July 11
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1 PETER 3
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20 because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him. – 1 Peter 3:18-22
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1 PETER 3 THE GREATEST OF ALL SUFFERING
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
Are you going through much pain and adversities?
Do you feel like giving up from these difficulties?
When you think that what you are going through is unbearable
Remember others who probably experienced pain that’s insufferable.
Meditate on how Jesus went through the intolerable abuse in Calvary
It is the greatest of all suffering as it appeased God’s wrath and fury
The steadfast love of God made him save Noah from evil around him
The ark became his refuge and the waters annihilated the man’s sins.
Just as God cleansed the earth from sin in Noah’s time
Baptism also purifies us from our past tendencies to sin
All those who are saved are brought safely to the water
Jesus’s suffering made us reconcile with the Father.
Do not feel disheartened or desperate when you suffer
It is an opportunity for you to keep your eyes on Jesus Christ
He is the greatest of all sufferers as he took the blame for our sins
He gave up his life so we can have a new start and live free.
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REFLECTION
• What was Peter’s recommendation when we suffer in these verses?
Monthly Archives: July 2023
1 PETER 3 BE ZEALOUS FOR WHAT IS GOOD!
July 10
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1 PETER 3
13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
– 1 Peter 3:13-17
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1 PETER 3 BE ZEALOUS FOR WHAT IS GOOD!
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
As you become one with the Spirit of the Lord when he chose you
You were given the ability and gifts to have your minds renewed
Continue to seek heavenly things and not be lured by the world
Make the Lord your God first in all you do and seek always his word.
Always make time for sharing your spiritual gifts to the body of Christ
They were given to you so you can build up the communion of saints
When someone tries to distort the gospel, be ready to defend the truth
Be zealous for what is good: do not fear whatever comes from the world.
When you honor the Lord and keep a pure and righteous life
You are the salt of the earth and shining the Lord’s light
Keep your eyes on Jesus so you will never be derailed in your walk
Meditate on his word day and night and never give in to the bad.
Take God’s word and his laws very seriously; commit to following them
You will find joy even amidst suffering when you are faithful to obey them
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind
Then love your brothers and sisters as you would your own self.
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REFLECTION
• In verse 13, we are told that when we do good, we have no reason to be afraid of anyone. What were some of the reasons why Christians can be fearful?
1 PETER 3 HOW TO HAVE THE LORD’S EYES ON YOU
July 9
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1 PETER 3
8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10 For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit;
11 let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” – 1 Peter 3:8-12
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A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
Do you love the Lord and desire to have his eyes upon you?
Therefore, do not conform to this world but have your minds renewed
Be gracious and humble and do not let envy or malice enter your hearts
Love your brothers and sisters in Christ and never give in to evil desires
Pursue peace like you would a very prized possession
Do not take it for granted for it will bring much calm and resolutions.
Love the Lord with all your heart, your mind and your soul
Make time to be with the Lord by hungering for his word
Do not ever desire to have all that the world offers
It is corrupt you and make you do all things that are evil
Keep faithful to him alone as he is steadfast in his love
If you allow sin to enslave you, he won’t pay attention to you.
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REFLECTION
• Why must a Christian pay much attention in avoiding evil as these verses tell us?
• Why is it important for us to stay in the course of righteousness according to these verses?
• What were the instructions here so that the Lord’s eyes will be on you?
1 PETER 3 WISE ADVICE FOR MEN AND WOMEN
July 8
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1 PETER 3
Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. 5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening. 7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. – 1 Peter 3:1-7
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1 PETER 3 WISE ADVICE FOR MEN AND WOMEN
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
This is a wise advice to all women who serve the Lord Jesus Christ
When you committed to serve the Lord, your life has been changed
You ought to clothe yourselves with the new nature given to you
Your old lives are now a thing of the past and you are now renewed
Do not be shallow and think only of external adornment to make yourself pretty
Let your inner beauty shine through; it is precious to God and this is real beauty
Wives, be gentle and submit to your own husbands as you would unto the Lord
Speak less for you can persuade him even if he is unbelieving without a word.
To all men who are servants of the Lord and have committed their lives to Jesus
Treat your wives with much care and love as you would a very precious treasure
Do not enslave them with your control and demands for power and authority
Instead serve them as you would your own selves for this shows grace
Honor them as you would your own bodies so that God will hear your prayers
Be understanding to them and do not disrespect them by ignoring their opinions
They are precious to the Lord as you also are the apple of God’s eyes
Protect them as you would your own lives because they’re made also in God’s image.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think men and women were given specific instructions here?
1 PETER 2 A GRACIOUS THING IN GOD’S SIGHT
July 7
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1 PETER 2
18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
– 1 Peter 2:18-25
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1 PETER 2 A GRACIOUS THING IN GOD’S SIGHT
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
When Jesus Christ suffered all the abuses and rejection of mankind
He gave us an example of endurance and obedience that was one of a kind
Because of his Son’s great love for humans, he appeased God’s wrath
It was grace and mercy in bounty that saved all of the unworthy
Let us all remember how Jesus endured all the pain before his death
Will we be able to die for someone else’s place who isn’t deserving?
When you suffer for the sake of love, you are doing a gracious thing
What grace is it if you give your other cheek instead of retaliating!
When you do the right thing and be misunderstood for it
It is an occasion to reap a harvest of reward from Him
Continue to emulate Jesus and you will do good in God’s sight
Be gracious to others as he gave you mercy and a new life.
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REFLECTION
• What did verse 23 meant when it said “When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly”? Can we do this?
