Every Day Devotion

1 Peter 1:5 Who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (ESV) In our walk on this earth we feel very vulnerable. We know that everything we possess can be lost in an instant. Things that we own can be stolen. Money could lose its value with a change in the stock market. Relationships can be destroyed by the whim of a person who decides that they no longer want to know us. We feel like there is nothing to protect us. The Apostle Peter says we are being guarded by God's power. Peter knew the frailty of this life and the temporal things that we try to hold on to. He is talking here of our salvation, which cannot lose its value, and cannot be taken from us. This is great news for the believer in Jesus Christ. It is God's power that guards the salvation that will be revealed in the last time. Now, this does bring a question to mind. Isn't my salvation already revealed? If you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ, be...

1 Peter 1:4 To an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, (ESV) The Apostle Peter writes to Christians who are in the midst of being persecuted for their faith. They are exiles from their homes. Many of them were exiled from previous relationships, even family members. Peter reminds them that while they may have lost many things in this life they have an inheritance in Heaven that will help them keep things in proper perspective. They have much to be excited about. Our inheritance in heaven is imperishable. Every thing that we have in this life on earth, no matter how precious it might be, is subject to decay. All of the science geeks will acknowledge that it is the second law of thermodynamics that describes the entropy of all things. Our inheritance in heaven is not subject to the laws that govern this earth. What God has for his children will never change. It is imperishable. Our inheritance is undefiled. Everything in this world is evil. T...

1 Peter 1:3 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, (ESV) While it is true that we will face all kinds of troubles in this world there is an underlying truth that in spite of all of our struggles we have hope. Peter reminds us here that we have a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. One could say, "What is the worst that man can do to me?" If we are killed we will only be raised to new life eternal. The truth of this living hope ought to be the very thing that helps us get through the most difficult of times. Peter himself, as tradition tells us, was crucified upside down for his faith in Jesus Christ. We may or may not have to die in the same dreadful way. As horrific of a death as this was for Peter it did not nullify the living hope that he speaks of here in verse 3. Rather, he had hope as he...

1 Peter 1:2 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. (ESV) In these second opening verse the Apostle Peter gives us a glimpse of our salvation from before time began until now. He begins by talking about the foreknowledge of God the Father. This word foreknowledge does not mean that he observed what we would do long before we would do it. Rather, it means that he planned a relationship with us beforehand. Those who God foreknows he ultimately saves (See Romans 8:29-30). Peter then describes our sanctification of the Spirit. This word sanctification means to be set apart. We were brought out of the kingdom of darkness and brought into God's wonderful kingdom. Not only are we no longer a part of the world, but we have received a new nature. We also have been given the Holy Spirit to help us walk a life, set apart for Him. So, what s...

1 Peter 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, (ESV) In this opening verse of 1 Peter we see two descriptions that are meaningful to us. The first is a description of Peter as he describes himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ. The other description is of the initial recipients of this letter. They are believers who have been dispersed from their homes to Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. What is meaningful is that they are described as elect exiles. Let's consider Peter. Here he describes himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ. Peter could have described himself as denier of Christ in his hour of greatest trial. He might have described himself as one who regularly put his foot in his mouth. He was scolded by the Apostle Paul for being hypocritical (Galatians 2:11), so he could have said, "Peter, hypocrite." What he says is, "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Ch...

Romans 16:27 To the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen. (ESV) In these closing words of praise Paul reminds us of some important truths that are critical for us to understand. He begins by saying the only wise God. We should be reminded that true wisdom has only one source; God himself. Man's wisdom is folly. When man says anything that is truly wise you can trace the source of that wisdom back to God. An atheist may something wise, but it is God's wisdom. To this only wise God belongs glory. As we read this we have no problem affirming that God is deserving of glory. The real issue is whether or not we actually give him glory. We make decisions in our lives that we feel will benefit us, without pausing to consider whether God will receive glory in what we are doing. God being worthy of glory should remind us to give him glory in every action that we take. This glory that is given to our only wise God is glory that he is to be given to him forevermore...

Romans 16:26 But has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— (ESV) The Gospel that Paul preached and expounded upon all throughout the book of Romans was not just something that the apostle came up with. Rather, it was a mystery that for centuries was hidden from the Gentile world. Salvation of mankind was always through the Jews. After all, they alone were the recipients of the Law.  Paul is saying here that the mystery of this Gospel is now disclosed. It is no longer hidden. Through the very words of the prophets the world now knows and sees the Gospel. The Gospel is the fulfillment of the promises of God declared to the prophets. This good news that man can be made right with God through faith in Jesus Christ is for everyone,  Jew and Gentile. Today, we tend to forget just how wonderful it is that we are recipients of the Gospel. Our whole li...