Day 14 - 2 Peter 2:1-10

1 But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. 3 In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed.

4 For God did not spare even the angels who sinned. He threw them into hell, in gloomy pits of darkness, where they are being held until the day of judgment. 5 And God did not spare the ancient world—except for Noah and the seven others in his family. Noah warned the world of God’s righteous judgment. So God protected Noah when he destroyed the world of ungodly people with a vast flood. 6 Later, God condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and turned them into heaps of ashes. He made them an example of what will happen to ungodly people. 7 But God also rescued Lot out of Sodom because he was a righteous man who was sick of the shameful immorality of the wicked people around him. 8 Yes, Lot was a righteous man who was tormented in his soul by the wickedness he saw and heard day after day. 9 So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment. 10 He is especially hard on those who follow their own twisted sexual desire, and who despise authority.


Terrie's Comments:

I feel like a couple of music videos would be appropriate right now to cause us to realize that if we walk in the light and truth of God's word then we are protected and guarded by God himself.  The only way to spot a counterfeit is to know the real thing so well that you can spot the impostor a mile away!

Today I was thinking about if there is any short cut to Christianity... no... the answer is no.  It takes focus and investment of everything you have.  It takes sacrificing my own wants, needs, desires and opinions and bringing them all under the word of God.  It takes steadfastness and diligence to remain in the word of God and allow ourselves to be transformed into the image of Jesus Christ so it is no longer I who lives but Christ who lives through me.  To decide to live in the reality of Eternity beginning now.  To live is Christ and to die is Gain.  There are no short cuts.  But Jesus has given us everything we need to do it successfully!!  Remaining in the word... craving that pure spiritual milk.  Choosing to be doers of the word and not hearers only.  If you desire spiritual growth and maturity spend time with Jesus... Be still with Him and know that He is God... Devour the word of God like it is your only hope... because it is!!  Fall in love with Jesus... have a love affair with the word of God and He will sweep you off of your feet!!

Tori's Comments:

We need to be in the Word so we know the truth! And this doesn't mean getting the word ONLY from other sources, from favorite pastors and authors. Reading Scripture for ourselves is so vital.




Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 13 - 2 Peter 1:12-21

12 Therefore, I will always remind you about these things—even though you already know them and are standing firm in the truth you have been taught. 13 And it is only right that I should keep on reminding you as long as I live. 14 For our Lord Jesus Christ has shown me that I must soon leave this earthly life, 15 so I will work hard to make sure you always remember these things after I am gone.

16 For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes 17 when he received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” 18 We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.

19 Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, 21 or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.


Tori's Comments:

"remind you" That's definitely a big thing for me. Somehow, I can read through Scripture and the minute I walk away I forget what I've been commanded to do (yes, like the passage in James). If you guys have any ideas of how to keep God's truth constantly in my life and at the forefront of my mind, please share! :)


Terrie's Comments:

What do we "remind" our friends of?  Are we reminding each other of our righteousness in Jesus Christ?  Are we reminding each other to stay the course and fight the good fight?  Are we reminding each other that no matter what sacrifice is required to follow Jesus that it is all going to be worth it both on this earth and when we are escorted into heaven's courts?

Peter wanted to be sure that his fellow believers remembered all that Jesus Christ had granted them.  He wanted to be sure that they did not forget their heavenly heritage when he left this earth (which was soon).  He didn't fear becoming too repetitive, he feared that his words wouldn't be remembered and that they would forget the grace that Jesus provided for them.


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 12 - 2 Peter 1:1-11

1 This letter is from Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ.

I am writing to you who share the same precious faith we have. This faith was given to you because of the justice and fairness of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior.

2 May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.

3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.

10 So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. 11 Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.


Terrie's Comments:

I want to start out today with saying how greatful I am to have a faithful partner in Jesus Christ.  Tori has been amazing to keep posts going this week when I was swamped.  Thank you Tori!!  Jesus sent his disciples out two by two because two are better than one.  When one falls their friend can pick them up... a three strand cord is not easily broken.  Two people serving God together with a common purpose and goal, keeping Jesus in the middle is a great thing!

"May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord"  This is a mysterious thing to me... more grace and more peace as I grow in my knowledge of Jesus... this is a sweet sweet thing. 

