June 3
________________________________________
GUIDELINES FOR BRINGING THE GOSPEL TO LIFE
7 You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
8 To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, loving, compassionate, and humble;
9 not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you would inherit a blessing. – 1 Peter 3:7-9
________________________________________
In the following passages from the letter of Peter to the believers, he gives a mandate to the husbands about how to treat their wives. In verse 7, he advises the husbands how to conduct themselves in their marriages. Peter tells the men to show consideration and understanding to their wives because they are weaker than them. An interesting part of Peter’s instruction is to ensure that they have no biases or discrimination with their spouse because they are fellow heirs of the grace of life. Though, they have the authority over their wife, they must treat them kindly, patiently and honor them as equal partners in the kingdom of God. All of these guidelines, if followed lead them to answered prayers. In other words, those who will maltreat their wives will be hindered in their prayers.
In addition to all of the directives to the husband, Peter sums up how believers must conduct themselves in their lives. He teaches them the following important guidelines that believers must apply in their lives so they can be witnesses to the gospel both to other believers and non-believers.
Here are the following guidelines to bring the gospel to life:
1. Live in harmony with one another – unity in the body of Christ is imperative in God’s kingdom
2. Be sympathetic- be able to show your feelings or concerns for others
3. Be loving- be able to show acceptance to others no matter how different they are
4. Be compassionate-be able to put yourself in the shoes of others who are suffering
5. Be humble- think highly of others instead of oneself
6. Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult-do not take justice into your hands but let God vindicate you
7. Give a blessing instead of vengeance-means that you don’t take offense but pray for those who actually hurt you.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why did Peter give directives to believers in order to bring the gospel to others?
Category Archives: Uncategorized
GODLY WIFE’S ADORNMENT ILMA’S VLOG
June 2
________________________________________
GODLY WIFE’S ADORNMENT
In the same way, you wives, be subject to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won over without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2 as they observe your pure and respectful behavior. 3 Your adornment must not be merely the external—braiding the hair, wearing gold jewelry, or putting on apparel; 4 but it should 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. 5 For in this way the holy women of former times, who hoped in God, also used to adorn themselves, being subject to their own husbands, 6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; and you have proved to be her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear. – 1 Peter 3:1-6
________________________________________
In this letter, Peter addresses the believers scattered all over Asia Minor. He is concerned that amidst the suffering and trials that they are undergoing, they may be discouraged and lose faith. In this part of his letter, he focuses on the wives role in the family. Notice in the first verse that godly women are commanded to submit to their own husband’s authority. He is the head of the family and he is responsible for the whole health of the household. Peter stresses the unconditional submission of the wives to their own husbands. The theme of the act of obedience is unconditional love. It didn’t say that you only submit when they are obeying the word. Respecting and honoring their husbands even though they do not deserve it is what all godly wives are called to do. The world will never understand this concept because they have no idea about authority and the order of God’s creation. It is required for women to be leading back their husbands to the Lord when they stray. It is not with words that this is done but with their behavior and demeanor. When the wife continues to be pure and respectful, the Holy Spirit will deal with their lawlessness to God using the submission of the wife.
Peter gives a guideline of what constitutes a godly woman’s adornment. He says that it is not the external or physical look that should be their ornament of beauty, but the purity in their hearts and their obedience to their husbands. Peter draws out the example of Sarah in Old Testament, who treated her husband as her lord and obeyed and followed him in his own obedience to God’s directive. Although we know how beautiful Sarah was from the bible description, her inner beauty is what’s more important to the Lord.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• What can you say about ungodly women who do not submit to their husbands?
A MODEL FOR DYING TO SIN AND LIVING RIGHTEOUSLY ILMA’S VLOG
June 1
________________________________________
A MODEL FOR DYING TO SIN AND LIVING RIGHTEOUSLY
21 For you have been called for this purpose, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you would follow in His steps, 22 HE WHO COMMITTED NO sin, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT found IN HIS MOUTH; 23 [and while being abusively insulted, He did not insult in return; while suffering, He did not threaten, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 and He Himself brought our sins in His body up on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness; by His wounds you were healed. 25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls. – 1 Peter 2:21-25
________________________________________
In this letter, Peter shows to all believers that it is possible to live a righteous life and learn to die to our flesh. He reminds us of the purpose we are called as followers of Jesus. All those who believe in Jesus are expected to be patient, suffer and endure. Of course, the world system cannot fathom this because the prince of this world, Satan, wants us to avoid suffering so we will be unable to endure and grow our faith. Many unbelievers do not know that there is a way to die to our selfish nature and live righteous lives.
