Scripture: 1 Peter

God’s sovereign plan is unchangeable — it cannot be reversed — and martyrdom is no surprise to Him. On the contrary, it is part of His plan.

Believers in Christ are called to stand firm in the face of suffering.

On the surface this passage appears to apply only to church leaders, but as we study it, we see that Peter gives important exhortation for every member of the church.

Sharing the sufferings of Christ leads to joy with Christ, especially when He returns to earth in all His glory. Trusting the word of the Father is the key.

The signs were strong that Jesus would return very soon, so Peter advised the Christians to focus on two priorities.

Arm yourself with the mentality Jesus had, so you can live for God’s will, and not the empty pursuits of the surrounding world.

Following Jesus gives us deep comfort, a strong confidence and an exhilarating expectation despite all the suffering we will experience for His sake.

We should always be ready to share the great hope we have in Christ and God.

Wives have a powerful influence through their “imperishable beauty.” Husbands have a high-stakes calling to honor their wives.