I am so grateful that God has given me everything I need for living a godly life.  I received all of this by coming to know Jesus Christ.  The one who drew me to himself, because of His glory and His excellence.  He has given me great and precious promises to enable me to share in his divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires.

My part is to respond to these promise's and grow in my faith and knowledge of God and Jesus.  As I apply this knowledge I become more productive and useful in that knowledge.  If I choose to be a doer of the word and not just a hearer only I will be protecting myself from falling away.  Then having running the race with endurance God will give me a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!  I am so looking forward to that day.



Tori's Comments:

These promises are what we need to hold and cling on to! Scripture can help us retain the truth, fight temptation, and remind ourselves of who Christ has made us to be!

Even our growth in faith is not for ourselves, but for the glory of Jesus. If we aren't growing closer to him the longer we walk with him, there is something wrong. Don't turn back! Why would you once you've tasted the freedom Jesus gives?

"prove" is an interesting word choice, but one I've seen a couple of times in the New Testament. If we really are in the faith, we should be bearing fruit. That's why I think we should always be checking our lives to see if we are bearing the fruit of the Spirit or if we are falling away, which is a dangerous way to live.



Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 11 - 1 Peter 5:12-14

12 I have written and sent this short letter to you with the help of Silas, whom I commend to you as a faithful brother. My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you. Stand firm in this grace.

13 Your sister church here in Babylon sends you greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet each other with a kiss of love.

Peace be with all of you who are in Christ.


Tori's Comments:

Paul's determination to encourage others should inspire us to do the same. I feel like we don't encourage each other and hold each other accountable in the faith enough, when in reality that is one of the more important purposes of the church! 


Terrie's Comments:

This was a letter of encouragement... just in case you missed that part while reading through it :-)  It was to encourage us that whatever we are facing because of our faith in Jesus Christ is truly part of God's grace.  

We are to stand firm, go forward, don't waiver. 

 ~ Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grown up into salvation ~ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.



Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 10 - 1 Peter 5:1-11

1 And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: 2 Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. 3 Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. 4 And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.

5 In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for

“God opposes the proud
    but gives grace to the humble.”
6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 11 All power to him forever! Amen.


Terrie's Comments:
We serve a God who cares for us!  We are to submit to His authority in our lives above all else because he is our creator and knows what purpose he has for our lives.  We are not to worry, God has got every detail taken care of.  

We do indeed have an enemy who is looking to devour us, however we also have been given complete authority to tell him what to do in the name of Jesus Christ.  We are told to stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith (believing that God will do what He says he will do).  We are not alone in this suffering all of our brothers and sisters around the world are under the same persecution for their faith.

We have been given everything we need to stand firm.  We will be restored, be supported, and strengthened and He will put us on a firm foundation!


Tori's Comments:

Another thing that goes directly against my natural desire: submission. Being humble is definitely not my first instinct, in a world where everything revolves around me. But I should be the last thing I think about if I really take Jesus at his word, who says that the last shall be first.




Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 9 - 1 Peter 4:12-19

12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.

14 If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. 15 If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. 16 But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! 17 For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? 18 And also,

“If the righteous are barely saved,
    what will happen to godless sinners?”
19 So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.


Tori's Comments:

Again, he focuses on suffering and trials. It's interesting he calls us not only to persevere, but to do so with joy. Which just happens to be exactly what we naturally don't want to do. 

But we have great reason to be joyful! Because who is completely in control of our situation? God, who created us, and will never fail us.


Terrie's Comments:

Throughout this letter to Peter, Paul has been emphasizing that we must be willing to follow Christ whatever the cost.  We are to respond to our persecutors the way Jesus did on the day he was brought to trial and crucified.  Suffering because we deserve it is not suffering for the cause of Christ.  If we suffer because we are living the way God wants us to then we are suffering in a way that pleases God.  God promises not to fail us if we follow him.  He is trustworthy :-) 


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 8 - 1 Peter 4:1-11

1 So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin. 2 You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God. 3 You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols.

4 Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you. 5 But remember that they will have to face God, who stands ready to judge everyone, both the living and the dead. 6 That is why the Good News was preached to those who are now dead—so although they were destined to die like all people, they now live forever with God in the Spirit.

