Today we read 1 Peter 1-5. Remember the disciple, turned apostle, who denied Jesus three times at the time He was crucified? Here he is today, with Silas, teaching us to embrace our sufferings as Christians. The man who once ran from his faith out of fear is standing firm now in the hope we have in Christ. He acknowledges that Christian life can be hard, but it is not without purpose.
The holiday season is all around us, and I can't help but think about what an amazing gift Jesus' birthday is to us. God comes to us, in the flesh, full of promise. Everything we read, all the hope we have, the saving grace we receive, it all comes true with the birth of our baby Messiah, in a manger. It's the most perfect gift we will ever receive, and it's everlasting.
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,
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.
21 Through Him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
We have so much to celebrate in our faith, and Christmas is a perfect place to start.
A prayer for today-
Dear God,
Thank You for Your beautiful creation. Thank You for the perfect plan and glory I have in You. Most of all, thank You for the gift of Jesus, and the everlasting hope His grace brings to my life. Fill me and those on my heart with Your Holy Spirit. Help us to remember You and praise You this holiday season. To You, Lord, the God of all grace, who calls us to eternal glory in Christ, be the power for ever and ever.
In the name of Jesus I pray,
Amen
Peace of Christ,
*This post is part of A Mind-Maker-Upper's Everyday Reading Project. Click here to read more.
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