Take Root 1st & 2nd Peter - 40 day challange

  Day 8 1 Peter 2:13-17 13  Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority,  14  or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.  15  For such is the will of God, that by doing right you silence the ignorance of foolish people.  16  Act  as free people, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but  use it  as bondservants of God.  17  Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king. I wonder how many times I will honor the President today?... How about the VP?   It would take a lot of “open field running” to get around the requirements outlined in verses 13 & 14. Clearly, I am to pray for those whom God has allowed to be in leadership roles for my country. Funny how I judge others for picking and choosi...

  Day 9 1 Peter 2:18-25 18  Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are harsh.  19  For this  finds  favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person endures grief when suffering unjustly.  20  For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer  for it  you patiently endure it, this  finds  favor with God. 21  For you have been called for this purpose, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you would follow in His steps,  22  He  who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth;  23  and while being abusively insulted, He did not insult in return; while suffering, He did not threaten, but kept entrusting  Hi...

Day 10 1 Peter3:1-4  In the same way, you wives, be subject to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won over without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2 as they observe your pure and respectful behavior. 3 Your adornment must not be merely the external—braiding the hair, wearing gold jewelry, or putting on apparel; 4 but it should be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.  This seems like a great verse for us men, but if you dig just a little it is actually pretty ominous.  God clearly is telling our wives to submit…He says be pure and respectful…that sounds great until I consider what that means from God’s viewpoint.  I have a daughter who is engaged – my advice to her has been that she should be a respectful wife …however I have informed her fiancé that I expect him to absolutely earn that respect by putting her first. G...

  Day 11 1 Peter3:5-7 5 For in this way the holy women of former times, who hoped in God, also used to adorn themselves, being subject to their own husbands, 6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; and you have proved to be her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear. 7 You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered. Interesting passage that clearly states our relationship with God is impacted by how we treat others…I would expect to read that my relationship with others can be impacted by my relationship to God - but not necessarily the other way around.  It makes my relationship with others more important when it is tied to how I relate to my Heavenly Father.  Peter says women showed their hope in God by honoring their husband…and men’s communication with God...

Day 12 1 Peter3:8-12 8 To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, loving, compassionate, and humble; 9 not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you would inherit a blessing. 10 For, “The one who desires life, to love and see good days, Must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. 11 He must turn away from evil and do good; He must seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, And His ears attend to their prayer, But the face of the Lord is against evildoers.” There is an entire chapter in James about the tongue. It is condensed here in verse 10.  If you desire life... watch your mouth. So simple and to the point - yet so hard.  How easy it is to say something condescending about a brother…not that you don’t love him of course, but he really struggles with ____________.    Don’t we feel wise and righteous when we “lovingly...

Day 13 1 Peter 3:13-17 13 And who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be in dread, 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect; 16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who disparage your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. 17 For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. Two issues here…. “And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be in dread…” the writer here is talking about real fear and dread from real attacks.   I recently watched a documentary on William Tyndale who was burned at the stake in 1536. He was executed for translating the bible into E...

  Day 14 1 Peter 3:18-22 18  For Christ also suffered for sins once for all  time, the  just for  the  unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;  19  in which He also went and made proclamation to the spirits in prison,  20  who once were disobedient when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through  the  water.    21  Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you— not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ ,  22  who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him. I can’t get past ...