Category: First Things First Devotional

Therefore, as a fellow elder and witness to the sufferings of the Messiah and also a participant in the glory about to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you: Shepherd God's flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but freely, according to God's will, not for the money but eagerly; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 1 Peter 5:1-3 HCSB

In my forty years in full-time ministry I have had times of joy and excitement as I witnessed God working in the lives of those to whom I had been called to minister; occasionally I have been depressed and discouraged because of frustration brought on by lack of response or the feeling thatno matter what I did, it really did not matter. God has richly blessed me with many different ministry opportunities and I have had the privilege of making many friends across the United States. I am thankful that God called me to ministry and has used me as His instrument to impact many lives.

Peter was speaking to those who were elders, sometimes translated as pastor. Peter was one of the twelve disciples, but in this verse he identified himself as a fellow elder. Headmonished those who were leaders to shepherd God's flock and to set an example for the flock. This is the same command that Jesus gave to Peter (see John 21:15-17) – “Feed my sheep.”

Challenge: Even if you are not a pastor or elder in the church, God wants you to be an example and feed His sheep – those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. Pray for your pastors. They do not enter ministry for financial gain, but they choose to follow God's call on their lives. October is Pastor Appreciation month. Write your minister a note telling him that you appreciate what he does and how he ministers to those in your church.

So those who suffer according to God's will should, while doing what is good, entrust themselves to a faithful Creator. 1 Peter 4:19 HCSB

My son and daughter-in-law took a trip this summer to visit several of the National Parks, including Yellowstone National Park. They camped out most of the way and were able to see many fascinating sights and animals. One of the sights was Old Faithful, the geyser at Yellowstone. Old Faithful was given its name because it regularly or “faithfully” erupts according to predictions from years of routine frequency. A person can count on Old Faithful erupting.

A person can also count on God to be faithful and to fulfill all of His promises. In this verse Peter encourages all believers to trust God, the faithful Creator. God created the world and all of its perfect order. The world has been kept in perfect order since the beginning of time by a faithful God. If God can create the universe and everything in it, then surely He has the power to take care of each of us if we will only trust Him.

Challenge: Thank God that He is faithful and that you can count on Him to always do what He says He will do. Trust your life to the faithful God who has the power to take care of you and give direction to your life.

For the time has come for judgment to begin with God's household, and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God? And if a righteous person is saved with difficulty, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner? 1 Peter 4:17-18 HCSB

God richly blessed me and my wife with four wonderful children that we are very proud. But I regret to say that all four children disobeyed us at some time. Each child had to suffer the discipline which was a result of him disobeying. Each child had to learn that their bad actions resulted in bad consequences. It was through these experiences that they learned what was right and wrong, what was acceptable behavior and what was unacceptable.

These verses are not referring to the final judgment but to God's discipline in the lives of believers (see Hebrews 12:7). From the beginning of time God has given man the freedom of choice. God allows mankind to choose to do what is right or wrong. When a person makes bad choices and sins against God then there are consequences for those poor choices. God allows the sin to show people the problems of sinning and to encourage them to turn from their evil ways. It also reflects the great mercy and forgiveness of God. It also prepares us to face more difficult challenges and temptations in the future.

Challenge: God allows us to sin because He knows that is what is best for us. It helps us to grow closer to Him and become more like Jesus as we face temptations and overcome them. Ask God to help you face the temptations in your life and when you do sin to have mercy and forgiveness for you.

But if anyone suffers as a “Christian,” he should not be ashamed but should glorify God in having that name. 1 Peter 4:16 HCSB

Have you ever been in a situation where you did not want people to know you were a Christian? Have you ever tried to hide your identity as a Christ-follower because others might ridicule you? I think we have all had some type of experience where we have been looked down upon because of our Christian beliefs. Sometimes Christians are known as being “religious” or “fundamentalist”.

Peter is telling his readers to expect suffering as a result of being a “Christian” – a follower of Jesus Christ. We should not be ashamed of being a Christian; rather we should be proud to take a stand for Christ and bring glory to God. Peter and John rejoiced when they were persecuted for preaching the Gospel (see Acts 5:41).

Challenge: Do not be ashamed of being called a Christian. The Scripture says that others will know we are Christians by our love. Be proud of being a Christ-follower. Love others with the same love that Christ has for you – even at the risk of ridicule or persecution.

Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of the Messiah, so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation of His glory. 1 Peter 4:13 HCSB

When I read this verse it reminded me of an old song that I used when conducting Children's worship. The song is based on Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.” The lyrics for the song are simply the words from Scripture: “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice. Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice. Rejoice. Rejoice. And again I say rejoice.”

Peter was reminding his readers that they should rejoice whenever they suffered just as Christ, the Messiah, suffered. The suffering is an indicator that we are children of God. Someday when Christ returns to earth to gather all who believe in Him, it will be a day of rejoicing because the glory of the Lord will be revealed to everyone.

