Crumbs 35

 

Crumbs from the Master ‘s Table 35

1 Peter 1:3-9 Hope through Salvation

Scripture 1 Peter 1:3-9 New International Version 3 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, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 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. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 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, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Crumbs Writing to a scattered, suffering church, Peter emphasises certain aspects of our salvation

1.The new birth is a gift from God.( verse 3) . It was not our efforts that brought us to faith but the grace of God.

2.The new birth is seen as something positive; not only an escape. ( verse 4). Peter emphases what we are saved to, a living hope, an inheritance.

3. Jesus’ resurrection is essential in our salvation. ( verse 3). We all die. Jesus conquering death gives us hope and thisultimate hope in the is part of the Christian experience. ( verse5 )

5. Our present life is tough. In it our faith is tested and refined, becoming precious to God .( verse 7)

6. Salvation, our relationship with the Lord Jesus. is not only a future thing, but a present one; In the first century it gave Christians boundless joy. ( verses7-9)

Queries ( for private thought or joint discussion) 1. In what ways does our salvation affect us now? 2. How may we derive hope from our salvation. ? 3. What stops us from experiencing the joy early Christians knew ?

 Please note that this is also published on my blog along with poems and other items on https://pmgsblog.blogspot.com 

 Sent from Mail for Windows

Crumbs34

 

Crumbs from the Master ‘s Table 34

1 Peter 1:1-2

We have been studying 1Peter in church. I found it to be a generous source of truth and encouragement. I had to look more closely!

Scripture

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:

Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

Crumbs

Peter uses the then standard opening for his letter; introduces himself, identifies the recipients and brings a blessing by way of a greeting. He says more about the recipients than himself. He is simply satisfied with establishing his identity as an apostle, sent by Jesus Christ who had seen in the flesh (1Corinthians 9:1) This will help his message to come with authority

The folk he wrote to have been spread about Turkey. It may have seemed random to them, but the word scattered can also mean sown. They were not the accidental detritus of the ancient world but in the centre of God’s plans.

The teaching about the Trinity Is not laid out systematically in the Bible but it is strongly implied. This is one of the passages were it is clearly indicated The Father knows and the Father choses those who He will work on through the presence of the Spirit to obey His Son. In Exodus 24:3-8 blood was used to confirm God’s covenant relationship with a people who had promised obey Him. The Father calls us to obey His Son. The Spirit makes us fit to do so and it is all confirmed by the work of the cross.

This seems impossible to me but God’s grace is so great that we can know that grace and the peace that God’s grace brings.

Queries ( for private thought or joint discussion)

1. In what ways is our situation similar to that of the folk mention in the passage ?

2. What part does each member of the Trinity play in our salvation. ?

3. What kind of people is God changing us into ?

 Please note that this is also published on my blog along with poems and other items on https://pmgsblog.blogspot.com

In Firm Management

 

In firm Management

Oh I am the consultant

Who advises the consultants

That advise the consultants

For our happy little firm.

Who advise the folk who manage

The folk that manage

The work force

Of our happy little firm,

His name is Bill

And what he does

This consultant who advises the consultants

And those consultants who advise the managers

And the managers that they manage

And the manager of the work force,

Have not a clue

In our happy little firm.

Poor Bill is ill and cannot work,

But we still manage. 

In our happy little firm.

In our happy little firm.

Crumbs 33

 

Crumbs from the Master ‘s Table 33 : Temperance

The word translated temperance, self control, self restraint or continence is only used three times in the New Testament. They are quoted in the passages below from the NIV

Acts 24:25 As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” Appearing before the governor Paul goes to the fundamentals of the Gospel; that of morality and judgment. How we live, matters to God. Lack of self control makes us vulnerable to temptation. The development of the other aspects of the fruit of the Spirit is weakened

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. At the time of our Lord salvation was sought by fulfilling the law, avoiding breaking it in any way. It is now the work of the Spirit to produce a character of goodness described by the fruit of the Spirit. It is no longer simply avoidance but an active seeking of virtue. These virtues are the very nature of and desired characteristics that God longs to see in His children

2Peter 1:5-6 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; The step of faith is but the gateway to the path through life accompanied by Christ. Then comes change and development. One of the stages of this growth, this maturing is in part the emergence of self control.

Queries ( for private thought or joint discussion)

1. Why is self control so important?

2. What areas of our life and character are affected by the growth of self control. ?

3. What kind of people is God changing us into ?

 Please note that this is also published on my blog along with poems and other items on https://pmgsblog.blogspot.com

Crumbs32

 

Crumbs from the Master ‘s Table 32 : Gentleness

The word translated gentleness is also translated humility and meekness. I remember hearing Billy Graham say that the word carried the idea of a horse that has been broken in. It is strength under control.

Christ is Meek 2 Corinthians 10:1.By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away. Meekness is the very essence of Christ.

Psalm 45:4 In your majesty ride forth victoriously in the cause of truth, humility and justice; let your right hand achieve awesome deeds. , Palm Sunday when claiming His kingship meekness was His hallmark

Matthew 11: 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. When appealing to weary, overburdened humanity it is His gentleness, His meekness, that He says qualifies Him to help

Meekness qualifies for responsibility Numbers 12:3 Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth. Matthew 5:5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. When God wanted a leader to take about a m recently freed slaves He chose the meekest man available and He chose the meek to bequest the planet

Meekness is essential in teaching Galatians 6:1Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. , 2 Timothy 2:25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, In teaching and particularly correcting the temptation is to be harsh. Christ’s way, the Christian way is to be gentle. We too can be tempted.

Meekness should be pursued and shown Titus 3:2to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. ,Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience 1 Timothy 6:11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness .Let gentleness be what we present to the community and the necessary ingredient in our relationships. It is part of the fruit the Spirit would produce in our beings and our lives. Let’s culivate it

Queries ( for private thought or joint discussion)

1. How does God brake us in?

2. Why is meekness so useful in teaching and taking responsibility. ?

3. How can we pursue and show meekness ?

 Please note that this is also published on my blog along with poems and other items on https://pmgsblog.blogspot.com