Journey through I Peter

Daily Devotionals by Pastor Darren That correlate with the sermon series

For January 28 to March 2, 2013 First Baptist Church of Holdrege www.fbcholdrege.com

Sunday, January 27

I Peter 2:18

One of my first jobs in High School was working at Woolworths. I was a stock boy, and on the weekends, I worked as a cashier. Every once and a while, I got called to work behind the counter as a line cook. I LOVED that. But my time behind the diner counter was fairly shortlived. One day, the new manager walked up to the diner cash register and opened it up. He took out all of the twenties and went to the back office. An hour later, he came back and opened the drawer again, and seeing no twenties, he lost his temper aimed at the line cook/soda jerk behind the counter, who happened to be me. I was

dumbfounded. I didnt know how to react. He was my boss, but he was also so very much in the wrong here. He told me that I was done behind the counter and sent me to the stock room to move some enormous and heavy boxes until my shift was done and then that would be my last day. He also told me he would call the police. I went to the backroom and threw some pretty heavy boxes around while the hot tears flowed down my face. After a while, I happened to see Ms. Vivian, the assistant manager, standing there with someone I had never met before. She introduced me to the regional manager. My heart sank. This was it. They directed me to the staff break room and sat me down. Then things took a turn I didnt expect. I thought I was going to get blamed for the missing money. Instead I got an explanation. The manager of the store used to be a top manager in a major store in a major city. In his capacity as store manager there, he saw that a large hanging display was coming loose from the rafters and it would have impaled an unsuspecting mother and child had he not acted. He pushed them out of the way, but in so doing, had his own skull crushed. He survived, but his short term memory was all but lost. Woolworth didnt want to fire their hero, but it was obvious that he could no longer really manage, especially at that volume and he was so close to retirement. So they relocated him to the tiny store in Loveland, Colorado, under the watchful eye of Ms. Vivian who understood her role of going around and cleaning up his messes and covering for his forgetfulness, until he could retire, which was in 3 months. The regional manager told me that there would be no call to the police and there was no missing money. He said he watched the whole event and was sorry that it had happened like it did, but was impressed at how I had held my tongue. He offered a cash settlement for me to keep quiet about it. Given the circumstances, it didnt feel right to take it, so I declined. The regional manager smiled at me and said, The God in you really shines, kid. Thanks for your understanding. The lesson here was important for me. Someone is always watching. Someone who knows the whole of the story. God is my defender. I need no one else, not even myself.

Monday, January 28

I Peter 2:19

George Washington was a wanted criminalwanted for crimes against the crown. Abraham Lincoln was seen as an incompetent moralistic fool. John Smyth, was accused of being a flip-flopping evil snake, dragging Gods people to hell. Charles Spurgeon was seen as an uneducated buffoon. Roger Williams was run out of several states and even the churches he founded for being a trouble maker and a heretic. Yet today, these same people are seen in a very different lightnot that of convicts, but those of convictions. George Washington fought and helped secure our national freedom and independence. Abraham Lincoln, known now as one of the greatest presidents that ever lived, is credited in keeping the union in tact and ending slavery. John Smyth is credited for putting the Scriptures above the rules and traditions of man and founding the Baptist faith. Roger Williams is know in a positive light for the very things he was judge for in his daythe concept of the separation of church and state, and the concept that faith cannot be forced upon anotherthat it is each persons choice. Hes also the first American Baptist ever. Opinion polls are interesting, but really they carry very little weight. In the old Testament, the only opinion poll I can find is with the 10 spies who went into the promised land. Eighty percent said, this is a bad idea. Twenty percent said, With God we can do it. The only opinion that really counted was Gods who said, I want you to take this land as I have promised it to you. What matters isnt what people think is right. That will change over time. What matters is to do what God says is right, regardless of the circumstances that surround us.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

I Peter 2:20

There is a profound difference between a victim and a survivor. A victim cries out at his circumstances and says, Woe is me! A survivor looks beyond his circumstances and instead at his God and says, Great is thy faithfulness. Many times, the victim plays up the circumstances to avoid looking at their role in their own pain. Yes, it hurts now, but had they lived differently, that pain could have been avoided all together. That is not something that a victim appreciates looking at. That means taking responsibility for his or her own behavior. A survivor, however, may live through very similar circumstances as painful as they might be. Their focus isnt on how bad it is, but where is this going to lead them in the long run. If one is traumatized for no fault of their own, then there is rewardsin the here and now by knowing what kind of circumstances to avoid and to work through the pain and trauma and in so doing become a stronger, better person. Then, there are rewards for eternity under those circumstances, too. God rewards those whom he is pleased with. Victims and survivors carry painmany times at no or little fault of their own. Victims carry no hope. Survivors place their hope in Someone bigger than themselves and their circumstances. Each makes their own choice. What choice will you make?

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

I Peter 2:21

Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, If we do an eye and a tooth for a tooth, we will e a blind and toothless nation. He also said, That old law about an eye for and eye leaves everyone blind. The time is always right to do the right thing. From a human perspective, that isnt easy. To do right to those who have done you wrong just seems counterintuitive. Yet, this verse tells us just how right doing the right thing is to do, regardless of what others do in prelude or postlude to that action. We are to do right, regardless of others response, just like Jesus did. And what did Jesus do? Did he survey his friends about the wisdom of going to the cross? Did he negotiate a lighter trial than what God had placed in his path to accomplish? Did those who crucified him deserve the forgiveness that his execution would afford? Would they ever have the ability to pay him back for services rendered? The law of the world includes such things as quid pro quo, You scratch my back and Ill scratch yours, and the ever famous, Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. The family rule for those who call God their Heavenly Father is quite different. Do what is right period. Dont base your actions on others. We are not called to react, for to do so is just to re-act the worlds brokenness. We are called to respond just as Jesus did. He had every right to walk away, or even call down fire and brimstone, yet he did not. Why? Because he was committed to doing the right thing regardless of the response. May God find us as faithful in our walk in this broken world.

