A dream warning
I had a dream early this morning and decided to interrupt our study of 1 Peter, chapter 1, to share it with you:
Had an interesting dream just before I woke up this morning. I was walking along a highway at a comfortable pace, and then saw the flow of traffic (at night) thick, fast, and loud, with cars zipping by, recognizable only by the streaks of light and sound they created.
Then I heard a voice say to me as I was about to step in to join the flow, “Don’t let yourself be destroyed by other people’s forward progress.”
That seems so backward in today’s society and even in the church world. But it rang true to me.
God’s not a frenetic God. He’s not nervously twitching to keep up with anyone. Nor is He a frenetic taskmaster. He doesn’t “clock” us with His stopwatch or berate us to keep up with the pack. No; He’s the Shepherd who walks ahead of the flock, not a driver who pushes the herd from behind with whips, sharp prods, and snapping dogs.
He’s the God who not only created the cheetah, but He’s also the God who created the turtle. I’ve never observed a turtle (or a dachshund or an elephant or any other member of the animal kingdom) berate itself because it can’t zip around the forest at 70 mph. No; the turtle is content to stroll at its own pace, filling its part in the Big Picture–the part it was uniquely created to fill.
May we have such wisdom and press on–at the unique pace God’s set for each one of us–and not let ourselves be destroyed by anyone else’s forward progress.
Dorothy
Read More1 Peter 1:6-7—The proof of your faith
In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ…1 Peter1:6-7
In this you greatly rejoice…
Why the rejoicing? Here’s why:
- You are protected by the power of God.
- You don’t have to depend on your own mental or physical prowess, but you receive this protection through faith.
- The complete package of all that belongs to you in salvation will be revealed in the last times (verse 5).
… even though now for a little while if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials…
However, despite that incomparable salvation and wonderful hope you have attained through faith, there is this awkward thing called the troubled here and now…
Think about it. There you are, with the full counsel of the Word of God sitting in your lap, and yet you have experienced the intensity of hard times and trials that never seem to end! And if that’s the way you feel right now, there’s some good news packed up in what Peter said. He boldly wrote “now for a little while”.
Before you snort, “Yea, right! ‘A little while’”, here’s a devil-busting nugget of truth you can cling to when all hell is breaking loose: It IS just for a little while! The Bible says so!
You still don’t believe it? Well, here’s a second witness—Paul the apostle. In the middle of all of the craziness and compounded persecution that Paul faced in his life, he stated, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,” (2 Corinthians 4: 17, NIV).
Yes, trials are distressing. But the key to enduring to the end is in the perspective—it’s just for a little while. It’s only temporary —momentary.
…so that the proof of your faith…even though tested by fire…
When you are experiencing the bitter difficulties of life, it’s extremely valuable to not only view them as momentary—lasting for only a little time—but to recognize that every single bummer you face can be counted as a test. Why? Because tests—like the ones you took in school—come to an end!
That’s what the word “proof” means here—a test. And what is being tested is your faith—your assurance, confidence, and solid trust in Jesus Christ and His loving provision for you.
The tester—the one whose goal is to rip your faith out of your inner man and to desecrate it by impelling you to cast away your confidence in Christ with every fiery circumstance, thought, mood, and attack he can orchestrate—is the devil. The one who throws fiery ordeals your way with an ugly vengeance is not the Lover of your soul.
But in the middle of every difficulty and every ordeal, you have the right to walk through it with the Teacher—the One who is the Lover of your soul—Who will hold your hand, helping and guiding you every step of the way. And the only thing He’ll test you with is this: Will you cling to His Word in the midst of the enemy’s evil test? The evil is from the enemy; the Word you receive in your heart is from God. (See John 10:10.)
The wonderful thing is that Satan always overplays his hand. His attacks, meant to destroy your faith, actually prove your faith as you hold fast to the Lord. All those fiery darts he launches your way—with all their hateful intent—will only serve to purify and beautify your trust in Jesus as you keep your gaze fixed on Him.
Paul said it this way: “…look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18). Keep your sights fixed on your Teacher and His Word; don’t fixate on the circumstances threatening your demise. This is the time-tested method by which God brings His kids through every test safe and sound.
… being more precious than gold which is perishable…
Peter said “the proof of your faith” is “more precious than gold which is perishable”. Is it the faith itself or the testing of your faith that is more precious than gold? I’ve heard both interpretations. But this is what I truly believe Peter was saying here: Your tested faith—the very faith you carried with you into the furnace of testing and then by it emerged—victorious, despite the hateful storms that blew your way—that is the faith which is more precious than gold. That kind of faith is imperishable. And that kind of faith—in embryonic form—is the very substance God planted in your heart when you first believed—whether you feel it or not.
