Bible Journey > I Peter

Here are my thoughts and highlights from I Peter as I continue my journey through the Bible:

• "We’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven–and the future starts now!" Looks like God saved me from Hell, but he also has a purpose for me on earth.
• Here’s another challenge to remain disciplined: "Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing."
• "Let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness."
• God won’t let me get by with "sloppy living."
• One thing that should differentiate Christ-followers from anyone else is a commitment to "love one another."
• Part of my mission is "to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made" in my life.
• God wants me to respect the government…even the part of the government from the other political party.
• "He used his servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way. His wounds became your healing."
• Sarah would address Abraham as "my dear husband." Emily just calls me "my guy." I think I prefer that.
• "Be good husbands to your wives. Honor them, delight in them." I really like that "delight in them" part.
• God wants me to "run after peace." I wonder if that also applies to fathers with four children?
• "Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy." God must have known Christians would have trouble with "utmost courtesy." You wouldn’t think he’d have to make that clear, would you?
• God wants me to learn to think like him.
• I need to continue to learn and implement generosity in my life. "Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help." Sometimes that generosity doesn’t involve money or possessions–it involves encouraging words and actions. There are times when that’s harder for me than giving money.
• Difficult circumstances create opportunities for "spiritual refining."
• "God has had it with the proud, but takes delight in just plain people."
• Peter closes this letter by asking folks to "Give holy embraces all around!" I’m sure that’s a typo. Don’t you be thinking I’m going to start hugging anyone. And, whatever you do, don’t touch my skin!