what to do when you are suffering

How to deal with suffering.

See the verses below..........Peter was speaking to those who were suffering wrongfully, and had called them to follow the example of Jesus Christ, and now in these verses, He explains in great detail what Jesus did when He suffered wrongfully.

1 Pet 2:22  “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;

1 Pet 2:23  who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;

1 Pet 2:24  who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed.

1 Pet 2:25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Jesus had not committed any sin. He had done nothing wrong in His life, yet He was suffering. He also did not have any guile in His mouth. That is, He was not deceitful, or crafty in any way. 

Here's what Jesus did when He suffered. 

1. He did not revile or insult back when He was reviled. 

2. He did not return evil for evil.

3. He made no threats of vengeance.

4. He trusted Himself to God who judges fairly.

So, what Jesus did not do, is what we are not to do. And, what Jesus did do, we are to do also. Don't fight back, Don't pay back. Don't threaten others. But, commit yourself to God. He knows what is going on, and He is a righteous and fair Judge. He will take care of you. Just like He did Jesus His son. 

Peter concludes, that it was Christ on the cross, who personally bore our sins, and paid the penalty for. He did this so that we through faith in Him could live forever with God. 

It's by what Jesus did that we are healed. All healing, both spiritually, physically, is rooted in what Christ did on the cross. 

We had gone astray, like everyone else. But now as believers in Jesus Christ, we have come back to our Shepherd from heaven. He is our guardian, He is our protector, our savior.

Lord, help us to follow You, and Your example. 

Applications/ Promises.

1. It's clear, Jesus is our example.

2. Following Jesus is our call.

3. Look how He handled His suffering. 

4. You can do the same thing.

5. Trust the Lord with your soul and troubles.

6. Christ has already saved you.

7. Jesus will take good care of you. 

calvarychapelvisalia's webcam video August 26, 2011 10:54 AM

How to get along with your boss..

The verses below in 1st Peter 2:18-21  deal with how a servant/slave in the culture of Peter's day was to relate to their master.  The teaching here would apply also to modern day employees and employers. 
Please see the two different scenario's that Peter lists. And the example God has given us to follow in matters of work, suffering etc. 

1Pet 1:18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.

1Pet 1:19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.

1Pet 1:20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.

1Pet 1:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

Firstly, servants were to be submissive to their masters, and they were to do this with all respect, and it was not only to the good and the gentle, but also to the harsh. 

Submission, means to come under, to rank under, to submit yourself to, place yourself under your master. 

And Peter says, to be submissive, not only to a good, and gentle master, but also to one that might be harsh. Harsh means, crooked, untoward, unfair. ( Note, this is not a call to participate in any action or attitude that is against the Word of God, or one's own conscience. It's just speaking of the general attitude one is to have towards their master, boss, employer ) 

Secondly, Peter explains that this attitude of submission, ( especially if you are submitting because you know it's the right thing to do, and you happen to be enduring grief, and you are suffering in this situation ) That, one's submission, is commendable to God. Which means the gracious and kind thing to do. 

Peter then reasons, that if you are suffering because of your own faults and you are taking it patiently, that is really no credit to you. But, if on the other hand, when you have done well, and done what is right, and you are still suffering, and at this point you take it patiently, then, this is indeed commendable before God. It means, that you are showing grace and kindness in the face of difficulty, which is the call upon our lives.

Finally, Peter explains that this gracious attitude, is what we are called to. Jesus suffered for us, and He had done nothing wrong, yet He was gracious in His sufferings, and He left us an example to follow. His example of how to act when being mistreated. 

Thank You Lord Jesus for Your example to us. Help us to yield ourselves to You in the difficulties that we face. In Your Name. 

Applications/Promises.

1. This can all be done.

2. But, it starts with our submitting to the Lord.

3. He knows what it's like.

4. He understands it precisely.

5. He will walk us through times like this.

6. He is the example to follow.

7. We become good examples to others. 

8. May God bless you as you walk with Jesus. 

This is the will of God that...,,

For this is the will of God that...........

Peter, in this 2nd chapter, is continuing with his exhortations, or encouragements, and instructions, on how to live our lives in Christ. And, here is one of the many times that Peter uses this phrase, "The will of God", or this is what is pleasing to the Lord, this is the goal and purpose of the Lord for your life.

1Pet 2:15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.


First of all, God does have a will, or desires if you will toward man, and towards His children. It speaks of what is a pleasure to Him. It's what He wishes, or has determined to be done. It's what He wants to see happen in our lives......It speaks of His choice and inclination. 


Secondly, by our doing good, that is, by our living as those who follow Him, and obey Him, and yield our lives to Him, and to His Word, being set apart to Him, walking in the fear of the Lord, and fervently loving one another, ( that by doing good in this way ) .....something is going to happen. 


And, that is, that we may put to silence, the ignorance of foolish men. 
Earlier, in 2:12 He stated that the Gentiles were speaking against the Christians as evildoers. That's what they were saying, "oh these Christians are evil etc, " Later we will learn that the Gentiles think it's strange that Christians don't want to participate in all of the Gentiles sinful ways and activities, and they mock and deride them. 


But, here Peter is saying that the holy living on the part of Christians, will be used by the Lord to silence the critic's as it were. So, our actions can either be fodder for the critic's, or powerful to silence them, and let them see a witness of God through our lives. 


Help us Lord, to go in Your ways, and in Your paths. Use us Lord to light the way for those still in darkness. In Jesus name, amen. 


Application/Promise.


1. God is pleased that you are in Christ.
2. Your life's actions in Christ are important to Him.
3. His Word defines His will for your life.
4. Are you walking in His will today?
5. Do you have questions about His will?
6. His will is mentioned 4 times in 1st Peter. 

