Amy Boucher Pye

Tag: 1 Peter

  • Devotional of the week: Praises always (7 in 1 Peter 4 series)

    Sowing-circle-pic…so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power… 1 Peter 4:11

    I’ve had the privilege of knowing some Christians who are completely sold out for God. Truly in all things, God is praised in their lives. One is a businesswoman who conducts her dealings with transparency and integrity. She nearly ended her life about forty years ago when mired in the occult, so she has a deep passion to spread the good news of the gospel wherever she goes – whether in a taxi or when buying gifts for a friend. She who has known the chains of oppression desires that others would be free. Another chose the sometimes lonely path of Christian leadership when being a woman leader wasn’t accepted in all parts of the church. She committed herself – her salary, where she lived, how she served – to the mission she was called to.

    As we’ve seen in this passage, Peter knows we will suffer. But he knows that suffering will produce a harvest of righteousness as we trust in God. We are to serve the Lord as wholehearted people; those to whom we commit things big and small. Not only how we spend our time – our life projects – but how we treat, say, the person selling us a newspaper. In all things may we bring glory to God, through Christ Jesus. Know that he is with you each moment of each day.

    Prayer: Lord God, may I know that you lead me and are with me. I commit myself to your glory. Amen.

  • Devotional of the week: Many gifts; one body (6 in 1 Peter 4 series)

    Photo: Jean-Etienne Liotard: The Chocolate Pot
    Photo: Jean-Etienne Liotard: The Chocolate Pot

    Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others… 1 Peter 4:10

    When I think of servants, a couple of people spring to mind immediately. They don’t know each other – they are separated by an ocean – but are kindred spirits. Both love to serve in the background in churches where I’ve been a member; whether it’s making the tea or setting up chairs, they find meaning and joy in tasks that some might see as mundane. The world is richer for them.

    Other people like to serve through leading, through seeing and sparking to life the God-given potential in another. They often bring together disparate groups of people to build a cohesive team. Others have the gift of empathy, reaching out to those who are hurting with what seems an innate sense. We see Paul’s list of gifts in 1 Corinthians 12, where he names some as teachers, some as prophets, some as helpers. All are different, and all are needed in the body of Christ.

    Do you know what your gifts are? Maybe you’re seeing yourself through old lenses, with new gifts having been developed or wanting to emerge. Have you buried a desire, but the Lord might want to encourage you in it? Spend some time being quiet before the Lord, and see how he leads. This could be the start of a new period of fruitfulness.

    Prayer: Lord God, help me serve with the gifts you’ve given. Give me eyes to see and a heart to love. Amen.

  • Devotional of the week: Love, love, love (5 in 1 Peter 4 series)

    Photo: Dustin Gaffkey, flickr
    Photo: Dustin Gaffkey, flickr

    Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8

    Recently I was texting a friend, and the auto-correct turned my words into, “I’m paying that God will give you strength today.” Imagine if we had to pay God to answer our prayers! Thankfully no payment is involved, at least by us. God’s never-ending love involved his Son giving his life as payment instead. His love covers a multitude of sins.

    Of course, Peter is not talking specifically about God’s love here, but the love we as his children should show each other. As we live in the light of eternity, we are to cover our relationships in a thick spreading of love – one that is thicker than dollops of cream and jam on a scone. We know the root of this love comes from God’s love for us.

    One of my friends at times is tempted to despair that people in her family will never change. She sees a controlling and self-centered father, a mother who acquiesces and an immature sister. And that’s not even describing her husband’s family. Although she sets boundaries in place, she also prays regularly for her family, that God would break through with his grace and love. She extends love, letting it wash away that multitude of sins.

    Is there one person you could show extra love to today? Perhaps you could spend some time asking God to reveal who that might be, and how you could love them.

    Prayer: Father, we love because you first loved us. Help us to be your hands and feet – and heart. Amen.

  • Devotional of the week: Divine Conversation (4 in 1 Peter 4 series)

    “The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.” 1 Peter 4:7

    roller-skates-415389_1280I’m passionate about prayer, including leading retreats called “Adventures in Prayer.” Why? Because prayer opens up a divine conversation, and wonderfully, the Lord loves to meet us. The ways he reveals himself delight, like the time I was in a listening-prayer group with people I didn’t know, and one of them had a picture for me of roller skates. Sounds odd, but I immediately understood what the image meant – the roller skates symbolized the public speaking I was soon embarking on. Although I felt fear and trepidation when strapping on the skates (standing at the podium), once I got rolling, I’d feel the wind whip through my hair in exhilaration. I knew I was to trust God, including giving up my word-for-word scripts. That picture ushered in a new joy and freedom in my speaking.

