Posted on Sep 6, 2017 in 1 Peter, Love for God's World |
Every day, all around the world, precious Christians are being persecuted for their love for Jesus.
Many times these Christians secretly meet in underground or house churches. Usually there are very, very few copies of the Bible available to whole groups of believers.
Sometimes portions of the Bible are carefully removed and bound together so that believers can take small portions of God’s Word with them to secretly have in their homes for one week at a time.
One week Boris has 1 Thessalonians and the next week Maria has 1 Thessalonians. And the following week Boris has James.
When the Bible is so scarce, those under persecution’s pressures are starving to have it in their hands, through their eyes and into their minds.
“… like newborn babes long for the pure milk of the word, that play it you may grow in respect to salvation …”.
(1 Peter 2:2)
Whether persecuted or not persecuted yet, we should always be starving for the Bible.
Posted on May 16, 2017 in 1 Peter, Humility, Prayer, Pride, Worry |
Sometimes we make the big mistake of taking upon ourselves the weight of the world.
When we do this we over estimate ourselves and underestimate our God.
1 Peter 5:6-7 are clear!
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
The word “casting” carries the idea of happily throwing aside
not to pick it up again. Like the high-schooler who casts aside his backpack full of school books on Friday afternoon, not at all intending to use those books all weekend.
The other thing about prayerfully giving the weight of the world back to God is: It’s a very practical way to humble oneself.
Really, taking on the weight of the world is an act of incredible pride.
The weight of the world clearly belongs on God Almighty’s shoulders! He is more than able & willing to have it!
Posted on Apr 19, 2017 in 1 Corinthians, 1 Peter, Friends, Pride, Worry |
Blows Holes are an impressive display of God’s creation!
Understandably, many sight-seers & tourists get near to them for photo-ops.
The hand-painted warning sign seems to be from a grieving heart. The cross in the bottom corner suggests to me that a loved one of the sign creator may have gotten too close & and perished.
God warns us in His Word that there is peril if we wander too close to certain sin dangers. We will get “sucked” in.
Sometimes those dangers are persons:
“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals’.” 1 Corinthians 15:33
Other times those dangers are within us, pride & worry:
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:6-8)
God loves you & me enough to warn us about Spiritual Blow Holes. Stay clear.
Posted on Mar 28, 2017 in 1 Peter, Joy, New Converts |
These two super-cute big brothers obviously are thrilled to meet their new little baby brother!
Scripture calls new converts to Christ “babes”.
“Therefore, putting aside all malice and guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babes, long before the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation …”. (1 Peter 2:1-2)
May we who are older in Christ be as thrilled as heaven is, with new babes in Christ; the babes whom we lead to saving faith in the Saviour and the babes who integrate into our local assembly!
All babies need lots of nurture and love. What a true privilege and pleasure to give such!
Posted on Mar 1, 2017 in 1 Peter, Bible |
This baby is looking after his hunger problem. He probably cried before he got his bottle. Not much else was on his mind when he was hungry!
The Bible is the believer’s necessary spiritual food! Be hungry for the Word: Personal Study; Lord’s Day Worship gathering; Mini-Church Small Group; Christian Radio; Podcasts; YouTube; Smart Phone Apps.
Solve your daily spiritual hunger!
” … like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that buy it you may grow in respect to salvation …”
Posted on Jul 10, 2015 in 1 Peter, Spiritual Gifts |
This guy is talented but he’s also exhausted.
Quite a few believers resemble him. Diligently, they are playing so many different ministry instruments! While many passersby cheer them on without joining the band.
“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (1 Peter 4:10)
2 Keywords: “each” & “employ”.
Since you have a spiritual gift, you should have a ministry in the Incredible Body of Christ called Calvary Bible Church. Please pray about this. Speak to any pastor for help to find that ministry.
Posted on May 19, 2015 in 1 Peter, Christ, Exodus, Idols, Money, Reverence, Thought Life |
I am a car license plate watcher.
This is a cool one!
No pun intended!
Who or what is #1 in your life?
God is zealous to be #1 to you!
Exodus 20:1-3
“Then God spoke all these words, saying,
‘I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me.”
1 Peter 3:15
“… but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence …”
Making the Lord #1 in your life is a personal choice which has to be re-confirmed moment to moment.
You can call that process reverence.
With Jesus’ love for you,
Pastor Rob Elliott
Two ways to check whether or not you have an idol:
1. Ask your self ‘typically, what do I think about when I am free to think about anything at all?’
2. Note how you feel when the offering plate comes to you in the worship service?
Posted on Apr 23, 2015 in 1 Peter, Holiness |
I think that it was A. W. Tozer who said: “Every man is as holy as he really wants to be.”
In our position before God we are given all of Christ’s holiness. But in our daily experience holiness is a choice which we continually are making.
Choose holiness even when it is difficult, inconvenient, odd, costly, misunderstood, extra work, unseen, unpopular & radical. Choose holiness. It’s the exquisite road less traveled.
Of course our Lord Jesus is ever perfect holiness, but He chose holiness at every turn of his earthly ministry. And His choices of holiness we’re very costly!
As The Lord Jesus’ follower you are to choose personal holiness. This is a choice that only you can make moment to moment to moment.
This bird got water because it wanted it!
“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, you shall be holy for I am holy.” (1 Peter:1:14-16)
