1 00:00:38,001 --> 00:00:41,440 Speaker 1: Hey friends, it's Kelly from Life Audio. We just launched 2 00:00:41,501 --> 00:00:45,181 Speaker 1: something new. It's called The Good Word, our free weekly 3 00:00:45,241 --> 00:00:48,120 Speaker 1: newsletter built for people who want to go a little 4 00:00:48,161 --> 00:00:54,011 Speaker 1: deeper in their faith. Think devotionals, guided prayers, curated podcast recommendations, 5 00:00:54,191 --> 00:00:57,311 Speaker 1: and a little community all in one place. No ads, 6 00:00:57,651 --> 00:01:00,091 Speaker 1: just good content. This one means a lot to us. 7 00:01:00,491 --> 00:01:03,271 Speaker 1: We built The Good Word based on the audience survey 8 00:01:03,491 --> 00:01:05,671 Speaker 1: so many of you filled out a few months back. 9 00:01:05,991 --> 00:01:08,571 Speaker 1: You told us what you wanted and we listened. So 10 00:01:08,590 --> 00:01:11,550 Speaker 1: thank you truly for helping us shape this. Head to 11 00:01:11,580 --> 00:01:14,161 Speaker 1: the link in the show notes and join our community today. 12 00:01:14,481 --> 00:01:15,421 Speaker 1: We'd love to have you. 13 00:01:25,920 --> 00:01:29,921 Speaker 2: Thank you for listening to Your Nightly Scripture, a Calming 14 00:01:29,961 --> 00:01:34,261 Speaker 2: Scripture Center devotional podcast designed to help you end each 15 00:01:34,330 --> 00:01:37,651 Speaker 2: day with God's word in your mind and on your heart. 16 00:01:40,501 --> 00:01:43,561 Speaker 2: Right after this short word from our sponsors, we'll reflect 17 00:01:43,700 --> 00:01:58,171 Speaker 2: on tonight's scripture, 1 Peter chapter 2. Tonight's scripture reflection 18 00:01:58,191 --> 00:02:01,771 Speaker 2: is written by Britt Mooney and read by Carrie Eichberger. 19 00:02:01,771 --> 00:02:10,340 Speaker 2: 1 Peter chapter 2. Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice 20 00:02:10,541 --> 00:02:15,481 Speaker 2: and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 21 00:02:16,281 --> 00:02:20,951 Speaker 2: Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by 22 00:02:21,031 --> 00:02:24,090 Speaker 2: it you may grow up in your salvation, now that 23 00:02:24,131 --> 00:02:27,611 Speaker 2: you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you 24 00:02:27,651 --> 00:02:31,710 Speaker 2: come to Him, the living stone, rejected by humans but 25 00:02:31,791 --> 00:02:35,821 Speaker 2: chosen by God and precious to Him, you also, like 26 00:02:35,881 --> 00:02:39,541 Speaker 2: living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to 27 00:02:39,571 --> 00:02:44,690 Speaker 2: be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God 28 00:02:45,031 --> 00:02:49,711 Speaker 2: through Jesus Christ. For in scripture it says, See, I 29 00:02:49,791 --> 00:02:53,831 Speaker 2: lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, 30 00:02:54,411 --> 00:02:56,710 Speaker 2: and the one who trusts in him will never be 31 00:02:56,751 --> 00:03:00,731 Speaker 2: put to shame. Now to you who believe, this stone 32 00:03:00,791 --> 00:03:04,291 Speaker 2: is precious. But to those who do not believe, the 33 00:03:04,331 --> 00:03:08,590 Speaker 2: stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, and a 34 00:03:09,131 --> 00:03:12,410 Speaker 2: stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that 35 00:03:12,451 --> 00:03:16,550 Speaker 2: makes them fall. They stumble because they disobey the message, 36 00:03:17,111 --> 00:03:20,331 Speaker 2: which is also what they were destined for. But you 37 00:03:20,411 --> 00:03:24,841 Speaker 2: are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, 38 00:03:25,481 --> 00:03:29,261 Speaker 2: God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of 39 00:03:29,341 --> 00:03:33,421 Speaker 2: Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. 