DAY 1 – April 5, 2010

TITLE: “PRAISE BE TO GOD”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: I Peter 1:3-9

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: I Peter 1:3

KEY VERSE: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” I Peter 1:3

History records that the Duke of Wellington, the British military leader, who defeated Napoleon at Waterloo, was not an easy man to serve under. He was brilliant, demanding, and not one to shower his subordinates with compliments. Yet even Wellington realized that his methods left something to be desired. In his old age, a young lady asked him what, if anything, he would do differently if he had his life to live over again. Wellington thought for a moment, and then replied, "I'd give more praise."

Is praise to God something you need to do more of? There is so much to praise God for. Here Peter is praising God for His great mercy, new birth, and a living hope. Peter is filled with hope. This living hope is through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Peter is praising God for His involvement in our lives. There is so much to give God praise for.

John Wesley, founder of the Methodist church, was about 21 years of age when he went to Oxford University. He came from a Christian home, and he was gifted with a keen mind and good looks. Yet in those days he was a bit snobbish and sarcastic. One night however, something happened that set in motion a change in Wesley's heart. While speaking with a porter, he discovered that the poor fellow had only one coat and lived in such impoverished conditions that he didn't even have a bed. Yet he was an unusually happy person, filled with gratitude to God. Wesley, being immature, thoughtlessly joked about the man's misfortunes. "And what else do you thank God for?" he said with a touch of sarcasm.  The porter smiled, and in a spirit of meekness replied with joy, "I thank Him that He has given me my life and being, a heart to love Him, and above all a constant desire to serve Him!" Deeply moved, Wesley recognized that this man knew the meaning of true thankfulness. 

Many years later, in 1791, John Wesley lay on his deathbed at the age of 88. Those who gathered around him realized how well he had learned the lesson of praising God in every circumstance. Despite Wesley's extreme weakness, he began singing the hymn, "I'll Praise My Maker While I've Breath." Will you praise God today regardless of what is going on around you? There is so much to give God praise for.

“Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness…Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.” Psalm 150:1, 2 & 6

DAY 2 – April 6, 2010

TITLE: “FOR YOU”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: I Peter 1:3-9

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: I Peter 1:4

KEY VERSE: “And into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-kept in heaven for you.” I Peter 1:4

If my father would have still been alive this last St Patrick’s Day, he would have been 101 years of age. However, my father died back in 1994. For much of my life, dad served as dad and mom, for my mom died when I was ten. I had one older sister and then some animals. Never did have a dog growing up as a child, but we did have a cat. I grew up in Southern California. When my father died, he had left what he had to my sister and I as an inheritance. Though dad had been very generous to the church and ministries through the years, when he died he left what he had as an inheritance to his children. As his children, my sister and I received what my father passed on to us.

In theology the term inheritance, refers to the benefits that come to us as a child of God. In the Old Testament the inheritance included not only the estate received by a child from the parents, but also the land received by the children of Israel as a gift from Jehovah. His inheritance was promised to Abram on the basis of obedience as recorded in Genesis 12:1-2. This inheritance contingent upon continued faithfulness was to be forever. The general concept was that of a settled place of abode with God. In the New Testament it is clear that in Christ we have the promise of eternal inheritance. Hebrews 9:15 says, “For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance-now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.”

As children of God we have an inheritance. It is not an inheritance that will spoil or fade but an inheritance kept in heaven for His children. This inheritance is a gift of God’s grace. It is a gift for you. This inheritance impacts the way we live our daily lives. It is a gift and reality that impacts the way you live out your daily life because of your relationship with God through Jesus as His child. Paul prayed, “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.” Colossians 1:10-12

DAY 3 – April 7, 2010

TITLE: “GOD’S POWER”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: I Peter 1:3-9

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: I Peter 1:5

KEY VERSE: “Who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” I Peter 1:5

How powerful is your God? The Psalmist declares, “Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.” Psalm 147:5. I Chronicles 29:12 says, “Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.” How powerful is your God? Job 26:12 states, “By his power he churned up the sea; by his wisdom he cut Rahab to pieces.” The Psalmist said, “One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong.” Psalm 62:11. How powerful is your God?

Until we understand that God is all-powerful, we will not have a right conception of God. A limited understanding of His power can limit our faith and trust in Him. God has the power to bring to pass whatever His infinite wisdom may direct. God’s power is self-existent and self-sustained. God has the power to shield you and hold you in His hand. God has the power to give you strength for each day and wisdom for every choice you make. God has the power to forgive sin and provide salvation. God is the God who raised up Jesus from the dead by His power. God has the power to grant peace and calm in the midst of the storm. He is the God who uses His power in the lives of His people. In other words, God is accessible and so is His power. The Psalmist said, “Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the skies. You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people...” Psalm 68:34-35. How powerful is your God and what difference will that make in your life today?

