A LIVING HOPE 1 PETER 2:1-12
A LIVING HOPE
DEVOTIONS
1 PETER 2:1-12
TUESDAY 4/21/20
1 PETER 2:1-3
So put away all malice (evil, bitterness, ill-will) and all deceit (misleading, lying) and hypocrisy (pretending, false claims, manipulation) and envy (jealous, covet) and all slander (criticize, judge, gossip, grumble).
Which of these sins do you need to personally “put away” – “get rid of”? Take some time to examine your thoughts, speech, and actions.
By putting away this sin (or sins), how would it affect your life – others – your relationship with Jesus Christ?
Describe what characteristic you would put on in place of the sin or sins we are to get rid of.
Check out the “7-Day Coronavirus Prayer Guide” by Lifeway under the Pastor’s Page on the Website.
WEDNESDAY 4/22/20
1 PETER 1:1-3
* In verses 2 and 3, why does Peter use the wording to “long (crave, desire) for pure spiritual milk”?
* What is the purpose?
* What is the result of longing for/craving the pure/unpolluted Word of God for your life? Psalm 119:103
Describe the difference of just reading the Word or occasionally going to it – versus longing for it!
* How has the Word of God impacted you personally in the past? How is the Word of God impacting you during
this difficult/uncertain time?
Meditate on your favorite verse or the verse that is giving you strength and comfort at this time. Thank the Lod for the Power of His Word!
THURSDAY 4/23/20
1 PETER 2:1-8
What do you think is meant in verses 4 and 5 by “a living stone”?
In the Old Testament the temple was made up of physical stones where God dwelled. Now after the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God is building us, His people, into a spiritual house – a house in which He dwells. 1 Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 2:19-22
Why is the Cornerstone so important in construction of a building?
Describe the importance of Christ being the Cornerstone in your life and the Church.
Read Ephesians 2:19-22 again.
The Church and our individual lives are to be built on the foundation of Jesus Christ . In verse 22, it states we are “being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” Describe a church that has this foundation – together!
FRIDAY 4/24/20
1 PETER 2:1-10
In the Old Testament times people did not approach God directly. The priests interceded – they were the only ones who could approach God on behalf of the people. Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection changed all of that! We now have direct access to our Lord’s presence.
As a believer, we have the Lord’s presence dwelling in us – the Holy Spirit.
In verses 9 and 10, the scripture says He called us “out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
Not only does His presence give us eternal salvation, peace, and comfort, but responsibility also.
Describe our/your responsibility as a follower of Christ.
Identify how we can be fulfilling those responsibilities during this time in our lives.
SATURDAY 4/25/20
1 PETER 2:13-25
Pray for the Lord to reveal the meaning of these verses to you and how you can apply them in your life.
Pray for the services tomorrow at 11:00 AM online and the Drive-In Worship Experience on the parking lot of our church.
DEVOTIONS: A LIVING HOPE
This past Sunday we celebrated Easter – our Risen Savior! Who gives us:
* A Living Hope
* A Lasting Joy
* An Eternal Peace
WEDNESDAY 4/15/20
Read John 16:16-18 A Living Hope
The disciples were confused with Jesus’ words – they would not understand until after the resurrection that they had a Living Hope in a Resurrected Jesus! 1 Peter 1:3
How does the resurrection – knowing you have a risen Savior – a Living Hope – impact:
*Your Life
*Your Decisions
*Your Actions
*Your Attitude
*Your Witness
THURSDAY 4/16/20
Read John 16:19-22 A Lasting Joy
Jesus is explaining to His disciples and to us that we can experience a joy in the midst of all that is going on around us.
How can we experience joy in the middle of uncertainty – trials – sadness?
Read Philippians 4:4-8
Remember Paul is writing this letter to the church while in prison. (facing death) Joy is not dependent on our circumstances, but in a Living Hope – Jesus Christ! An ultimate joy that comes from Christ dwelling in us!
Identify something that is consuming you with worry and anxiety!
Spend time praying about this and giving it to the Lord. During this time, praise the Lord for His love and presence in your life.
How vital is trust in your relationship with the Lord?
What is the greatest enemy to joy in your life?
Who has control of your life?
FRIDAY 4/17/20
Read John 16:31-33 An Eternal Peace
What does it mean to you knowing Christ has overcome – that He was victorious when He rose from the grave! That we can experience that victory – that peace?
Read John 20:19-22
The disciples are scared – in hiding behind locked doors when Christ appears. Twice He says “Peace be with you!”
How do you think this impacted the disciples 2000 years ago? How does this impact you today?
Read Philippians 4:4-8 again.
Paul speaks of experiencing God’s peace that exceeds anything we can understand.
Describe the peace that only Christ can give!
How does experiencing this peace – trusting the Lord with your life – giving Him control, impact your heart and mind?
A Living Hope – A Lasting Joy – and Eternal Peace because of the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ!
SATURDAY 4/18/20
Read 1 Peter 2:1-10
What is God saying in this passage?
How does it apply to your life?
How important is the Word in your life?
What is the meaning of Living Stones?
Spend time in prayer – asking the Lord to speak to you in this passage and to pray for the message Sunday morning at 11:00 AM.
A Living Hope – 1 Peter 1:13-25
Wednesday 4/8/20
Think of your lifestyle before you became a christian. How is your lifestyle different now?
Since your conversion (becoming a child of God) how has your spiritual life progressed?
(Describe your spiritual journey)
What does it mean to be holy?
What motivates us to live righteously? To pursue holiness – to become more like Christ?
In light of what is going on today in our world – the virus (sickness and death), our lives being turned upside down with uncertain income, social distancing, government and political turmoil, drastic changes daily, and unclear of what the future holds:
Describe the hope and comfort found in verses 13-21.