Peter explains that the only way we can see the value of giving up our flesh and live holy lives is to look up to the model that we can emulate. This model is someone who though he became human, never committed any sin. There is no trace of deceit from his mouth, because he only utters what his Father says. Can you imagine what it would be like to have nothing foul come out of your mouth? That would be ideal, but James talk about how our tongue is a world of evil in his book in chapter 3, verse 6. Could it be possible to be sinless like Jesus? It isn’t unless we follow our model. He sampled to us the possibility of being holy and avoid sin. He gave us His Holy Spirit to make this likely to happen to everyone who will receive him and serve Him. Many are invited to receive him, but only a few will respond and be able to choose the holy life that can only be granted to those whom he chose before the beginning of time.
Peter tells us that when Jesus died on the cross, he took our sins with him so it can be dead and be possible for us to live a life that chooses the holy and obedient lives. The wounds he bore healed us from sin. What a marvelous God we have who gave us a Shepherd, a guardian of our souls in his Son Jesus Christ! It is through our faith that we can be able to follow the life He wants us to live because of his sacrifice on the cross.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why isn’t it possible to be righteous and holy on our own?
WHEN YOU DO WHAT’S RIGHT AND SUFFER FOR IT ILMA’S VLOG
May 31
________________________________________
WHEN YOU DO WHAT’S RIGHT AND SUFFER FOR IT
18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person endures grief when suffering unjustly. 20 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. – 1 Peter 2:18-20
________________________________________
In these following passages, Peter builds a case on the importance of being subject to your masters in all respects. He clearly identifies the condition for submission. You also submit to those who are harsh. The world would question this concept of submission to authorities. We have been so brainwashed to think that it is our rights to speak our minds and disobey those who do not deserve to be honored and respected. In God’s economy, authority and submission is key in living a life of peace and order. This is why we need to obey because God has put all these people in authority in position and allowed them to be leaders. When we rebel against leaders or authority figures, we are also defying God himself as Paul says in Romans 13:1-2.
In verse 19, Peter stresses the importance of withstanding grief when being treated unjustly: It brings the person favor because God honors it when we suffer silently. It also grows our faith and character. James mentions in his letter about the importance of suffering in the development of our faith and character in James 1:2-3. He says that the testing of our faith produces steadfastness.
In verse 20, he brings about a very important teaching about suffering patiently for doing what is right. It brings favor from God. We all know that patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. In other words, we can’t do it without the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
The bible dictionary defines patience as the quality of self-restraint or of not giving way to anger, even in the face of provocation; it is attributed to both God and man and is closely related to mercy and compassion. In other words, we cannot be able to be patient without knowing God’s character. God is love and only in love can we restrain ourselves from walking in the flesh. We can only have the fruit of patience if we are in Christ. We can never in our own strength produce such fruit. Only the Holy Spirit can.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why do you think doing right and suffering for it is not an easy thing to do?
SILENCING THE IGNORANCE OF FOOLISH PEOPLE ILMA’S VLOG
May 30
________________________________________
SILENCING THE IGNORANCE OF FOOLISH PEOPLE
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 15 For such is the will of God, that by doing right you silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Act as free people, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bond-servants of God. 17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king. – 1 Peter 2:13-17
________________________________________
In this letter, Peter emphasizes the importance of submission to every human institution. He wants all believers to set an example of obedience to authority, whether they are political, social, spiritual or civil leaders. Paul also reiterates the importance of submitting to authority in Romans 13:1-2 when he said in this letter to the believers: “Obey the government, for God is the One who has put it there. There is no government anywhere that God has not placed in power. So those who refuse to obey the law of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow.”
It is sad to watch many people, including some believers who always have something to say negative about authorities or who defiantly disobey the laws set out by these rulers or leaders. Maybe if believers will strictly follow this command stated both by Peter and Paul, we could put a stop to those who just want to rebel and to criticize authority or state their opinion about what they assume needs to be done.
In verse 15, Peter explains why we need to submit to authority. This reminds me of Old Testament verse in Isaiah 53:7 that says Like a sheep being led to the slaughter or a lamb that is silent before her shearers, he did not open his mouth”. The prophecy was speaking of Jesus who is abused, maltreated, ridiculed and maligned and tortured, yet he was silent like a lamb and didn’t say a word. He didn’t fight for his right and flaunt his position as God, He just submitted to the will of his Father in heaven, so he can let his will be done. He trusted in God’s plan of salvation for mankind. Jesus never questioned why he had to do it. Instead, he submitted and followed like a meek lamb. When you do the right thing and obey the law, it is a powerful force that can silence the ignorant and foolish people. He also warns them to use their freedom to cover evil and to act as free people. He reminds them to respect others and ensure that they fear God and honor their leaders.
To do what is righteous is the greatest proclamation of the gospel.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why is fighting for your rights and criticizing authority not a godly thing to do?
