Apprentice 2 Jesus

Spiritual Formation

  • All is Ours

    Having the understanding that “all is ours” in Christ needs to be held in balance with the understanding that it is not a life free of obstacles. In fact, the obstacles test that understanding that “all is ours.” Our faith (given to us by Christ, not earned) is then revealed as precious gold. That balance… Read more

  • Anxiety is Spiritual Warfare

    7 Throw all your anxiety onto him, because he cares about you. 8 Be clearheaded. Keep alert. Your accuser, the devil, is on the prowl like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:7-8, CEB) Anxiety confuses our thinking. We create “what if” scenarios, along with “If only” scenarios. When that happens, the enemy roars. He… Read more

  • Long Haul Christianity

    James 1:2-4 brings us a picture of faith that does not shy away from trials. We don’t go looking for trials, but we also need to understand that trials are not necessarily fearful. Trials produce the ability to stand the test of time. With that comes maturity. Maturity is understand that all we have in… Read more

  • It is a Tough Thing to Understand Authority

    5 In the same way, I urge you who are younger: accept the authority of the elders. And everyone, clothe yourselves with humility toward each other. God stands against the proud, but he gives favor to the humble. 6 Therefore, humble yourselves under God’s power so that he may raise you up in the last… Read more

  • Theology of Suffering

    In our world of pain avoidance, letters like 1 Peter are just odd to read. We are so much into “blessing” that we have missed the true nuance of “being blessed.” Blessedness is not the absence of pain, necessarily. We don’t go looking for pain. Yet, when pain comes, there is probably a message to… Read more

  • The End is Near!

    The Mayans aren’t the only ones saying this! It’s Peter as well: 7 The end of everything has come. Therefore, be self-controlled and clearheaded so you can pray. (1 Peter 4:7, CEB) See?!?! The end is near! Rather than induce panic, Peter gives a more calm approach to the end (as does Jesus in the… Read more

  • The Role of Suffering

    These are incredibly uncomfortable words: 1 Therefore, since Christ suffered as a human, you should also arm yourselves with his way of thinking. This is because whoever suffers is finished with sin. 2 As a result, they don’t live the rest of their human lives in ways determined by human desires but in ways determined… Read more

  • Self Promotion and Modesty

    8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, sympathetic, lovers of your fellow believers, compassionate, and modest in your opinion of yourselves. (1 Peter 3:8, CEB) The Common English Bible uses the language to stretch out the word “humble,” which is what other translations use. It’s a good call. I brush by “humble.” I… Read more

  • The Issue of Authority and Submission

    Peter spends quite a bit of time on authority and submission in his first letter. He addresses slaves, wives and husbands. Slaves are called on to submit to the authority of their masters. It is in this context that we get a beautiful passage on Jesus enduring suffering for our sakes. He did so entrusting… Read more

  • God’s Slaves

    In 1 Peter 2 there is a strong admonition to live honorably, and that includes submission to human institutions. Peter then goes on to talk about submission to the emperor. (They didn’t get to “elect” the emperor, either.) Peter’s basis for appealing to Christian’s for submission to human institutions is this: “Do this as God’s… Read more