What does the word “ransom” mean to you personally in light of this passage?
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Thursday 4/9/20 1 Peter 1:13-25
Peter gives us five incentives to encourage us to pursue holiness!
1. The Glory of God (1:13)
2. The Holiness of God (1:14-15)
3. The Word of God (1:16)
4. The Judgement of God (1:17)
5. The Love of God (1:18-21)
1 Peter 1:22-25
Now more than any other time in our lives, the church (us) should rise up seizing this moment to show and share the love of Christ.
What is taking place in the world, our lives today, shows how little control we have and how brief our lives are!
The one thing we can find comfort, hope, peace and security is in our relationship with Jesus Christ for all eternity!
Take a few minutes and write down how having a relationship with Jesus Christ makes a difference in the midst of this crisis and what it would be like without this relationship.
“But the Word of the Lord remains forever…” 1 Peter 1:25
Focus on the eternal, not the temporary!
Share the Living Hope you have in Jesus Christ with others!
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Friday 4/10/20
The Crucifixion and Burial Matthew 27:27-66 John 19
Please read and spend time in prayer and meditation.
Pray for our Sunday morning Easter worship service online and drive-in experience at church parking lot.
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Saturday 4/11/20
The Resurrection and Commission Matthew 28 John 20
Pray for our Sunday morning Easter worship service online and drive-in experience at church parking lot.
DEVOTION: A LIVING HOPE |1 PETER 1:6-12
WEDNESDAY 4/1/20 1 PETER 1:6
In verse 1:6 Peter says..”in this you rejoice”. To what is he referring?
Identify a trial you are experiencing or have experienced in the past.
How has the trial impacted your walk with the Lord?
How important is your relationship with Jesus Christ as you walk through these times?
How has this situation affected your personal spiritual life?
THURSDAY 4/2/20 1 PETER 1:7
What role does Peter say trials play in our lives? (1:7)
Look up the following verses and note what each adds to your understanding of the purpose of trials in our lives.
James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-4, Romans 8:18
Identify someone in your life that you consider a humble, committed follower of Christ! Did trials in their life have a major part in shaping their walk with the Lord?
The precious ore is placed in the furnace to eliminate impurities. (1:7) Have you gone through an experience realizing some things in your life need to change or were not that important?
FRIDAY 4/3/20 1 PETER 1:8-12
Think of the difference it makes when we passionately love the Lord, trust Him, and rejoice in Him in the midst of our trials——having faith that our future is in His Hands, assured of our salvation and our eternity with with Him!
Describe how the Lord has helped you through a difficult time in your life.
Spend time praising the Lord for how He has been with you in the difficult times and during the present crisis we are experiencing.
Spend time praying that the lost will find a Living Hope in Jesus Christ as we are experiencing this worldwide pandemic.
Pray that the gospel will give people the hope, peace, and salvation that only the Lord can provide.
SATURDAY 4/4/20 “A LIVING HOPE”
Read 1 PETER 1:13-25
Pray for the Lord to speak to you through this passage.
Pray for the message Sunday morning at 11:00 AM online.
Be sure to join us on Facebook tomorrow morning by clicking here.
“A Living Hope” – 1 Peter 1:1-5
Peter is writing a letter of encouragement and hope to Christians 2,000 years ago who were experiencing persecution, hardships and uncertainty —- not knowing how they will survive!
The letter is written to Christians today who also need encouragement and hope in the midst of trials, hardships and uncertainty —- not knowing what the future holds here on earth!
THURSDAY | 3/26/20 | 1 PETER 1:1-2
- Verse 1
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- How does the Word exiles/foreigners/strangers apply to followers of Christ today? (to you?)
- How could we find hope and encouragement in the meaning of this verse?
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- Verse 2
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- What does it mean to our everyday lives that God plans to make us holy (sanctified?)
- Describe a life of obedience to the Lord.
- What do you need to change in your life to grow in your obedience?
- Describe God’s Grace and how it applies to you personally. Ephesians 2:8-10
- Describe the peace of God and the difference it makes in your life in the midst of panic, confusion, and uncertainty.
- Identify the blessings and answered prayers given you over the years and praise Him!
- Praise the Lord for His future blessings and provisions!
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PRAYER TIME
Pray for:
- A cure (physically and spiritually)
- Those in the medical field
- Unity in our government and country
- The CHURCH! Spiritual awakening!
- First Baptist Church of Huntsville
FRIDAY | 3/27/20 | 1 PETER 1:3-5
- Verse 3
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- How can our hope in Jesus help us endure trials? (Help us get through the present times?)
- What are some ways that Christ’s victory over death (the Resurrection) encourages you?
- How would your life be different if Christ had not conquered death? Verse 4
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- Describe the inheritance that Peter is speaking of.
- Compare God’s inheritance to an inheritance we might receive here on earth.
- What is the difference?
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- Verse 5
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- Verse 5 is speaking of the assurance of our inheritance — our salvation and eternal life.
- What are we assured of beyond any doubt of something we might receive or experience here on earth?
- How does the assurance of salvation and eternal life, a living hope, impact you today?
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PRAYER TIME
Describe the living hope God gives us and spend time praising Him for it!
Pray for:
- A cure (physically and spiritually)
- Those in the medical field
- Unity in our government and country
- The CHURCH! Spiritual Awakening!
- First Baptist Church of Huntsville
- An opportunity to share with someone else the Living Hope God has given you!
SATURDAY | 3/28/20 | “A LIVING HOPE”
Read: 1 PETER 1:1-12
Pray for the Lord to speak to you through this passage!
Pray for the message Sunday morning at 11:00 AM online.
Be sure to join us on Facebook tomorrow morning by clicking here.