40 00:03:34,361 --> 00:03:37,111 Speaker 2: Once you were not a people, but now you are 41 00:03:37,151 --> 00:03:40,911 Speaker 2: the people of God. Once you had not received mercy, 42 00:03:41,341 --> 00:03:45,861 Speaker 2: but now you have received mercy. Dear friends, I urge you, 43 00:03:46,361 --> 00:03:51,021 Speaker 2: as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires which 44 00:03:51,101 --> 00:03:55,401 Speaker 2: wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among 45 00:03:55,441 --> 00:03:58,341 Speaker 2: the pagans that though they accuse you of doing wrong, 46 00:03:58,801 --> 00:04:02,231 Speaker 2: they may see your good deeds and glorify God on 47 00:04:02,251 --> 00:04:06,321 Speaker 2: the day He visits us. Submit yourself For the Lord's sake, 48 00:04:06,641 --> 00:04:10,411 Speaker 2: to every human authority, whether to the emperor as the 49 00:04:10,441 --> 00:04:14,011 Speaker 2: supreme authority or to governors who are sent by him 50 00:04:14,311 --> 00:04:17,491 Speaker 2: to punish those who do wrong and to commend those 51 00:04:17,751 --> 00:04:21,010 Speaker 2: who do right. For it is God's will that by 52 00:04:21,091 --> 00:04:24,671 Speaker 2: doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 53 00:04:25,531 --> 00:04:28,621 Speaker 2: Live as free people, but do not use your freedom 54 00:04:29,001 --> 00:04:33,200 Speaker 2: as a cover-up for evil. Live as God's slaves. Show 55 00:04:33,281 --> 00:04:36,801 Speaker 2: proper respect to everyone. Law of the family of believers. 56 00:04:37,341 --> 00:04:42,541 Speaker 2: Fear God. Honor the emperor. Slaves, in reverent fear of God, 57 00:04:42,901 --> 00:04:45,961 Speaker 2: submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who 58 00:04:46,001 --> 00:04:49,181 Speaker 2: are good and considerate, also to those who are harsh. 59 00:04:49,721 --> 00:04:52,201 Speaker 2: For it is commendable if someone bears up under the 60 00:04:52,241 --> 00:04:55,440 Speaker 2: pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 61 00:04:56,241 --> 00:04:58,601 Speaker 2: But how is it to your credit if you receive 62 00:04:58,661 --> 00:05:01,440 Speaker 2: a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if 63 00:05:01,481 --> 00:05:04,221 Speaker 2: you suffer for doing good and you endure it, This 64 00:05:04,301 --> 00:05:08,321 Speaker 2: is commendable before God. To this you were called because 65 00:05:08,461 --> 00:05:12,311 Speaker 2: Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you 66 00:05:12,351 --> 00:05:16,071 Speaker 2: should follow in his steps. He committed no sin and 67 00:05:16,151 --> 00:05:19,111 Speaker 2: no deceit was found in his mouth. When they hurled 68 00:05:19,151 --> 00:05:23,171 Speaker 2: their insults at him, he did not retaliate. When he suffered, 69 00:05:23,471 --> 00:05:28,021 Speaker 2: he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him 70 00:05:28,101 --> 00:05:32,521 Speaker 2: who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his 71 00:05:32,601 --> 00:05:35,791 Speaker 2: body on the cross. that we might die to sins 72 00:05:35,891 --> 00:05:40,171 Speaker 2: and live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 73 00:05:40,871 --> 00:05:43,891 Speaker 2: For you were like sheep going astray, but now you 74 00:05:43,911 --> 00:05:47,270 Speaker 2: have returned to the shepherd and overseer of your souls. 