Every time we submit to human authority we are doing it as “Unto The Lord” 1:13

Submission to all human authority is an act of faith, for in doing so we show that we believe all legitimate authority is God given. In submitting we reveal whats in our hearts and bring glory to God 2:13-15.

Peter said to the high priest “we must obey God rather than any human authority” Acts 5:29 if we are persecuted, it must be for obeying God, not as a lawbreaker or following our own ideas about what should be summited to.

We must show respect to everyone (not only to fellow christians) 2:17 read what Jesus said in Luke 6::32

Suffering is often because of our own sins or silly mistakes, we can also suffer unexpectedly simply because we live in this world. But there is a suffering that comes because we are christians fully following the example of Jesus 2:19. Who patiently submitted to the horrors of calvary to give us salvation and bring glory to God 2:21

The atoning work of Jesus at calvary was total in its scope, Peter quotes from Isaiah 53:5 which shows that Messiah’s death would result in total wholeness for everyone who believes in Jesus Christ 2:24.

memory verse

Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness by whose stripes you were healed.

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Unless we have tasted that God is gracious we will never desire more of Him 2:3

Do you have a God given desire to keep on growing as a Christian? or have you reached a spiritual plateau? Its impossible to continue to live as we did before we knew Christ and continue to make genuine spiritual growth. Be done with it! and instead cry out (strongly desire) for more of what you first “tasted” when you first came to Christ, God will surely grant your desire 2::1-2

Peter’s Jewish readers would of understood the living stones as referring to Israel. Jesus Christ is the Corner Stone of the New Spiritual Temple. As living stones all believers make up the New Spiritual Temple, the church does not cancel believing Israel but completes it 2:5

Many have stumbled over the Rock by failing to believe in Jesus.Christ and the gospel. People are going to a lost eternity not simply because of their sins but because they reject Jesus and refuse to trust Him as saviour 2;8, John 3:18

Christians are temporary residents of this world and because of this we should be careful how we live so that the citizens of this world will give honour to God because of us. If we let Him, the Holy Spirit will show us how we should behave now that we are citizens of another Kingdom, am I generous and kind to unbelievers and believers alike? Will those I come into into contact with give honour to God because of the way I conduct myself? Its usual when we move house to leave it clean and tidy so lets be careful not to leave any junk behind us when God calls us to our permanent home lets make sure we leave a good reputation that brings honour to God 2:11-12

memory verse

Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment. 1Peter 2:2 N.L.T.

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Our minds can become a battle ground of the soul, unless we exercise self control. Thoughts that are foreign to our new born again spirit will seek to influence us away from our assurance of salvation and the promised rewards that are ours at the return of Jesus Christ 1:13

Here are just a few suggestions how we can start to declutter our minds, first God never tells us to empty our minds if you’re ever counselled to do so run from that counsellor! that is nothing but new age teaching strait from the devil. Jesus instead tells us to be still and know that He is God even in the darkest of times. Second take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ 2 Cor 10:5. This means that any thoughts that conflict with the Bible we are to ditch completely. Third don’t be a prisoner to your past, this is best achieved by looking forward to your promised rewards that are already waiting in heaven for you, not as a result of anything you did or did not achieve in the past but because God calls you His child right now 1:23, Philippians 3:13-14

Christ’s sacrifice was not an afterthought it was planned before the fall of man. That may blow our tiny minds! but it means that the flood, the calling of Abram, the exodus and the giving and then the scrapping of the law were all part of Gods eternal plan. The same is true for every child of God, we are not windfalls but handpicked fruit! 1:20

Everything has a lifespan except the Word of God and this is our wonderful assurance, our new life in Christ is everlasting because it comes from the eternal Living Word of God 1:23

memory verse

But the Word of the Lord will last forever. And that Word is the Good News that was preached to you.

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Peters letters are very relevant for many Christians who are living under repressive governments. Wherever we are living we are all subject to misunderstandings and ridicule even harassment by unbelieving friends or work mates or sometimes by those close to us. None of us should expect to be exempt from trials that include pain, sickness, and even death. We live in a world where violence rises and falls, evil goes from bad to worse. But don’t forget the worse that can happen to us is the best thing! The Lord will take us to Heaven 1:6.

At first it seems that Peter is only writing to Jewish Christians because he addresses his letter to God’s chosen people who are living in foreign parts, but be assured every christian is one of God’s chosen people Ephesians 1:4. Sometimes we can feel discouraged because things are not going our way, Peter, wrote this encouraging letter reminding us that even persecution need not be feared when we know Jesus Christ 1:1-2

God has promised that His mighty power will protect us whatever difficulties or trials we may face. Our souls will not be harmed because we have accepted Christ’s gift of salvation. Which is due to be revealed for all to see when Jesus comes again. This is hard for us to fully understand now, but there really is wonderful joy to come when we will see the Lord Jesus, and God graces us with our inheritance 1:6.

The trials we face are working in us to test and purify our faith. So next time your being tested see it as part of gods refining purpose. remember the words of Joseph to his brothers ”you meant it for evil but God meant it for good” Genesis 50:20 The devil really slips up when he tries to bring distress upon God’s own children 1:7

Although its not possible to please God apart from faith, the opposite of fear is love not faith 1 John 4:18 we all need to be established in God’s love which is the key to facing every fear we face 1:8

What was a mystery to the Old Testament prophets God’s plan of salvation has been revealed to us or more correctly “in us“ As the apostle Paul wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Christ in you the hope of glory Colossians 1:27

memory verse

You love Him even though you have never seen Him. Though you do not see Him, you trust Him; and even now you are happy with a glorious, inexpressible Joy. 1 Peter 1:8 N.L.T.

