1 Peter 4

Learn to Think Like Him

1 Since Jesus went through everything you're going through and more, learn to think like him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way.2 Then you'll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want.

3 You've already put in your time in that God-ignorant way of life, partying night after night, a drunken and profligate life. Now it's time to be done with it for good.4 Of course, your old friends don't understand why you don't join in with the old gang anymore. But you don't have to give an account to them.5 They're the ones who will be called on the carpet-and before God himself.

6 Listen to the Message. It was preached to those believers who are now dead, and yet even though they died (just as all people must), they will still get in on the life that God has given in Jesus.

7 Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer.8 Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything.9 Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless-cheerfully.10 Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it:11 if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything-encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!

Glory Just Around the Corner

12 Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job.13 Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.

14 If you're abused because of Christ, count yourself fortunate. It's the Spirit of God and his glory in you that brought you to the notice of others.15 If they're on you because you broke the law or disturbed the peace, that's a different matter.16 But if it's because you're a Christian, don't give it a second thought. Be proud of the distinguished status reflected in that name!

17 It's judgment time for Christians. We're first in line. If it starts with us, think what it's going to be like for those who refuse God's Message!18 If good people barely make it, What's in store for the bad?19 So if you find life difficult because you're doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he's doing, and he'll keep on doing it.

1 Peter 5

He'll Promote You at the Right Time

1 I have a special concern for you church leaders. I know what it's like to be a leader, in on Christ's sufferings as well as the coming glory.2 Here's my concern: that you care for God's flock with all the diligence of a shepherd. Not because you have to, but because you want to please God. Not calculating what you can get out of it, but acting spontaneously.3 Not bossily telling others what to do, but tenderly showing them the way.

4 When God, who is the best shepherd of all, comes out in the open with his rule, he'll see that you've done it right and commend you lavishly.5 And you who are younger must follow your leaders. But all of you, leaders and followers alike, are to be down to earth with each other, for-God has had it with the proud, But takes delight in just plain people.

6 So be content with who you are, and don't put on airs. God's strong hand is on you; he'll promote you at the right time.7 Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you.

He Gets the Last Word

8 Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping.9 Keep your guard up. You're not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It's the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith.10 The suffering won't last forever. It won't be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ-eternal and glorious plans they are!-will have you put together and on your feet for good.11 He gets the last word; yes, he does.

12 I'm sending this brief letter to you by Silas, a most dependable brother. I have the highest regard for him. I've written as urgently and accurately as I know how. This is God's generous truth; embrace it with both arms!

13 The church in exile here with me-but not for a moment forgotten by God-wants to be remembered to you. Mark, who is like a son to me, says hello.14 Give holy embraces all around! Peace to you-to all who walk in Christ's ways.

2 Peter 1

1 I, Simon Peter, am a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ. I write this to you whose experience with God is as life-changing as ours, all due to our God's straight dealing and the intervention of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ.2 Grace and peace to you many times over as you deepen in your experience with God and Jesus, our Master.

Don't Put It Off

3 Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received!4 We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you-your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust.

5 So don't lose a minute in building on what you've been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding,6 alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder,7 warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others.8 With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus.9 Without these qualities you can't see what's right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books.

10 So, friends, confirm God's invitation to you, his choice of you. Don't put it off; do it now. Do this, and you'll have your life on a firm footing,11 the streets paved and the way wide open into the eternal kingdom of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The One Light in a Dark Time

12 Because the stakes are so high, even though you're up-to-date on all this truth and practice it inside and out, I'm not going to let up for a minute in calling you to attention before it.13 This is the post to which I've been assigned-keeping you alert with frequent reminders-and I'm sticking to it as long as I live.14 I know that I'm to die soon; the Master has made that quite clear to me.15 And so I am especially eager that you have all this down in black and white so that after I die, you'll have it for ready reference.

16 We weren't, you know, just wishing on a star when we laid the facts out before you regarding the powerful return of our Master, Jesus Christ. We were there for the preview! We saw it with our own eyes:17 Jesus resplendent with light from God the Father as the voice of Majestic Glory spoke: "This is my Son, marked by my love, focus of all my delight."18 We were there on the holy mountain with him. We heard the voice out of heaven with our very own ears.

19 We couldn't be more sure of what we saw and heard-God's glory, God's voice. The prophetic Word was confirmed to us. You'll do well to keep focusing on it. It's the one light you have in a dark time as you wait for daybreak and the rising of the Morning Star in your hearts.20 The main thing to keep in mind here is that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of private opinion.21 And why? Because it's not something concocted in the human heart. Prophecy resulted when the Holy Spirit prompted men and women to speak God's Word.