2 Peter 1 - A Constant Reminder

How many times do you repeat the verses you memorize? It takes more than a few repetitions to remember a verse for a day or two, and it took me usually several dozen before I was ready for a quiz meet. I've even read that 100 repetitions is best for performing quickly and accurately in a competition! And, as many quizzers find out, daily practice is more productive than a couple longer sessions a week.

But there are more important reasons for storing a verse in your long-term memory. How often do we actually have a Bible nearby when we need to witness to someone, or are tempted to sin?

Peter thought endless repetition was important for healthy Christian growth, too. He writes in 2 Peter 1, "So I will always remind you of these things even though you already know them . . . that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things" (2 Peter 1:12, 15, NIV). Peter give his fellow believers many instructions for godly living earlier in the chapter, but he sees no reason to stop. When we stop studying something, it slowly fades from our memory. And what things are more important to remember than God's instructions for living?

For those of you tired of studying the same old thing, remember: practice makes perfect (Matthew 5:48), and you are what you think about (Luke 6:45).

I Peter 5 - A Little Homework Help

Here's the scenario: you're trying to survive your classes this year, but every subject is making you bang your head against the wall. But your brother is home from college for spring break this week, and he offers to help you, every night, with all of it!

So you say, "Sure, there's this algebra I don't understand, and I need help on this science project, but don't worry about my English paper. It's driving me nuts, but I'll do it myself." Huh? He said he'd help with all of it! Why not let him?

Have you ever done this to God? I Peter 5:7 says to "Cast all your anxiety on him." Not some. All. We shouldn't be telling God, "Yeah, you can help me be nice to my little sister, and I really need courage to witness to my friend, but I can handle stress about the track meet myself."

God loves us, and he wants to be there for us in everything we do. We need to be willing to trust him with all aspects of our lives. He will work it out, according to his will. And that's the best kind of help.

I Peter 4 - A Clear Prayer Connection

In this age of instant access, it's hard to escape from distractions. Multitasking is considered a good ability to have. I've caught myself texting a friend while chatting on Facebook and watching TV!

But this behavior goes directly against the Bible's command to "Love the Lord your God with all your . . . mind" (Matthew 22:37, NIV, emphasis added). When's the last time we put all of our concentration in one place? Yet this is just what God wants us to do for him.

Peter phrases this command a little differently in I Peter 4:7. He says, "be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray." Self-control is one of the fruits of the Spirit, and if we have the self-control to tune out or turn off distractions, we can clear our minds to pray.

I know, it's easier said than done. I've been struggling with distractions a lot lately. Think about it this way: God wants to be your friend, and it's inconsiderate to be distracted when talking to any friend. Maybe you need to go somewhere quiet and pray out loud, journal your prayers, or join a prayer group. Most importantly, remember who you're talking to, and why you want to spend time with him.

I Peter 3 - Give an Answer

Most Bible quizzers have probably heard the advice, "Always say something." Or, "Trying is always better than saying nothing." Some quizzers even decide ahead of time what to say if they accidentally jump too early. Studying for a quiz is all about giving the right answer at the right time.

Do we do this in our lives as well? I Peter 3:15 says we need to be able to explain the hope we have. When non-Christians see that we don't buckle under difficult circumstances, we should have the courage and the words to tell them why. This could be anything from simply stating, "I trust in God," to sharing the gospel message. Have we thought about what we'll say when the time comes?

We also need to speak with the right attitude. Verse 16 says, "But do this with gentleness and respect." Quiz team captains learn this about challenging. Quizmasters do not appreciate hearing that they are clearly wrong. Instead, they want a respectful explanation of why they should change their minds on a ruling. If someone asks you about your belief in God, don't criticize or judge. Instead, speak in love.

As much as you want to do well at the next quiz meet, how the Bible changes your life is what's really important. How much are you studying for life's quizzes?

I Peter 2 - Suffering for Good?

At one time or another, we have all experienced the effect of being punished for doing something wrong. From spankings to groundings to tickets, we've been there, done that. But have you ever been punished for doing something right?

Peter says not only should we experience this, but that it makes us more like Christ. We are called to "follow in his steps" (I Peter 2:21, NIV). That includes imitating his behavior in verse 23: "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him to judges justly."

Can we be like more Christ and learn to appreciate being hurt or punished for doing good? The next time this happens to you, remember that you are following in his steps, and be thankful.

I Peter 2 - Submit Yourselves

Can you think of a rule you'd rather not live under? Or a teacher or parent whose instructions you'd rather not follow? I think all of us must have one of those--maybe many. I know I do. So what motivation do we have for obeying these authorities in our lives?

Well, simply enough, God tells us to obey them--all of them. I Peter 2:15 says, "Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men" (emphasis added). This can be anyone, from your parents to policemen to the lunch lady. They are all given authority by God to guide you. Make their job easy!

This command wasn't any easier for Peter's original audience. In fact, it was harder. Christians were being persecuted by the Roman emperor and many officials under him. Yet God wanted his people to respect these authorities. Why? So they could "silence the ignorant talk of foolish men," or in other words, give non-Christians no reason to find fault with them.

If you love God and want to obey him, work on obeying the other people God has placed in your life.

I Peter 1 - Holy in All You Do

Holy. We say the word often enough at church or in songs, but what does it really mean? Some dictionary synonyms include "sacred," "devoted to God," and "pure." What exactly does that look like?

According to I Peter 1:14, it means we will not give in to "the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance." Verse 15 says we should copy God's holiness. We should be holy because God is holy, and in the way he is Holy.

How many times have you treated holiness as a set of rules to follow? Or a line not to cross? Standards are good, but we should not measure them by the wrongs we do, or how far is too far. If holiness is being like God, why would we want to get near to evil? Why not flee from it?

It may sound clichéd, but ask yourself what God would do when you face a compromising situation. Let's try to be holy as he is holy--in everything.

I Peter 1 - Refined by Fire

Do you think Abraham always had an easy time trusting God's promises? Do you think Noah ever doubted God when he was being ridiculed for building the ark? Do you think Moses ever wondered what God was doing with him when he spent 40 years in the desert? These patriarchs surely struggled in their faith at times, yet they stand out in the "hall of faith" of Hebrews 11. Because they persevered in their faith, they are remembered.

Faith isn't easy. Peter explains in chapter 1 verse 7, "These [trials] have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine." Our faith must endure trials to make it stronger, just as gold comes out of a hot furnace more pure than when it went in.

The next time you are facing a difficult time, remember that some trials are God's way of refining your faith. Pray that you will learn more about him through that trial. He will fill you with his "inexpressible and glorious joy."

Introduction

This blog was created primarily as a supplement for Bible quizzers as they study and memorize God's Word. As James points out, studying the Bible is worthless unless it's lived out.
I hope to coordinate my topics to follow the different quizzing schedules out there. For the next couple months, I'll be covering the books of I and II Peter. Check back every week for a new post.