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Our sufficiency is in Jesus Christ because in Him we enjoy peace regardless of the circumstances of life 4:11

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things. may have an abundance for every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8

Sometimes we may not have opportunity to give to those in need as we would wish. But we can always express our loving concern through prayer for those who like Paul find themselves in horrible circumstances. In this way although not in person the Philippians understood what it meant to be of one spirit with Paul 4:10

The fruit that abounds to their account 4:17 I believe when we give its not the gift itself but what the gift expresses that is rewarded its is an investment that will yield natural and spiritual fruit.

Two important things to remember, 1 we don’t give to get and 2 we should not wait until we have a surplus before we consider giving. Our giving must be accompanied by faith sacrificial giving blesses both receiver and giver and is an acceptable sacrifice that delights God 4:18

God will meet all our needs out of His boundless resource not because we are givers but because He is the God of all grace! 4:19

Memory verse

For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need Philippians 4:13 N.L.T.

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Pause for thought

Happiness depends on happenings, Joy is a gift of the Lord who is our strength in every situation. God always delights to grace His children with Joy. Nehemiah 8:10

Christians should be full of joy because no matter what happens to us we know Jesus Christ is always with us. Its easy to get discouraged about difficult circumstances, but like Paul we can remain joyful in every circumstance if we see it from the right perspective! 4:4

Don’t allow disagreements to get out of hand, settle them quickly or else you may bring sorrow to the Holy Spirit Ephesians 4:30. When a disagreement becomes a Quarrel then both are in the wrong! We should all endeavour to become peace makers if we are true children of our heavenly Father. Mathew 5:9

Fix your thoughts 4:8. What we put into our minds will determine our thoughts and actions so fill your mind with Gods Word that is where what is pure lovely and admirable are found. 4:8

Don’t just read the Word meditate upon it and put it into practice. 4:9, James 1:22

Memory verse

Always be full of Joy in the Lord. I say it again — rejoice! Philippians 4:4 N.L.T.

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We are saved. We are being saved this is called sanctification. We will be saved when Jesus returns. We are a work in progress! As Paul put it I am not all I’m meant to be yet but I keep on pressing forward to reach the goal the high calling of Jesus Christ. However we can’t go forward if we keep on looking to our past. This is what Israel did often longing to be back in Egypt, and in doing so a whole generation failed to reach the promised land. Is there anything from the past either good or bad preventing you from moving forward? God will help you to put it permanently behind you, you only need ask 3:13.

Paul compares the Christian to an athlete in training to win a race, just as the athlete focuses all his energies on the goal of being first pass the post, so we must lay aside everything that saps our spiritual energy and every distraction as we strain to reach the end of the race. Is there anything that springs to mind that you feel distracts you from whole heartedly running the strait race? The words of a hymn come to mind that teach this great truth “ run the strait race through Gods good grace “ God is not only cheering us on from the grandstand, it is He who graces us with all we need to finish the race and gain the prize, the high calling to live forevermore with Christ in heaven 3:14.

We don’t have to wait to get to heaven to become a citizen of heaven! Paul had all the rights of Roman citizenship and he made the most of those rights Acts 16:35-37. Knowing that he was a citizen of heaven had a profound effect on Paul what effect does it have on how you think and act? 3:20.

These thoughts are not meant to replace the audio message.

memory verse

But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for Him to return as our Saviour. Philippians 3:20 N.L.T.

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Pause for thought

Reading and believing, keep on reading and believing the Bible, keep hearing God speaking again and again is safe for us, because as in Pauls day there are numerous false teachings out there devised to bring Gods children into bondage. The devil is the prince of the power of the air, he puts his thoughts in peoples minds his tactics don’t change he just uses new ways like modern media but he always tries to make us believe that his devilish thoughts are our own. Resist him take your stand in the name of Jesus and keep reading your Bible it will keep you safe! 3:1

You know your saved! keep on rejoicing don’t be fooled into believing that you can be favoured more because you were born into a christian family or Nation, or have Jewish heritage or done some spiritual exploits or good works, don’t forget God prepared them for you to do before you were born so you can’t claim any praise at all , whatever you do is all of grace.3:8 Galatian 3:3

Do you put anything above your relationship with Christ? Sadly I once did but God was gracious and helped me to keep my priorities right 3:7

These pause for thoughts are not meant to replace the audio message but to be in addition to it!

memory verse

And become one with Him. I no longer count on my own goodness or my ability to obey God’s law, but I trust Christ to save me. For God’s way of making us right with Himself depends on faith. Philippians 3:9 N.L.T.

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Paul called a spade a spade! He noted that the majority of Roman Christians cared more for their own comfort and safety ( my words) than they did for what is important to Christ. This was not only a first century problem it’s the same today, what is it that keeps most of us from leaving our comfort zone? and do you think it possible to win souls and make disciples for Christ with such an attitude? 2:20-21

Timothy had a good teacher in Paul they were like father and son,. We are not all like Paul but we can all encourage and be mentors to younger Christians, Jesus said we are to go and make disciples of all nations Mathew 28:19 this responsibility falls on every Christian 2:22

Epaphroditus was entrusted with gifts for Paul from the church at Philippi while Paul was a prisoner of Rome. He displayed reckless courage ( S. F. L. footnote) Have you ever asked yourself how far you’d be prepared to go for the sake of the gospel and those imprisoned for their faith? 2:30

Paul revealed the saviours heart of love when he sent Epaphroditis back to his home church. He wanted to spare Epaphraditus from becoming home sick, and the Philippians from distress after hearing that Epaphraditus had been near death with sickness. This was not simply Paul being loving and sympathetic but revealed the heart of love that Christ has for each of us in whatever difficult situation we find ourselves in 2:27-28

Memory verse

Don’t think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing. Philippians 2:4

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