Thursday, January 31, 2013 I Peter 2:22 No ones perfect! the kid shouted at his mother in his defense. Yes, he realized that he had blown it, but come on. Everyone makes mistakes, dont they? The mother took a deep breath and looked at her son whom she loved very much. Thats not exactly true, son. There was three that were perfect, but you are right in that you arent one of them. What do you mean, mom? the kid went from defensive to inquisitive. Adam and Eve were created to be perfect. The entire human race was created to be perfect in every way. They chose to abandon that perfection to try to equal God and replace their need for him in their lives. So, even though they were created perfectly, they didnt end up that way. God knew this was going to happen so he sent Jesus, his one and only son. He was perfect. He never backtalked his mother. He never lied. He never lost his temper. He never took or touched anything that didnt belong to him. He was perfect. Why? the boy asked. For a couple reasons, I suppose. Perhaps he was perfect to show us that it is possible and to stop little boys from trying to hide from their mistakes. The big reason, though, is to take the punishment for little boys and girls, and big ones too, who arent perfect. How did he do that? The Bible tells us that what being less than perfect gets us is death. He died for us. For me? For everyone who isnt perfect. Wow! what does that make me then, if he did that for me? Well, if you ask him for forgiveness it makes you as good as perfect. It makes you forgiven. Nobodys perfect. And as such no one is going to Heaven. No one has access to the Heavenly Father. No one can understand the Scriptures. No one has any hope. Yet, there is one that was perfect and as a result, salvation comes to the less than perfect. Something to think about, huh?

Friday, Feb. 1, 2013

I Peter 2:23

The scene in the passion story that probably affects me the most is when Jesus faces Pontius Pilate. Pilate wants to find the loophole to let this guy go. He wants to find that secret passage of politics that will make the whole civic disaster go away. In modern times, he would have turned to Jesus and said, Come on man, throw me a bone, would you? And what is the Creator of the Universes response? What is the response of the guy who raised people from the dead? Surely if he could command spirits back into a dead body, he could command spirits out of a live one. What is the response of a righteous man wrongly punished, illegally tried, and wrongly accused? Does he ask for a lawyer? Does he ask for the latest copy of the Roman ordinances and statutes to work on his defense? Does he ask for the Scriptures to be brought to him to thump Pontius Pilate over the head with and show him the errors of his ways? Does he even begin to tell one of his famous stories that starts out so intriguing and then hits you over the head with the moral punchline at the end? The One who put the stars in place--the one who formed Pontius Pilate in his mothers womb--the one who put Ceasar on the throne-the one who created wine out of water, fed 5,000 men from a snack, the one who walked on water--He sat still and quiet. Why on earth would he do that? He was looking into the face of his Heavenly Father who had his finger over his mouth, indicating that this was the time to be silent. Pilate almost roared, Dont you know who I am and what I can do to you? Jesus probably thought, Do you know who my Father is? Ill choose to follow his lead in this. And thats what he did. He put his trust in His Fathers leading. What did it get him? Dead. But for you and me, it brought about the chance for life--eternal life. Kind of sheds a different light on thow we might better respond to hat guy who cut you off on the interstate last week or that person who gave you the brush off in the grocery store yesterday, doesnt it?

Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013

I Peter 2:24-25

That well told story comes to mind when I read this passage of the sick boy and his sister. As the story is told, the young boy is in need of a kidney or he will die. His older sister was found to have a compatible one. She, being just a few years older than her young brother, nodded her head when her parents and the doctors explained what he needed from her. Just before being put under for the surgery, the young girl wanted one last look at her brother, she said her I love yous to everyone and then tearfully looked into the eyes of her mother and father and said, Good bye. Ill miss you. That struck at the heart of her parents who knew something was amiss. After a few moments of discussion and questions, they discovered that in order for her brother to live, she thought she was to die. She was willing, nonetheless to do whatever it took to give her brother life. On a slightly bigger playing field, Jesus looked down on earth and saw a human race that he loved deeply and dearly, but was dying--not because of a genetic defect, but because they consciously took a bite out of the serpent-licked fruit. It wasnt a kidney he offered. It was his all. He took the sins of the world with him to the cross. A perfect God, emptied out of love, and never contaminated. Up to this point, sin and everything sinful couldnt stand to be in the presence of this Man. Now, all of that came washing over him like an overwhelming, suffocating sludge. Why, you ask? By his wounds we are healed. Praise the Lord God Almighty. He is YHWH Rophi--The God who Heals!

Sunday Feb. 3, 2013

I Peter 3:1-2

Now for a bit of a look at the women folk. Men, dont tune out. Theres stuff in here for you as well. Verse one is aimed at women who have committed their lives to men who have not committed their lives to Jesus. The New Living Translation says, accept the authority of your husbands. Other versions use that un-American word, submit. Its a verse that has often been used by guys to get what they want out of life and family all because of who wears the pants. Its kind of like the older sibling telling his younger sibling to make the older siblings bed because hes closer in age to their dad. This verse does not create a pecking order in marriage. Its a request from God to go the extra mile for those who are lost. What do men want in life? Meaning and respect. Almost everything we do has a large component of one of those two, if not both. So how does someone reach us? Showing their biblical knowledge superiority? No. Showing intellectual and debate superiority? No. Setting it up so we feel the pain we inflict through passive aggressive means? Not even close. What can a person do to get a guy to listen? Tell him what he does right. Support and encourage him in the things that he gets right. This is what this passage is asking for the believing ladies out there to do. Some have come to the conclusion that weve evolved past our cave dwelling days where it was mano-a-mano out there. We might not use sticks and stones, but the battle continues to rage in every field and in every avenue of life. No one listens when they dont feel safe, especially men. Want you man to listen to you, or even better, to God? A safe place is all you need to create--a place where he is respected and called out for the positive things in his life and unconditionally loved. That said, let me be clear. In the eyes of God, there is neither male nor female. (Col. 3:11). That means we arent created with different value or importance. There isnt a gender that is more or less intelligent or valuable than the other. We just operate differently. Were wired differently and women, God is giving you a clue as to how we are wired. Isnt it cool that he gives instructions here to the gender that actually reads them before trying to assemble things?

