As we are learning the grace of Home Worship these past weeks, we also pray that you are experiencing the grace of HOME DEVOTION in these days— daily time in God’s Word in personal devotion and shared time with loved ones.
Leading up to Easter, we detailed a daily devotion for each day of Holy Week which included reading in the Gospel of Luke. Now on this side of Easter, we are continuing in the PSALMS, but pivoting to a new book of the Bible — 1 PETER. For what looks to be several more weeks of stay-at-home Sunday worship, we are going to begin this book in a new sermon series.
1 Peter speaks to being scattered. 1 Peter speaks to suffering. 1 Peter speaks to spiritual realities and warfare.
Here are some suggestions for you to shape and guide your times this week. Aim to do this daily on your own. Aim to share 2-3 times with family or roommates.
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- Continue in our daily READing of the Psalms.
- Monday, April 13 – Psalm 104
- Tuesday, April 14 – Psalm 105
- Wednesday, April 15 – Psalm 106
- Thursday, April 16 – Psalm 107
- Friday, April 17 – Psalm 108
- Saturday, April 18 – Psalm 109
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2. READ and LISTEN to 1 Peter in one sitting (2-3 times this week).
- Go to 1 Peter on https://www.biblegateway.com. Click the speaker icon for audio reading of Scripture. This is available for most English translations.
- It takes 16-17 minutes to read/listen to this entire book of the Bible.
- We encourage you to both read and listen at same time to engage two senses (sight, hearing) for Bible intake and learning.
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3. Do an introductory STUDY of 1 Peter.
- Read the introductory notes to 1 Peter in a study Bible.
- Watch this 8-minute video from the Bible Project.
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4. REFLECT.
- How is the Lord meeting you in the Psalms of this week (104-109)?
- What is the big idea/lesson of 1 Peter as you read it in its entirety? How does this relate and apply to your life of faith in these days?
- What verse(s) most jump out at you? What is the Spirit encouraging or challenging you with in meditation on these verses?
- How was God’s purposes accomplished in Jesus’ suffering? What does it mean for us to share in Christ’s suffering (2 Cor. 1:5; Phil. 3:10; 1 Peter 4:13)? How have you seen God’s purposes accomplished in your life suffering? How do we need to remember this word in these days?
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5. SING. Learn to sing in your suffering, trusting the Lord in the sorrows of this world and the schemes of demonic forces.
1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
My heart and flesh may fail The earth below give way But with my eyes, with my eyes I'll see the Lord Lifted high on that day Behold, the Lamb that was slain And I'll know every tear was worth it all
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1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
...And tho' this world with devils filled Should threaten to undo us We will not fear for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us...