1 00:00:02,730 --> 00:00:13,040 Speaker 1: Life Audio Thank you for listening to Your Nightly Scripture, 2 00:00:14,240 --> 00:00:18,440 Speaker 1: a calming scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end 3 00:00:18,520 --> 00:00:21,459 Speaker 1: each day with God's Word in your mind and on 4 00:00:21,480 --> 00:00:26,489 Speaker 1: your heart. Right after this short word from our sponsors, 5 00:00:27,210 --> 00:00:31,590 Speaker 1: we will reflect on tonight's scripture. 1 Peter 4 Our 6 00:00:41,050 --> 00:00:46,059 Speaker 1: evening reflection is written and read by Kyle Norman. 1 7 00:00:46,060 --> 00:00:54,639 Speaker 1: Peter 4 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm 8 00:00:54,680 --> 00:00:58,520 Speaker 1: yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in 9 00:00:58,560 --> 00:01:02,660 Speaker 1: the body is done with sin. As a result, they 10 00:01:02,680 --> 00:01:04,940 Speaker 1: do not live the rest of their earthly lives for 11 00:01:04,980 --> 00:01:09,800 Speaker 1: human desires, but rather for the will of God. For 12 00:01:09,840 --> 00:01:12,410 Speaker 1: you have spent enough time in the past doing what 13 00:01:12,490 --> 00:01:19,850 Speaker 1: pagans chose to do, living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, 14 00:01:20,330 --> 00:01:24,290 Speaker 1: and detestable idolatry. They are surprised that you do not 15 00:01:24,390 --> 00:01:27,640 Speaker 1: join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap 16 00:01:27,700 --> 00:01:31,140 Speaker 1: abuse on you, but they will have to give account 17 00:01:31,260 --> 00:01:34,000 Speaker 1: to him who is ready to judge the living and 18 00:01:34,040 --> 00:01:37,100 Speaker 1: the dead. For this is the reason the gospel was 19 00:01:37,200 --> 00:01:40,630 Speaker 1: preached even to those who are now dead, so that 20 00:01:40,650 --> 00:01:43,770 Speaker 1: they might be judged according to human standards in regard 21 00:01:43,790 --> 00:01:47,370 Speaker 1: to the body, but live according to God in regard 22 00:01:47,410 --> 00:01:51,170 Speaker 1: to his spirit. The end of all things is near. 23 00:01:52,070 --> 00:01:55,530 Speaker 1: Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you 24 00:01:55,550 --> 00:02:01,070 Speaker 1: may pray. Above all, Love each other deeply, because love 25 00:02:01,230 --> 00:02:05,450 Speaker 1: covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one 26 00:02:05,490 --> 00:02:09,850 Speaker 1: another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift 27 00:02:09,889 --> 00:02:13,800 Speaker 1: you have received to serve others as faithful stewards of 28 00:02:13,860 --> 00:02:19,359 Speaker 1: God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they 29 00:02:19,400 --> 00:02:21,860 Speaker 1: should do so as one who speaks the very words 30 00:02:21,880 --> 00:02:25,880 Speaker 1: of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with 31 00:02:25,910 --> 00:02:29,540 Speaker 1: the strength God provides. so that in all things God 32 00:02:29,560 --> 00:02:32,860 Speaker 1: may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the 33 00:02:32,900 --> 00:02:38,840 Speaker 1: glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. Dear friends, 34 00:02:39,620 --> 00:02:42,840 Speaker 1: don't be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come 35 00:02:42,919 --> 00:02:46,220 Speaker 1: on you to test you, as though something strange were 36 00:02:46,260 --> 00:02:51,470 Speaker 1: happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in 37 00:02:51,500 --> 00:02:55,169 Speaker 1: the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed 38 00:02:55,210 --> 00:02:58,750 Speaker 1: when his glory is revealed. Amen. If you are insulted 39 00:02:58,850 --> 00:03:02,049 Speaker 1: because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for 40 00:03:02,070 --> 00:03:05,050 Speaker 1: the spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 41 00:03:06,490 --> 00:03:09,230 Speaker 1: If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer 42 00:03:09,350 --> 00:03:12,859 Speaker 1: or thief or any kind of criminal or even as 43 00:03:12,919 --> 00:03:16,639 Speaker 1: a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do 44 00:03:16,700 --> 00:03:20,320 Speaker 1: not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name, 45 00:03:21,400 --> 00:03:24,500 Speaker 1: for it is for judgment to begin with God's household. 