Devotional Thoughts
on 1 & 2 Peter
Living Doxologies (2 Peter 3:18b)
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18, AV) I believe that there is a part of every person that seeks glory. It has to do with our fleshly nature. We want to be puffed…
Growth and Defense (2 Peter 3:17-18a)
“Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:17–18,…
Twisted Tales (2 Peter 3:14-15)
“And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and…
Hastening the Day (2 Peter 3:12-13)
“Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” (2 Peter 3:12–13, AV) When I attended Drexel University…
Be Prepared (2 Peter 3:10-11)
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be…
Perspective on Patience (2 Pet 3:8-9)
“But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should…
The End? (2 Peter 3:6-7)
“Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” (2 Peter 3:6–7, AV) In my lifetime, I have heard much discussion about the…
Scoffers (2 Peter 3:1-4)
“Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word…
Foolish Return (2 Peter 2:22)
“But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” (2 Peter 2:22, AV) Speaking of those who have heard and understand the gospel but have failed to experience true faith, Peter gave…
Fair Judgment (2 Peter 2:21)
“For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.” (2 Peter 2:21, AV) I know of people that struggle with the teaching of the gospel because they worry about those who die that never…
Worse than Before (2 Peter 2:20-21)
“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after…
Deadly Mirages (2 Peter 2:17-19)
“These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error.” (2 Peter 2:17–18, ESV) Most everyone has had the experience…
Not Professionals (2 Peter 2:14-16)
“They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing,” (2 Peter 2:14–15, ESV) Early on in my Christian life, I was a member and an elder in a small church. Out pastor…
Plight of the Progressives (2 Peter 2:10b-14)
“But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;” (2 Peter 2:12, AV) There is a movement in this country that has sneaked its way into the church to some extent. The movement is called…
Separation (2 Peter 2:9-10a)
“then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority.” (2 Peter 2:9–10, ESV) When I was a boy, my brother and I worked during the summer picking…
Being Distressed (2 Peter 2:6-8)
“And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day…
Examples (2 Peter 2:4-6)
“For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning…
Pseudo Ministers (2 Peter 2:1-3)
“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be…
Real Truth (2 Peter 1:19-21)
“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Peter 1:20–21, AV) A few people know the size of my library. Those…
Truth or Myths (2 Peter 1:16-21)
“For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory,” (2 Peter 1:16–17, AV)…
Last Words (2 Peter 1:15)
“Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.” (2 Peter 1:15, AV) As we get older, we begin to think about our children and grandchildren. What is it that we want them to remember when we are not longer on this earth? One of…
Repetition (2 Peter 1:12-15)
“Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.” (2 Peter 1:12, AV) When we lived in Portsmouth, we purchased a home that had a set of stairs that were a bit treacherous. The steps were somewhat short…
Grand Entrance (2 Peter 1:11)
“For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:11, AV) Sometime before I was saved, I remember attending a wedding reception many years ago. As we all sat in the reception hall, we waited for the bridal party to arrive.…
The Examination (2 Peter 1:10)
“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:” (2 Peter 1:10, AV) In every school that I ever attended, there have been examinations. One of the most important exams in college was a course’s final examination. In my freshmen year…
Blind and Nearsighted (2 Peter 1:9)
“But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.” (2 Peter 1:9, AV) Some people have a problem with their eyes. At one time I had better than 20-20 vision. Unfortunately, as I grew older, my vision has changed. I…
Fruitfulness or Stagnant Ponds (2 Peter 1:8)
“For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:8, AV) When I lived with my grandmother in the country, we had some chickens, she had this idea to get a couple ducks. The…
Responsibility (2 Peter 1:5-7)
“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.” (2 Peter 1:5–7, AV) In 1969, I entered Drexel Institute of Technology in Philadelphia. I went there to…
No Excuse (2 Peter 1:3-4)
“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption…
Multiplication (2 Peter 1:2)
“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,” (2 Peter 1:2, AV) In the old days, we learned our multiplication tables in grade school. Multiplication was good. For instance, if you had $2.00, a lot of money when I was in school, and doubled it, you…
Equality (2 Peter 1:1)
“Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:” (2 Peter 1:1, ESV) Throughout history, there have been divisions between people due to race, color, gender, socio-economic status, etc. These are things that…
Peace of God (1 Peter 5:14b)
“Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.” (1 Peter 5:14, AV) In this frantic world in which we live, we long for peace. We have recently seen war in Eastern Europe, in the Ukraine. With this particular war, we have seen the destruction of property, a tremendous loss of life, atrocities…
Expressions of Fellowship (1 Peter 5:13-14a)
“The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son. Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity.” (1 Peter 5:13–14, AV) Prior to entering the pastorate, I noticed that some churches are so cold that you could put on a pair of ice-skates and skate…
Stand Firm (1 Peter 5:12)
“By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.” (1 Peter 5:12, ESV) I spoke with an evangelist one time about preaching and communicating biblical truth. One of the things I distinctly remember him…
Supreme Authority (1 Peter 5:11)
“To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 5:11, ESV) A study of history provides a list of national rulers. Some of these were noble and some ignoble. Of these, some were on a conquest for world rule. Alexander the Great took the throne in 336 BC at the age of 20…
Joy Comes in the Morning (1 Peter 5:10)
“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” (1 Peter 5:10, AV) There are difficult times in every person’s life. Some will undergo persecution as were the recipients of Peter’s letter. Others…
Fierce Adversary (1Peter 5:8-9)
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” (1 Peter 5:8–9, AV) On occasion I have seen a nature show on television…
Dumping the Load (1 Peter 5:7)
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:6–7, AV) Many years ago, my daughter and her husband with their children came to visit us in Georgia. One morning, we decided to take…
