Swept Away by Grace—A Study in I Peter-part 3: Broken for Joy

I think for us to understand Peter’s letter, we need to remember for a moment who Peter was and is. Here was a man who was a self-reliant, strong, rugged fisherman who knew how to work hard, get things done through the storms, and who had a loyal heart. He was amazed by the truth that Christ called him to be a disciple. He had left everything that he knew and trusted in to follow after Christ without a moment’s hesitation. For three years he had followed Christ and he had grown to love Christ; although, there were moments he didn’t fully understand what was happening. Many times along that part of his journey his faith had been tested and at times he had failed. Christ had confided to his apostles the plan was that he would die and would rise again to new life so that all might be saved; yet, Peter didn’t want to hear that. All Peter could see was the moment before him and did not understand the reality of eternity until later—but at that moment in the garden Peter rose up to defend Christ and Christ had said no.

Original Artwork used by permission of Ronald Barba and is protected by copyright—for information on obtaining copies please click on the picture or follow the link below.

Peter so believed that he was strong, courageous and would die defending His best friend and master; but, then the most painful thing that could ever happen did. He, Peter, denied Christ three times. Christ had even warned him that it would be so; but, the horror of coming face to face with his own failure was almost more than he could bear. Peter suddenly knew he was not worthy of God’s Grace.

He was not worthy to be called as a child of God. Christ was beaten, tortured, ridiculed and hung on a cross to die. Christ was then buried and rose from the grave on the third day. Now for a moment imagine the agony of Peter’s heart those three days. Even then, he

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Swept Away by Grace-A Study in I Peter part 2—Born Again Into this LIVING HOPE

I Peter 1: “³ 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, ⁴ To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, ⁵ Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

photo courtesy of @istockphoto.com

Are you not overwhelmed by the truth of the Gospel of Christ?  Is your heart not overflowing with rejoicing over being alive in Christ?

  Think of this, we who are dead in our own sin are raised to a new life—we are born again to life eternal with Christ. Are you alive as a Christian or merely existing with a long sour face? Think of this, born again into a living, lively hope. If you do not feel like rejoicing over that truth, then do you really understand the gospel? God chose me, this broken, self-exalting heart that was dead to God. He gave me new birth into His family—the family of the King of the Universe and provided for me the promise of an inheritance in heaven with Him. Why would I ever weep or mourn over trivial losses here on earth? I am alive because He lives. Furthermore my salvation is secured and kept by the power of God. He not only provided the grace that saved me—He has provided the Grace I need today for whatever I face and the Grace that will lead me all the way home. So again, are you ALIVE and living forth Your LIVELY HOPE in Christ Jesus?

Imagine the magnificent joy that arose in Peter’s heart when he realized the truth of Christ’s resurrection and then Christ came to him and called him with the mission to preach the gospel despite his own failures. Peter knew the truth of what was Grace.

Listen to this song. He’s Alive with David Phelps

 

© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to any brands, products or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides regarding the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Because I See thy Gift of Grace

By Effie Darlene Barba

A pilgrim’s journey through this land

Through meadow’s soft and desert sand

Beside the gentle bubbling streams

With flowers kissed by sunlit beams

Or rushing, roaring water falls

Whose beauty gasps and danger calls

Twinkling stars in the dark of the night

That guide my way and shed their light

The gentle breeze across my face

Whispering words of God’s sweet Grace

Creator Lord with all You do

What else on earth could I pursue

For all I have and all I am

Is due to You—Oh precious lamb

Who chose to die and pay my price

That I find in You, my paradise

And now I see through different eyes

This course on earth no more disguise

Its beauties shine, your glory clear

I feel the warmth your breath is cheer

To warm the chill within my soul

Like fireplace lit in winter’s snow

You blessed my life with love’s sweet kiss

That hope and joy arise amidst

The darkest trials I may face

Because I see thy Gift of Grace

 

© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba

Artwork is used with written permission of Ronald Barba who owns the copyright. His work can be found at: http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/ronald+barba/all

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to any brands, products or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides regarding the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Swept Away by Grace-A Study of I Peter Part 1—Blessed, Chosen Pilgrims

When wondering where we should travel next in our studies, I suddenly this morning began reading I Peter and was swept away by Grace. I wanted to run ahead and include every verse of I Peter at once; yet, I realized that we need to savor every word of this letter. So, I have determined that we shall go through this book; one part at a time. At the same time we must also see the whole without forgetting to view it within the context. Thus I urge you to go and to read I Peter Chapter one in its entirety with prayer for understanding.

Artwork by permission of Ronald Barba, please click on picture for more information on how to obtain.

If ever along this journey you have felt like a weary pilgrim, rise up and be swept away by God’s Grace to the mountaintops of Love and Joy that He has planned for you.

Let us begin with verses 1-2.

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C.S. Lewis wrote “There have been times when I think we do not desire heaven, but more often I find myself wondering whether, in our heart of hearts, we have ever desired anything else .. . All the things that have ever deeply possessed your soul have been but hints of it – tantalising glimpses, promises never quite fulfilled, echoes that died away just as they caught your ear.

but if it should really become manifest – if there ever came an echo that did not die away but swelled into the sound itself – you would know it. Beyond all possibility of doubt you would say ‘here at last is the thing i was made for.’ …it is the secret signature of each soul, the incommunicable and unappeasable want, the thing we desired before we met our wives or made our friends or chose our work, and which we shall still desire on our deathbeds, when the mind no longer knows wife or friend or work. While we are, this is. If we lose this, we lose all." C.S.Lewis The Problem of Pain (New York: The Macmillan Company, 1962), 145-146.

Used by written permission of Ronald Barba © 2012,  for more information please click on photo

Yesterday morning after much thought and prayer, I decided to add the SSL certificate to my website so all who come might feel safe. I don’t sell anything or receive money at my website so perhaps it wasn’t necessary; however, with so much evil on the web it was a layer of safety for my readers that I chose to add. Then it happened, the site seemed to

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