What to do with ourselves, and why?

What do with yourself..........and why?

There are two basic, simple, and clear exhortations, ( or encouragements to live and act as we ought to do and be ) in these two verses. Additionally, there is a reason having to do with something other then ourselves given by God. 

See below. 

1Pet 2:11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,

1Pet 2:12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Beloved is a favorite term used by NT writers to describe how our Lord views and considers His children to be. "Beloved" Also translated, "dearly beloved, and well beloved, and dear. It means that God esteems you, and it was used when wanting to say that something was worthy of love. 

But, here's the exhortation.....we are being begged by the apostle Peter, to abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul. Abstain, means to hold one's self off, to refrain from. To say no to the evil desires that come from within, the passions of our flesh, that are literally waging war against our soul, the mind, or the new you. So, that's one thing to do with ourselves. Say no to our lower, or baser, or sinful self if you will. 

Secondly, have our conduct, or to conduct yourselves day to day, honorably....or in the right way, or righteously, to live righteously, among the Gentiles, or the unsaved of this world. 

Two reasons are given here. When they speak evil of you, and against you, ( which they surely were, and do today ) they may by your good works, or the right way that you are living, ( as they observe you ) which they were then, and are today, that they may Glorify God in the day of visitation. 

Unbelievers will slander those who believe, they will call what you are doing evil and wrong. But, as they witness your good deeds, in what Peter calls the day of visitation. 

That could be the day these unbelievers come under conviction, and their eyes are opened to see what you truly are, or it could be reference to the day of Judgement. They will admit it on that day, that you lived the right way, and it will bring honor to the Lord, who has saved you and worked in your life. 

Well, that's plenty to think about today, and to digest, and to put into practice. 

Application/Promise

1. Thank You God for making it clear to us.

2. Thank You that You help us say no.  

3. Thank You for explaining the war. 

4. Thank You Lord for a right path to walk on.

5. Thank You Lord saving us.

6. Thank You Lord for allowing us to be a light. 

calvarychapelvisalia's webcam video August 23, 2011 08:22 AM

More truths about Jesus, believers and unbelievers.

See 1st Peter 2:4-10

( it is interesting to see that before Peter calls us to action, or showing us how to live the Christian life in it's day to day way, he really focuses on the blessings that we have in Christ ) So, below are many of those blessings, and some sobering thoughts about those who do not want to be saved.

In approaching Jesus, we are coming to the "living stone". He is the rock of our salvation, and He is alive forevermore, and has given us life, and made us living stones as well. We can come to Him, or draw near to Him, that's the idea. 

The Lord is seeking to build us up. To make us strong, to help us to grow and mature. We are being built up. We are still a work in progress.

We can now offer spiritual sacrifices to God, that are acceptable through Jesus Christ. No more sheep, lambs, goats, bulls, etc, etc......Now, because He gave Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for sins, we can worship the Lord, we can bring to Him those things that are acceptable and received by Him. 

As believers in Jesus Christ, we can be sure we will not be put to shame. He has forgiven us for all of our sins, and they are now gone, and remembered no more. For all the days that you live with Christ, at the end of this life, you can be sure you will not be ashamed of your life. You have been saved, and will not go into judgement. 

It's not however a pleasant picture for those who do not want Jesus. They stumble over Him, and He is a rock of offense to them. Two very descriptive terms stumbling, and offense. 

Finally, back to the blessings we have in Christ, we are ......

1. A chosen generation.

2. A royal priesthood.

3. A holy nation.

4. His own special people.

5. We have been called out of darkness.

6. We have been called into His marvelous light. 

7. We are now the people of God. 

8. We had not received mercy.

9. But, we now have received mercy.

Thank You Father. You have blessed us indeed. In Jesus name Amen.


Application/Promise
1. Count your blessings, name them one by one.
2. Ask God to explain these blessings to you.
3. Turn your mind and heart to Him, and His blessings.
4. Draw near to Him, come to Him.
5. Give praise and thanks to God. 

Put away evil, take in the Word of God

What to put away from our lives, and what to desire in our lives.

There are five things to put away from our lives, and they are all listed in 1st Peter 2:1 below.......and, then the one thing to desire, and a reason for it are found in verse 2, and 3.

1st Peter 2:1 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,

1st Peter 2:2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,

1st Peter 2:3  if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

First of all then, what to get rid of. As mentioned, there are five of them. 

1. Malice.

2. All deceit.

3. Hypocrisy.

4. Envy.

5. All evil speaking. 

Malice is plain old wickedness. It's when you desire to hurt someone else. It's having an ill will towards someone else. It's when you are not ashamed to break laws. It's having a vicious disposition, and it denotes the active exercise of that disposition. 

All deceit, is guile, craftiness. It comes from a word meaning to bait. 

Hypocrisy, is to pretend, to be insincere.

Envy, is when you hold a grudge, and are jealous of others. 

All evil speaking, is when you slander someone, and backbite, and defame them. 

So, these are the things that come out of our fallen natures, or the flesh as the Bible calls it. The good news, is, that we can put them away from us, and this is what we are called to do as Christians. 

Finally, the one blessed thing to take into our lives, is the life giving Word of God. We are to desire it, just like a newborn baby  wants it's mother's milk. We are to desire the pure milk of the Word, because this is what brings growth in our lives. 

What a blessing the Bible is to our souls. I pray that You are being blessed and encouraged as you read these devotionals, and are helped by them. 

Application/Promise

1. God helps us by telling us the truth.

2. His Word gets right to the point.

3. Bad things are not for God's children.

4 He wants His Word to be in our desire.

5. His Word will cause spiritual growth in our lives.