1 Peter 1:3-9
Powerful words from Peter today all about the living hope we have right now, in the present, as followers of Christ. I've been a Christian a long time (asked Jesus into my heart when I was 8). I know what it means for me to be saved. But sometimes I need a little reminder and I got a wonderful one when I reached verse 4 and these words, "an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you..." Absolutely awesome!
So if you're like me and haven't given a lot of thought to our living hope as of late, I encourage you to take a few minutes and do that today. Then let's consider these things together: What does having a living hope mean for us? How we can make the most of knowing that we have that imperishable, undefiled and unfading inheritance Peter tells us about? Tami W.
P.S. This week's studies on Back to the Bible are all about Hope for the New Year. So why don't you join Dr. Kroll and me for this uplifting and encouraging week of messages?
To me a living hope means that I should have an attitude today shaped by God's promises for my life tomorrow. Hope is based on truth. Jesus' resurrection proves that death has no power or sting over the believer. Hope battles discouragement and despair. A living hope indicates a strong, vital attitude that I can have to not only survive day to day life but thrive in day to day life. May 2011 be a year filled with living hope!!!
Thanks Tammy. This message is exactly what I needed to start this day. We are so blessed to have
the Word of God to remind us our trails are a blessing to us and that great, inexpressable joy is ahead.
Wow!... What a great word of encouragment going into a new year. There are those whose hope is in a lot of 'dead' things: money, status, gods/idols who died and are STILL dead... But our hope is alive in Christ Jesus who is ALIVE and is seated at the right hand of the LIVING God.
Paul says in Col 3:1-3 "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God."
Having a LIVING hope for me means that I can look forward to a better eternal future knowing that this life is not my final destination... It means that because I have an 'imperishable, undefiled and unfading inheritance', then the stresses of this world shouldn't get me down, for "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable" (1 Cor 15:19)
If I sound excited, I am! Todays reading is just the 'kick start' reminder needed to face a new year which the 'experts' say will be more challenging than last year.
Even if I am unfaithful He is always faithful! It is kind of crusty to say 'once saved always saved' But I truly believe (Ro.8:38,39) we can't do anything to take away The Father's love through Jesus!He will bring us back. If today you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.
Tami like u i had not given much thaught to this topic even though i was feeling very blessed to be alive when i rang in the new year. Peter in verse 4 really made me realise that the greatest inheritance i will ever have is not earthly but heavenly and will not fade or spoil or decay. Thanks 4 reminding me of that hope, for the devil, makes us feel hopeless sometime when he comes with his lies.. Thank jesus 4 hope
Blessings for a Happy New Year!
Sometimes we encounter discouraging times. Verse 4, in particular, is just the right verse for such times. If something is living, it is real. We can look forward to our inheritance (without feeling guilty), knowing that it is in a trust fund that is better than anything we could find here on earth! We will not be able to spend our way through it either! We don't have to consider where it came from (was it ill gotten gains...)and it will last for eternity, too! Now that's something to look forward to - as adopted children of God.
Adopted...chosen by heart. Wow! What a concept!
Tammy,
It was great meeting you in person and being able to put a face to your voice as I listen to both yourself and Dr Kroll on radio at 5:30am in the mornings.You shared with our Ladies Bible Study group in Kingston Jamaica.
Dr Kroll was to speak on the "Audacious claims of Jesus Christ" and I wanted the members of my exercise class to hear it. This was just before the series on the Voices of Christmas.
My exercise class consist of mature proffessional men, some religious but lacking an experience of a personal relationship with God for the most part, so I really wondered what their response would be. Would they listen for the first ten minutes and then start the usual conversations.
How amazed I was when for the entire broadcast they listened intently and expresed their appreciation that I had brought my radio and shared this with them. One even hugged me!!!!. They demanded that I keep bringing it with me and so they heard some of the voices of Christmas as well.!!!
Now they too want to hear the programme on radio when they can.
I am so delighted to share your ministry with others as I feel this has to be the best Bible Study programme on Radio.
Heather
Happy New Year P4 members. Like you Tami verse 4 stuck out to me. We have an imperishable give from God. Through out faith in Him. And as well it is great to know that we all go through things and they are for Christ's purpose to draw us closer to Him. What a blessing it is to be part of the Christian family.