1 PETER 2 WHEN YOU SUBMIT TO AUTHORITY AND DO GOOD
July 6
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1 PETER 2
13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. – 1 Peter 2:13-17
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1 PETER 2 WHEN YOU SUBMIT TO AUTHORITY AND DO GOOD
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
When you committed to the Lord God as your Master
He expects you to submit to everyone who is your leader
It doesn’t matter if they are not following the Lord
He gave those leaders in your life so you’ll be ruled
This is God’s will, that you submit to your superiors
Never question why he allowed those people to lead you
Even if you think that they are not worth respecting
It is your duty to obey authority and not be dishonoring.
Do not abuse the freedom you were given when you were saved
Instead, use the freedom to be exemplary as you live for Christ
Do good without criticizing others and your deeds will guide them
It will pave the way for the ungodly to reflect and examine their lives
Fear the Lord your God and honor your king and leaders
Pray for them so that they will hear the truth of the gospel
By submitting to authorities placed in your life, you follow God’s will
When you do good to others, you fulfill the royal law and stay free. ________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why do you think we need to submit to authority even if they are corrupt and leading us wrongly?
• Why is “freedom” according to the world very different from God’s view of freedom?
• Why do you think it is important to obey authority according to these verses?
1 PETER 2 INTO GOD’S MARVELOUS LIGHT
July 5
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1 PETER 2
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. – 1 Peter 2:9-12
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1 PETER 2 INTO GOD’S MARVELOUS LIGHT
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
When the Lord chose you to be his own
You became a royal priesthood and a holy nation
You are therefore called to step into his marvelous light
Let go of all the darkness that you once were so delighted in.
The Lord God pulled you out of the mire and gave you new life
This is how much his steadfast love is and he wants you to stay in the light
In the past, you were savages who only followed your own desires
He redeemed you and gave you abilities when you believed in Christ.
Keep your life free from the passions of your flesh so you can be cleansed
Instead, offer your entire life to Jesus and he will purify and make you fresh
Make your life glow amidst the darkness of the systems of this world
Be faithful to be holy and obedient to Christ and his holy word.
Your desires and passions wage war inside your soul
Let the Lord Jesus Christ be the one in control
Live your life unstained from the corruption of the world
Keep your eyes on Jesus and seek constantly his word.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to take into heart that we stay in his marvelous light?
• What makes us go back to darkness so easily?
1 PETER 2 – HONOR IS GIVEN TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE
July 4
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1 PETER 2
7 So the honor is for you who believe,
but for those who do not believe,
“The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,”8 and
“A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.”
They stumble because they disobey the word,
as they were destined to do. – 1 Peter 2:7-8
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1 PETER 2 HONOR IS GIVEN TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
If you believe in the stone that the builders rejected
You will be given honor by God even if you feel dejected
Even if you do not have anything in the world except your faith in God
You are richer than the wealthiest on earth despite their silver and gold.
Fear not if you are persecuted and mocked by the wicked and rebellious
Jesus himself went through all the ridicule and all the rejection and abuses
It doesn’t matter if you do not have people liking you and looking up to you
The honor you received from God when you believed is what truly counts.
To those who believe and lean on the cornerstone that God approved
You will have the assurance of eternal life and be saved and bear much fruit
To those who reject Jesus Christ, he will be a rock of offense to them
They will suffer, stumble and be crushed because they have despised Christ.
If one disobeys the word of the Lord, they will fall and fail
To the wicked, they do not understand the value of having faith
But to the righteous, Jesus is their foundation and he’s precious to them
Rejoice, all who are living stones that will be built and anchored on Jesus.
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REFLECTION
• Share an experience you have had or know regarding the fate of those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ.
• What is the consequence of disobeying the word according to these verses?
1 PETER 2 – LONG FOR THE SPIRITUAL MILK
July 3
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1 PETER 2
So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into
salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture:
“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” – 1 Peter 2:1-6
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1 PETER 2 – LONG FOR THE SPIRITUAL MILK
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
As newborn infants of the Lord, let us depend on him alone
He made us all in his image and treated us as his own
He created us for his own purpose and his delight
Let us all be faithful and only serve Jesus Christ.
Long for the spiritual milk that only comes from his word
Let go of all hatred and deception offered by this corrupt world
Like newborn babies, feed only on the milk from his truth
This is the only way you will move forward and spiritually grow.
The Lord God used the stone that the builders rejected
It was his Son, Jesus who was the cornerstone and foundation
Through him alone will we be acceptable to God the Father
We are the living stones being build up as a house that is spiritual.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think Peter compares us to infants who need their mother’s milk for them to grow and mature?
• What happens when we skip the stages of our spiritual development and get stuck in a certain stage?
1 PETER 1 – THE WORD OF THE LORD REMAINS FOREVER
July 2
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1 PETER 1
22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for
“All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls,25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
– 1 Peter 1:22-25
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1 PETER 1 – THE WORD OF THE LORD REMAINS FOREVER
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
Brethren, cleanse your soul and obey God’s commandments
Keep yourself unstained by the world’s corruption
The Lord has set you apart from the ungodly
Wear your new nature in Christ constantly.
You have been given new life when the Son of God died
See to it that you put on your new nature in Christ
Abide in his word so that you may live forever
It is his word that will give you life eternal.
All things in this world comes to an end
But the word of the Lord will never bend
It is the light that leads you out of darkness
It is what gives us life and makes us righteous.
Since you have been born again, be thankful
If it were not for the word, you won’t be fruitful
Feed on it so that you can spiritually mature
If you take it for granted, you will be insecure.
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REFLECTION
• Why does Peter describe the word as eternal in these following verses?
• How has the word of God changed your life?
• Why is it important for Christians to feed on the word on a regular basis?