if 1 Peter were written as an email to me

I've been wanting to dive into the book of 1st Peter lately. Since it is written as a letter, I decided I wanted to 'rewrite' it as if it were a letter written to me. But since I would like to share my insights with you, I will begin with "Dear FRIEND"- that's me and you. The websites I use to assist me are Biblegateway.com, Biblestudytools.com, and Biblehub.com.  Sometimes I can get so consumed by all there is to learn and discover that before I know it two hours have gone by and I am only two verses into a chapter. That being said I made it through five verses today. So let's dive in. (1 Peter 1:1-5)

Dear Friend

You know that I personally follow Jesus, the One I believe to be the promised deliverer of the world. This is a shared letter: first I’m writing to God’s chosen people-the Jewish Christian- who have been banned from their own country, their own home. (And second, it is for you). God has a watchful eye over you and has made a way to help you live a life dedicated to Him. You may ask, ‘what is the way?’. It is the Holy Spirit which was given to you through the sacrifice of his blood.

Ahhh, I hear you asking now, "How can the Holy Spirit help me live a life dedicated to God?" Well, let’s consider the modern day threat of different types of viruses. The germs seem to loom everywhere. By disinfecting our homes and especially our hands, we keep the virus away. Think of the viruses as sin and the Holy Spirit as the disinfectant or soap. As we kill or wash away our sin with the disinfectant we are able to remain healthy (or receive God’s grace). Grace is what changes our way of thinking to God’s way of thinking. Without the disinfectant and grace we contaminate ourselves and others. I pray that God’s grace and peace be multiplied to you.

That is a pretty amazing God we have, don't you think? We are beyond blessed to have him. After all He is the Father of our Master Jesus-the one who was risen from the dead, the one who gave us a new life, a “living” hope to carry on and a future in heaven. This new life provides an inheritance that is kept in heaven and waiting for you. It can’t be destroyed or corrupted and won’t fade away. It is your faith in God that will save you until the day He returns and allows you to receive the inheritance He has promised to you.  ‘Hope’, as C.H. Spurgeon stated, ‘is what makes us seek after that which we expect to obtain {promised inheritance}’. Spurgeon continues, “ The only imperishable hope is that which climbs above the stars, and fixes itself upon the throne of God and the person of Jesus Christ.” Wow! What a picture.

{Friend I will close this email for today as it is getting late and I must accomplish more for this day. I will check for your response or any questions you may have and respond tomorrow. Have a great day in the Lord and may others see God shine through you.)

Dear Peter,

Yes, I am very aware of how dedicated you are to our Savior Jesus and I am so glad to have others to share with in our faith. It is very hard to believe that God’s chosen people have been banned from their own country. I can’t imagine what they will do, where they will go or how they must feel. The peace of knowing God is watching over them is what sustains them, I am sure. I know it is what sustains me.

It is funny how you know the questions I will ask before I even ask them. I loved your explanation of how the Holy Spirit helps us to live a dedicated life. You know how I love medical stuff and using a medical reference solidified the meaning for me. I could actually picture sin as dirt on my hands and pumping grace from the liquid soap dispenser and using cans of “Holy Spirit Lysol” to kill the viruses of sin. Loved it! Absolutely, loved it! And thank you for that blessing of grace and peace….I gladly accept it.

Yes is is so hard to imagine that the God of our savior Jesus, the God who rose Jesus from the dead, the God who gives me hope is storing treasures for me in heaven. Nothing and no one can take that away from me. Again, I love it when you provide examples to me… I am a very visual learner and they help me truly take to heart what you are trying to say to me. I can see myself climbing up the longest ladder in the world, climbing past the tree tops, past the skyscrapers, past the clouds, going deep into the stars and galaxies to grab a hold of God’s throne and saying, ‘Whew, I made it, God! Please show me the inheritance you have been holding for me...because I'm sure you know....that was one crazy climb’.

I hope you get some things accomplished today, Peter. I look forward to your email tomorrow. TTYL

Stac

http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/peoples-new-testament/1-peter/1.html http://biblehub.com/sermons/auth/meyer/the_spirit_purifying_the_heart.htm

http://biblehub.com/sermons/auth/watson/the_beauty_of_grace.htm

http://biblehub.com/sermons/auth/spurgeon/a_string_of_pearls.htm  

In a Rut, but Called, Cared For & not Disappointed

I hate it when I get in a rut. Sometimes when I read the bible, I feel like I’m just going through the motions. That is the main reason I try so hard to figure out how it applies to me. I feel like I have been in Isaiah forever and that it will never end. I think that is mainly because it is so difficult to grasp and apply to my own life. I will likely finish Chapter 49-there are only 5 more verses- and then venture on to something new for awhile. I will return to finish Isaiah at a later date. But next week, it will be something new.

*THE SCRIPTURE USED TODAY  Isaiah 49:22 This is what the Sovereign Lord says:“See, I will beckon to the nations,    I will lift up my banner to the peoples;they will bring your sons in their arms    and carry your daughters on their hips.23 Kings will be your foster fathers,    and their queens your nursing mothers.They will bow down before you with their faces to the ground;    they will lick the dust at your feet.Then you will know that I am the Lord;    those who hope in me will not be disappointed.”

*MY INTERPRETATION: I encourage all to follow me. They will see the sign I show you and THEY will gather up your children and bring them back to where I have called you. The rulers of the land will look after you and meet your needs. They will greet you with respect and be humble before you- I’m not too sure what to think about “licking the dust”...not sure if that is literal or figurative...any bible scholars out there that can elaborate?- By these things you will know that I am the Lord and by placing your hope in me you will not be disappointed.

*MY RESEARCH & REFLECTIONS OF THE PASSAGE APPLIED TO MY LIFE

I did a little research myself on Bible Hub to have a clearer understanding of the passage at hand.. According to the Matthew Henry Commentary God can and will use others to return the Israelite s to their home. According to the Pulpit Commentary and depending on the version of the bible used the word “Nations” and “Gentiles” are used interchangeably. I like how it is stated in the Living Bible Isaiah 49:22 Living Bible (TLB) 22 The Lord God says, “See, I will give a signal to the Gentiles, and they shall carry your little sons back to you in their arms, and your daughters on their shoulders. So they- the Gentiles, will bring the children - or new converts (likely Jews and Gentiles)-back to Jerusalem and the Gentiles will be adopted (fostered) into the family. As a part of the family they should be nurtured, cared for and respected. When you see these things happening you will know there is only one God and you will not be disappointed for having placed your hope in Him.

So this is my take away from this passage: I have been called-for whatever reason; I am cared for and I will not be disappointed for placing my hope in the Lord- Jesus Christ!

What did you take from it?

*DEFINITIONS REVIEWED: beckon make a gesture with the hand, arm, or head to encourage someone to come nearer or follow banner synonyms: sign,  placard, poster, notice foster care for, take care of, look after nursing feed; bow an act of bending the head or upper body as a sign of respect or greeting