wow!

In both John and Romans, we're told it's because of love that God sent Jesus to be born, live a sinless life, to be that perfect sacrifice who would die on the cross for our sins. But it would be in vain if that's where the story ended. Jesus Christ rise from the grave! Not Walking Dead style - He became fully alive, defeating death and Satan! That's awesome!

Because of this, we can be born again. And not just to some boring life. We have "living hope," which is explained more in verse 4.

In heaven, we, who are born again, will receive an inheritance that is...
1) imperishable- unlike the Promised land which was the Israelites inheritance, this will last FOREVER! It has no end.
2) undefiled- it is not obtained dishonestly or corruptly. Nor will it have any intrusions, or sin, or any impurities.
3) unfading- unlike the flowers and grass mentioned in verse 24, this will keep its beauty and never stop blooming.

Verse 5 is exciting and a little confusing.
"God's power" is unmatchable, all-sufficient, unending, uncontainable, unstoppable - if our God is for us, who can stand against us? That's a rhetorical question because obviously the answer is no one or nothing. That should get you excited for being in God's side!!

So by God's power, we, who are born again, are being guarded through faith.
This part seems a little confusing--what are we being guarded from? I don't think it means pain or safety or death. I've been hurt, been in car accidents, had friends and family die. All over the world we see all sorts of persecution and injustices happening to believers.

What I think Peter is referring to here is that once we have been born again and have this living hope and inheritance, satan can't take that from us--that's what we are being guarded from... Woohoo! God's got me covered and He does you too, if you're born again! Saran can come at us anyway he wants, like he did to Job, and although it may be difficult and painful to endure, we still get heaven!! That's awesome!!

Peter's last comment about salvation to be revealed is a little confusing. But it makes me think of when Paul talks about seeing things now dimly but it will be revealed to us eventually. There's so much more that God is doing than we realize. Eventually we will understand more and more.

Questions:
1) I mentioned more than once that this passage get me excited. What about God gets you excited?

2) Are you born again? Do you have that living hope Peter referred to?

3) According to his great ______________, he has caused us to be  ______________to a living hope through the ______________ of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4) Take some time to pray and journal about this passage.

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Written by Amber Carter

You Reading my mail?

1 Peter 5:1-2    Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

The Bible is not written to us, but for us. We cannot personally take this passage and apply it to our lives, be we can glean from what has been given to these people and see what God is giving us: The foreigners have been chosen to obey Christ and be saved by His blood (Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have our redemption through his blood....) because God knew them and chose them, even before they were born, by the work of the Spirit. (Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.")

Isn’t it crazy to think that you have been specifically chosen by God? That He has a distinct role for you to do here on earth, and determines your every step? (Proverbs 16:9 We can make our plans but the Lord determines our steps) You are not here to do nothing and mess around your whole life, you’re here for a purpose, and that purpose is to obey Jesus Christ. We have been cleansed by His blood, (the blood He shed while dying for your sins) -Romans 4:25 He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God. His Spirit has made us holy; praise the God who is in ultimate power and who loves us so much!!

Questions:

1. What are you going to do with the life God has given you? (use it to glorify Him, or glorify yourself?)

2. What does Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection mean to you?

3. Why is it important that we should actively be living for Christ/ obeying Him?

4. What areas in your life do you need to give up so that you can give more time and effort into the man who has given up His life for you?

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Written by Sarah Davis