KEEP AWAY FROM FLESHLY LUSTS ILMA’S VLOG
May 29
________________________________________
KEEP AWAY FROM FLESHLY LUSTS
11 Beloved, I urge you as foreigners and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul. 12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God on the day of visitation. – 1 Peter 2:11-12
________________________________________
In this letter, Peter cautions us about our flesh. Because of the fall of our first parents, Adam and Eve, it is very easy to be led by our inclinations. In these passages, Peter reminds all believers that we are foreigners and strangers in this world. As believers, we are expected to be set apart from this world. Even though we live physically in this world, every believer is warned not to live for the comforts and pleasures of this materialistic world. In verse 11, Peter focuses on abstaining from fleshly lusts. What are fleshly lusts? They are the cravings of our physical bodies. They are things that lead us away from God. Anything that keeps us out of the road of righteousness is coming from human desires that wage war against the soul.
In verse 12, Peter gives all the believers wise advice so they can abstain from fleshly lust. He tells them to keep their conducts exceptional as they are with the Gentiles so that when these Gentiles defame them as evildoers, they may be able to recognize God through their demeanor.
It is a real challenge for all of us to keep away from our flesh. It is inside us, constantly and unless we have found Jesus, we won’t be able to fight this pervasive evil inside us. Paul explains very clearly in Galatians 5:17 that the sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. If we do not know Jesus, we will never be able to do anything good because our flesh is naturally evil. This is the reason why our heavenly Father gave his only begotten Son Jesus so we can be able to receive his grace and fight our flesh. Peter constantly reminds us to be able to live in God’s grace and mercy so we can bring back all the glory to our heavenly Father.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• How can we constantly keep away from fleshly lust?
• Why do many people think that they can actually fight their natural tendencies to be a slave to their lustful desires?
OUT OF DARKNESS INTO HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT
May 28
________________________________________
OUT OF DARKNESS INTO HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT
9 But you are A CHOSEN PEOPLE, 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; 10 for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.
– 1 Peter 2:9-10
________________________________________
In this letter, Peter reminds us of our stand in the kingdom of God. He speaks of the honor that was given to the chosen people. They come from a royal priesthood, a holy nation and God’s own possession. Although the Old Testament talks about the Levitical/Aaronic priesthood that were given to the tribe of the Levi, the coming of Jesus and dying on the cross changed that. All who come to serve the Lord Jesus Christ becomes royalty in God’s kingdom, they are considered holy and part of the priesthood who will be mediated by the Christ himself to his heavenly Father in heaven. In the Old Testament, they were mediated by the priesthood of the tribe of Levi. When Jesus died, he became the direct link to the Father and if we believe in Him, he elevates us to the royal priesthood and gives us the ability to be a holy nation. What an honor to be chosen by the Lord God himself!
Peter explains in this letter the responsibility that we have as royal priests and holy nation. In verse 9, the position of honor and royalty comes with an obligation. We are to proclaim the excellencies of God who has called us out of the darkness into His marvelous light. Just like a king or queen has a big responsibility to take the concerns of the nation and his/her subjects as priority, we have similar position as royalty. It means that we are not free to do our own will because we need to think of our priorities. We cannot be selfish and be concerned with personal matters and self-gratification. We are expected to be accountable to our Heavenly Father. Everything we do needs to be focused on the kingdom. If you have watched or read biographies of kings and queens, you will probably be thinking how lonely and stuck they are in their positions because they are not free to be doing what they want. They have to take into consideration everything that they have dominion over. It is an honor to be royalty, but it is also a big responsibility. As people of God, we cannot behave like those living in darkness anymore. We have now received the marvelous light of Jesus. No more excuse to live our old lives when we weren’t his priests.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• How can you ensure that you don’t live in darkness after Jesus brought you light?
DISOBEDIENCE TO THE WORD CAUSES STUMBLING ILMA’S VLOG
a href=”http://www.ilmaarts.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/barrie-visit-2011-364.jpg”>
May 27
________________________________________
DISOBEDIENCE TO THE WORD CAUSES STUMBLING
6 For this is contained in Scripture: “BEHOLD, I AM LAYING IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNERSTONE, AND THE ONE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME.” 7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for unbelievers, “A STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE,” 8 and, “A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE”; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this they were also appointed. – 1 Peter 2:6-7
________________________________________
In this letter, Peter addresses the sin of disobedience and rejection of the Lord and His word. Peter quotes an Old Testament verse from Isaiah 28:16. In the prophecy of Isaiah, the whole of chapter 28:14-29 is talking about a cornerstone in Zion.
Matthew Henry comments on Isaiah 28 from verse 16 and says: “Here is a promise of Christ, as the only foundation of hope for escaping the wrath to come. This foundation was laid in Zion, in the eternal counsels of God. This foundation is a stone, firm and able to support his church. It is a tried stone, a chosen stone, approved of God, and never failed any who made trial of it. A corner stone, binding together the whole building, and bearing the whole weight; precious in the sight of the Lord, and of every believer; a sure foundation on which to build. And he who in any age or nation shall believe this testimony, and rest all his hopes, and his never-dying soul on this foundation, shall never be confounded.”