46 00:03:25,720 --> 00:03:28,570 Speaker 1: And if it begins with us, what will the outcome 47 00:03:28,610 --> 00:03:33,020 Speaker 1: be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, 48 00:03:33,740 --> 00:03:35,720 Speaker 1: if it is hard for the righteous to be saved, 49 00:03:36,500 --> 00:03:40,780 Speaker 1: what will become of the ungodly and the sinner? So then, 50 00:03:41,700 --> 00:03:44,930 Speaker 1: those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves 51 00:03:45,370 --> 00:03:54,170 Speaker 1: to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. Everyday 52 00:03:54,250 --> 00:03:58,320 Speaker 1: life presents us with myriads of choices— Some of these 53 00:03:58,380 --> 00:04:01,740 Speaker 1: choices may seem easy to make. What will I wear today? 54 00:04:02,440 --> 00:04:05,320 Speaker 1: What will I have for breakfast? Which item will I 55 00:04:05,380 --> 00:04:09,840 Speaker 1: tackle off from my to-do list? These choices can be 56 00:04:09,960 --> 00:04:14,180 Speaker 1: easy to make because ultimately they have little impact on 57 00:04:14,220 --> 00:04:17,600 Speaker 1: the grand arc of our lives. After all, if I 58 00:04:17,640 --> 00:04:21,010 Speaker 1: have scrambled eggs in the morning instead of pancakes, my 59 00:04:21,070 --> 00:04:25,230 Speaker 1: day doesn't change all that much. But then there are 60 00:04:25,270 --> 00:04:27,910 Speaker 1: the choices that come upon us The world around us 61 00:04:27,930 --> 00:04:29,710 Speaker 1: likes to tell us that comfort is king, and that 62 00:04:29,750 --> 00:04:33,010 Speaker 1: the things we find pleasing, no matter what they are, 63 00:04:33,029 --> 00:04:56,520 Speaker 1: are worthy of pursuit. But scripture reminds us of the 64 00:04:56,580 --> 00:05:02,479 Speaker 1: destructiveness of such living. 1 Peter 4 speaks about orgies 65 00:05:02,600 --> 00:05:07,460 Speaker 1: and drunkenness, debauchery and lust. Now, we might not find 66 00:05:07,520 --> 00:05:11,130 Speaker 1: those things as prevalent in our lives, but underneath these 67 00:05:11,190 --> 00:05:15,470 Speaker 1: things is a life that pursues personal pleasure and comfort 68 00:05:16,029 --> 00:05:20,070 Speaker 1: beyond all else. And that is not how we are 69 00:05:20,130 --> 00:05:25,870 Speaker 1: to live as followers of Jesus. As disciples, we are 70 00:05:25,950 --> 00:05:29,570 Speaker 1: to choose to direct our life towards God's will and 71 00:05:29,630 --> 00:05:32,470 Speaker 1: purpose for our lives. We are to live in a 72 00:05:32,510 --> 00:05:36,600 Speaker 1: way that is attentive to His life and responsive to 73 00:05:36,630 --> 00:05:41,040 Speaker 1: the Spirit's movement. We are to live as Christ Himself lived, 74 00:05:41,700 --> 00:05:46,479 Speaker 1: in obedience to God the Father. As you move towards 75 00:05:46,520 --> 00:05:49,680 Speaker 1: the end of the day, take stock of the day 76 00:05:49,940 --> 00:05:54,960 Speaker 1: past and ask yourself these questions. Where did I embrace 77 00:05:55,020 --> 00:05:59,560 Speaker 1: God's will today? Where did I miss God's will today? 78 00:06:01,000 --> 00:06:03,840 Speaker 1: Where could have I embraced God's will a little more? 79 00:06:08,550 --> 00:06:11,729 Speaker 1: Heavenly Father, I thank you that you love me so 80 00:06:11,810 --> 00:06:14,490 Speaker 1: much that you have a will and a purpose for 81 00:06:14,529 --> 00:06:19,070 Speaker 1: my life. Your desires for me prove how special I 82 00:06:19,250 --> 00:06:22,060 Speaker 1: am in your sight. and how deeply you wish me 83 00:06:22,120 --> 00:06:26,160 Speaker 1: to live in the grace of your kingdom. O God, 84 00:06:26,240 --> 00:06:29,380 Speaker 1: give me a heart of discernment. Help me to choose 85 00:06:29,440 --> 00:06:33,320 Speaker 1: the right way, the holy path. Give me ears to 86 00:06:33,400 --> 00:06:37,460 Speaker 1: hear your voice as you direct my life in ministry, 87 00:06:37,660 --> 00:06:42,289 Speaker 1: in service, and in praise. And what is more, in 88 00:06:42,320 --> 00:06:46,390 Speaker 1: those times when I choose comfort instead of conformity to 89 00:06:46,430 --> 00:06:51,010 Speaker 1: your will, O Lord, show me mercy. This I pray 90 00:06:51,050 --> 00:06:57,390 Speaker 1: in Jesus Christ's name. Amen. How did tonight's scripture speak 91 00:06:57,420 --> 00:07:01,460 Speaker 1: to you? Share your thoughts in the Your Nightly Scripture 92 00:07:01,580 --> 00:07:13,910 Speaker 1: Forum discussion. Thank you for listening to Your Nightly Scripture. 93 00:07:14,910 --> 00:07:19,810 Speaker 1: Tonight's scripture was read from the New International Version by Biblica. 94 00:07:20,840 --> 00:07:26,260 Speaker 1: All rights reserved. Be sure to follow our sister show, 95 00:07:26,720 --> 00:07:31,750 Speaker 1: Your Daily Bible Verse, on Apple or Spotify. By following 96 00:07:31,930 --> 00:07:36,530 Speaker 1: Your Daily Bible Verse and Your Nightly Scripture, you can 97 00:07:36,550 --> 00:07:40,920 Speaker 1: be sure that your day begins and ends centered on 98 00:07:40,960 --> 00:07:53,020 Speaker 1: the Word of God. Thank you.