Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Lutheran Seminary God Pause - Moved by the Promise for Wednesday, 23 April 2014 - 1 Peter 1:3-9

Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Lutheran Seminary God Pause - Moved by the Promise for Wednesday, 23 April 2014 - 1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy became our father again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that doesn’t fade away, reserved in Heaven for you, 5 who by the power of God are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been put to grief in various trials, 7 that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ— 8 whom not having known you love; in whom, though now you don’t see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory— 9 receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.--World English Bible
Twice each year the District School Superintendent would visit our county school. The announced visit would always cause some anxiety. What will the message be? It could be a time of encouragement or it could include a stern message of our need for improvement.
I don't know what the people expected when they received the letter from Peter. Whatever anxieties they may have been experiencing, the opening message must have filled them with joy. The good news of God's mercy and our living hope in the resurrection of Jesus Christ is strongly and clearly proclaimed.
Now we do not have to wait for a letter to arrive to hear that message. The good news is available to us every day, good news that it is worth repeating: "We are born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ."
Gracious God, you surround us daily with the message of grace and hope in Jesus our Risen Lord. Amen.
Wayne Radke
Zumbrota, Minn. 
Master of Divinity , 1960
1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,
5 who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials,
7 so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
8 Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy,
9 for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.--New Revised Standard Version
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