Peter reiterates Isaiah by admonishing believers of the importance of believing in the cornerstone that the builders rejected. In Isaiah’s prophecy, he addresses scoffers who made a covenant with death and Sheol and God’s response to this is the foundation he laid in Zion, a stone, a tested stone. In this letter, Peter addresses and warns the believers to ensure that they are not disobeying or rejecting the cornerstone that the Lord God has provided to all believers.
Peter was emphasizing the importance of such focus on the foundation that is eternal and can only be found in Christ Jesus. He shows them the aftermath of rejecting Jesus Christ and the Word. It will lead them to stumble. Why is disobedience to the Word of God a grave sin? Note that in 1 Samuel 15:23, the great prophet warns us that disobedience or rebellion is a sin of witchcraft. When we reject the truth that only comes from God’s word, we are actually acting like we want to be like God, just like our first parent’s disobeyed..
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• What have you disobeyed from God’s word that caused you to stumble?
LONG FOR THE PURE MILK OF THE WORD ILMA’S VLOG
May 26
________________________________________
LONG FOR THE PURE MILK OF THE WORD
Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, 2 and like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, 3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by people, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. – 1 Peter 2:1-5
________________________________________
In this letter, Peter calls all believers to be like newborn babies because they are innocent, naive and constantly longing only for the pure milk so that they can develop and grow. He likens it to Christians who ought to crave only for the pure spiritual food that only comes from the word of God. But before they can long for the spiritual milk, they are required to do something first. Peter admonishes the believers in verse 1 to get rid of the following:
• Malice- Extreme enmity of heart, or malevolence; a disposition to injure others without cause, from mere personal gratification or from a spirit of revenge; unprovoked malignity or spite.
• Deceit-The intentional misleading or beguiling of another
• Hypocrisy-an inconsistency between external religious activity and religious profession
• Envy-Sin of jealousy over the blessings and achievements of others, especially the spiritual enjoyment and advance of the kingdom of Christ freely and graciously bestowed upon the people of God.
• Slander-To defame; to injure by maliciously uttering a false report respecting one; to tarnish or impair the reputation of one by false tales, maliciously told or propagated.
These definitions I just identified are from KJV and bible dictionary. Why did Peter enumerate these unregenerate acts that defiles a person? Because if he didn’t specify all these, we won’t examine our hearts that is naturally sinful and impure.
In verses 3-5, Peter explains why it is important for a believer to stay pure like a baby and long for the milk of the word of God. Because we were saved and being built up through the Lord Jesus Christ to be part of his royal priesthood. Therefore, we must stay pure.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why are the sins Peter listed in these passages so pervasive in humans?
THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER ILMA’S VLOG
May 25
________________________________________
THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER
22 Since you have purified your souls in obedience to the truth for a sincere love of the brothers and sisters, fervently love one another from the heart, 23 for you have been
born again not of seed which is perishable, but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For, “ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY IS LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF,25 BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER.” And this is the word which was preached to you. – 1 Peter 1:22-25
________________________________________
In this letter, Peter emphasizes the only thing that will last forever: God’s Word. In verse 22, he tells the believers that the believers’ souls are purified when they are obedient to truth and they have a fervent and genuine love for other brothers and sisters in Christ. In verse 23, Peter gives all believers the reason why we need to be purified. He says that because we have been born again from a seed that is never-ending: the living and enduring word of God.
In verse 24-25 Peter likens the flesh to grass. The flesh can grow like grass. It can reach a certain height and produces flowers. But after a while, it withers and the flowers fall off. Peter is giving us an illustration of how humans are. As we go through different stages of our lives, we can grow and bloom like the flowers of the grass. But it can also wilt and die as the bloom dies down and fall off. Just like our lives, we can reach a point where we can blossom into the beautiful person that we were made from, but that isn’t permanent. In verse 25, Peter brings us to the main focus of this letter to all believers: the word of the Lord lasts forever and is permanent.
In this world, everything goes to an end, but Peter stresses the only thing that is eternal: Scriptures. Can you imagine a world without the word of God? How would that look like? We will probably just do what we want and what would benefit us, wouldn’t we? We would probably be a world full of competition and would not know how to temper or regulate our cravings and desires. Without the word of God, we will be in total darkness or confusion and perhaps too much conflicts. Without the word of God, we will only rely on ourselves to figure out things. Without it, we will be guessing or presuming or assuming. It would be full of uncertainty and complaints. Everything would be unclear and hazy. We would have no life and purpose. This is why Peter couldn’t let us perish without meditating and preaching the word of God.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• How has the Word of God been your life’s guiding force and navigating tool?