3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Thoughts: This is a reflection on what the resurrection means. The resurrection means that God is able to change us- to give us new birth. Even now the resurrection changes our life by giving us a different perspective on the pains and problems of life, and by giving us hope that even death and pain will not triumph in the end. Peter also is a realist, and recognizes that for now we have to “suffer grief in all kinds of trials.” These trials test and refine our faith as gold is refined in the fire. Peter speaks of our trials as part of our salvation, for they are purifying us for the presence of Christ.
Prayer: May your resurrection power give me hope and strength this day, Lord.
Sunrise worship on the lake- 931 Sugarmill Rd. (Wessinger-lft on Old Lexington; lft on Jake Meetze; rt on Old Forge; rt on Sugarmill); Boats welcome!
Worship at Lake Murray Presbyterian 8:00 (dialogue sermon) and 10:00 (sermon, communion and full choir).
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