"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you." (1 Peter 5.10, ESV)¹

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¹Contextually, Peter wrote about the suffering that his readers were experiencing and would continue to experience. Though these saints were being grieved by various fiery trials, their genuineness of faith was being tested (1 Peter 1.6-9; 4.12, etc.). In other words, remaining faithful in a dark world will involve hardship, and even more so, remaining faithful through suffering proves our commitment to God. In reality, it separates those who love the Lord and those who give Him lip service.

However, to help these suffering saints endure these trials Peter instructs them how to conduct themselves throughout their life here on earth and builds them up by reminding them of the promises of God to deliver them in the end (please read both 1 and 2 Peter for these instructions and promises). This helps explain our text at hand. Simply put, Peter's point is after we have been tested and found to be genuine that the God of all grace will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us. In other words, we will receive the end of our faith - the salvation of our souls (1 Peter 1.9). What great promises! We may have many hardships that we must endure, but our Father who calls us to His eternal glory in Christ says this is just for a little while, and does not compare to the eternity that awaits us (see 1 Peter 1.6; 2 Cor. 4.17; Rom. 8.18).

Are you in Christ (Gal. 3.26-27)? If we suffer, Peter instructs us not to suffer as a sinner, but as a Christian who has entrusted himself to a faithful Creator (1 Peter 4.12-19). If you want be comforted with the peace that only Christ can give you, e-mail Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905.

Psalm 119.97, "Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day."¹

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¹The Psalmist beautifully describes God throughout the book of Psalms. One thing that stands out is the importance that the writer places on his meditation of his Creator. As the book opens, we immediately read, "Blessed is the man... [whose] delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night." (Psalm 1.2 ESV). Not only did he meditate on God's law which included His precepts, statutes, testimonies, and promises (Psalm 119.15, 23, 99, 148), but he also filled his mind with all that God has done, namely, His wondrous works and mighty deeds (Psalm 77.12; 119.27; 143.5). All this and more was constantly on his mind as he contemplated the overwhelming greatness of God! The Psalmist said, "Let ... the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight..." (Psalm 19.14 ESV). What about us? What are we are meditating on, and is our meditation pleasing to Him (see Phil. 4.8-9)?

If you're interested in learning more about God's word email Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905.

Romans 15.30, "I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf..."¹

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¹If there is one thing we can learn about the apostle Paul it is that he was a man of prayer (Rom. 1.8-10; 10.1; 1 Cor. 1.4-9; Eph. 1.15-23; 3.14-21; Col. 1.9; 2 Tim. 1.3, etc.). While he certianly prayed for himself (2 Cor. 12.7-9, etc.), much of his prayers were spent praying for the growth of the saints, for the Kingdom of Christ, and for the spread of the gospel. However, there is one thing in particlur that stands out about Paul: he solicited prayers on his own behalf (Eph. 6.19; Phil. 1.19; 1 Thess. 5.25; 2 Thess. 3.2; Philemon 1.22, etc.). As one reads the many letters that he wrote both Christians and local churches, he pressed upon them to remember him in their prayers, both night and day. Here is an inspired man who is an appointed apostle of Jesus Christ and to whom Jesus commands us to listen who is requesting the prayers of the saints. This shows us that Paul was not above anyone nor was he above asking for help. Further, it demonstrates his trust in prayer, his confidence in the prayers of the saints, and his dependence upon God.

What about us? Are we praying for others? Are we soliciting the prayers of others? If the apostle Paul needed prayer, surely we can all acknowledge that we need it too! If you're interested in learning more about God's word please contact Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905.