1 Peter 4:7-11

If you think of God’s plan of redemption as a play, we are in the final act. Granted, it is a long act – 2000 earth-years and counting – but the stage is set for Christ’s return. In this week’s passage, the apostle Peter tells us what we should be doing to be ready.

It is good to be reminded that Christ’s return is certain but will come on a date no one can predict. Come, Lord Jesus! If it is today, we rejoice! If today is another day of waiting, help us faithfully do what you have called us to do, in love and in the context of our Calvary community.

Peter tells us to engage our minds when we pray; after all, our minds are being trained and disciplined by God’s word. Pastor Dave noted that, too often, our prayers amount to demands that God do this or that. It is natural to express our desires in prayer: Heal my loved one. Provide me with a job. End the pandemic. I think our Father loves to hear us express our desires. But Peter’s instruction suggests that our prayers should be balanced, expressing not only what we want but also what God has taught us about Himself and His ways. Lord, help us connect what we know about You and how You work in our lives to the circumstances we bring to You in prayer. Ask God to help us practice mature, balanced prayer as we pray together in our families and small groups.

Peter also instructs believers to show hospitality. We might assume that means inviting friends over for dinner, but Pastor Dave explained that the Greek phrase literally means welcoming, or loving, the stranger. Ask the Lord to open your eyes to a “stranger” this week. It may be a literal stranger – perhaps a newcomer to Calvary – or it may be someone you know who is a stranger to God. Ask Him to show you how to express welcome and caring to that person.

Calvary Family

Lent, a period of preparation for Good Friday and Easter, begins next Wednesday, March 2. Be thinking about and praying about a meaningful spiritual discipline the Lord might want you to pursue during Lent. This is a great topic for discussion in your small group.

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert

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