In II Chronicles 25, we find the story of King Amaziah hiring mercenaries from the Northern Kingdom to help him defeat the enemy of the Edomites. He was warned by a man of God not to use the ungodly Ephraimites to help him win the battle. Amaziah listened and sent the northern army home and the enemy was defeated. Verse 8 says, “Even if you go and fight courageously in battle, God will overthrow you before the enemy, for God has the power to help or to overthrow.” God has the power to fulfill His will in our lives regardless of our weaknesses or strengths. God has the power to meet our needs and help us live the life God has called us to live when we put our faith in Him. How powerful is your God and what difference will that make in your life today?

DAY 4 – April 8, 2010

TITLE: “SO THAT YOUR FAITH”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: I Peter 1:3-9

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: I Peter 1:6-7

KEY VERSE: “These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” I Peter 1:7

In contrast to eternity, suffering for the Christian always has a time limit. Peter was trying to put their trials and difficulties in perspective. When you compare the size of a quarter to the size of the sun, the difference in diameter is that of less than one inch and millions and millions of miles. Yet you can place that tiny quarter so close to your eye that you cannot see the sun. It works the same way with our problems. When we look too closely at them, we lose perspective and they begin to seem larger than they really are.

Peter is looking at the troubles from an eternal perspective. These struggles were for a little while. Someone said it this way, “Don’t sweat the small stuff. Remember that it's all small stuff.” Peter calls us to put the problems in perspective. Problems in this world are temporary because life in this world is temporary. Paul wrote, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” II Corinthians 4:16-17

Writing in the context of suffering for their faith in Jesus, Hebrews 10:36 instructs, “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” Peter was no Pollyanna about the realities of life. These Christians were in a season of suffering for their faith in Christ. Peter was addressing the impact salvation had on one’s life and how that changed their life.

Peter said, “These have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” I Peter 1:7. In other words, the challenges faced because of faith in Christ are not without meaning. The purpose of trials for believers is said to evolve faith. The suffering refines the faith which is greater than gold. Faith in God’s sight is so much more precious and imperishable value. Although gold is among the most precious of metals on earth, it by nature belongs to this passing world. As gold is nevertheless subjected to fire in the purifying process, so too the Christian’s faith must be refined.

Dr. David Osborn suggested, “Too often we try to use God to change our circumstances, while He is using our circumstances to change us." Faith does not remove challenges, but reveals the reality of our faith in the midst of them. The problems we face are not meant to take the strength out of us, but to put strength into us. Billy Graham highlighted this truth when he said, “Mountaintops are for views and inspiration, but fruit is grown in the valleys.”

DAY 5 – April 9, 2010

TITLE: “YOU LOVE HIM”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: I Peter 1:3-9

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: I Peter 1:8-9

KEY VERSE: “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,” I Peter 1:8

Do you love the Lord? The church was in love with Jesus. They were facing trials and difficulties of all kinds, but they were in love with Jesus. Their love for the Lord was stronger than the trials and challenges they faced. Their love was based on faith and not sight. Paul’s closing words to the church of Ephesus captures a glimpse of the type of love we are to have for the Lord when he wrote, “Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.” Ephesians 6:24

The love they had for the Lord filled them with an inexpressible and glorious joy. This joy was based on the love of their lives and not the circumstances around them. The prophet said it this way, “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Habakkuk 3:17-18. Do you love the Lord?

“Christ Jesus my Lord from heaven came, to save me from guilt, sin, and shame;
His death on the cross of Calvary brought pardon and gave me liberty.

I love Him because He first loved me, He first loved me, He first loved me;
I love Him because He first loved me, And died on the cross of Calvary.

He sweat drops of blood in prayer for me, heartbroken in dark Gethsemane.
While angels from blessed realms of light gave strength to His aching heart that night.

I love Him because He first loved me, He first loved me, He first loved me;
I love Him because He first loved me, And died on the cross of Calvary.

Up Calvary’s hill the cross He bore, and for me a crown of thorns He wore;
They nailed Him upon the tree to die, then darkness came over earth and sky.

I love Him because He first loved me, He first loved me, He first loved me;
I love Him because He first loved me, And died on the cross of Calvary.

My Lord who was slain by sinful man, a wonderful friend to me has been;
He rose from the tomb with victory, and now I love Him who first loved me.” Frank E. Roush