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Memorize Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4-5

Hiding God’s Word In Our Hearts

As Peter gets into the swing of his letter, he uses several metaphors to capture the mind of his readers. That is exactly what he does in this passage, using the metaphor of living stones, being built into a house.

You can see his imagery for yourself in 1 Peter 2:4-5.

1 Peter 2:4-5

This is one of the only sections of 1 Peter that is declarative, along with 1:1-12, while the rest of Peter’s letter is built around exhortations or imperatives. What this means is that this passage, along with the beginning of the chapter one, provide the foundation for the entire letter.

This section, examining the fact that the believers are God’s chosen people, is elemental to the rest of Peter’s encouragement to his first century audience, as well as later readers. This fact provides some immense motivation and encouragement as we understand our identity as God’s chosen people.

Peter begins this entire section (verses 4-10) with the imagery of stones and buildings. This is probably inspired by Psalm 118:22, which Jesus quoted, probably within Peter’s hearing. As a common tradesman, such imagery would have likely stuck in his head, and he uses it here to make his point clear.

Not only does he begin this word picture, but he takes it a step further by adding Jesus in as the “living” stone. And, in verse 5, he will include us in that description as well. That is encouraging, because, just like Jesus, Peter’s readers in Asia Minor were rejected by men, and yet were chosen by God and precious in his sight.

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Coffee Break – 09.12.2016

Your Monday Dose Of Inspiration

On this day in history: In 1609, English explorer Henry Hudson sailed down what is now known as the Hudson River. In 1873, the first practical typewriter was sold to customers. And in 1940, the Lascaux cave paintings were discovered near Montignac, France, by four teenagers who stumbled upon the ancient artwork after following their dog down a narrow entrance into a cavern.

Coffee Break

Making Cold Brew Coffee The Easy Way – One of my favorite ways of making coffee is the cold brew method. This generally results in a cup that is less acidic and somewhat more smooth in taste. It’s an excellent brew method. These Madesco brew pouches make that especially easy to do. Grab one from Amazon here.

Watch A Blowtorch Melt A Jawbreaker – This is one of those things where I wonder, “Why didn’t I think of that?” It’s mesmerizing and fascinating and I want to try it.

The Lost Squadron – This is the story of a squadron of P-38 Lightnings and B-17 Bombers, the Flying Fortress bombers, that crash landed on Greenland’s east coast and were left behind, eventually to be covered with ice. It’s an incredible historical event that was largely forgotten until someone attempted a salvage mission.

The Boston Molasses Flood – Have you ever heard of this event? This is not something that comes up in history class. It’s a very interesting part of early 20th century history.

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Memorize Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-3

Hiding God’s Word In Our Hearts

Peter begins the second chapter of his letter with some practical application of what he has instructed in the previous verses. This is directly connected to the previous section with the word “therefore,” and provides sort of a summary of all that has gone before.

Take a look at this week’s passage for yourself in 1 Peter 2:1-3.

1 Peter 2:1-3

In these three verses, Peter gives some instruction on how we are to “love one another deeply,” as he instructed in verse 22 of the first chapter. One of the best ways to do this is by removing those attitudes and actions that destroy relationships.

Peter’s argument is based on the thought that, since we are born again, due to the living and enduring word of God, then we should live as such, and remove anything that gets in the way of living holy lives. In doing so, he gives us five examples of what kinds of things we should strive to avoid.

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Book Review – When Death Draws Near by Carrie Stuart Parks

When Death Draws NearMost of the time, I read material that is challenging to me in some area of my life, or historical material and biographies. Over the past few years, I have found this to be increasingly the case. However, once in a while, I still enjoy a good fictional novel. And Carrie Stuart Parks has provided a great story in the most recent novel I have read.

When Death Draws Near is the story of Gwen Marcey, a forensic artist. When her help is requested in rural Kentucky, she is drawn into a web full of multiple deaths, a radical variant of a faith she struggles with, and her own failures and worries. Full of suspense and intrigue, Parks weaves a tale that draws the reader into the life of Marcey, and creates a world that is hard to let go of until the last page is turned.

This is the first time I have read anything by Parks, and I am impressed. I’m looking forward to reading more of her work. Although she does not reach the level of some of my favorite authors, she has considerable talent and the ability to create a world that the reader is drawn into easily. Her characters are interesting and she develops them well. My only negative about this novel is that sometimes it was too fast paced. More than once, significant events occurred in the story line with little preparation for them. I was left wondering where that came from.

Many times a plot twist will create the same kind of tension, but in a better way. In Parks’ case, a bit more development between such significant events would help to smooth this a bit.