"Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator." - 1 Peter 4:19 (NKJV)The word "commit" here is like depositing money in a bank. We deposit money to keep it secure and safe. Peter is saying, "Commit yourself to God. Place yourself in God's hands."Norman Geisler said this: "The solution to suffering is submission to sov...  Read More

"But rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy." - 1 Peter 4:13 (NKJV)Jesus said this in John 15:20: "Remember the word that I said to you. A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they'll also persecute you." Second Timothy 3:12 says, "All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus ...  Read More

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." - Galatians 6:7 (NKJV)Adrian Rogers said this: "Many Christians will sow their wild oats all during the week, then on Sunday they'll pray for crop failure." They're asking God to help them avoid the consequences of their poor choices.When God says in His Word, "Don't do this," He's trying to help you. He's tr...  Read More

"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you." - 1 Peter 4:12 (NKJV)Remember those pop quizzes in school? You'd walk into class. The teacher would say, "Take out your pen. Take out a piece of paper. We are taking a pop quiz." And you'd say, "No, that's not fair!" But if you looked at your syllabus, it was right there...  Read More

"As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God... that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen." - 1 Peter 4:10-11 (NKJV)With the end in mind, we must serve where God has gifted us. We can't do everything, but we must use what God has given us. Peter says G...  Read More

"And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without grumbling." - 1 Peter 4:8-9 (NKJV)With eternity in mind, Peter emphasizes something crucial: we need each other. He doesn't just say love one another - he calls for fervent love. The Greek word picture describes a horse at full stride, completely focused on finishi...  Read More

"But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers." - 1 Peter 4:7 (NKJV)I love the Summer Olympics, especially track and field, since I used to run track. What's the most exciting moment of any race? The last 20, 40, 50 yards toward the end. The athletes are at full stride, pushing themselves to the limit with everything they have, finishing with complete pur...  Read More

"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." - 2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV)Jonathan Edwards, the great theologian used mightily by God in the First Great Awakening, understood what it meant to live with eternity in mind. As a young man, he developed what he called "70 Resolu...  Read More

"But the end of all things is at hand. Therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers." - 1 Peter 4:7 (NKJV)I was probably eight or nine years old when the reality of eternity first gripped my heart. That Sunday night, after getting in trouble during children's ministry, I found myself sitting with my parents as they showed "A Thief in the Night"—one of those rapture movies similar to the moder...  Read More

"In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead." - 1 Peter 4:4-5 (NKJV)If we truly are living the life that God wants for us as His children, we need to recognize that the old self is gone, and I no longer live the same lifestyle. The new ...  Read More

"For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries." - 1 Peter 4:3 (NKJV)I will never forget that my dad gave his life to Christ in his thirties, and he was completely transformed. I was born when he was 40, so I never knew the version of him before his conversion. I...  Read More

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." - 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)C.H. Spurgeon would personally interview new converts or those interested in membership. Instead of just coming forward like people do today, he would talk to each person individually during the week, ask questions, and decide whether to accept or r...  Read More