    Sometimes prayer is freeing and joyous, like that clear image, but sometimes we are sober of mind. Here Peter alerts us that the end is near, so we should be alert and pray. We might have before us heavy matters: a friend experiencing a crushing loss; a son facing depression and difficulty; a family member holding a grudge against us. As we take these issues to God, asking for his grace and mercy, he will bring us hope, relief and signs of joy.

    Father God, I give you my concerns and delights. I know you hear me, and that you love me. Amen.

  • Devotional of the week: Our Life’s Story (3 in 1 Peter 4 series)

    darrowobituary04They will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 1 Peter 4:5

    Some time ago, I was asked to draft, in advance, an obituary for a Christian leader. The task weighed on me, for not only was there no immanent deadline (thankfully, the person was in good health), but I recoiled from summing up the life of another. Finally I dedicated some time to the task and wrote a draft, although later I heard that it wasn’t what they had in mind.

    Have you ever thought what you’d like for your obituary? Or what you’d write for one close to you? After my failed attempt, I read a friend’s lively and touching memories of her husband, who had died of cancer. After reading her short account I felt like I knew him, realizing also where my draft of the obituary came up short.

    Even more daunting than writing an obituary will be giving our account of our life to God. Do you imagine the scenes flashing before you of every stinging comment, indiscreet action, or prideful boast? I know we will be judged for our sins, but I also know that Jesus will be there standing in our stead, our advocate and ambassador. Yet his redeeming us doesn’t give us license to sin all the more. For as we become more like him, we shrink from that which is unholy as we yearn to bring glory to God.

    Prayer: Lord Jesus, may my life’s account be filled with stories of hope and redemption, for your sake. Amen.

  • Devotional of the week: New Self (2 in 1 Peter 4 series)

    Photo: by Neji, Creative Commons
    Photo: By Neji, creative commons

    For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do… 1 Peter 4:3

    Last week we talked about suffering and death being out of fashion in our Western world. So too is judgment. Many Christians today fear making public their views on matters of ethics, thinking they will be branded judgmental or fundamentalist and therefore excluded from the conversation. Others fear sharing their faith and calling people to embrace God, for they don’t want to name another’s sin or selfishness. But Peter, like Paul, calls us to leave our old lives behind.

    We become new people at our conversion, but we have to keep putting on these new selves daily as we put on Christ. We can easily be allured back to our old selves – perhaps with drunkenness, or gossip, anger, bitterness… the list goes on. But God doesn’t want us stuck in our former ways of behaving. He lives in us through his Spirit, giving us the power to be transformed. To resist the drink or nasty whisper or hastily exclaimed words of anger. As we ask God to change us, moment by moment, he will. He delights to make us more like him.

    Our behavior will speak more loudly than our words to those around us. Like Peter, they will notice that we’ve put our past fully behind us, no longer slaves to detestable practices. Though we may struggle still, the light of Christ living in us will be revealed.

    Prayer: Triune God, though you are the judge, you are merciful. Help me to choose life today. Amen.

  • Devotional of the week – Like Christ (1 in 1 Peter 4 series)

    Time for a new devotional series! Let’s delve into some of Peter’s first letter, written probably around the year 60 by Peter, with the help of Silas. Peter writes to the Jewish and Gentile Christians scattered throughout much of Asia Minor. Over the next weeks we’ll be looking at 1 Peter 4:1–11 in depth:

    Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do – living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

    7The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

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    Since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude… 1 Peter 4:1

    The sight arrested me. The angels I was used to seeing were cute and cuddly – babies with smiling faces. This angel was no baby, but a skull with wings below it.

    My first visit to Rome imparted many rich memories, but the image of that angel made a lasting impression. For in our sanitized Western world, we often are shielded from the realities of suffering and death. For instance, when a member of our family dies, we no longer lay them out in our front rooms. Nor do as many women die from giving birth (thankfully). But all the people I’ve met have suffered in one way or another, and one day we all will die.

    So although we run from suffering and death, how can we yet be like Christ? Peter tells us to arm ourselves with Christ’s attitude, that our suffering may be the means of us being done with sin. As we turn to God in our pain and confusion, he transforms us. He may not relieve the situation we find ourselves in, but his loves changes us, including our perspective. He gives us strength and hope to persevere.

    How can Christ meet you today in any suffering you might be enduring, whether physical or emotional? Look to him for relief and sustenance.

    Prayer: Lord God, we run to you with our fears, hurts and disappointments. When we suffer, relieve us. Amen.