"Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." - Romans 6:4 (NKJV)Nik Ripken, in his book "The Insanity of God," tells of a woman named Samira who lived in a heavily persecuted area. Through a series of visions and dreams, God led her to missionaries who explain...  Read More

"Who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water." - 1 Peter 3:20 (NKJV)Peter uses Noah as his chief example for these persecuted believers, and this wasn't accidental. Noah was the most popular or well-known of all biblical figures in Asia Minor, even to t...  Read More

"By whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared." - 1 Peter 3:19-20 (NKJV)This is where the waters get weighty, where we've got to be slow enough to really assimilate what's going on. After Jesus said, "It is finished," and after He said, "Into Your hands I co...  Read More

"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit." - 1 Peter 3:18 (NKJV)Sometimes we can live in a place for so long that we lose our gratitude for where we live. We become so accustomed to our freedoms that we forget what a gift they truly are. The same thing happens with our faith. In the...  Read More

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear. Having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed." (1 Peter 3:15-16)Peter emphasizes "having a good conscience"—meaning your walk matches your talk, your l...  Read More

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear." (1 Peter 3:15)"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork." (Psalm 19:1)There was a famous atheist, Anthony Flew, who wrote over 40 books on atheism, defending his belief that there was no God. Then...  Read More

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear." (1 Peter 3:15)The prepared answer starts with allegiance to Jesus—not just as Savior, but as Lord. The word "Lord" involves Christ's ownership and being master of our lives. Romans 10:13 doesn't say "whoever calls on the name of th...  Read More

"But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled." (1 Peter 3:14)It's interesting that Peter himself was less than bold initially. On the night of Jesus' betrayal, when a little girl said, "Hey, that's one of His followers," Peter responded, "I don't know the man." Three times he denied knowing Christ. But something hap...  Read More

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)We can't pay for our salvation. If I were to say you could pay for your salvation, honestly, most of us would raise our hands and say we'd be glad to try. That's what most religions of the world are—they're works-based, striving to pay for th...  Read More

"For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." - 1 Peter 3:12 (NKJV)Why should we bless instead of retaliate? First, because the Bible says so. Our personal, Christian standard must be: "What does the Bible say?" Second, because God is watching. He sees everything and knows exactly how you've been mist...  Read More

"Not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing." - 1 Peter 3:9 (NKJV)This principle directly opposes our natural inclinations. When offended, our instinct is to fight back, to retaliate. But God tells us to respond with love instead of vengeance, blessing instead of cursing, forgiveness inst...  Read More

"I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." - Romans 12:3 (NKJV)When Peter calls us to be "courteous," (1 Peter 3:8), the Greek word actually means "humble-minded." It calls for an honest estimate of yourself. Humility doesn't mean thinking le...  Read More