In the forests of northern Europe and Asia lives little animal called the ermine, known for his snow-white fur in winter. He instinctively protects his white coat against anything that would soil it. Fur hunters take advantage of this unusual trait of the ermine. They don’t set a snare to catch him, but instead they […]
Don’t look for Marion Jones’ name in the Olympic record books anymore. As far as the IOC is concerned, her five-medal performance at the 2000 Sydney Games never happened. Jones was erased from the Olympic records when the IOC formally stripped her of her three gold and two bronze medals. Once the world’s biggest track […]
Many today do not live in a home with running water, a flush toilet, a hot shower, a soft bed, plenty of food, a closet full of clothes, and several Bibles. We are a privileged people, both physically and spiritually. It is likely that Peter’s first readers had none of these privileges, yet he reminded […]
Every man will receive his own reward according to his own labour. We find the same word “reward” down in verse 14. This word actually speaks of dues paid for work. It describes the fruit naturally resulting from work. God does not expect any Christian to serve Him without pay. He is a generous employer […]
According to a USA TODAY 2007 report, “Seven in 10 Protestants ages 18 to 30 — both evangelical and mainline — who went to church regularly in high school said they quit attending by age 23.”[i] Another report said that 60% of young Christians disconnect from their church after age 15.[ii] There has never been […]
A trained and experienced musician can hear errors in a piece of music that my untrained ear cannot hear. He can detect if the pitch is slightly flat or if a measure was somewhat rushed. He judges the music from a different perspective than I do. He has a far better understanding of what it […]
This morning our text is about trials in life. Here are a couple of quotes that I like on trials. “Every flower that ever blossomed had to go through a lot of dirt to get there.” Unknown “God doesn’t always still the storm, but He can calm the sailor.” Unknown Peter’s readers were facing trials. […]
One day when we least expect it, it will happen. Jesus Christ will come back and every true Christian will instantly find themselves wearing an immortal body in the presence of the Lord. Earthly life will abruptly end. Earthly service for the Lord will be finished. It will be too late to witness to family […]
The hymn “Praise Him! Praise Him!” was written by Fanny Crosby, the blind American songwriter who lived 1820-1915. Though she was blind, she wrote more than 8000 gospel hymn texts. She looked beyond her trial in life and praised God in her heart and song. Because Peter’s readers were elect strangers scattered in the back woods because […]
So far we have learned four things about conflicts. Remove Sinful Reactions (v.8-9) Rely upon the Lord (v.10-11) Respond with Godliness (v.12-14) Let the Lord Guide (v.15-16) Transition: Conflicts often begin when someone irritates us. They do something that displeases us and we react in a wrong way. In this section, God shows us that […]