… may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
It isn’t the test that brings glory to God; it’s the faith that comes out of the test, despite the test, even though battered by the test, but triumphant nonetheless; that—your proven faith—is what will result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
May the proof of your faith result in praise and glory and honor to God.
Dorothy
But He knows the way I take; when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold. Job 23:10
© 2015, Dorothy Frick
Read More1 Peter 1:5—Protected by the power of God
…who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:5
I have experienced amazing close calls and supernatural deliverances from death and harm in my life. I have documented several of these experiences in this blog, FirstOfAllPray.com. Here are a few of my testimonies:
“Ever thought you might be martyred???”
God’s supplemental insurance policy, Part 3
I definitely have confidence that part of our inheritance from the Lord is access to His protection for our physical bodies here on the earth. I believe, however, that this particular verse refers to our spiritual protection even more so than our physical safety.
… who are protected by the power of God through faith…
A very important nugget is revealed in this portion of Scripture: You are protected by the power of God through faith. Whether you seek God for physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual protection, all protection from God is best accessed by faith in His faithfulness, His covenant, and His great mercy. And as I have seen in my own life, sometimes my faith is very small—yet even then He has come through for me. When you experience Divine intervention in any way—whether you exercised your faith for it or not—rejoice and give thanks to God for what He accomplished on your behalf. I believe that a thankful heart paves the way for future help from Him even when your faith starts to falter.
How do you develop faith to counter all the fearful thoughts, events, and lurking dangers out there? The best way I know to do this is to find Bible verses on God’s protection, copy them, and absorb them. Live in them until they become a part of your very being—a part of your DNA. Although I believe that 1 Peter 1:5 has more to do with spiritual protection than with physical safety, the Bible is loaded with other verses that promise His protection for our bodies in the here and now. But again…as Peter stated in verse 5, this protection is accessed through faith in Him.
… for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Jesus once said, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36) You can live a secure, prosperous, satisfying life throughout your time on the planet, but if you haven’t invested in your eternal soul through a relationship with God built on faith in Jesus, everything you’ve built and worked for will evaporate the very instant you take your last breath.
Conversely, you may have struggles, issues, lack, and unanswered, nagging questions during your lifetime. However, if you have invested in your eternal soul through entering into a relationship with God through faith in Christ, for you the doors of Heaven will open wide on the day you breathe your last. For you, salvation is ready to be revealed in that last time.
Why then, does someone who is already a believer need to be protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed? Because so many pitfalls, snares, temptations, and trials cross our paths that without the keeping power of God, many of us would likely follow the advice of Job’s wife, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9)
Have you ever been tempted to give up on your faith? On God? On the church? On life? Evidently, you’re not alone, and God has made provision for this very possibility by providing for you His keeping, protective power. All He requires is faith—not great faith (which, at low times, you will not have)—He requires a tiny grain of faith—a mustard seed of faith, a barely utterable squeak of faith—and in return, He will be the unseen Presence with you in the midst of your darkest hour, guarding you, helping you, steadying you until you come out on the other side of your pain, chaos, and confusion.
Yes, I have been delivered out of many potentially deadly scenarios, and for that I will be ever grateful. But even more amazing, humbling, and praiseworthy is that God—time and again—has rescued me and kept me safe and secure from the unseen, spiritual forces of darkness intent upon leveraging me away from the blessed hope and assurance that I have in Jesus Christ—forces bent upon robbing me of that salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. God’s keeping power toward me—and you—is sufficient to preserve us in Him for the rest of our lives.
And for that, I am eternally thankful!
Dorothy
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” John 10:27-29
© 2015, Dorothy Frick
Read More1 Peter 1:4—An inheritance
…to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you…1 Peter 1:4
INHERITANCE!
Think about it! You have been named as the beneficiary of an unlimited, immeasurable inheritance.
Every single person who believes in Jesus is named in this magnificent will, written and signed in the blood of Jesus, sealed by the Holy Spirit, and authorized by none other than the Creator of the universe Himself.
And if I’m reading Peter’s letter correctly, you obtain this amazing inheritance through your living hope in Christ (see verse 3).
No doubt—it’s a good thing to be named as someone’s heir. They may still be alive, but your name is right there in the will. Their assets are still their own—you can’t access them as long as the person is alive—but upon their death (and then a waiting period of roughly six or so months in many cases in the US), those assets start showing up in your account.
Jesus shared some of His treasure—forgiveness, healings, deliverances—while He was alive on the earth, but it wasn’t until He died at Calvary that there was a transfer of funds from His account to yours. And again, according to Peter, the avenue by which you obtain this inheritance is through the living hope birthed in your heart by faith in His resurrection from the dead.
