Daily Inspirations

   Good morning. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. There was a time when some people put down the gravity of this verse. They said that the devil was “like” a roaring lion, but toothless. However, toothless lions would not be seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. In the natural, we would run and try to hide from a roaring lion. If we could, we would try to reason with the lion, saying we will do anything that he wanted us to, just don’t eat us. Too many Christians respond to the devil in just the same way. After you have suffered for a little while (it doesn’t seem like a little while when you are going through it), the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. And so we co...

   Good morning. OK so God is opposed to the proud and gives grace to the humble – how is that to happen? Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Believe me you don’t want God doing the humbling. That mighty hand will squash you like a bug. Part of the humbling ourselves is casting all our anxieties on Him. We don’t get anxious about how we are going to get out of the predicament we are in; we trust Him to do it. That can be very humbling because we like to do it ourselves. We also get very antsy when it looks like time is running out on us. God is never late – He is an on time God! Father help us to trust You to take care of everything at the proper time.

   Good morning. So what is the result of the elders properly shepherding the flock? And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading (same word as in chapter 1 talking about our inheritance that will not fade away) crown (in that day it was actually a wreath like in the games) of glory. You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders (Church position, not just older people); and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Now the phrase “be subject to“ does not mean that you are a doormat and do everything that the elders tell you. They don’t run your personal lives like the “apostles” I talked about last time. Remember that also we are to be subject to one another, and wives to their husbands. However, the elders are responsible for the smooth operation of the church according to God‘s direction. Father continue to make Your Church a shining example to the world.

   Good morning. Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God (which we talked about the last few times) shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you (remember Jesus’ admonition to Peter to shepherd His sheep) exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; not yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, proving to be examples to the flock. As I have said before, there are groups of so-called apostles that have a hierarchy of oversight, kind of like a pyramid scheme. An apostle has several apostles under him/her, each of which is over several churches. Authority goes downward, and money comes upward. Those that do not “obey“ are dealt with sever...

   Good morning. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. This is going to happen more and more to Christians in the last days. Make sure that none of you suffers as…; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. Sadly, Christians do feel ashamed when reviled for being followers of Jesus. They yield to the pressure of people around them. For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? The judgment he is talking about is not the sufferings he previously mentioned because they were followers of Christ. We have to get and keep our house in order. God cannot judge the world, if He lets us skate. Peter does not say what this judgment will be. Father help us to get our lives in order so that we will have nothing to fear from Your judgment.

   Good morning. And how should we employ these special gifts? Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. We are to employ these gifts as if we were doing them for God Himself. We would not be doing them half heartedly, if we were doing them for Him. Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing (not because you did something wrong), as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ (we’ve talked about these sufferings a few verses ago), keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. He never promised us a rose garden (though roses do have thorns). Father help us to do all to Your glory.

   Good morning. The end of all things is near; therefore be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Was Peter mistaken when he said the end of all things is near? Are Christians today mistaken when they say that Jesus could return at any moment? Even “if” they and Peter were wrong, we should live our lives like the second part of the verse: being of sound judgment and sober spirit. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Sometimes Christians hold grudges, especially towards family members, instead of truly loving and forgiving them. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Paul talks about this a lot in Corinthians. God doesn’t distribute His gifts of grace to believers to only employ for those that they like. If we truly love one another as Jesus commanded, we will be instantly ready to employ those gifts for the benefit...

   Good morning. For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God. There is disagreement as to what this actually means. It sounds like it was preached to them after they were dead; but it could mean that it was preached to them before they died, and that they are now dead. Those who lived before Jesus did not have the “gospel“ preached to them. They were judged on how they lived their lives. That seems to give credence to the belief that a previous verse (... Spirit, in which He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison) indicates that after Jesus died, He went to them wherever they were and spoke the gospel to them. It does not mean that they or anyone else today gets a second chance to receive Jesus as Lord of their lives. It could mean that good people, like Abraham, got to hear the gospel message which they missed out on duri...

   Good morning. Live the rest of the time in the flesh … for the will of God. For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality… The old life is over, dude. In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you. It’s bad enough that they want to do things disagreeable to God; they want you to join with them. In fact, they get upset if you don’t. They understand and accept it if you don’t do something because you have some sort of illness; but they really don’t like it when you don’t do something because you believe it is wrong to do it. They think you are condemning them because they do whatever it is. But they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. Father help us to not yield to the persuasion and pressure of those around us who are doing things we know are wrong; but instead, live our lives ac...

   Good morning. … Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him. And referring to a previous verse that Christ also died for sins once for all - Therefore, since Christ has suffered (death, not just pain) in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered (death) in the flesh has ceased from sin (Dead men can’t sin). With the result – so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of man, but for the will of God. Father help us to live our lives as if the desires of the flesh no longer attract us.

   Good morning. Noah – flood – eight people brought safely through the water: 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. Most importantly, this does not mean that baptism is a requirement in order to go to heaven. That requirement is fulfilled when we ask Jesus to come into our lives and make Him Lord. There is a denomination that believes that it is a requirement based on chapter 16 of Mark: he who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. Notice that it did not say he who has believed but not been baptized shall be condemned. This verse does not say that it is a requirement to go to heaven; but it seems to say that baptism is more than the usual – an outward sign of an inward change. It says that it is an appeal to God for a good conscience. Perhaps it is the idea of a “clean“ conscience - ...