Monday, Feb. 4, 2013

I Peter 3:3-5

One of my new favorite shows is Duck Dynasty. I have had several really good laughs over that show. But i also like it because they take their faith in God very seriously. Grampa Phil is not adverse to pulling one of his grandchildren aside, taking them fishing and speaking to them in very clear and vivid terms about what is important in a man or a woman. Ive blushed a few times in listening to him speak so candidly. I cant imagine what is going through that poor grandchilds mind as they see the camera crew catching all of this on tape for the whole world to see. But Im glad they sit through it and listen respectfully, for the message is soooo very important to American society. Boy, dont you just be lookin on the outside of a woman. You know what Im saying? Find a girl who can cook a batch of squirrel brains like Miss Kay can and youve got yourself a woman. Pretty and yuppy, yuppy, yuppy and youll starve. Homely and loving and warm and good in the kitchen, and youll be heppy, heppy, heppy. You hearin me, son! Squirrel brains aside, there is a lot of truth in what hes teaching his grandkids. True beauty--lasting beauty is something that radiates from the inside and has almost nothing to do with the outside. The outside will fade, wrinkle, and grey. Some of the most beautiful women in the world are women who wouldnt win a beauty contest and wouldnt be caught dead in public in a swimsuit and high heels parading around on stage. They are grandmas who give their grandchild a second piece of pie meaning they go without. They are the moms who rock their collicy baby at 2:00 in the morning without any make up or hair curlers. They are teachers who go to the Dollar General to buy supplies that the school wont and the kids cant. They are the ministers that hold the hand of the lonely dying person in the nursing home. They are the police officers who pull the stuffed animal out of their trunk to hand to the kid they just had to take away from an abusive parent. Women, be this. Men, encourage this. This is Gods plan for this and the next generation of women.

Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013

I Peter 3:6

Here it is again. Peter telling women to call their husbands,master. Taken at surface impression, it sure is a shot of testosterone into the power hungry male. Who doesnt want to be master of his own domain? Theres just one problem with that interpretation of this passage. Peter uses Sarah as the example. Have you read that passage lately? Its found in Genesis 16-22. Sarah is certainly a team player with Abraham. To protect his own skin, he orders her to say that hes her brother so that Abimelech doesnt kill him, take his stuff, and marry Sarah. When the angels show up, he orders her to prepare a feast and she is more than willing to comply. But she is no Yes-wo-man. When she cant have kids, its her suggestion to use Hagar as a surrogate parent. And Abraham says, Yes, maam. When Hagar and her son Ishmael become bothersome to Sarah, she goes to Abraham and says, Get rid of these two. I will not have my son challenged by these. Abraham hems and haws about it until God says, Hey, mister. Listen to the woman! Guys, take note of the real topic sentence of the Ephesians passage that talks about how men and women are to get along together in marriage. Its not Ephesians 5:23, that says wives submit to your husbands. Its actually Ephesians 5:22, that says, Submit one to another.

Wednesday, Feb 6, 2013

I Peter 3:7

And after all that about women, we now get to the guys. The detailed instructions given to the women and now Peter speaks to men as men. And here is how his instructions begin. In the same way... Did you catch that guys? You remember me asking you a few days ago to not tune out what was being said just because it was being said to women? Here is why--what God just asked the women to do, he asks of you. If your wife is unbelieving, love her into the kingdom, dont command her there. Dont get caught up in muscles, money, or mojo. A handsome man is a godly, humble one. A desirable man is one who provides for others at personal expense. The best looking guys who spend hours in the gym and in front of mirrors have no capacity to put aside the shiny new shoes for a kid who has the stomach urps. The business driven man out for the next buck has no patience to watch a daughter try to dribble in the reserve team game. A real man sees his wife with a headache and calls in sick himself to take care of his kingdom. Those characteristics pour out from the inside, not from the outside. Muscles sag over time. Hairlines recede. Mental acuity might fade. Waists might even expand a bit, even with the best intentions. But a mans heart is his legacy. And yes, it is important to acknowledge that in many ways, your wife is better than you. Dont shy away from that. Dont minimize it. Acknowledge it. Celebrate it, and may I dare say it, submit to it.

Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013

I Peter 3:7

Honor your wives. Here is the element that balances out the submission factor for the women. So many guys who see life through macho glasses only are willing to honor their wives only after they submit. Thats a bit backwards in servant leadership--the goal of every Christian guy. Honor first, and then watch the fireworks of voluntary submission. A woman who is treated like a queen rarely acts like one. Men, how do you honor your wife? Do you open the door for her? Do you compliment her more than you criticize her. Do you only speak postiively of her in public, or do you, from time to time let things slip that makes her the brunt of the joke? What is the last thing you gave up that you really, really wanted so that she could get that girly thing she wanted? And how much fuss did you make about making that sacrifice? And although it shouldnt have to be said, the world we live in makes it now a necessity. When is the last time you watched a younger model walk by and kept watching? Whens the last time you felt compelled to go to your search engine on your computer and delete your history so no one could find out where youve been? (Dont be ignorant here. It can still be traced very easily). Whens the last time you gave your wife pause to wonder what you were doing with that woman or that girl, or gave someone else the opportunity to spread something because you put yourself and your wifes honor in a compromising position? Hey guys. Its simple here. You are the head of your household and your number one priority is to treat your wife like shes the second most important thing in your life--second only to Jesus Christ. Honor your wife.