… reserved in heaven for you…
When my dad passed away seven years ago, I didn’t automatically gain access to the entire portion that he willed to me, even though when he was alive, he would bless me from time to time from his accounts. I did, however, receive a part of the inheritance he had specifically placed in my name to be received immediately upon his death. All I had to do to access those assets was to present the death certificate to the one in charge of that particular account. Life insurance is distributed in a similar manner—no probate and no waiting upon creditors to claim their share.
I have a theory that our inheritance in Christ is similar to this. First, all of us receive from Christ’s treasure before we know Him. We may not be aware of it; most of the time we are clueless when the Lord intervenes on our behalf and bestows a blessing on us—but Jesus is generous to the godly and the ungodly alike—and He pulls from His treasure chest of kindness as He seeks to bring each one of us to repentance.
When you become born again to a living hope through your faith in His resurrection, you’re still alive and well on planet earth, yet you are an entirely new being. You start learning about Him, His loving nature, and the specific treasure He has stored up for those who are called by His name. And you start making withdrawals on that inheritance which is reserved—stored away—in Heaven for you. Prayers get answered and you grow in grace.
But the full inheritance is not what we see, hear, or experience here on the earth. The full inheritance—from which we make prayer withdrawals now in this life—is reserved for us in Heaven—to be revealed to us on that Day when we see Him face to face. Right now, as the apostle Paul wrote, we only know in part. But then—when we arrive in Heaven—we will know fully, as fully as He has known us (see 1 Corinthians 13:12).
… an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away…
The inheritance we humans receive from our parents can perish all too easily. We can spend it all; the banks that hold it can collapse; the stock market in which it is stored may crash; someone could sue us for every dime, and, whoosh! there it goes; the buildings and properties we’ve received from our parents can burn down or blow away in a raging storm.
But the inheritance from God is imperishable. It will never be spent up; it will never collapse, crash, burn, or blow away. The inheritance you have received from God is indestructible and limitless.
Your inheritance from God is undefiled. Whereas wealth can be accumulated by unscrupulous methods—through fraud, taking bribes, charging outrageous interest, lying, stealing, and all other manner of devious, manipulative scheming—the inheritance from God is clean. It is the blessing of the Lord that makes rich, and He adds no sorrow to it (see Proverbs 10:22). The LORD is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds (Psalm 145:17).
The inheritance of the Lord will not fade away. God will never slowly lose interest in you; He will never phase you out of His good graces—nor will His inheritance for you ever run out or lose its magnificence. It is imperishable; it is undefiled; it will never fade away.
It is reserved in Heaven—for you.
Dorothy
But as it is written, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9, International Standard Version
© 2015, Dorothy Frick
Read More1 Peter 1:3—The living hope
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…1 Peter 1:3
Blessed. Great mercy. Born again. Living hope. Resurrection from the dead. This is the vocabulary of the redeemed. These are the flashing neon lights pointing ever upward in a dark and fallen world.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…
Your God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is blessed. Before time began He was blessed; He has remained blessed throughout history; He is blessed now; and He will always be blessed forever and ever. He will never not be blessed—this fact stands as a pillar of truth for all eternity.
… who according to His great mercy…
Everything that God does, He does in mercy—the mercy which endures forever. It never runs out; it never stops; it never ends.
God plans according to mercy; He works behind the scenes according to mercy; He displays His power according to mercy; He enacts His great promises according to His mercy. He moves silently among us according to His great mercy.
… has caused us to be born again…
It is according to His great mercy that you have been drawn to Him. Your curiosity, your hunger, your restless questions—all were stimulated and agitated by His tender mercy toward you. And that moment you recognized your very real need for a Savior? It was brought to you by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ—according to His great mercy. You responded; the Son of God entered your life by your invitation; and you were born again.
… to a living hope…
One key ingredient that is birthed within you when you are born again is an undeniable, unquenchable, unfading hope. This hope is not the fleeting, fickle hope of one who wishes to win the lottery or who hopes for the sun to come out tomorrow; no. This hope is alive. It was born within you when you were born from above; and it permeates your very being every day, quietly propelling you to keep going; prompting you to look up; helping you to stay strong; and steadying you like an anchor. As you fix your hope on the living God, you come to realize that He carries you through the ups and downs of life as your personal Guide, Instructor, Counselor, and Security Guard. This is your birth right—an indestructible living hope.
…through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Your hope is supported by nothing less than the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Hope that clings to anything less is wasted energy, but the hope that draws its strength from that certain dawn when the stone was rolled away and the Lord rose victorious over death and the grave—now that’s a hope that’s been to hell and back—and lives triumphantly to rejoice over every other foe through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
Dorothy
…we have fixed our hope on the living God…1 Timothy 4:10a
© 2015, Dorothy Frick
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