Some quick thoughts from 1 Peter 1:1-5…

v1 – “pilgrims” – those who have no claim to the place they find themselves; passers-through. Does that describe me today? Am I comfortable in this world with its toys, games, diversions, anger, violence, sexuality, etc? Hopefully not!

v2 – “elect according to the foreknowledge of God” – People often debate the doctrine of Election, but it is clearly in Scripture. I won’t get into it right now, but here again, if “Election” really meant “foreknowledge” (i.e.: God fore-knew who would be saved, which He does anyway) than why would the Holy Spirit inspire Peter to write both words, “elect” and “foreknowledge”? God has elected or chosen some.

v2 – “in sanctification of the Spirit” – It is the Holy Spirit who makes us more like Jesus.

v2 – Why are we chosen? Why does God save us? “So you can live and do what you want” Um, NO. Scripture does NOT say that. It says “for obedience” as Peter writes in verse 2. I heard over the weekend the statement, “Jesus does not own those whom He can’t command.”

v2 – “sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ” – Just as Moses sprinkled the people of Israel with the blood of animals to signify their being under covenant with God, we are sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Himself into a much better and lasting covenant.

v3 – “according to His abundant mercy” – God the Father is abundantly merciful! When you are tempted to doubt God’s mercy, by faith STOP and recall His mercy! How many examples from Scripture can you name? How many from your own life?

v3 – Christians have now a “living hope” – a vibrant anticipation. But based on what?

v3 – “through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” – “In Him we have life” John writes.

v4 – Look at what is stored up for you, Believer! An inheritance “incorruptible”, “undefiled”, that “does not fade away” that is “reserved in heaven for” (___Insert Your Name Here!!___)

v5 – That inheritance is not for everyone. If you don’t know Christ you can write your name in there all you want, but does you no good. It is for those who are “kept” not by their own works but by “the power of God through faith for salvation”

Reader, have you checked your eternal retirement savings lately? Are you rich through God because of His mercy, and faith to obedience, or are you bankrupt because of your own rejection of the goodness and kindness of God?

Posted: January 11th, 2010 under Challenge, Devotions, Scripture.

It’s amazing how time gets away. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about updating this. I think about it, but then I wonder what I have to say? It is too easy to put someone else’s thoughts, quotes, or videos up; and there’s a real temptation to do just that so as to get “another post”, but that’s not right. Similarly, doing this everyday could make it an idol in my life (even if nobody reads it). That’s not right either.

Well, instead of shooting for frequent readability, let’s go for consistency. I will try to post at least one post each week. It’s not much but hopefully I can write more when my schedule changes in a few months. In the mean time, hopefully I’ll get fed preparing posts and you’ll get fed reading them, and God will be magnified through us both. Amen?

Posted: January 11th, 2010 under Announcements.

Today is the day we remember Jesus’ birth. He came to set captive sinners free from the tyranny of death and sin.

As you celebrate today with friends and family, exchanging gifts, hugs, smiles, laughter, food, music, and more, please take time to pray for:

People around the world who sadly have no reprieve from their pain, such as:

- Pfc Bowe Bergdahl, held captive by the Taliban since June 30 (pictured)
- Christians who suffer loss and persecution in hostile lands like Iraq, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Vietnam, various parts of North Africa, China, and elsewhere
- Christians who are imprisoned around the world simply because of their unwavering commitment to Jesus
- Those who ache with physical hunger and starve in spiritual hunger
- Those who have lost loved ones this year, whether through accidents, crimes, or war

People who have offered up their lives for the spread of the Gospel, such as:

- Street evangelists who daily receive insults, jeers, and taunts as they preach Christ crucified
- Missionaries working in lands as translators, church planters, computer specialists, managers, mechanics, school teachers, etc.
- Itinerant preachers who still circuit travel to exhort, rebuke, teach, and challenge churches full of believers to greater commitment to and intimacy with Jesus Christ
- The few and rare godly pastors who hold fast to Biblical truth and sound doctrine

And, of course, people who continue, even today, to “suppress the truth in unrighteousness”; adamantly refusing to repent and believe.

I’m sure I’m missing many people, but you get the idea.
Of all the gifts we could give today, the gifts of your time and prayers for these people are priceless.

Merry Christmas,
Anthony

Posted: December 25th, 2009 under Announcements, Current Events, Persecuted Church, Prayer, State of the Church, The Church, World Events, World Missions.

I started writing a few comments about books I’ve read recently and posted them on a business networking site. I decided to go ahead and share them here for wider distribution. First up is a review of missionary Lynn Kennedy’s first book entitled “A God Story”, available at her ministry website, http://www.ShatteringDarkness.org which is also listed to the right as a recommended ministry.

From her website: Written by Lynn Kennedy, “A God Story” recounts the miraculous acts of God while reaching a lost people group called the Dagara (meaning “Cross), who were eagerly waiting to hear the message of the cross of Christ.

At age 36 Lynn Kennedy was a new widow. It was at this time in her life that God called her to go to college and then language studies to prepare her for international missions. Lynn has served the Dagara people of Burkina Faso since September, 1998. In 2004 she founded Shattering Darkness Ministries (http://www.ShatteringDarkness.org) “A God Story” is her 120 page self-published collection of first-hand stories, one after another, of times when–in the face of the impossible–God has answered prayers.

It sounds cliche to say that there are parts that will make you laugh and others that will make you teary-eyed, but it is true. The Lord is rich in kindness and mercy, and He will spare no expense to reveal His glory to the world–in fact, He already has when He sent His Son, Jesus. Lynn’s true stories of answered prayers and changed lives make for a wonderfully challenging and uplifting read.

“A God Story” is conversationally written. Stronger editing could have curbed the use of repetitive punctuation (e.g: !!! or ???) and tightened the grammatical style, but Lynn’s love and joy for what God has done and continues to do make such exuberance easily forgiven.

Posted: December 24th, 2009 under Book Review, World Missions.

I was just listening to that Christmas song on the radio and one line struck me as never before:

“Haste! Haste! to bring Him Laud!”

If you never have, let me plead with you! “Haste! Haste! to bring Him Laud!” Praise Him right now! Fall on your face before Jesus Christ and worship Him! Oh that all mankind would stop their foolish pursuits, drop everything, and rush to the ground in humble praise of King Jesus!

Posted: December 17th, 2009 under Devotions, Potpourri, Quotations.

Thanks to Pastor Kevin over at Puritan Fellowship, I’m reading the autobiography of 20th century Chinese pastor Wong Ming-Dao entitled A Stone Made Smooth. It is an out-of-print book, but you can still find it on Amazon used. If so, I highly recommended adding it to your library.

Wong’s sound doctrine is clearly laid out in his work. Although this is translated into English, it still conveys Wong’s intelligence and his culturally influenced soft-spoken demeanor. It is a powerful book but surprisingly easy and enjoyable to read. Here are two brief quotes that I wrote in my own notebook:

“If you would be a faithful servant you must entirely disregard reputation, and in the last analysis you must entirely disregard life.” (p133)

“Inevitably one who serves God faithfully will face hardships and suffering. But the joy God gives and the reward He promises will recompense him for all.” (p139)

Posted: December 17th, 2009 under Potpourri, Quotations.