Friday, Feb. 8, 2013

I Peter 3:7

Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. Literally, this gets translated in a pretty red-neck way. Literally it means, Know your woman. Do you know your wife? I know some of us just shake our heads at that question and with a dumbfounded look on our faces we say, I married her, didnt I? The question isnt, Did you find her attractive? The question is Do you know her? Research has shown us beyond a shadow of a doubt that one of the most vulnerable times a couple is in their marriage to divorce is when the last kid leaves the nest. The reason is simple. The husband looks at the wife and the wife looks at the husband and they both say simultaneously, Who are you? So much energy has been spent in trying to raise the kids, pay the mortgage, coach little league, teach Sunday School, keep the house painted, the carpets cleaned, the promotion obtained, the coupons clipped, and so on and so on that when the dust settles, there isnt a knowledge of each other. There are things that have built up and are ready to burst in things that have annoyed each other for years. There just wasnt time to sort it all out. There was time, it just didnt seem worth the effort then. Suddenly, two has been love birds are looking at each others talons wondering how much thatll hurt. Guys, it really does start with us. We need to take the initiative here. We need to make it an intentional thing in our lives to know our wives-today, and not just remember the important stuff from days gone by. And Im not just talking about favorite foods and music and the like. Thats good. But how does she feel about sock doughnuts? What does she think--really think--about all those shootem-up-a-tony movies you drag her too? Is she really as excited about that as she is about you being excited about being with her? What would she prefer to do WITH you? She really is interested your input on the drapes and what you want for dinner. And yes, she would probably fall over for lack of oxygen intake if you attempted to fold the laundry or cook supper, even if it is at McDonalds. Do you know your wife? When is the last time you asked her, What do I do that annoys you and what can I do to fix it? If you havent asked for a while, make sure shes sitting down before asking. Ambulance trips can be expensive after a massive fall like that.

Saturday Feb. 9, 2013

I Peter 3:7

Treat her as your equal...and your prayers will not be hindered. Thats a powerful promise and threat wrapped up in one statement. Lets just say for a moment that one of my daughters grows up and marries a deadbeat guy. Her mother and my heart would be broken, but we probably wouldnt really feel too badly for the deadbeat guy. Our heart would be with our daughter and our grandchildren. Now lets just say for the sake of argument that my deadbeat son-in-law comes up to me and smoozes me a bit for some money. I ask him what he needs it for. He wants to go out and buy himself a brand new race car. He thinks he could be a great race car driver. Not good enough to make any money at it. He just wants to have fun. With a request like that coming from a guy who wont hold a job, who hits my daughter and makes fun of her in public, who makes her do everything, including opening the can of beer and change the channel and bosses her around like shes just a piece of property-even if he asks in the most polite way, he is not going to walk away unscathed. Ive watched enough CSI to know how to get rid of a body without getting caught. (Just kidding, but tempting, right?) Now, change the story up a bit. Heres a guy who values my daughter and my grandkids. He makes sacrifices for them daily and treats them like royalty. Hes a real man, a real husband, a real dad and works hard at doing his best and pushes himself to get better and better. Suppose for just a second that I caught wind that he dreams of a race car to just have fun, but hes pushed that dream aside for the sake of his family. Even if he hadnt asked me for it, Id probably mortgage the house to make it happen. I value people who value my kids. Guess where I picked that up from? My dad who picked it up from his and when you track it back far enough, youll find a dad everyone calls Heaveanly Father. Guys, take note. You are married to Gods princess. Dont go asking for the keys to the kingdom if you are treating her like your slave. That dog dont hunt.

Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013

I Peter 3:8

The greatest definition of a family was given to me by a little 8 year old boy whose family had abandoned him. He sat in my therapy room in the middle of the floor with every imaginable toy sitting around him, yet he just sat there. I let him sit there for a bit. Then I just reflected that he looked like the saddest kid Id ever seen. I am the saddest kid youve ever seen, he replied. What is making you so sad? I asked. I dont have a family anymore. That stung even though I knew that was going to be his answer. Can you find me a family? he then begged. I asked him, What do you mean when you say family? Family is people who hugs you for the rest of your life and never lets go. Even with the bad grammar, it stuck with me and made an indelible mark on my soul and understanding. This is Peters call to the church in verse 8. Be of one mind. You ever hug a person who you are determined to fight with? Next to impossible, isnt it? Symmpathize with each other. Its impossible to hold a grudge and try to understand what might be going on in the life of the one that annoys or angers you. Be tenderhearted and keep a humble attitude. Try hugging the opposite of that. Youd have a better experience hugging a porcupine than trying to hug a cold hearted contemptuous person. God calls us to be a family in this passage. And in the words of a very wise once-8 year old. Family is people who hugs you for the rest of your life and never lets go.

Monday, Feb. 11, 2013

I Peter 3:9

Some stories are best told by their original storytellers. Here is a devotional shared by George Cowan at a Campus Crusade event: After the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989, no person in all of East Germany was more despised than the former Communist dictator Erich Honecher. He had been stripped of all his offices. Even the Communist Party rejected him. Kicked out of his villa, the new government refused him and his wife new housing. The Honechers were homeless and destitute. Enter pastor Uwe Holmer, director of a Christian help center north of Berlin. Made aware of the Honechers straits, Pastor Holmer felt it would be wrong to give them a room meant for even needier people. So the pastor and his family decided to take the former dictator into their own home! Erich Honechers wife, Margot, had ruled the East German educational system for twenty-six years. Eight of Pastor Holmers ten children had been turned down for higher education due to Mrs. Honechers policies, which discriminated against Christians. Now the Holmers were caring for their personal enemythe most hated man in Germany. This was so unnatural, so unconventional, so Christlike. By the grace of God, the Holmers loved their enemies, did them good, blessed them, and prayed for them. They turned the other cheek. They gave their enemies their coat (their own home). They did to the Honechers what they would have wished the Honechers would do to them.

Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013

I Peter 3:10

Today is called Mardi Gras. Literally it means, Fat Tuesday. The idea behind the day is that tomorrow starts lent and its your last day to live it up for the next 40 days. The next 40 days were to be set aside to mourn, mope and just feel terrible about yourself. Its a time that the medieval church had imposed upon its congregants to remind them how undesirable they were to God and to the church, and to instill a greater sense of guilt and obligation to the church. If you wanted the blessing of the church and of God, then youll be sour and sober for the next 40 days. But today, since it doesnt start until tomorrow, do whatever you want--live it up to the fullest. The scriptures actually have something different to say about how to live a prosperous, joyful life. Todays verse starts us out on just such a wise journey. If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days... Ready for it? Dont eat meat? No. Spend all day in sackcloth and ashes? no. Its much more simple and natural than all that. Here is is: keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Be a person of integrity 365 days a year, not just a sour and sober one for 40 days. Joy in life is a lifelong journey. It doesnt come in a bottle, or from someone throwing you beads from a float down in New Orleans. It starts with just making sure that everything that comes out of your mouth is based completely in the truth. Nothing fat about that, ey Jack?

Wednesday, Feb 13, 2013 Ash Wednesday Romans 5:8 Back in the day, perhaps as early as the first century, the church began to see a problem begin to develop in people who claimed to be Christians. They had accepted Christ and professed him publicly. They were baptized as believers--again publicly. But the draw of the world back to worldly ways was a strong pull. It wasnt long before the church saw people in their church families looking and acting once again very much like people outside their church families. The church fathers struggled with how to help this, feeling genuinely concerned for both the church and the backsliding believers. On one hand, it isnt about works. One is saved by faith. But faith without works is dead. Their answer to this problem was to remind people where they came from and where they stood. They called it the second baptism. On a regular basis, believers would be invited to reflect upon where they came from--dead in their transgressions, and where they stood-fully redeemed and forgiven. To symbolize this reflecting journey, a sign of the cross (representing where they stood now as redeemed believers) would be made with ashes (symbolizing where they came from as in the ashes of cremation). It was a sign to everyone who saw it on their foreheads that they were in the process of reconnecting with God in a very real, and profound way. It was a sign for fellow believers to encourage and strengthen them and help guard against those who would see the sign and want to take advantage of them by increasing temptation. Over time, as often happens, the practice became an event that eventually had more rules and regulations put to it, and then it became a day--Ash Wednesday. The day before lent begins. Lent is a word derived from the German word Spring. The idea ,as it evolved, was that those who were aware of where they had come from and where they stood now as a result of the cross would experience a spring of the soul. Those who werent willing would stay in a kind of frozen winter state of survival mode. As we enter the Lenten season, may we take that journey of old-recognizing where weve been and where we stand now, and may the realizations we find bring a fresh spring breath of the Holy Spirit over us.

Thursday, Feb. 14

Valentines Day

There are two main beliefs about where this holiday takes its roots. The Catholic Church has at least three saints named, Valentine or Valentius, and narrowing down which one is the one that this day is set aside to remember is kind of difficult. The medieval Catholic church had a good habit of looking around and finding people who were doing things right and then holding them up as modern examples. One of these was a priest who defied the Emperor who believed that single men made better soldiers. This Valentine stated much like Peter and John did before the Sanhedrin, that it is better to obey God than to obey man. He performed illegal marriages of conscripted soldiers. When the Emperor found out, he had Valentine executed. One of the other Valentines was imprisoned for treating prison inmates with kindness and compassion. The goal of the government was to make them pay for their sins against the government. The goal of this humble man was to show them the love of the Lord and help them see Gods plan for them. He was imprisoned for his kindness. As the legend goes, he was imprisoned and no longer able to see his betrothed. He let her know of his plight and his inability to marry her and care for her in a note that was signed, From your valentine. And yes, there are pagan roots to this holiday as well. But lets concentrate on the lessons that God can teach through his examples. It is not good for man to be alone, God said and no government has the right to overrule that. God calls some to be celebate but that is Gods call not some mans. We must protect the sanctity of the family unit as one of the Valentines did. And in the case of the other, In the end, there is faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these is love. Jesus prayed, May they be known as my disciples by their love. Let us today be the answer to Jesus prayer.

Friday, Feb. 15, 2013

I Peter 3:11

Where your nose is pointed, thats the direction you are headed. Im not sure where I heard that first, but it really stuck with me. The direction we travel will determine where we end up. Thats just simple logic. Peter uses such simple logic in quoting this verse from Psalms 34. Turn away from evil, he says. Why? Because if you are entertaining evil, youll end up doing evil things. Turn away from evil and do good. Why? Because if you are doing good things, you wont have time to turn back and entertain evil ideas. I can still hear my grandma telling me that idle hands are the workshop of the devil. That phrase isnt in the scriptures, but its backed up right here. Turn from evil and occupy yourself in doing good. Why? Because peace can only be acheived in the presence of dogooders. And even then, its going to take ongoing work to maintain it. Want peace in your life. Its not enough to bubble wrap your brain to protect it from the evil in the world. Youve got to get up and do something about it. Do some good in this world. Make it a better place. That will inspire others to do the same. And when everyone is busy doing the right things and turning their backs on evil, there will be a peace that surpasses all comprehension. Ive often wondered how much of the evil in the world takes place because people have too much time on their hands to entertain evil and how much evil would be passed over if people occupied themselves with doing good. Something to think about and live by.

Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013

I Peter 3:12

I think one of the greatest blessings God has given me is kids to parent. I see God in such a more accurate perspective as a result of parenting. If youve been a parent, you know exactly what God is saying in this passage. A kid in the grocery store wants that piece of candy. Theyve been holy terrors throughout the shopping experience and that candy in the checkout line is the last ditch effort to make their parents bend to their will. And the show is on. Its a full out, throw yourself to the ground screamfest. The experienced parents just ignore it. Ive seem some parents actually get down on the ground and throw a temper tantrum about their kids temper tantrum. It has a profound effect. One particularly effective parent looked at the cashier and said, I will pay for this in a moment. Feel free to help the next one out. Im going to my car right now. If he gets too loud in that fit of his, feel free to call the cops. The temper tantrum immediately changed to a very clingy, repentant kid who held on to his moms leg as she walked to her car continuing to ignore him. The last thing even the most stressed parent should do is give in and get that candy for the kid. They are setting themselves up for horrible battles in the future and setting their kid up for a horrible life with that behavior. God is the perfect parent. Those who do right, he is all ears. Those who are holy terrors, he just walks away from until they are willing to be parented again. And with God, theres never a weak moment where hell give in.

Sunday, Feb, 17, 2013

I Peter 3:13

Theres that scene in the Sound of Music that Ive often wondered if it really happened that way. The family is hiding in the convent. The Nazis are closing in on the family, hoping to conscript Mr. Von Trapp into the Nazi navy. The eldest girls boyfriend is a part of the posse looking for them, and hes the one that actually ends up finding them hiding behind the tombstones. And for an eternity in Hollywood time, he holds the whistle in his mouth, apparently wrestling with whether or not to blow the whistle on them. Why such a pause? It is not only because he loves his girlfriend, but because he is wrestling with the duty to the state that he has sworn and the love he had felt from the family. He eventually blows the whistle. But thats where I wonder. Could I blow the whistle on someone that has been kind to me in the past? Could I send someone to prison for kindnesses bestowed freely upon me in the past. Ive never been put in that position, but I have to admit just thinking about such a position is enough to cause some stomach cramps. Its hard to be mean to good people. Its much easier to show contempt to contemptuous people. Ive heard this more than once from a variety of people, and I think the lesson in it spans beyond just immediate families. Be kind to your children. Theyll choose your nursing home some day.

Monday, February 18, 2013

I Peter 3:14-15a

Yesterday, we were advised to be kind to each other because we never know when we will need someone to be there for us. Kindness attracts. Cruelty repels. Yet, sometimes the best intentions fall on misunderstood ears and hearts. Sometimes we need to say what people need to hear, rather than what they want to hear. Sometimes we have to do things that those around us need us to do, rather than what they want us to do. Doing the right thing can get someone in a heap of trouble sometimes. What does one do in those situations? Stu Weber, once said, Its important to keep your eye on the prize--the big prize and not just the immediate payout. To do what someone wants us to do instead of what they need us to do could actually be harmful. To hide someones alcoholism or drug addiction does no good for the addict. To call them on it might hurt your relationship, but it will ultimately do them good. Sometimes it hurts to do the right thing. When that happens, keep your eye on the big prize and not just the immediate payout. The big prize is the smile that crosses your Heavenly Fathers face for eternity because you did the right thing, instead of the thing that would feel right for only the moment.

Tuesday Feb. 19, 2013

I Peter 3:15

Witnessing. Evangelism. Sharing your faith. If someone wants to place a huge burden of guilt on a group of Christians, all one has to do is just use a couple of those words in the same sentence. Some break out in a cold sweat at the thought. Some have gone to extreme measures to rearrange their theology in hopes that reaching out to the lost is not a human responsibility. Others just immediately tune out the conversation or think back to the last time they stepped waaayyy out of their comfort zone to shake that visitors hand six months ago in church. Thats kind of evangelism, isnt it? Truth of the matter is that there are precious few who are comfortable in sharing their faith with others the way the Scriptures outline it. When Ive asked people why that is, the answer is very, very similar across the board. I dont know what I would say. Well, in I Peter 3:15, Peter gives the solution to that. Always be ready to explain it. Its the Boy Scout motto before Boy Scouts even existed. Be prepared. Memorize the Roman Road. Learn a method of sharing the Gospel with someone who might show interest. Practice with a trusted believer and get comfortable with it. Its really not that hard. We are called to be witnesses, not salesmen. Its not our job to close the deal. Thats the Holy Spirits job. But if youre the only Bible that some get to read, and they come to you as their Bible wondering how to find that personal relationship with Jesus and all you have to say is, ummm. Errr. Heres my pastors number. Theres an opportunity lost--a God appointment missed, and an eternity endangered. Are you ready to share the good news with someone? If not, then what simple steps do you need to take to get ready by the end of the day.

Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013

I Peter 3:16

The Celtic Christian traditions fascinate me. From the time of St. Patrick to the Council of Whitby, the Irish took hold of a faith in Jesus Christ that was all together different than what the church in Rome was trying to look like. Rome wanted programs, buildings, calendars, and hierarchies. They wanted rules and regulations and standards by which to measure each other. The Celtic Christians wanted relationships--deepened relationship with the Holy Trinity and with each other. The Vatican would go on crusades and preach the Gospel under threat of sword or promise of material wealth. The Celts loved people into the kingdom. They lived in such a way that people found a wonderful authentic relationship with Christ irresistible. The result was that Celtic Christianity began to spread far greater than Roman Catholicism, which created issues in Rome. When all of England was seen as being threatened by Irelands growing faith. Rome sent their greatest wealth to convince the powers that be in Ireland to renounce the pagan faith and swear allegiance to the Pope. Thus, the Council at Whitby where greed won over God. In the last decade, there has been a resurgence of those Celtic ideals, and admittedly I have thoroughly enjoyed journeying with people around the world in exploration of this flavor of faith. At the core of its outreach is I Peter 3:16. Evangelism happens very little in stadiums with polished speakers. It never happens in a debate or an argument. It rarely happens with people who carry PhDs in theology or even with the average minister in the pulpits. It rarely happens in church services anymore, too. Evangelism happens when one average Christian loves a non-Christian, shares the gospel in both word and deed, and without gimmicks, giveaways, and guilt. The Celtic Christians got this right and its the way we will reach America again. Each one reach one with the love of the Lord.

Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013

I Peter 3:17-8

Thomas Smith (not ours), wrote a groundbreaking book called Effective Advertising in 1985. In it, he shared some research that has literally changed the way advertising takes place. In his research, he found that the first 4 times someone is exposed to an idea or an advertisement, they dont even pay attention to it. Around the 7th time they see it, they start to get irritated by it. By view number 10, they start asking friends if they know anything about it. It isnt until they pass the 13th exposure that they begin to wonder if the product has actual value. They really dont consider buying it until they have been exposed to it for over 20 times. I think about Smiths research when I see passages like I Peter 3:17. I read this and think to myself, Man, this guy has a memory problem. Didnt he just get done saying this exact same thing in chapters one and two? Must be trying to fill the page for a better grade, eh? Yet, I think the Holy Spirit has Peter repeat himself, not because Peter has a memory problem, but because we do. The thing he is repeating here is a tough pill to swallow. Doing good and suffering for it is a good thing? Really? The first time we hear it in this letter, we can sit back and say to ourselves, Interesting. The second, Didnt I hear that before? And now the third, Im going to really have to wrestle with this, because Peter just wont let it go? Wrestle away with it here now. Is it better to do the right thing and get in trouble for it now, and rewarded for it later? Or is it better to avoid the trouble now and face Gods disappointment later? Hes said it three times now. Apparently, its important for us to make a decision on this one.

Friday, Feb. 22, 2013

I Peter 3:19-21

This is one of those passages that you will probably never hear a sermon on. The reason is that there are so many different interpretations on what this passage means. Some think this is the passage that gives way to the idea of purgatory--where souls go to wait for the final judgement. At Jesus death, he descended into Hell and did an altar call those who lived in Old Testament times, now that the Gospel had been completed. They were given a second chance to avoid Hell because of the Cross revealed. Interesting thought, but absolutely no scriptural basis for it at all. Others look at it in light of 2nd Peter 2:4-5, saying that these are demons he went to visit and basically say, Neiner, Neiner, Neiner! I Peter 3:19 seems to be fairly clear that these are human souls he is preaching at. The third option is the darkest. In the first option, it is assumed that Christs preaching would be to a willing audience. Oftentimes, preaching is met with opposition and contempt when the Scriptures are painted clearly. People who are sinning dont generally speaking like to be called on it. It seems both Scriptural and likely that Jesus did show up at the gates of Hell and shared the good news of what had just been accomplished to ears voluntarily deafened. They chose their path. They could have listened to the preacher/ark builder when they were alive. They chose to ignore him. How much more the God who led him? The only ones saved were the ones who obeyed God and got in the boat. This is the picture of baptism. Noah, through his obedience and submission to God, passed through the waters and was saved. Baptism is the story that each person tells at their baptism. Like Noah, they have given their lives to Jesus Christ, trusting in him and letting him be Lord. As a result, they have not drowned, they have been saved. To those who have been baptized, celebrate that victory today again. To those who have not, heres a simple question, Why not?

Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013

I Peter 3:22-4:1

As a result of Christs willingness to do the right thing, despite the painful process, is the pattern in which God uses every time with each of us. The pain and suffering Jesus went through, both physically and spiritually, is well beyond our ability to comprehend. Yet, the success and reward of his actions were not realized while here on this earth, or even at the altar call of Hell if thats what the previous passage is referring to. The result of doing the right thing, regardless of how much it hurt took place in Heaven. That last line of verse 22 is extraordinarily powerful. All angels and authorities and powers accept his authority. All angels? What about the rebellious ones? What about Satan himself? He accepts Christs ultimate authority? Absolutely. He has no choice. He has been check-mated. For him, its all about taking out as many pawns as he can, but even in that he has to get Christs permission. Why? Because Christ is now the authority. The only ones that have a real choice in the matter is you and I, because the One who is in authority has granted us free will. For those receiving this letter for the first time, they are going to face execution for their faith. They are going to be separated from loved ones and struggle to make ends meet, be the backside of a beaten horse. There will be no police that will intervene. No judge that will take their case. Here is their hope. The God who allowed Jesus to go through what he went through made it right in the end. He will do the same for each of them....and for you and me.

Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013

I Peter 4:2-3

Theres a story that I read just this morning (1/23/2013) in USA Today about a University of Idaho student who died just last night. It tore my soul completely up. Apparently, this student was at a fraternity party and had way too much to drink. Thats his fault. He headed out of the fraternity to find his dorm building around 2:00 in the morning, but was so drunk, he got disoriented and headed in the wrong direction. Ill-suited for the weather and with a blood alcohol level that was also messing with his internal ability to regulate his temperature, he began to seek shelter. He found an open door to someones cellar and curled up there for the night. The owner of the house found out and kicked him out back on the streets. He then began knocking on doors asking for help. He was rejected at least three times. He was found frozen underneath a bridge the next morning. How is it that no one helped him? Did no ones phone work? Did noone have an extra blanket? Even a couch? No. The real problem, I suspect, is that it was 2:00-4:00 in the morning and what people saw in their cellar or at their door was an intrusion to their comfort, rather than a soul with an eternal destiny. Honestly, I would hate to be one of those who heard the knock at the door and turned him away--even if they felt justified in not enabling him. They made a personal judgment with eternal ramifications. They put themselves in front of the opportunity to be Christs hands and feet, to someone who blew it, yes, but to someone for whom Christ died for nonetheless. Ouch!

