BUT just as he who called you holy (1 Peter 1:15-16)

BUT just as He who called you is holy, 
so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 
“Be holy, because I am holy.”

1 Peter 1:15-16

What is Holy? Far to often I have thought it is out of my reach. Being completely honest I'd have to admit I'm not ready for HOLY- that's like all in- perfect. I'm still a sinner in a imperfect world. 
 BUT the definition of holy is: dedicated to God or  used in exclamations of surprise or dismay.
HOLY COW we can be holy!
Take a moment to day and let your thoughts and actions be dedicated to God.

BUT shows favor to the humble (1 Peter 5:5)

In the same way, you who are younger,

submit yourselves to your elders.

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility

toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud
    BUT shows favor to the humble.

1 Peter 5:5

nuf said.

BUT with the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19)

For you know that it was not with perishable things

such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors,

BUT with the precious blood of Christ,

 a lamb without blemish or defect.

1 Peter 1:18-19

Think about this today and Thank your Heavenly Father.

BUT rejoice (1 Peter 4:12-13)

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the 

fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, 

as though something strange were happening to you.

 BUT rejoice in as much as you participate 

in the sufferings of Christ, 

so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.

1 Peter 4:12-13

I have used this verse many times over the last 3 years to remind myself to not say "why me? 

Why did my daughter have to suffer and die?" As much as I don't like that she is gone, the circumstance does help me feel closer to God.

 He was the greatest example of suffering when He gave up His Son to suffer for us.

 I will be Overjoyed when His glory is revealed. 

You may feel what you are going through right this very moment is a fiery ordeal.

 Remember God's word NEVER promised us life would be easy!

 BUT remember who is there with you.

BUT praise God (1 Peter 4:16)

 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed,

but praise God that you bear that name.

1 Peter 4:16

When I saw this verse I thought about the pain from when my daughter passed away, God reminded me that as a Christian I can still praise Him even in the darkest times. It's up to us to show the world that He is worthy no matter what we go through.

BUT you are a chosen people (1 Peter 2:9)

BUT you are a chosen people, 

a royal priesthood, 

a holy nation,God’s special possession, 

that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.

1 Peter 2:9

BUT the word of the LORD (1 Peter 1:24-25)

“All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, 

BUT the word of the Lord endures forever.”

1 Peter 1:24-25
It is Spring! It is Spring! It is Spring! look at all the activity around you. Birds singing, grass (and weeds) growing, flowers popping up everywhere, and trees budding. God has done this all for you! No matter what season you are in, it is time for a change. God's love letter to you (His word) endures forever.

BUT of imperishable 1 Peter 1:23

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, BUT of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God

1 Peter 1:23

As spring time finally arrives it is refreshing to remember that we have seeds within us that are ready to sprout. Maybe you have been feeling lonely, useless, or far from God. 

 Have hope, there are seeds that are within you that are enduring forever! 

They are ready to spring up. Spend time with in the SON and watch them grow.

BUT because you want to please God (1 Peter 5:1-3)

 I have a special concern for you church leaders.

 I know what it’s like to be a leader,

 in on Christ’s sufferings as well as the coming glory. 

Here’s my concern: 

that you care for God’s flock with all the diligence of a shepherd. 

Not because you have to, 

BUT because you want to please God. 

Not calculating what you can get out of it, 

BUT acting spontaneously. 

Not bossily telling others what to do, 

BUT tenderly showing them the way.

1 Peter 5:1-3

This is dedicated to amazing group of leaders I have been blessed by. A triple BUT gotta love it! This is an awesome prayer of support for all of our leaders. 

BUT now you are the people of God (1 Peter 2:10)

Once you were not a people, 

BUT...

 now you are the people of GOD; 

once you had not received mercy,  

BUT...

 now you have received mercy. 

1 Peter 2:10

My prayers this Christmas is that you received the gift of God sent! Now you are the people of God. You have mercy. Now let's make 2014 a year of mercy towards others. 

BUT chosen by God (1 Peter 2:4)

As you come to Him,

the living stone -rejected by humans

BUT...

 chosen by God and precious to Him.

1 Peter 2:4

From the very beginning of Christ life here on earth He was rejected.

There wasn't even room in the Inn. The innkeeper may not have realized that Christ the King was being born-

so too we may not realize how we reject Him on an everyday basis. Look for the Savior today in the least expected places.

BUT you are a chosen people (1 Peter 2:9)

BUT you are a chosen people,

a royal priesthood, a holy nation,

 God’s special possession,

that you may declare the praises of Him

who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

1 Peter 2:9

What a beautiful verse to wake up to this morning! You were chosen by GOD, you are His special possession.

Praise Him today!!

BUT... Now you have returned to the shepherd (1 Peter 2)

Jesus bore our sins in His body,
 so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness.
For you were like sheep going astray,
BUT ...
now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your soul. 

1 Peter 2
 This is beautiful to think about. Sometimes we don't even realize that we are straying BUT before we know it we have wondered off. It is comforting to know that not only does He welcome us into His arms BUT He seeks after us too.

BUT... favors the Humble (are you a Superhero?) (1 Peter 5:5b-7)

And all of you serve each other in humility,

 For “God opposes the proud

BUT…

favors the humble.”

So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you

1Peter 5:5b-7

I am on a Superhero kick… Isn't serving what superheroes do? And when they are not in costume they are humble and often shy. Let’s go out and serve our community under the might power of God and let HIM lift us up to honor and just the right time. 

BUT... He died for our sins (1Peter 3:18)

Christ suffered for our sins once for all time.

 He never sinned,

 BUT…

He died for sinners to bring you safely home to God.

 He suffered physical death,

BUT…

He was raised to life in the Spirit.

1Peter 3:18 (NLT)

Today is a sad day for believers as we think about what Jesus went through on the cross for us.

He left His heavenly Father and His home in heaven for 33 years to walk this year so He could understand and sympathize with us.  He did not sin.

 BUT… He willingly suffered to pay the ultimate price so that we might have fellowship with our Heavenly Father. Don’t miss that today or for the rest of your life here on earth.

Rejoice the resurrection is coming!!!

BUT... The word of the Lord remains forever. (1 Peter 1:23-25)

For you have been born again,

BUT…

Not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.

As the scripture say,

People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades.

BUT…

The word of the Lord remains forever.” And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.

1 Peter 1:23-25

I love spring time. The daffodils are in full bloom! The daffodils do fade quickly though and we can choose to let this make us sad or rejoice in the fact that these flowers are just the beginning of the beauty of spring and even that summer is just around the corner. It is like our life here on earth, in comparison to eternal life.

But... do this in a gentle and respectful way (1 Peter 3:15-16)

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks you about your hope, always be ready to explain it.

BUT…

Do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.

1 Peter 3:15-16 (NLT)

This verse speaks for itself. BUT it takes some meditation. When someone asks you how you can smile when everything around you is falling apart. The answer is always Jesus. BUT if when we tell others about Jesus as our hope and we are not humble we can do more damage than good.  Often we stop quoting after that verse BUT the next one reminds us to live a life that is pleasing to God so that no one has bad things to say.