"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (1 Peter 1:3-5)
If you are looking for a blessing today, you will do no better than reading our text. And how about, "....knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He...was manifested in these last times for you who through Him believe in God...."
So many go to meetings, watch Christian television, etc., to get "blessings." I have never found the equivalent of blessings anywhere as in the "God-Breathed" Words. "Father...has begotten us to a living hope." This is the Lord God of the universe. He did this, "begotten," in Jesus Christ. We have in Jesus, "an inheritance incorruptible." And it is, "reserved in heaven for you." Now the clincher for anyone who feels weak and struggling in any area of one's life, "you...are kept by the power of God." This is not my power, but the Living Triune God's. It is Jesus' power. There have been times in our lives where we have all attempted to "keep" ourselves, keep ourselves in the faith, in salvation, in Christ. Yes, my faith and obedience are essential, but beyond that and overpowering that is the keeping power of the Blessed Trinity.
I repeat; if you are struggling in any way with anything today, do not fret. "You...are kept by the power of God." Jesus says of us who trust and obey Him, "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." I can certainly live with that/Him.
Father, in Jesus' Name, I so thank You that the power keeping me is not I, but You. Amen.
If you are looking for a blessing today, you will do no better than reading our text. And how about, "....knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He...was manifested in these last times for you who through Him believe in God...."
So many go to meetings, watch Christian television, etc., to get "blessings." I have never found the equivalent of blessings anywhere as in the "God-Breathed" Words. "Father...has begotten us to a living hope." This is the Lord God of the universe. He did this, "begotten," in Jesus Christ. We have in Jesus, "an inheritance incorruptible." And it is, "reserved in heaven for you." Now the clincher for anyone who feels weak and struggling in any area of one's life, "you...are kept by the power of God." This is not my power, but the Living Triune God's. It is Jesus' power. There have been times in our lives where we have all attempted to "keep" ourselves, keep ourselves in the faith, in salvation, in Christ. Yes, my faith and obedience are essential, but beyond that and overpowering that is the keeping power of the Blessed Trinity.
I repeat; if you are struggling in any way with anything today, do not fret. "You...are kept by the power of God." Jesus says of us who trust and obey Him, "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." I can certainly live with that/Him.
Father, in Jesus' Name, I so thank You that the power keeping me is not I, but You. Amen.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
