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Bible Pathways 12/18/2003


December 18

Read I Peter 3 -- 5

In Today's Reading:

Duties of husbands and wives; suffering and reward; duties of the elders

There is just One Source of spiritual knowledge and strength. The Holy Spirit led the apostle to write: If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles (utterances) of God; if any man minister (serve), let him do it as of the ability which God gives: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to Whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever (I Peter 4:11). In contrast to the Word of God are the opinions and traditions of men. We must not modify or ignore the only Guide to Life that our Creator has given as the standard by which we must live.

The last recorded words that Jesus spoke personally to Peter were on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, when Jesus asked three times: Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me? . . . Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, do you love Me? And he said to Him, Lord, You know that I love You. Jesus says to him, Feed My sheep (John 21:15-17). Peter fulfilled that commission by passing the Word along to all of us. Caring for, defending, guiding, and numerous other duties are needed by and for believers; but feed My sheep means to teach them all of God's Word, from Genesis through Revelation. All of us can be involved. Some write, edit, and print, while others support the distribution of the teaching ministries for Jesus, Who also commands us to Feed My sheep.

The underlying principle of most worldly endeavors is: "How much is in it for me?" This spirit of greed, pride, and power has so permeated everything in our age that even churches are not free from the danger of self-serving ambition. Because the Word of God is alive and never changes, and human nature remains unchanged, the message the Holy Spirit led the Apostle Paul to write to Timothy is still applicable to us today: Before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, Who shall judge the quick (living) and the dead at His appearing and His Kingdom; Preach the Word; be instant (ready) in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort (encourage) with all long-suffering (patience) and doctrine (teaching) (II Timothy 4:1-2).

Cross References:

For I Peter 3:10-12: See Psalm 34:12-16. I Peter 5:5: See Proverbs 3:34.

Word Studies:

3:11 eschew = to turn from; ensue = pursue; 3:20 were saved by water = were saved from the water by entering the ark; 4:15 busybody = meddler, prying into.

Prayer Needs:

BP Staff: Mary Kay Wagner · Pray for Lay Witnesses for Christ and Dr. Sam Mings · Country: Greenland (60,000) northeast of Canada · Major languages: Eskimo dialects and Danish · Religious freedom · 98% Protestant; .1% Roman Catholic · Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to reveal His perfect will for you (Psalm 25:4).

Memory Verse for the Week: Ephesians 5:7



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