The Your Faith Journey daily devotional for this week includes scripture from the apostle Peter’s letter, 1 Peter, as well as Old Testament verses connected with the sermon text. You’re encouraged to read Psalm 118 to begin your devotional time each day to prepare your heart, mind, body, and soul to worship the Lord and center your life in Jesus.

 

Read Psalm 118.

 

Watch the Bible Project video entitled “Overview: 1 Peter” using the link below or type “Bible Project 1 Peter” into the search bar on YouTube”: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhP7AZQlzCg

 

Read Exodus 19:1-8. As you read these verses think of Moses as a priest. What do the verses reveal about the role of a priest? Which word, phrase, or verse is God using to speak to you today from what you read?

 

Pray for others, sharing requests with God on their behalf.

 

 

Read Psalm 118.

 

Read 1 Peter 1:13-2:3. Which word, phrase, or verse is God using to speak to you today from what you read?

 

Pray praising the Lord for his goodness, thanking him for Jesus, and inviting him to help you to grow more like Christ.

 

 

Read Psalm 118.

 

Read 1 Peter 2:4-12. Have you ever thought of yourself as a “priest”? Have you ever thought of yourself as “chosen”? Who are the people in our church family that need you to be a priest for them? Who is the family member, friend, co-worker, or neighbor who needs you to be a priest for them today?

 

Pray praising God for calling “you out of darkness” and “into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9). Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to flee from temptation and overcome your sinful desires. Invite the Spirit of the living God to enable you to see and seize your opportunities to do good today to bless others through your words and actions.

 

 

Read Psalm 118.

 

Read 1 Peter 3:8-22. Are you living in submission to Jesus as the Lord of your life? How would you respond if someone asked you what you believe about Jesus? How would you respond if someone asked you why you seem to be hopeful when circumstances don’t appear to be hopeful?

 

Pray that we, the people of AUMC, will be “like-minded” and live the virtues of love, compassion, and humility, while forgiving one another. May our neighbors and community see, hear, and encounter Christ through us.

 

 

Read Psalm 118.

 

Read 1 Peter 4:1-11. Which word, phrase, or verse is God using to speak to you today from what you read?

 

Pray for our sisters and brothers in Christ locally and throughout the world, as well as for those who are suffering physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

 

 

Read Psalm 118.

 

Read 1 Peter 5:1-11. Although chapter 5 is directed to elders/leaders within the earliest churches, what does Peter’s message reveal to you as you think about your calling to be a holy and priest-like person of faith serving others? Which word, phrase, or verse is God using to speak to you today from what you read? What do these verses reveal about your responsibility as “a chosen person” and a “royal priest”?

 

Pray to the “God of all grace” by giving Christ all of the burdens on your heart and mind. Peter instructs us to “cast all your anxiety on him {the Lord} because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7 NIV). If you need help with how to cry out to God and “cast all your anxiety on him,” then read Psalm 13. Perhaps the psalmist’s words can guide you as you pray to our God who can restore and strengthen you.

 

You are strongly encouraged to observe the sabbath either today or tomorrow as a time to worship the Lord, rest, reflect, and enjoy recreation. To learn more about the sabbath, read Genesis 1:1-2:3, Exodus 20:8-11, Exodus 31:13, Leviticus 16:31, Leviticus 23:3, and Deuteronomy 5:12-15. The questions below can be used to help with some time of reflection:

 

Where did you see, hear, or experience love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness or self-control this past week? That was God and the fruit of the Holy Spirit at work in your life or within the lives of others (Galatians 5:22-23a).

 

Who needs to hear about your ‘God moment’ sometime in the coming days?

 

 

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online.