   Good morning. Made alive in the spirit… in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now (not actually in the text) in prison, 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. There is disagreement as to what this actually means. It does not necessarily mean that they were given a second chance to believe; and hence, those that die today without having a relationship with Jesus will also be given a second chance. The next part is lengthy, so we will save it till next time. Father prepare us for what is to come, giving us the strength and wisdom to reign victoriously.

   Good morning. Keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered (previously: not returning insult for insult), those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to .  shame When they accuse you of doing wrong things just because you are a Christian and you keep up your good behavior, they will eventually be proven wrong. For it is better, if God should will it so (my Bible does not say whether this “if“ has the same unlikelihood of happening as the previous one), that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong (re-iterating what has been said before). For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust (He suffered for doing what was right), so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit (or possibly Spirit). Father continue to go with the reader and bring blessings upon him/her and his/her family.

   Good morning. But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. “And do not fear their intimidation and do not be troubled”. In Greek, the word “if“ has different degrees of significance unlike in English. My Bible says that in the Greek, this conditional clause (if you should suffer…) is the furthest removed from stating a reality. Suffering for righteousness is a remote possibility, but even if it does occur, it brings special blessing to the sufferer. All Christians wrestle with the question, “should I share the gospel with this person or not?“ The following verse tells us how we should do it: 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, yet with gentleness and reverence. Some Christians try to cram the Bible down the throats of unbelievers. This says that we first must set apart Christ as Lord in our hearts. This ensures that we do it with...

   Good morning. To sum up (keeping your behavior excellent; submitting yourselves; honoring all people; bearing up under sorrows when suffering unjustly), all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kind hearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for this very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. All that sounds great, but is impossible to do on your own. Notice that we are to give a blessing that we might inherit a blessing. You receive what you give. Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? You would think that should be obviously true; but today it seems like the more good you desire to do, the more likely you will be attacked for doing it. Father help us to do all that Peter admonishes us to do no matter what the attitude of those around us.

  Good morning. Just because people are born again does not mean that their  beliefs and actions are not influenced by their former way of life. It took centuries for some of these attitudes to change - as in the following… Peter continues by telling the wives that their adornment must not just be outward, but inward also - by letting it 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. More eyes/ears covering: He then mentions Sarah, obeying Abraham. She did this to the extreme by letting him call her his sister so that he would not be killed because of her. That does not mean that God approved of what Abraham did. The Scriptures merely relate what happened. He then tells husbands to honor their wives as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that their prayers will not be hindered. It took a very long time for some of the biases to be corrected by the Holy Spirit. Father help us to listen to ...

   Good morning. Why did we need for Jesus to bear our sins on the cross? For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls. This verse reminds us of what Jesus said about Him being the good shepherd and not a hireling.  Without Jesus we were continually straying like sheep. Cover your eyes and ears: in the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. My Bible says that the word translated submissive is the same word as being submissive to authorities and slaves submissive to their masters. My Bible continues with “inferiority is not implied by this passage; the submission is one of role or function necessary for the orderly operation of the home”; like it also was for all to authority and slaves to masters. Father help us to q...

   Good morning. Speaking of patiently enduring suffering…Christ, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously. All of that was totally opposite of the normal reaction of human beings. When we are attacked, especially wrongfully, we react very strongly. Then the ultimate suffering for us: and He Himself bore our sins in His body (One does not think about one’s sins being in his or her body) on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds (or stripes) you were healed (cured). (I owed a debt I could not pay; He paid a debt He did not owe) He took all of our sins upon Himself, suffering in our place. Some say the healing was merely spiritual; while others say it included physical healing. One does not normally talk about being “healed” spiritually. Before the cross, sin was me...

   Good morning. For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience towards God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. In other words, if you are submissive to the authorities/(your master) and you suffer unjustly because of that submission, then this finds favor with God. 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. If you sin and suffer for it, you get your “just desserts“. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps. Next time we will see how Christ suffered unjustly. Father help us to patiently endure any suffering that unjustly comes upon us for keeping Your word.

   Good morning. Act as free men (we are not under bondage to the law or anything else), and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil (there is no such thing as “greasy grace“; you cannot use that freedom to do just anything that you want), but use it as bondslaves of God. We are free to do what we want, but we choose to do what God wants. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king. Peter then talks about servants being submissive to their masters; not just to the good but also to the unreasonable. The Bible has talked about this previously. Father thank You that we are free to do Your will.

   Good morning.  Part of keeping your behavior excellent among the Gentiles is … Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evil doers and the praise of those who do right. Peter did not say to submit yourselves to the human institutions that you agree with. My Bible says that when Peter wrote this, the emperor was the godless, brutal Nero - though obedience to the emperor must never be in violation of the law of God. Why should we do this? For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. They will say that your resistance to the authorities is proof that Christianity is evil. This does not mean that we do not work within the system to remove those leaders (or systems of government) that are godless and to replace them with leaders (or a different system) that are committed to God. Father help us to have the r...

