Catch Up - Phil 3:12-4:23 & 1 Peter 1:1-12

Sorry for the silence. I woke up on Sunday feeling like I had been run over by a Mack Truck and have spent the last two days sleeping. Hopefully those taking the 21 day challenge followed the reading guide posted on Thursday. If you have, you have read the remainder of Philippians. Let's catch you up -

Paul reminded us that it's not who we are or what we do, it's who we trust. Since we trust Jesus, we look totally to Him for all things. In Him we will be made perfect in our eternal lives. Therefore, live as though you have been made perfect in Him. Continue to press towards a deeper relationship with Him. Don't live like you use to, caught up in worldly concerns. Instead, focus on Him.

Finally, think on good things - the things of God. Spend your time there. And put into practice all you have learned from the Word of God. Don't just read it & put it back on the shelf. It's not there just for your perusal. This is a manual, not a novel. It's here to help you, so do what it says.

Let's move on to today's reading. We begin in 1 Peter. Peter is writing to the Christians in Asia Minor who are being persecuted for their faith. Peter writes to encourage them to continue to live holy lives that follow Christ's example.

Peter begins by encouraging the Christians: even though they are experiencing troubles and tribulations now, they have already received their eternal inheritance in Jesus Christ. They can rejoice because they know that this world only lasts for a little while in comparison to forever. The trials they are dealing with now only help to strengthen their faith and increase the joy of the things to come. Have you ever experienced that? Ever walked through a trial and come out on the other side? Did you acknowledge the benefits of the trial? That it made you stronger and wiser? That the joy of life is so much sweeter after you've experienced the sorrow of tribulation? There will always be troubles in this fallen world we live in. Don't get stuck in the trouble, look to Jesus for He is your help and your Salvation. He experienced more sorrow and pain than you can even imagine that you might belong to Him. He overcame, so that you might. Trust in Him in all things, and let Him help you through.