Being Humbled (1 Peter 5:6-7)
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:6–7, AV) I heard a story regarding a young preacher. He went to preach one of his first sermons. He had been trained in the…
Humble Submission (1 Peter 5:5)
“Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5, AV) I read a classified advertisement in the local for-sale shopping paper. It stated, “Encyclopedia Britannica set for sale.…
Pastoral Reward (1 Peter 5:4)
“And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” (1 Peter 5:4, AV) I began competitive marksmanship at about 12 years of age. It was something that I could do well and continued with it through college. In college, I did well, coaching the rifle team…
Noble Reminder (1 Peter 5:1-3)
“The elders which are among you I exhort . . . Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:1–3, AV)…
Contrasts in Judgment (1 Peter 4:17-19)
“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” (1 Peter 4:17–18, AV) My…
Goody Two Shoes (1 Peter 4:14-16)
“If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer,…
Sweat Equity (1 Peter 4:12-16)
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” (1 Peter 4:12–13, AV) Years ago, I oversaw…
Sing Praise (1 Peter 4:11b)
“To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:11, ESV) When I was the church planter/pastor of a small congregation in Savannah Georgia, one of the songs we would sing was titled “Forever.” It was written by Chris Tomlin and the lyrics began, “Give thanks to the Lord our God and…
Using the Gift (1 Peter 4:10-11)
“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all…
Healing Love (1 Peter 4:8-9)
“And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging.” (1 Peter 4:8–9, AV) Everyone will, at some time, encounter a traumatic time. It could be due to religious persecution, sickness, the death of a loved one, economic struggles, the loss…
Avoid Panic Mode (1 Peter 4:7)
“But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.” (1 Peter 4:7, AV) I’ll be honest with you. What is going on in our world is scary. Throughout history, we have encountered scary times. In the 1950’s and 60’s both the United States and the Soviet Union…
Reason (1 Peter 4:5-6)
“Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.” (1 Peter 4:5–6, AV) For a…
Otherworldly (1 Peter 4:3-5)
“For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: Who shall…
Mental Armament (1 Peter 4:1-2)
“Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.”…
He is Lord (1 Peter 3:22)
“Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.” (1 Peter 3:22, AV) One of the first hymns that I learned as a young believer was titled, “He is Lord.” The Lyrics are as follows. He is Lord, He is LordHe…
Baptism (1 Peter 3:20-21)
“The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:” (1 Peter 3:21, AV) In 1983, the Lord saved me while I was reading a Gideon placed Bible in…
Preaching in Prison (1 Peter 3:18-19)
“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison,” (1 Peter 3:18–19, ESV) Many years ago, on a couple occasions, I…
Role Models (2 Peter 3:18)
“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:” (1 Peter 3:18, AV) Nearly every adolescent has an aspiration to be an adult. In moving in this direction, they look for role…
Responding to Mistreatment (1Peter 3:13-17)
“but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior…
Blessing for Blessing (1 Peter 3:8-12)
“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. . . For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous,…
Line of Communication (1 Peter 3:7)
“Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” (1 Peter 3:7, AV) In 1975, I was stationed in the U.S. Army in Germany. One of the first things…
True Beauty (1Peter 2:3-6)
“Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” (1 Peter 3:3–4, ESV) Has…
Silent Witness (1 Peter 3:1-6)
“Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct.” (1 Peter 3:1–2, ESV) I have shared my conversion story many times. Yet, there is a…
Good Shepherd (1 Peter 2:24-25)
“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:24–25, AV) While in…
Unlikely Subordination (1 Peter 2:18-23)
“Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but…
Living Freedom (1 Peter 2:16-17)
“As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.” (1 Peter 2:16–17, AV) A movie was released in 1966 titled, “Born Free.” The movie was based on a true story of George and Joy Anderson…
Foreigners (1 Peter 2:11-12)
“Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (1 Peter 2:11–12, AV) After…
Royal Priesthood (1 Peter 2:9-10)
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but…
Stumbling (1 Peter 2:6-8)
“So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.” (1 Peter 2:7–8, ESV) Most everyone has…
Privileged Purpose (1 Peter 2:5)
“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5, AV) One of the technical jobs that I thought would be neat was to be an architect. I have always enjoyed looking at building architecture and seeing…
Living Stones (1 Peter 2:4-6)
“As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I…
Newborn Craving (1 Peter 2:1-3)
“Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” (1 Peter 2:1–3, AV) Recently, we had a new birth in the family,…
Flowering Forever (1 Peter 1:22-25)
“Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is…
Ransomed for a Purpose (1 Peter 1:18-21)
“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” (1 Peter 1:18–19, AV) My wife and I often watch various British mystery…
Pursue Holiness (1 Peter 1:15-17)
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15–16, AV) When we were growing up, my dad took us on many outings. Sometimes we would go to a theme park, sometimes to…
Girding Up the Mind (1 Peter 1:13-16)
“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:” (1 Peter 1:13–14, AV) One of the things we always…
Longing (1 Peter 1:10-12)
“Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was…
Finish Line (1 Peter 1:6-9)
“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:…
Guaranteed Inheritance (1 Peter 1:4-6)
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the…
Glorious Hope (1 Peter 1:3-6)
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3–6, AV) We live in a world that has lost hope. Hopelessness is a sad and debilitating state. During…
Sufficient Grace (1 Pet 1:2b)
May grace and peace be multiplied to you.” (1 Peter 1:2, ESV) In 1974 several huge events happened in my life. I graduated college with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, I was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army, and I married my wife, Chris. Following my training in Fort Knox, I…
Sanctification (1 Peter 1:1-2a)
“Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:2, AV) I’ve always hated seeing things thrown into the trash that might be restored to usefulness. Thus, I have restored many things. One that typifies something that was…
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Renewing the Heart 