75 00:05:51,011 --> 00:05:54,821 Speaker 2: I remember being picked last in middle school gym class, 76 00:05:55,681 --> 00:05:59,361 Speaker 2: at least for some sports. I was thin and clumsy, 77 00:05:59,961 --> 00:06:02,781 Speaker 2: tall and gangly, so I would get picked last for 78 00:06:02,821 --> 00:06:07,921 Speaker 2: football or softball. The New Testament shares how God chose 79 00:06:08,121 --> 00:06:12,181 Speaker 2: us first, not based on our ability or how cool 80 00:06:12,241 --> 00:06:15,320 Speaker 2: we were, but on His love for us and His 81 00:06:15,401 --> 00:06:20,421 Speaker 2: intrinsic valuation of us. In one sense, God chooses the 82 00:06:20,501 --> 00:06:24,151 Speaker 2: things or people this world considers weak and poor over 83 00:06:24,190 --> 00:06:29,070 Speaker 2: the rich and strong. Good news indeed. Those who follow 84 00:06:29,111 --> 00:06:33,751 Speaker 2: Jesus respond to how He first called us. He chose 85 00:06:33,871 --> 00:06:38,221 Speaker 2: us in Christ and before time began. God chose us 86 00:06:38,321 --> 00:06:41,921 Speaker 2: for a purpose, to live as Christ and enjoy a 87 00:06:41,961 --> 00:06:46,821 Speaker 2: relationship with the Father eternally. Peter outlines the ways to 88 00:06:46,880 --> 00:06:51,501 Speaker 2: live as the chosen. Ultimately, our goal remains to focus 89 00:06:51,661 --> 00:06:55,421 Speaker 2: on Jesus and obey Him, using Him as the model. 90 00:06:56,201 --> 00:07:00,541 Speaker 2: Being in Christ and Christ in us, we've been empowered 91 00:07:00,880 --> 00:07:05,140 Speaker 2: to live like Jesus, as a living stone, a priest 92 00:07:05,221 --> 00:07:10,691 Speaker 2: of God rejected by humanity, accepted by the Father, praising 93 00:07:10,751 --> 00:07:14,791 Speaker 2: God with our mouth, living free from sin and vice 94 00:07:14,951 --> 00:07:20,171 Speaker 2: and self, serving others with love and persevering through suffering 95 00:07:20,551 --> 00:07:25,741 Speaker 2: and rejection. To live chosen, we exhibit the character of 96 00:07:25,761 --> 00:07:30,101 Speaker 2: the living one within us, submitting to God as such 97 00:07:30,241 --> 00:07:34,431 Speaker 2: a living sacrifice. We will endure suffering to receive our 98 00:07:34,511 --> 00:07:43,021 Speaker 2: kingdom resurrection. Heavenly Father, you chose me in Christ before 99 00:07:43,081 --> 00:07:46,421 Speaker 2: the foundation of the world, not because of my strength, 100 00:07:46,881 --> 00:07:50,601 Speaker 2: but because of your love. I praise you that I'm 101 00:07:50,661 --> 00:07:55,151 Speaker 2: not forgotten or overlooked, but chosen and precious in your sight. 102 00:07:55,951 --> 00:07:58,891 Speaker 2: Help me to rest in your grace and spirit to 103 00:07:58,931 --> 00:08:03,161 Speaker 2: be a living stone built into your spiritual house. and 104 00:08:03,221 --> 00:08:07,261 Speaker 2: a faithful priest who intercedes and lives as a continual 105 00:08:07,321 --> 00:08:12,041 Speaker 2: sacrifice for you. Shape my heart to reflect Jesus in 106 00:08:12,101 --> 00:08:18,051 Speaker 2: his humility, obedience, and love. Help me turn from sin, self, 107 00:08:18,571 --> 00:08:21,951 Speaker 2: and then live in freedom. You have already accepted me. 108 00:08:22,571 --> 00:08:27,531 Speaker 2: Let my life express your praises. Form Christ in and 109 00:08:27,591 --> 00:08:30,851 Speaker 2: through me as I walk in your purpose each day. 110 00:08:31,671 --> 00:08:36,621 Speaker 2: In Jesus' name, Amen. How did tonight's scripture speak to you? 111 00:08:37,141 --> 00:08:40,101 Speaker 2: Share your thoughts in the Your Nightly Scripture Forum discussion. 112 00:08:48,661 --> 00:08:54,151 Speaker 3: Thank you for listening to Your Nightly Scripture. Tonight's scripture 113 00:08:54,571 --> 00:08:58,871 Speaker 3: was read from the New International Version by Biblica All 114 00:08:58,951 --> 00:09:03,800 Speaker 3: Rights Reserved. Thank you, and we'll see you tomorrow night. 115 00:09:31,711 --> 00:09:32,231 Speaker 3: Thank you.