   Good morning. I urge you as aliens and strangers (this world is not my home; I’m just - a - passing through.) to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. As the end gets closer and closer, people will treat us more and more like those who are aliens in their home country. Our soul continually fights against yielding to these fleshly lusts. Because we are aliens and strangers in this world, we should: keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evil doers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation. Remember that the world will “call the things that are evil, good; and the things that are good, evil.“ They are going to say bad things about us; so we should not give them any justification for their remarks. Father keep our behavior excellent so that the people of the world may glorify You.

   Good morning. Jesus, our corner stone, was a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense: for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were appointed. Admittedly, this could be interpreted as they were pre-destined, without any voice in the matter, to this doom. But it also could be interpreted as those who are disobedient to the word, to this doom will be predestined. In other words, the people are not predestined, but the ones who perform the actions are. Instead of us having this gloomy future – you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Father thank You that You chose us to proclaim Your excellencies!

   Good morning. Coming to Him as to a living ( corner) stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. In a sense, the law was a “dead“ stone; but Jesus is a living One. We are part of a living house, and therefore are living stones. Under the law, the priests offered up sacrifices of animals; but we offer up spiritual sacrifices (of praise – Hebrews). Peter then quotes the verse about Jesus being a precious corner stone. My Bible says that the corner stone which determines the design and orientation of the building, was the most significant stone in the structure. Father thank You that we are living stones, resembling Jesus, the chief cornerstone.

   Good morning. Since we have been born again of a seed imperishable, the word of God… Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander (that is a lot to put aside; but you will never grow if you don’t), like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word (too many Christians only want to hear “the deep things of God“ and disdain the simple truths), so that by it (the pure milk of the word) you may grow in respect to salvation (you don’t want to get born again and then never grow after that), if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. Father help us to long for Your word like a newborn baby longs for milk.

   Good morning. Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again (having been regenerated) not of seed which is perishable but imperishable (same Greek word used to describe our inheritance), that is, through the living and enduring word of God. Jesus tried to explain to Nicodemus about being born again (or from above). Peter then quotes a verse from the old testament that declares that the word of the Lord endures forever (imperishable). And this is the word which was preached to you. God’s word is the seed; our heart is the ground into which the seed is planted; and the Holy Spirit waters it and makes it grow. Father thank You that You did not cause us to be born again of something that would perish; but You caused us to be born again by a seed imperishable – causing us to live forever.

   Good morning. Speaking of the unblemished and spotless Lamb of God … For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world (my Bible says this could mean that God knew before creation that it would be necessary for Christ to redeem man, or that it could also be translated that He chose Him before the foundation of the world as the Redeemer), but has appeared in these last times (if then was the “last times”, how much more so today?) for the sake of you who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Father, our faith and hope are in You, and You never disappoint.

   Good morning. Conduct yourselves in fear…; Knowing that you were not redeemed (people who were slaves could be redeemed from their slavery by the payment of a sum of money) with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life (trying to live up to the law was futile - you couldn’t do it, and the law would not save you anyway) inherited from your forefathers, (it took a lot more than money) but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. Under the law, various sins could be “covered over” by the sacrifice of an animal, such as a lamb. The lamb could not be just any old lamb – it had to be unblemished and spotless. Father thank You that the blood of Jesus, the unblemished and spotless Lamb of God, redeemed us from all our sins.

  Good morning. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts (strong desires) which were yours in your ignorance. The Greek word here for “conformed“ is the same one from Romans 12:2 - do not be conformed to this world. But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “you shall be holy, for I am holy“. Being holy is the opposite of being conformed to our former lusts. If you address as Father the One who impartially judges (no matter how hard he/she tries, no human can impartially judge in every case) according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear (that does not mean that you go around trembling lest you do something wrong; but it is out of a respect and knowledge that you on your own can never be obedient) during the time of your stay on earth. Father help us to be conformed to Your Word and not to the things of the world.

   Good morning. Because of the grace and salvation that came to us… Therefore, prepare your minds for action (action begins in the mind), keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. My Bible says that this is the first of a long series of exhortations (actually imperatives) that end four chapters later. In the language of the first century it meant that the reader should literally gather up his long, flowing garments and be ready for physical action. This means that Peter was not just pontificating, but that he meant serious business. Too many times we hear an inspiring message and say “yes, we should do that“, but then we never put it into action. We have received grace upon grace, but it pales in comparison to that grace that we will receive when Jesus returns. Father help us to “be ready to roll“ at a moment’s notice from You.

   Good morning. It was revealed to them (the prophets) that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preach the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven – things into which angels long to look. My Bible says: The angels’ intense desire is highlighted by the Greek word rendered “to look into.“ It means to stoop and look intently“. It is the same Greek word used in John chapter 20 when John and Peter ran to the tomb and John was described as “stooping and looking in“. Right after that, it was also used of Mary looking into the tomb. As eager as these people were to see if the body of Jesus was still in the tomb, so the angels longed to look into the gospel; but the gospel is not for angels, it is for humans. Father help us to have that same strong desire to look into Your Word and apply it to our lives.