7 The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. 8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.

10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.


Terrie's Comments:
There is a cost to following Jesus Christ.  We are to decide to follow Him with our whole heart, mind, soul, strength.  We are called to renew our minds in the word of God and take every thought captive into obedience to that word.  And if being transformed into the image of Christ causes suffering, even physical suffering or death then He promises it will be worth it because we live with our eyes fixed on heaven.  

This world is temporary.  Let us not waste our time chasing after temporary pleasures.  Be earnest and disciplined in our prayers. show deep love for each other.  Using all resources and gifts that God gives us to bring glory back to him!


Tori's Comments:

There is SO MUCH about suffering in Paul's letters, partly I assume because of the persecution at that time, but also because I think it's a central part to the Christian lifestyle. So my question is... what if I'm not being persecuted. I mean, I'm at a Bible college. 

I think that if we are standing firm on the truth, persecution inevitably will come our way. And when it does, we will be brought closer to Christ through it.


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 7 - 1 Peter 3:13-22

13 Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. 15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. 17 Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!

18 Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.

19 So he went and preached to the spirits in prison— 20 those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood. 21 And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

22 Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.


Tori's Comments:

"Lord of your life" Do my actions reflect this? Does my life prove this?

"bring you safely home to God" <3


Terrie's Comments:
Christ suffered for OUR sins once for all time.  Those that are followers of Jesus Christ have died to ourselves, our old sinful nature, our fleshly desires, and we have been risen with Christ to new life.  Our sins have all been paid for by Christ suffering for us.  We are no longer condemned.  He did this to bring us home safely to be with God in Heaven.  

Christ has gone to heaven... he is there now... but he left us with the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us and with all authority in his name... all the angels and authorities and powers ACCEPT HIS AUTHORITY... this same authority he has given to us as believers to use to further His kingdom!  


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 6 - 1 Peter 3:1-12

3 In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over 2 by observing your pure and reverent lives.

3 Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. 4 You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. 5 This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They put their trust in God and accepted the authority of their husbands. 6 For instance, Sarah obeyed her husband, Abraham, and called him her master. You are her daughters when you do what is right without fear of what your husbands might do.

7 In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.

8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. 10 For the Scriptures say,

“If you want to enjoy life
    and see many happy days,
keep your tongue from speaking evil
    and your lips from telling lies.
11 Turn away from evil and do good.
    Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
12 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,
    and his ears are open to their prayers.
But the Lord turns his face
    against those who do evil.”


Terrie's Comments:

In Day 5 there was a passage from 1 Peter 2:16 "Live as people who are free not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God" in verse 19 it refers to "For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God.

This whole passage, with it's various topics, has a common theme. They are all linked to living being mindful of God at all times.  We are free to do anything but we will not enjoy and see many happy days if we are living in opposition to what God's will is for us.   

In talking about wives being subject to husbands "so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives."  We are not to be our husband's Holy Spirit.  We are to allow the Holy Spirit to change their hearts and to be a witness by our respectful and pure conduct, displaying a gentle and quiet spirit.  

In talking about husbands living with their wives and honoring them keeping in mind that they we are joint heirs in Jesus Christ.  In this part we also see that our actions and attitudes in life can hinder our prayers of we are living lives contrary to God's will.  We see in scripture that the prayer of a righteous man avails much.  Living a life mindful of God.  

Wrapping up this portion we learn about how to live with others so that we don't miss out on blessings that God has for us.  Psalms 34:12-16 is quoted.  We are to do as Jesus did in Chapter 2... we are to bless those who speak against us.  We are not to repay evil for evil.  We are to seek peace and pursue it.  This is not our gut response in the natural.  It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us that we can live with the fruits of the Spirit pouring out our lives... Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Gentleness, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Self-Control.


Tori's Comments:

It's funny, because being beautiful inside is A LOT harder than becoming beautiful outside. They say that beauty is pain. You can go through all of the surgeries you want, and yes it will be a lot of work, but when God gets ahold of you and wants to start chiseling away the stuff holding you back--- THAT can be hard. But sooo worth it. In my own journey, it was in submitting my identity to him rather than what culture says or what those close to me said. Because he tells me that I'm chosen, precious, loved, and His. And with that voice in my head, I was finally able to act like it. I was finally able to be beautiful!