Challenge: Make a list of the numerous reasons you have to rejoice. Include the abundant blessings God has provided. Spend time rejoicing and praising God for the many ways He has blessed you. Then make a list of any difficulties or problems that you are currently facing. This will be difficult, but again spend some time rejoicing and praising God. It is always easier to rejoice over the good in our lives and feel overwhelmed by the bad. As you rejoice over your challenges, your attitude will change and you will begin to see how God works His will through both the good and bad we encounter in life. Rejoice always, and again I say rejoice. Listen to the song Rejoice on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzyckxqXoZ4

Dear friends, don't be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you. 1 Peter 4:12 HCSB

I can remember touring a glassblowing factory with my parents when I was a child. I was impressed with how they created artistic sculptures by putting hot molten glass on a long hollow tube into which air was blown to mold the glass into a specific form. wikiHow reports that glassblowing was first developed in the Middle East around 300 BC. Since then glass-blown products have become indispensable to daily life, as well as to scientific innovation, and glass blowing has emerged as a major art form. The temperature in the furnace where the glass is heated stays at about 2000 to 2300 degrees Fahrenheit.

The people in Peter's time may have been well aware of glassblowing and the “fiery ordeal” that was required to melt the glass before molding. Peter used this analogy to make a point about the Christian life. As Christians we should expect difficulties or “fiery ordeals” to come our way. Such difficulties are tests of our faith from God to help us grow and become more like His Son, Jesus Christ.

Challenge: What “fiery ordeals” are you facing in your life? Trust in God and His Holy Spirit to give you what you need to make it through the difficulties you are facing. Count your “fiery ordeals” as tests that God has allowed to help you grow as His disciple.

Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God. If anyone speaks, it should be as one who speaks God's words, if anyone serves, it should be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11 HCSB

God has gifted every believer in several ways. Each believer has been given some talents and abilities. Some can teach, some can preach, some can sing, some can play an instrument, some have accounting abilities and can serve on the finance team, some have the ability to greet others and make them feel welcome. The list of the many ways God has gifted people seems limitless. Every person is different and has been given unique gifts and abilities from God.

God has also given each believer life experiences that often equip them for helping others in similar situations. Therefore, he or she may be able to understand and empathize with another person who is experiencing similar circumstances.

God also gives people specialized training. One may be a carpenter while another is a banker and another is a farmer. A person's learned skills can be used by God to serve His church and bring glory to Him.

I believe that God also gives each believer a passion for a certain area of ministry. Some like to work with preschoolers while others enjoy working with adults or even those with special needs. God will give each person who has a desire to serve an area of interest where he or she can best be used to minister to others.

Peter challenges us to use the gifts that God has given us to serve others. We are to be good managers of what God has given to us. Our desire should be to glorify Him through Jesus Christ.

Challenge: All of these (talents, life experiences, training, and passion) should come together to give you a clear path to a ministry opportunity where you can best be used by God to serve others and bring glory to Him.

For I know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from the fathers, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. 1 Peter 1:18-19 HCSB

A slave was “redeemed” when someone paid money to buy his or her freedom. God has “redeemed” all believers from the slavery of sin. This redemption was paid with the blood of Jesus Christ and not with gold or silver.

Peter reminds us that Christ is like the lamb without any defect or blemish that was used as a sacrifice for the Passover Feast to celebrate Israel’s escape from Egyptian bondage (see Exodus 13:1-10; Leviticus 22:19-25). Isaiah mentions the Suffering Servant as the sacrificial lamb in Isaiah 53 and John declares Jesus as the perfect lamb of God (John 1:29). Jesus came to this world and lived a perfect life without sinning even though He was tempted as we are. Because He is without sin, He can be our perfect sacrifice to pay the price for our sins.

Challenge: Thank God for sending His Son Jesus Christ into this world to shed His blood on the cross so He could be your perfect sacrifice and make it possible for your sins to be forgiven. Thank God for redeeming you from your sins and giving you abundant life through Jesus Christ (see John 10:10). Listen to the song “Redeemed” on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZrxNZibe_I

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. But as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy. 1 Peter 1:14-16 HCSB

God has blessed us with four wonderful children of whom we are proud. Each has professed faith in Christ and married Christian spouses. They all are living their lives for the Lord. However like any children growing up, they did not always obey. It is only natural for children to test the limits and exercise their freedoms.

Peter reminds us to be like obedient children and not yield to our human desires. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are to be holy as God is holy (Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2; 20:7). The Holy Spirit who lives within us as believers guides us to strive for holiness. Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of how we are to live our lives. At the very beginning of this letter Peter reminded his readers that they are set apart by the “Spirit of Obedience” (1 Peter 1:2).

Challenge: When it comes to your relationship with your Heavenly Father, are you more like an obedient or disobedient child? Follow the prompting and guidance of the Holy Spirit in your life. Obey your Heavenly Father and be holy as He is holy.

Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be serious and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:13 HCSB

The Rio Summer Olympics just finished a few days ago. The track and field athletes wore shorts to free up their legs for action. Imagine if a runner showed up for his race wearing a long robe. That would be unthinkable. He would not be able to compete very well in the race because he would be incumbered by his long robe.

This is the imagery that Peter is using with his readers. The phrase “minds ready for action” is sometimes translated to “gird up the loins of your minds.” When men would go into battle, they would tuck in any long, flowing garments in order to run and fight the battle. Peter’s readers were being persecuted and he wanted them to be prepared for battle and ready to take action. This was not a physical battle; rather it was a mental battle. They needed to focus their attention and hope on the grace that was theirs through Jesus Christ.

Challenge: As one focuses on the end goal and the hope he has for the future, it makes it easier to face trials, problems, and persecution. When difficulties come your way, set your mind on the hope you have in Jesus Christ and it will help you endure whatever you are going through. God is always at work, even through the challenges of life. Listen to the song, “God is on the Move” by 7eventh Time Down on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPB9ENSd1Xc