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Memorize Scripture: 1 Peter 1:8-9

Hiding God’s Word In Our Hearts

Peter had seen Jesus Christ. His readers had not. And although some of them were probably alive during the life of Christ, their location was distant, and they never had a chance to see him for themselves. Peter stresses that fact in this week’s passage.

You can see it for yourself in 1 Peter 1:8-9.

1 Peter 1:8-9

Peter had walked with Jesus, watching him perform miracles, hearing him teach, experiencing life with his Master. Since he had visually seen the Savior, it may have been easier for him to place his faith in him. But his readers, scattered around the world, had no such opportunities to see Christ. Peter makes a significant point out of this to reassure them in their struggles and suffering.

Peter had experienced the love of Christ first hand. Remember just before the crucifixion, Peter boldly stated that Jesus was the Messiah, and then rejected and denied him three times. At the end of John’s gospel, Jesus restores Peter by asking him three times if Peter loved him. Of course he did.

This experience probably set the stage for a certain level of amazement at the faith of his readers. He had see Jesus. He had had this conversation with Jesus about love. But the people to whom he is writing had not, and yet they still loved Jesus. I wonder if Peter was stunned at their level of faith, amazed that they could love without seeing.

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Top Posts For May 2016

Reviewing The Month On JeffRandleman.com

Summer has hit around the Randleman home. The kids are out of school (for the most part), and almost finished with summer school. The weather has been nice enough to hang the hammock out and enjoy the fresh air. And the grass is growing fast enough to need cut almost twice a week!

Top Posts for May 2016

With June comes such things as church camp, Vacation Bible School, and a whole lot more. I think it is probably safe to say that the summer will be pretty busy.

Along with all of that, I am continuing to pursue my studies with ICR’s School of Biblical Apologetics, moving into a few courses that are more theological in nature. And I am launching a new business venture, in the area of photography. You can check out some of my work at photography.jeffrandlean.com.

It’s a wonder I even find time to read and write anymore. However, I am looking forward to several opportunities to hang out that hammock and grab a book this summer, and relish the thought of listlessly swinging in the breeze. It will be great!

In the realm of blogging, the month of May has been fairly consistent, if not as prolific as I would like, when it comes to creating new content. It seems like there is always something that keeps me busy, and I don’t have the opportunity to write as much as I would like. Granted, we are in the midst of a very busy season of life, as well as ministry, but my goal is to increase my writing in the coming weeks and months.

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Coffee Break – 05.30.2016

Your Monday Dose Of Inspiration - Memorial Day Edition

In the United States, today is Memorial Day. Originally observed in 1868, and called Decoration Day, this day was established as a day to decorate the graves of those who were killed in the Civil War. After World War I, the observance was expanded to include those who fell in all American wars. Memorial Day was officially declared a national holiday by Congress in 1971, and placed on the last Monday in May.

Coffee Break

We all need to be reminded of the sacrifice that many have given to ensure our freedom. In honor of Memorial Day, I thought you might appreciate reading President Reagan’s Memorial Day Proclamation for May 25, 1981.

Over one hundred years ago, Memorial Day was established to commemorate those who died in the defense of our national ideals. Our ideals of freedom, justice, and equal rights for all have been challenged many times since then, and thousands of Americans have given their lives in many parts of the world to secure those same ideals and insure for their children a lasting peace. Their sacrifice demands that we, the living, continue to promote the cause of peace and the ideals for which they so valiantly gave of themselves.

Today, the United States stands as a beacon of liberty and democratic strength before the community of nations. We are resolved to stand firm against those who would destroy the freedoms we cherish. We are determined to achieve an enduring peace — a peace with liberty and with honor. This determination, this resolve, is the highest tribute we can pay to the many who have fallen in the service of our Nation.

In recognition of those Americans whom we honor today, the Congress, by joint resolution of May 11, 1950 (64 Stat. 158), has requested the President to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace and a period during such day when the people of the United States might unite in prayer. Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 1981, as a day of prayer for permanent peace, and I designate the hour beginning in each locality at 11 o’clock in the morning of that day as a time to unite in prayer. I urge the press, radio, television, and all other information media to cooperate in this observance. I also request the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the appropriate officials of all local units of Government to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff during this Memorial Day on all buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the United States and in all areas under its jurisdiction and control, and I request the people of the United States to display the flag at half-staff from their homes for the customary forenoon period.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those who have lost loved ones defending the American Way.

If you are interested n finding out more about Memorial Day, here are a few resources:

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Memorize Scripture: 1 Peter 1:7

Hiding God’s Word In Our Hearts

Verse seven, of Peter’s first chapter, is one of my favorite verses, and is easily one of the most recognizable verses about the endurance of our faith as believers.

Take a moment and read it for yourself. You can find it in 1 Peter 1:7.

1 Peter 1:7

Peter has just been speaking of the certainty of trials and tribulations that we will face. This is one of the major themes of his letter, and he will come back to it again. But here, he gives a brief reason for why such things happen to Christians: They help to refine our faith.

When we suffer for the sake of Christ, those who are persecuting us, and ultimately, the main enemy, Satan, intend it for harm. But God can and will turn it for good.

This brings to mind Joseph’s statement to his brothers in Genesis 50:20:

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

The analogy that Peter uses is one of gold, a most precious of metals. As gold is heated in the smelting process, the impurities can be strained out, leaving only the precious metal.

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Summer Of Service

One of my strongest spiritual gifts is in the area of discipleship. And the best way that I can achieve that is found in one of my other strongest gifts, teaching. But is that the only way to disciple?

Summer Of Service

Although teaching, in a classroom setting, or a home study, or even some one on one situations, is often the way that we create and grow disciples, is it the only way? Or even the best way?

I am very comfortable teaching a Bible class or study, and the more I do that, the more comfortable I am. In fact, when I was presented with the idea that we do something different this summer, I was hesitant at first. Simply because teaching is within my comfort zone. Other stuff might not be.

But the more I thought about it, the more I discovered that maybe discipleship happens in several different ways, and not all of them involve a teaching/classroom setting. Sometimes disciples are grown by getting out and doing what disciples do.

To that end, we are trying something new at our church this summer. We are calling it the Summer of Service, and we have a lot of pretty good ideas that can pull all the different ages and groups in our church together to work together as we grow together. It may be a bit uncomfortable for some, but we believe that it will be a valuable summer experience, helping us identify our role as a disciple more clearly, and acting upon it.