"All of you should be of one mind" This is something emphasized over and over again in the New Testament. The church should be unified. How? By caring for each other more than ourselves. It's so simple, but never enacted because we get blinded by our selfishness! For me, just trying to go through an entire day by thinking of others before myselves is plenty of a challenge.


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 5 - 1 Peter 2:13-25

13 For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state, 14 or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.

15 It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. 16 For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. 17 Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king.

18 You who are slaves must submit to your masters with all respect. Do what they tell you—not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel. 19 For God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment. 20 Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.

21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.

22 He never sinned,
    nor ever deceived anyone.
23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted,
    nor threaten revenge when he suffered.
He left his case in the hands of God,
    who always judges fairly.
24 He personally carried our sins
    in his body on the cross
so that we can be dead to sin
    and live for what is right.
By his wounds
    you are healed.
25 Once you were like sheep
    who wandered away.
But now you have turned to your Shepherd,
    the Guardian of your souls.


Tori's Comments:

As Christians, we should be so known for our integrity, and actually be full of integrity, that anyone who accuses you of wrongdoing would look foolish. What a way to be known! What a way to represent our Lord!

I also find it interesting how we are called to this life of submission wherever we are. We see so much anger at political leaders when we SHOULD be praying for them and that God will lead them. Rather than constant anger and hatred, we should show love and pray that God gives them wisdom in their decisions, as well as trust God that he knows what He's doing.

Because seriously, he knows what he's doing. Yet somehow we still think he doesn't.

There's one Bethel song lyric, I have no idea which one, that runs through my head constantly in these situations. The lyrics are literally, "He's been God a long time. He knows what He's doing." It is definitely a humbling thought, that we would dare challenge Him over these things. He causes the sun to rise each morning and controls the blooming of every flower! And we couldn't even change the colour of one hair on our heads! :)


Terrie's Comments:

Pay careful attention to the kind of suffering we are to endure.  Jesus suffered unjustly because he was submitting to God his father.  We are called to walk in the foot steps of Jesus Christ.  We are to line up our lives, words, actions and thoughts to the will of God.  This is completely doable because of the Holy Spirit living inside of us who leads us, teaches us, comforts us, convicts us, empowers us.  We are not to retaliate or threaten others when we are being attacked because we are doing what is right in the sight of God.  We are to leave our case in the hands of God.  In the ESV it says it this way "he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly"  

God is trustworthy.  We can entrust our lives into His hands and live freely.  The remainder of this letter continues to talk about relating to the suffering that Christ endured as he stayed the course.  It talks about how to handle persecutions rightly so that we will win others over to following Jesus Christ.  This suffering mentioned in 1 Peter is not sickness or disease.  It is suffering inflicted upon us by other humans who are coming against our faith in Jesus Christ.  


22 He never sinned,
    nor ever deceived anyone.
23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted,
    nor threaten revenge when he suffered.
He left his case in the hands of God,

    who always judges fairly.



Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 4 - 1 Peter 2:1-12

1 So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. 2 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, 3 now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.

4 You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor.

5 And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. 6 As the Scriptures say,

“I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem,
    chosen for great honor,
and anyone who trusts in him
    will never be disgraced.”
7 Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject him,

“The stone that the builders rejected
    has now become the cornerstone.”
8 And,

“He is the stone that makes people stumble,
    the rock that makes them fall.”
They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them.

9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

10 “Once you had no identity as a people;
    now you are God’s people.
Once you received no mercy;
    now you have received God’s mercy.”
11 Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. 12 Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.


Terrie's Comments:
Cry out for this nourishment!  Now that you have tasted the Lord's goodness. ... Once we are on our way with The Lord it is good!  I have had moments where I long for times alone with God so I am nourished from Him. 

We are temporary residents and foreigners!  The customs and desires should be foreign to us as we put off our old self and put on our new self, clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. 

Newborns cry out for nourishment from their mothers more when they are tired, hungry, sick, irritated, feeling insecure, when they are growing quickly etc.  Just like newborn infants we need to learn to long for pure spiritual milk during these times in our lives so that we grow strong, healthy and secure in the Lord Jesus Christ!  We have tasted and we have seen that the Lord is good.... so let us long for Him to nourish us to maturity in Christ.


