μαθητής (mathitís: disciple)

Jesus is the key to understanding the Old Testament

Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God. 

"God resists the proud
      but gives grace to the humble."


Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), 1 Peter 5:5.

Surprised by suffering?? Let it not be so!

Can those who have fallen away be saved? Are they beyond repentance? 

Peter tells us we have been reborn by the power of God and are called to holy living.

Our God is unstop-ably sovereign in all the affairs of all creation and has established His kingdom even in the face of opposition - and we are called to  good works and righteous living.

Our God has unjustly suffered at the hands of, and in the place for, sinners and so we are called to imitate His life by joyful suffering and trust in our Almighty God and live holy lives, even in the face of suffering. 

Knowing Jesus suffered in the flesh, we are to have the same perspective on life as He did. This will result in our striving to live according to God's will. This being finished with sinful living will result in our own suffering. 

This is the continuation of the discussion on how the gospel of Jesus Christ directly affects the relationship of a husband and wife. 

I have the privilege of being joined by my friend, Joey Presutti, as we discuss the power of the gospel within marriages. 

What does Peter mean, “Baptism… now saves you”

How are we to, as Peter exhorts us to, always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us? 

(the link to a summary referenced in this episode) https://faculty.wts.edu/posts/introduction-to-the-apologetic-of-cornelius-van-til/

Some closing thoughts as we wrap up the exhortations Peter began delivering beginning on chapter two. Paul call what we see here "obedience of faith".

"If thy wife be short of stature, bow thyself, and whisper to her." A Jewish proverb

Because of what Jesus has done for us, we are called to endure unjust suffering while entrusting ourselves to God. 

Peter tells us it is through our lives, lived in submission to God, that God is glorified and the ignorant slander of foolish men is silenced. 

The choice of God makes all the difference, not only in establishing Jesus as the cornerstone, but also in establishing us upon Him. 

Through Jesus, we have been created as living stones being built into a dwelling; a royal priesthood with the privilege and purpose of offering acceptable sacrifices to God - all because of Jesus! 

Jesus was rejected by people, but chosen and honored by God. Those who tried to silence and murder the Son of God only further served the redemptive purposes of God and the Stone they hated is yet ALIVE! Jesus is a living stone. 

After laying the foundation of what God graciously did to us through the power of the gospel, he begins chapter two with an exhortation of purifying activity we should do as we cultivate a greater hunger for the gospel.

The foundation of all of chapter 1 is the gospel, and the effect that gospel has on the hearts of God's elect is regeneration (being born again) which causes us to begin to live and love as we should. 

Jinger Duggar Vuolo has recently published a book "Becoming Free Indeed" where she addresses the legalism of being raised under legalism. This is not a review of her book, but more an encouragement to all my brothers and sisters in dealing with those who have been affected by dangerous unbiblical doctrine. 

Without the Spirit of God we cannot live as we ought.

We turn our minds to what The Holy Spirit says through the apostle Peter as to how a child of God should live and why.

Observe
Orient
Decide 
Act

When situations get intense, military and rescue personnel are trained to operate within an OODA Loop. Here, we see how that same principle can be applicable to our everyday lives as children of God. 

Take a few moments to focus on the salvation God has wrought for us in Jesus. 

How does Peter describe the situation of those who God has chosen? What have we received from The Merciful Father? 

We begin with the Peter's greeting to those he is writing to in his first epistle: the Chosen. 

How does Paul tell us to fight? What makes the fight of faith so difficult? We must know where the battle is to be had. 

Thoughts on what we are called to do in the battle against evil.

When Paul tells us to put on the whole armor of God. As a kid, I would get caught up in the pieces of the armor, as if they were somehow items I would don that would serve as a sort of talisman that would protect me.... but I was sorely mistaken. Jesus is the armor of God.

Some thoughts on how God has revealed Himself to us and why it is vital we trust His Word. Hebrews 1:1-2

Encouragement from the Psalmist as we cry out to God, our Father, for help and refuge. 

Love Came Down at Christmas. God didn't come in a wild, unbridled display of power. Rather The God of all things came in humility. He came as a slave in the form of sinful flesh. This is love. God stooped down and in a way that only God can do showed that His weakness is more powerful than our mightiest might. Love Came Down and turned our world right side up. 

Advent Faith is faith in The God Who keeps Covenant. It is faith in the One who came as promised in the little town of Bethlehem. It is faith in Him that knows He will return just as He promised. It is faith that holds to the promises, not for the sake of the promise, but because of Him who promised is faithful. Advent faith is faith that effects a change in how we live. It is faith that looks forward to the new heaven and new earth. 

Some brief thoughts on what our hearts and minds turn to as we celebrate the Joy of Christmas. The gift of Christmas, Jesus, is our hope. Jesus is our peace. Jesus is our joy. 

As I continue the first time ever celebrating Advent, I share some of my thoughts on the meaning the lighting of the first two candles (symbolizing hope and peace) and how that may manifest itself in how I live in the here and now.

Being raised in a denomination that tended to distance itself from the observance of Advent, this is my first year observing the Christmas season in this way. Join me as I begin to share some of the things I'm learning as I celebrate Advent for the first time.