1 Peter 4 Devotions by Stephen Taylor

1 Peter 4:2-3

As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do - - living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry.

 

I remember when Jesus saved me and set me free in that jail cell. I remember how the guys who were in the cell with me had drugs, and I was angry and hurt that they would even bring them in the cell, let alone ask me to partake with them. As I paced and prayed, something started to happen. I stopped looking at what they were doing to me and started looking to the One Who could deliver me, and let me tell you, He did just that! It was like He flipped a light switch and set me free! Thank You, Jesus!

 

I went from anger and resentment to compassion and sadness for them. He took that anger away and replaced it with a deep depth of sorrow for them and the battle they were still fighting. I will be honest with you; I had mixed feelings. I was so thankful, grateful, and excited to be free, yet so heartbroken for those who were right in front of me still bound to sin and death.

 

I say all that because how we finish matters! I started that day bound up in sin, addiction, and death but ended that day set free in Christ! We have to finish well! I was once bound to every sin listed above, but God sent His Son to save me and set me free! Now it’s our job as redeemed children of God to share that hope with those around us! And hope isn’t a thing. It’s a person, Jesus Christ!

 

I didn’t start this life on good terms but actually as an enemy of the Cross, and had it not been for the Lord’s mercy and grace, I would have ended it like that too! But He saves and calls us to finish well and to walk a righteous path of repentance so that we can shine His light in this dark world! Whatever season you are in, finish well because how we finish one thing will directly affect how we start the next!

 

Philippians 3:13-14 - Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

 

God bless! I love you all! Glory, Honor, and Praise now and forever to Papa God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit! 

 

 

1 Peter 4:7

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.

Prayer is powerful! The power isn't so much in the words we say, but in the One we are praying to. Prayer takes the heart posture of humility, reverence, reliance, and belief. Peter could have put a lot of things at the end of this verse. He could have said the world is ending, so hurry up and preach more, get ready for the battle, run and hide, or even something like we've almost made it, so just hang on. But what does the Lord lead him to write? Be alert, be aware and be in prayer! That's because God knows how much prayer strengthens us in Him.

If we are continually speaking to Him, then that leaves us less time to be listening to those voices of the world, the flesh, and the enemy that float around in our heads. If we are continually communing with God, then that leaves us less time to commune with the world. It also strengthens and prepares us to go out into the world and share the Gospel correctly. The more we sit in His Presence and learn Who He is, the better we can relate it to those around us and share the hope He has given us.

I believe one of the greatest acts of love we can do for one another is to take each other's name, situation, hurt, pain, trial, or temptation to our Father's throne room! Think about it. I may not be able to solve your problem, but I can always take it to the One who has all the answers. To intercede for one another is a characteristic of Christ, who is at this very moment at the right hand of God interceding for us! Praying for each other is a powerful way to love on each other, and God's love is what sets us free!

1 Peter 4:8-Above all, love each other deeply because love covers over a multitude of sins.

Romans 8:34- Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

God bless! I love you all, but His love means freedom! Glory, honor, and praise now and forever to Papa God, Jesus Christ our King, and the Holy Spirit!