Tori's Comments:

"Full experience of salvation" I wonder what that entails! :)

Verse 9 is a good reminder of our identity when the world tells us otherwise. We are chosen, made holy, His.

Verse 12 talks about how we are representing Christ to unbelievers in everything we do. Are we making a good impression?


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 3 - 1 Peter 1:22-25

22 You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.

23 For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. 24 As the Scriptures say,

“People are like grass;
    their beauty is like a flower in the field.
The grass withers and the flower fades.
25     But the word of the Lord remains forever.”
And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.


Tori's Comments:

"Love each other deeply". I think the tendency at church is to keep shallow friendships. They're much easier to manage, right? No investment. But God calls us to something to deeper, to loving others more than ourselves. It may be hard, but Christ died on the cross for his church, and walks with us.


Terrie's Comments:

God please show us what sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters in your body looks like?  What does it look like to love each other deeply with all our hearts?  Cause our love for each other to go deeper, become more sincere and as pure as you intended it to be.  

Thank you so much for my new life that will last forever because it comes from your eternal word.  Help me to fall more deeply in love with your word, your son Jesus and your people.  

In Jesus' Name AMEN


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 2 - 1 Peter 1:10-21

10 This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. 11 They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward.

12 They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.

13 So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. 14 So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. 15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.16 For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”

17 And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as “temporary residents.” 18 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. 19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 20 God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but now in these last days he has been revealed for your sake.

21 Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.

Terrie's Comments:
I love the fact that God has no favorites.  I am thankful that I am a "temporary resident" in this world.  It would be depressing if this was all there was.  I am longing for home.  I can't wait to arrive home and finally get to embrace Jesus.  

Isn't it a little bit of an awesome thought to think about that the good news that we have accepted that even the angels are eagerly watching it unfold :-) I love that image in my mind!

Tori's Comments:

Whoa, even the angels are watching to see how God's story unfolds. A story we are a part of. Isn't that crazy?

We are "temporary residents" (vs. 17). That's a good thing to remember when it's hard to stand against temptation. We have something waaaay better coming to us.

"empty life"(vs. 18) sums it up, that's for sure.

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 1 - 1 Peter 1:1-9 - PRAYING THROUGH PETER!

This letter is from Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ.

I am writing to God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. 2 God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.

May God give you more and more grace and peace.

3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, 4 and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. 5 And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.

6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

8 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 9 The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

10 This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. 11 They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward.

Tori's Comments:

We are God's chosen people. Doesn't that just fill you with joy? 
Like AGHHHHHH kind of joy?

Tell me it isn't just me.

This chapter is just full of joy.

Verse 8 is just how I feel right now. Can you tell? :) Now I promise I won't scream anymore.

Terrie's Comments:

God the Father knew me and chose me... that would be enough if that is where this ended but it goes on and on and on.  The Holy Spirit has made me holy and pure through the blood of Jesus Christ!  

BE TRULY GLAD...THERE IS WONDERFUL JOY AHEAD!!  All the trials of this world are not in vain when we live for Jesus Christ.  I do rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy!!  I LOVE Jesus even though I have never seen Him with my own eyes.  I trust Him completely!  He has proven himself to be faithful in my life every step of the way!

8 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 9 The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 12 - James 5:13-20

13 Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. 14 Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.

16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. 17 Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! 18 Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.

19 My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, 20 you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.


Terrie's Comments:

I guess when all is said and done James is a great place for us to start a praise list on youtube.  Praising God is always an appropriate response no matter what the situation.  

The instructions in this passage are often quoted but so often we fall short of following their direction in our lives.  

Suffering hardships?     - talk to God about it (not to everyone else first)  He will most likely bring peace before you even leave His presence which will alleviate the need to talk to others about it at all.

If you are happy?      - sing praises to God...celebrate with Him, thanking Him for the blessings.

