1 Peter 3:8-22 Turn To Him; He Died For You

1 Peter 3:8-22
All who sin (and we all do) are called to repentance. "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him." (vss. 17-22)

Christ died so that all who reject their sinful ways and turn to him are born again into the Kingdom of God, where he reigns. Everyone has this opportunity. None have been excluded. Turn to him and receive this gift of salvation. 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jeremiah 37 - Light After Darkness

Jeremiah is thrown into prison for preaching the word of God. Of course, he is arrested under the pretext that he is a traitor. He was not.

This seems to be a not so uncommon an occurrence when the truth is told. The enemy will do what it can to make it look like you have done something wrong other than speak the truth. It might be your neighbor or even a family member who will falsely accuse you. It might even be your own government. The fact that you are speaking the truth so that the people might be saved will be overlooked and you may end up being branded a criminal, even a traitor. You may be imprisoned.

But, that is the chance truth-tellers must take in order to help their neighbors; in order to save them. Jeremiah was put into prison for speaking the truth. Jesus was put to death for proclaiming it. Not everyone wants to hear the truth and come out into the light. Not everyone wants to be released from the bondage of darkness. They would prefer to drag the rest of the world into their own dark little world. But, remember this when someone drags you into deep, dark dungeons: "...weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." (Psalm 30:5b NIV). There is light after darkness....

"Light after Darkness," a hymn for this morning written by Frances R. Havergal, in 1879:

Light after darkness, gain after loss,
Strength after weakness, crown after cross;
Sweet after bitter, hope after fears,
Home after wandering, praise after tears.
Sheaves after sowing, sun after rain,
Sight after mystery, peace after pain;
Joy after sorrow, calm after blast,
Rest after weariness, sweet rest at last.
Near after distant, gleam after gloom,
Love after loneliness, life after tomb;
After long agony, rapture of bliss,
Right was the pathway, leading to this.

God's Peace - Pr. J