Monday, Feb. 25, 2013

I Peter 4:4

Ask any recovering alcoholic or addict what the most painful part of recovery has been and theyll tell you almost the exact same thing. The physical pains of withdrawal were minimal, even in cases where medical detox were required, when compared to the emotional struggle with former friends. Someones recovery is a slap in the face of those who dont want to do that. It is a breaking of the code of lets pretend everything is OK. Even when great pains are taken to avoid the whole holier than thou attitude, recovery is perceived as an act of judgment against those who reject recovery. It is no different when people enter into recovery from their addiction to sin and rebellion against God. Bible-thumper. Oh, shes got religion now. What are you going to do, preach at me now? And probably the most painful one of all. Voicemails that never get returned. The silent rejection. Although I have seen it more times than I can count, I can only imagine the pain that a new believer goes through as they are not only fighting to follow Jesus and be dependent upon him, they are fighting former friends and even Satan himself. I see my faith as a wonderful blessing, but I havent hung around a majority of non-Christians for decades, much less have that group of non-Christians be my former sole support group. Yes, Jesus can heal all things and be all things to all people. But this verse reminds me of the importance of reaching out to the new believers, and not just get comfortable with my old Christian friends. These new believers need people to surround them with love and encouragement, because their old circle of friends is actively beating them up. They might not show it on their faces, but its there--from elementary school to the nursing home. Recovering sinners get it from old friends in the most painful of ways and desperately need their new family to be there for them in real, authentic ways.

Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013

I Peter 4:5-6

I remember running the Bolder Boulder for the first time. There is this point in the route that it really began to burn. It was the last 3/4s of a mile. The last 10th of a mile was almost straight up into the stadium. My lungs burned so bad I just wanted to drop to the ground and die. There were several paramedics scanning the jogging mob probably for that very reason. It hurt so bad. My legs were beyond spaghetti. They were twigs holding up the trunk of a massive tree. I could feel my heart beating in my throat and that too actually hurt. Yet, the thought of stopping to walk at this point in time was unthinkable. I was almost done. The end was in sight. I began doing what my trainer instructed me to do in this situation. Start counting steps up to ten, breathing in every other count and then start over again. Find the rhythm needed and it will carry you over the hill and into the stadium. Thats what Peter is advocating here. There will be hills in our walk with Jesus. They will be steep and painful. People rejected Him. They will reject you, too. They will make fun of you, tell untruths about you. You might just want to lay down and die. Dont. In the end, all will be judged. Some will hear, Well done, good and faithful servant. Others will hear, Depart from me. I never knew you. If you finish the race, you will be a witness to those who need an example like you. Dont give up. Count...your blessings and take the next step.

Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013

I Peter 4:7

The end of the world is coming soon. Ive been to more than one professional or collegiate athletic event where someone with a scraggly beard was wearing a sandwich board saying that the end of the world is near and handing out pamphlets to prove his point. No one really takes that person seriously. Very few take the paper--if anyone. No one believes him. Yet, the last time I was at Husker Stadium and passed a woman shouting this kind of stuff out and trying to pawn off her paper, I took a moment and looked around and asked myself the question, can anyone walking past this woman refute what shes saying? No one wants to believe that the end of the world is at hand. Who wants to live through the tribulation? Ill do it if thats what God wants, but I much prefer the idea of a rapture. My wants do not create reality no matter how strong my desires are. And whats more, as I looked around all of those people intent on finding their seat before kickoff, how many of them could say with certainty that the end of the world for them was not at hand. How many people who passed away this last year had it marked on their calendar that this would be their last day with us? How many people who died in car accidents this past month made sure their will was in order before getting into the car? How many unspoken, I love yous or Im sorrys still float around out there because no one thought that the end of their world was so close? We all tend to live like there will always be a tomorrow. That isnt wise, nor is it biblical. This is the only moment God guarantees for you. Use it to the fullest and enjoy it as you enjoy Him.

Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013

I Peter 4:7

The word pray literally means to beg. It has become a little less of the beggar mentalilty and more of a spiritual haughty taughty mindset, hasnt it? Imagine what kind of faces you would receive if you suggested before a committee meeting or even a Bible study to start out with a session of begging God. Yet, in this verse, this is exactly what Peter is asking us to do. When the going gets tough, and we arent tough enough to manage to keep our heads above water, the only thing left to do is beg for help. Fortunately, we can beg a God who promises to always listen and always give us what we need as we beg for it. World falling apart and theres not enough duct tape in the drawer? Great! You are seeing things as they really are and arent trying to fool yourself any longer. The world is falling apart and there isnt enough duct tape in the universe that will hold it all together. The only one who can do anything about it is God. So, on your knees and beg...um, er, pray!

Friday, March 1, 2013

I Peter 4:8

Most importantly... When the Holy Spirit uses words like this, it means take what follows extremely seriously. And what is so serious? Love. Now, I know that this doesnt seem to be the weapon of choice to use to beat down the enemy and advance the kingdom of Christ. But it is Gods chosen weapon. The one he uses almost exclusively in our world. Think about this for a second. In John 17, Jesus didnt pray that his disciples would be known by their understanding of theology. No human being could ever get a full grasp of theology. Well be fighting about theology until the cows come home. He didnt pray that his disciples would be known for their powerful presence or political prowess. Politics has solved very, very little in our world and actually has done more to foster conflict than anything else that I can think of. He didnt pray that we would be known for our logic, or even our passions. The thing he prayed for is the thing he knew we could do and make a unified mark in a broken world with. That thing? Love. Lets work on deepening our love for each other. For in doing, we focus on what is wrong far less and what is right far more.

Saturday, March 2, 2013

I Peter 4:9

The house is a mess. Toys, papers, unfolded laundry everywhere. I dont have fancy recipes to share. Its just normal everyday fare to share. What will people think if they come over to my house. Were simple folks who have little choice to decorate in anything other than early married. For every person I have heard share these concerns with me, I have shared the exact opposite of those who were invited to share a meal in their home. They are such nice people. We had a great time! We used to do that kind of thing all the time. We should do that more often! Isnt it funny how we expect people to judge us by our stuff. If those we invite are that shallow, they would probably reject the offer right out. What people long for and crave is relationship, not your knick nacks or Smithsonian exhibits of modern living. Jesus hung out with all kinds and every time he did, those around were profoundly touched by relationship, not real estate. So take the challenge. Who are you going to invite to Sunday lunch tomorrow?