If you are sick?      - call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of Jesus.  Such a prayer offered in faith (being sure of what we Hope for and certain of what we do not see) WILL heal the sick, the Lord WILL make you well.  This leaves no question as to if it is God's will to heal or not... the question is are we praying with faith in what God says or is our faith in what we see in the natural?  All too often our speech gives us away and it is clear that we do not have confidence in God's word no matter what we see in the natural.  We give up and say it must not be God's will to heal in this situation because the natural is not lining up.  Where is our Faith?  If you don't have confidence in God's word and you are still wavering between the faith in God's word or faith in the flesh it is time to spend some unhurried time in God's word.  Faith comes by hearing the word of God.  You can't have faith if you don't have the word in you to stand on.  Here just like when Jesus was walking on the earth, sin is linked to healing.  Jesus healed and forgave at the same time :-)

Just because we do not see something does not mean it is not true.  If that was the case then how could we stand and say that we are looking forward to entering God's heavenly kingdom?  We are clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ.  We have the Holy Spirit living inside of us... the same Holy Spirit that raised Christ Jesus from the dead!  We serve a living and active God! When Jesus walked on earth he didn't once say no to someone who came to him for healing.  Jesus is the great physician!  We can trust Him to heal.  

Do we believe that God sees us as righteous?  Do we believe that God hears our prayers?  Do we believe that God wants to heal us?  Do we believe that God will heal us?  What is our real view of the God we serve?  Does our view of God line up with the scriptures and what he says about himself?  Do we alter what scriptures really say to line up with what we have experienced or what others have experienced in the natural?  These are grounding questions but can also be glaring questions as to what we actually believe... Do we actually believe that God is who He says He is?  Do we trust in Jesus and what He accomplished at Calvary?  Do our actions and words line up with what we think we believe?  

Elijah was a MAN LIKE WE ARE... he prayed earnestly and his prayers were answered.  The prayers of a righteous man has great power and produces wonderful results.  The Bible is filled with testimonies of regular people that God used to do His will, not because they were special people but because He can use everyone to do His will.

Tori's Comments:

I find it interesting that he offers different, although similar, solutions for different situations. He doesn't say to praise when we are suffering, but to pray. To trust. And when we are happy, to praise God for it. Same with sickness. 


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 11 - James 5:1-12

5 Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you. 2 Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This corroded treasure you have hoarded will testify against you on the day of judgment. 4 For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

5 You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and killed innocent people, who do not resist you.

7 Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. 8 You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.

9 Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!

10 For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.

12 But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned.


Tori's Comments:

"Don't grumble about each other" I think this goes along with nit-picking. We seem to forget how much God overlooks in us, and just judge each over from our self-built pedestals.

Verse 12 is another thing I have recently been struggling with. I realize just how much I want people to value my word, and I also realize it is far from that ideal.

Terrie's Comments:

Be patient as we wait for the Lords return.  I have said it many times, our time here on earth is so short.  We only have a possible 120 years.  In light of eternity that is just a small drop... in the word time is compared with eternity at one point and if we use that scale and we actually live to be 120 years old then we really only have the equivalent of 3.5 hours tops on God's clock here on earth.  What are we doing with it?... or perhaps the question we should ask is what am I letting God do with it?

If we were all honest with ourselves we are as patient many days as the Israelite's were...

Lord help us to keep an eternal perspective!

This is a short video clip called 

"Your Plan B Can Become God's Plan A | Don Moen Devotionals"

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 10 - James 4:11-17

Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. 12 God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?

13 Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” 14 How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. 15 What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” 16 Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil.

17 Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.


Terrie's Comments:

Verse 17 is a great concise definition of sin... when we are being led by the Holy Spirit this is our guide... "it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it"  

The Holy Spirit leads us, teaches us, comforts us, guides us.  He is that inner voice, that unction that we get inside, an overwhelming peace.  He causes scriptures to come alive and embeds them into our hearts and lives.  He brings others to help us when we cannot help ourselves.  God is not silent in the lives of His children.  If you cannot hear the Holy Spirit's voice get still with Him.  Take time to listen for Him.  Relationships don't often happen by accident they take time and priority.  Intimacy with God is no different.  He is ready to engage wholeheartedly whenever you make time for Him.  HE LOVES YOU!

Tori's Comments:

I have never thought about it that way, but I realize I can tend to brag about my future plans without realizing that it all depends on whether God carries them through or not. I can be down here scheduling in vain, for all I know!




Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 9 - James 4:1-10

 What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? 2 You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. 3 And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.

4 You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. 5 Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him. 6 And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say,

“God opposes the proud
    but gives grace to the humble.”
7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.


Tori's Comments:

We must choose between God and the world. What will we go to to find our identity? Where do we choose to seek love and joy from

Where one is dependent on the ever-changing culture, the other is steadfast and full of love for us, enough to send His son to die on a cross. 

It's no contest, really. But why can't we tell the difference?

By the way, this song's not the only thing that's applicable. I love the music video, too: 

Terrie's Comments:

Friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God.  That is a pretty bold statement to make but it is true.  We are the bride of Christ.  So when we are chasing after the things of this world and acting like God's Holy scriptures are not true we are committing adultery.  

"resist the devil and he will flee from you" is quoted but how often is it quoted in context?

When we are friends with God without divided loyalties and we go to God with a pure heart and pure motives we also place ourselves in a position where we can resist the devil and he has to flee from us.  It is a heart that is in the position of complete submission to God's word and willing to do whatever the Holy Spirit is leading us to do.  

Being humble simply means not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought to.  It means realizing that God is God and we are not.  But also realizing that God sent His own son Jesus to die for us so we could be righteous before His throne.  Realizing that we have the same power inside of us as Jesus did.  Walking in the knowledge that all that we do and all that we say is through the power of the Holy Spirit given to us by God.  We can hold our heads up high knowing who we are in Christ and knowing that we have our awesome God working in us and through us.  


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 8 - James 3:13-18

13 If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. 15 For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. 16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. 18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.


Terrie's Comments:
Today the part that is catching my eye is beginning in verse 14.  "if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart" 15 "jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom.  Such things are earthly, unspiritual and demonic" 16 "there you will find disorder and evil of every kind"

I am not sure about you but whenever something that is so common in our world as jealousy and selfishness are linked with the demonic and evil it causes my heart to stop for a second!  How often common things that are accepted as just a part of our lives here on earth are actually devices that the enemy uses to keep us in bondage to him?  I am not comfortable with the thought that my life could be used by the enemy for evil.  God please help me to flee from jealousy and selfishness like the plague that it is!!

There is a way to be free from our jealousy and selfishness... fix our eyes on Jesus Christ.  The Holy Spirit who is alive in us will give us all that we need to walk in heavenly wisdom.  When we walk in heavenly wisdom in accordance with God's word we will be peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others.  We will be full of mercy and we won't show favoritism, we will always be sincere.  We will be peacemakers and will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of rightousness.

Tori's Comments:

So I am still not complete sure what wisdom really is. But I do understand that it is something we use to follow God step by step in my life, walking with Him wholly.


Heavenly wisdom simply put is not only understanding the word of God but also being able to apply God's word in our lives.  

The wise man built his house on the rock.  He was wise because he not only knew that building a house on a firm foundation was a good thing to do in theory but he actually did it.  If he had just made plans to build his house on the rock but did not do it, he may have been a man with plenty of knowledge but not wise enough to apply that knowledge, therefore it would not have benefited his life at all.


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

Day 7 - James 3:1-12

Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.

3 We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. 4 And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. 5 In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.

But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. 6 And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.

7 People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. 10 And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! 11 Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? 12 Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.


Tori's Comments:

The tongue is SO powerful. I've seen my words break other people down and have had them break me as well. They've been used to cause fear, stir up hate, and have started wars. Words have divided people, churches, and nations.

You know what else words can do?

They can spread hope. And love. And joy and kindness and faith. And that's what we're called to do. To turn the tide.

Terrie's Comments:

Our mouths and the words we speak are so powerful.  I know that we are taught this as children... "if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all".  I feel like our culture oozes with sarcasm and cutting remarks... could it be that this is another way that the enemy is attacking our world... could it be that our own mouths are being used as a tool of Satan to steal, kill and destroy God's creation?  

The Bible talks so much about the power of our words to bring life, to provide healing, to encourage, to build each other up.  It also has some very clear warnings about how we speak to each other.  Who are we letting control our tongues?  Are our words being used to bring glory to our savior and our king or are they being used to assist Satan in bringing destruction of various kinds?  Something to think about.

Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!