The Journey 1/18/11

My devotions today were in 1st Peter. There was a statement he made in the very beginning of his letter.

1 Peter 1:1-2 This letter is from Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. I am writing to God's chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace. NLT

The part that got my attention was “living as foreigners”. I believe the KJV says “strangers”.

Do you ever feel like a foreigner or a stranger as you walk through this life as a follower of Jesus Christ?

Perhaps we should if we don’t. We are citizens of heaven. We, like Abraham, are looking for a city whose builder and maker is God.

Hebrews 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. KJV

1 Peter 2:11-12 Dear friends, I warn you as "temporary residents and foreigners" to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world. NLT

We are just “temporary residents”. Think of this. Since we are just “temporary residents” then the difficult things we face are just “temporary”.

Don’t give up. Stay prayed up. Keep looking up.

Blessings.