Suffering for What is Right 1 Peter 4

Suffering “according to God’s will ” has something to do with suffering for what is right. Sometimes this suffering is very public. Peter describes abuses being heaped on believes who do not participate in the world’s dehumanizing revelries.
However, suffering for what is right can also be very private. Saying “No” to “evil [...]

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A Spiritual World View

The following is from Doug Jeffreys: 
“I remember a conversation Leslie and I had with Jay Bell as he prayed with us prior to my departing for Africa. He said Satan doesn’t like it when we obey God and seek to bring the good news of the Gospel to others. He said we could expect some [...]

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“How precious a salvation!” 1 Peter 1

We’ve had the privilege to be silent third party observers through the pages of the book of Acts to witness Peter grow in his faith and understanding.  How did these events shape the man Peter?  Peter had been an eyewitness to the ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  He had experienced and seen firsthand [...]

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“Flesh-eating Worms” Acts 12:19b-25

Back in chapter 10, Cornelius attempted to worship Peter, but Peter put a quick stop to it, explaining that he, too, was a man just like Cornelius.  On several occasions in the Bible, humans tried to worship angels.  But even angels sent from God don’t accept worship.
Evidently, Herod hadn’t received the memo.  Or, more likely, [...]

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“God’s Choices” Acts 12:1-19a

James, one of the apostles, is imprisoned and beheaded.  Peter, another apostle, is also imprisoned, but then he’s miraculously delivered by God.  We’re all happy for Peter.  It’s a great story, and it confirms our confidence in what God can do.  However, the whole James thing brings up an awkward question.
Why does James get his [...]

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“Unsung Hero” Acts 11:19-30

Antioch is where the Gentile church gets its start.  As the Spirit had moved among Jews in Jerusalem, he now works among Gentiles in Antioch. 
At this point, one of the most heroic and strategic acts of the Bible takes place, and most people don’t even notice it.  Here it is:  “Then Barnabas went to Tarsus [...]

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“Attitude Adjustment” Acts 11:1-18

“So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him and said, ‘You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.’”
It seems that these believers valued their traditions more than they valued people’s lives.  These believers were more concerned with keeping the “rules” than with saving lost people, especially people who were different from them.  [...]

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“And the Walls Come Tumbling Down” Acts 10:23b-48

Is there anyone God can’t reach?  Is there any place God might send us that we shouldn’t go?  Do we trust him even when we don’t fully understand what he’s doing?  Peter had to come through these questions in his mind quickly and chose to follow God’s direction.
In this passage two men of faith, [...]

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“3″ Acts 10:1-23a

Did you ever notice that things seemed to come at Peter in 3’s?
Jesus told Peter that Peter would deny him three times. And that’s how it happened.
After his resurrection, Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love me?”
Now, Jesus gives Peter the same vision of unclean animals three times.
Hhhmmm.
Well, let’s not get too sidetracked [...]

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“Greater Things” Acts 9:32-43

Peter is looking a lot like Jesus in this passage. He heals a lame man, who reminds us of the lame man Jesus healed in John 5. Then he raises a woman from the dead, who reminds us of Jairus’ daughter, the widow’s son, and Lazarus.
Jesus did say, “I tell you the truth, [...]

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