1 Peter

[IKTCA]

By his great mercy
he has given us a new birth into a living hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
and into an inheritance
that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading,
kept in the heaven for you,
who are protected by the power of God through faith
for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1:3-5)

As I reflect on these words that I read last night, a thought comes to my mind: what pure words are these! Anyone can read pure words. But only pure hearts can speak pure words. I can appreciate the purity of these words, but I cannot speak these words myself. There is no such purity in my heart.

I have been thinking about catching fish. I have been asking the Lord to open my eyes to see lost souls and stir my heart for them. How can I witness Jesus if purity is not in me? What is the use of opened eyes if heart cannot utter words of purity? How can Jesus be with impure words?

Lord,
As I read these words of your apostle, let the purity of the words enter me. Though the words are lost in memory, let the purity remain in my heart. Amen.

 

[IKTCA]

Although you have not seen him,
you love him;
even though you do not see him now,
you believe in him
and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy….(1 Peter 1:8)

There must be a faculty in me that knows without seeing. Jesus has never appeared to me as he did to Paul. But I know him. God did not speak to me as he did to Israelites on a mountain. But I know him.

What is this faculty? Whatever it may be, I know I have this faculty. This hears voice, this sees visions, this knows the cross, this rejoices in Christ, this receives understanding, this learns new love, this grows in knowledge.

This lives on love and grace. This writhes in agony and sadness. This yearns obedience and humility. This is in fact more than a faculty or ability in me. It was not in me. But it is now.

Lord,
You created in me a new creation. It wasn’t in me before. That’s how I know it was created after I was born. What my mind cannot comprehend, this new creation knows as if it had always known it. I thank you for this new creation. Amen.

 

[Beauty4Ashes]

Lord,
As I read these words of your apostle, let the purity of the words enter me. Though the words are lost in memory, let the purity remain in my heart. Amen.

ditto on that for me Lord, and amen!!

 

[IKTCA]

And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things. (2 Peter 1:15)

I read many Christian testimonies. Truly, many believers lived a committed life. Many spent their youth in remote villages, translating the Bible into their languages. Others proclaimed the gospel to those who never heard Jesus.

This passage shows Peter’s commitment. He says he wants one thing in this life. And the very same thing he wants after death. It is to remind his brothers to live according to Jesus’ words.

What do I want so much that even after death I want the same? I need to think about it. Am I all out for one thing and one thing only?

PS: I got mixed up between 1 Peter and 2 Peter. This passage was from 2 Peter.

 

[IKTCA]

Therefore prepare your minds for action……(1 Peter 1:13)

I know this applies to me, especially for now and the near future. I don’t know what action I have to be ready for. But I need to prepare my mind.

Lord,
In expectation of action I prepare my mind to be wholly owned by you. Where hopes in the things of the world vanish, and only the hope in you holds me together, to that place take me, Lord. Amen.

 

[HoT-MetaL]

iktca, Peter and James are the two books of the Bible that are, in my humble preference, the most practical books written - they are guides as to how we can live for Christ, in order to bring Glory to His name and save souls for His Kingdom.

Almost 2000years from when it was first written it is amazing to see these pure words having an impact on people throughout the world - from England to accross the pond in America.

God Bless, metal.

 

[IKTCA]

for it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16)

Some say their god is the true god. Others say they have many gods and all are true gods. But I know only one God who commands me to be holy even as he is holy. He is the Father of Jesus.

Other gods look down upon their slaves. But my God desires fellowship with me. How can I have fellowship with him unless I become as holy as he is? Some of the commands of God I couldn’t bear. They were too heavy for a mortal like me. “How can I become holy?” I used to ask back. “How can I be perfect?” God’s demand seemed unrealistic for a mortal to bear.

But I didn’t know: God has the power to fulfill his command in me. The God who commanded me to be holy has the power to make me become holy.

If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for your? (John 14:2)
If it were no so, would he have commanded me to be holy?

And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongue……….(Mark 16:18)
If it were not so, would he have said these?

Kingdom of God is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened. (Luke 13:20)
If all my soul could not be stirred with godly desires, would he have said these?

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. (Matthew 5:8)
If Jesus had no power to make me pure in heart, would he have said this?

Father,
I yearn to obey all your commands, especially the command, “Listen to my Son.” I kneel before you in humble submission. Only fulfill your commands in me, for your commands are my joy and glory. Your words alone can keep me from corruption, and save me from this adulterous generation. I only ask you to fulfill your commands in all my brothers as in me. Amen.

 

[repentandbelieve]

By his great mercy
he has given us a new birth into a living hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
and into an inheritance
that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading,
kept in the heaven for you,
who are protected by the power of God through faith
for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1:3-5)

As I reflect on these words that I read last night, a thought comes to my mind: what pure words are these! Anyone can read pure words. But only pure hearts can speak pure words. I can appreciate the purity of these words, but I cannot speak these words myself. There is no such purity in my heart.

I have been thinking about catching fish. I have been asking the Lord to open my eyes to see lost souls and stir my heart for them. How can I witness Jesus if purity is not in me? What is the use of opened eyes if heart cannot utter words of purity? How can Jesus be with impure words?

Lord,
As I read these words of your apostle, let the purity of the words enter me. Though the words are lost in memory, let the purity remain in my heart. Amen.

It is difficult for us to understand ourselves, to have a correct knowledge of our own characters. The word of God is plain but we often error in applying it to one's self. There is liability to self-deception and to think its warnings and reproofs do not mean me. Self-love and confidence may give us assurance that we are right when we are far from meeting the requirements of God's word.

Self-examination must be thorough, so that there be no danger of self-deception. Self-love causes us to make a superficial work of self-examination. There must be persevering effort to overcome selfishness and self-confidence.

"Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart,"--the human heart, with its conflicting emotions of joy and sorrow,--the wandering, wayward heart, which is the abode of so much impurity and deceit. He knows its motives, its very intents and purposes. Go to Him with your soul all stained as it is. Like the psalmist, throw its chambers open to the all-seeing Eye, exclaiming: "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Submit your heart to be refined and purified; then you will become a partaker of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Then you will "be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."

 

[IKTCA]

Brother R&B:

I used to have fellowship with a brother of the same name here in CF. I am not sure if you are the same person. If you are, I am glad to hear from you again. And I am gald that you joined this thread.

My home group read 1 Peter last week. This week we are reading Ephesians. I am dropping this thread, and starting a new one, Ephesians. Please join me there.

I read your post more than once, and paid attention to your exhortation. If you consider me as a brother and if you perceive that I am not right in certain areas, please speak to me directly without hesitation. I say this because I received your exhortation as a general edification of my soul. If you intened to address a specific area, then I missed it. Please let me know.

Assuming you are the other brother whom I used to know, welcome back. Let us have a joyful fellowship in the Lord.

Rupert

 

[roseglass6370]

I love first Peter

"Love each other deeply, from the heart" 1 Peter 4:8...probably one of my favorite Bible verses.