SCRIPTURE 1 Peter 4:12 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. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. OBSERVATION It’s...

SCRIPTURE Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 1 Peter 3:8-9 OBSERVATION Peter addresses Christians who are...

Email any questions to: rod@enewhope.org The beautiful picture (below) depicting Mānoa valley was created by Miranda Chang. Mānoa means solid, vast, or depth, which describes the kind of relationship we desire to develop with God and one another. I love the heart images within the center mountain. The heart of God’s love | aloha …...

SCRIPTURE Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 1 Peter 2:13-14 (ESV) OBSERVATION Up to this point in his letter, Peter has established who...

SCRIPTURE 1 Peter 2:1 So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. 2 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, 3 now that you have had a...

SCRIPTURE Through Christ, you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory. 22 You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as...

SCRIPTURE Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 1 Peter 1:3-4...

The most cavities I’ve had at one time were about 6. The drilling for a few fillings was enough to motivate me to start caring for my teeth better! NO MORE TEETH DECAY FOR ME! One of the cavities of “team decay” includes mistrust. Mistrust is a poison that can lead to unhealthy, rotting relationships....

I taught a Pastoral Leadership Bible class, and discussed how we can tend to view God’s love and forgiveness based on our “worst sins.” This can lead to a sense of unworthiness, shame, guilt… or better yet, worship-filled gratefulness for His love and grace. We are all in the same boat, in the “worst sinner”...

I don’t know too many people who enjoy being tested. I remember in junior high taking an entry test for a private school… and I failed. 🙁 Thank God I passed my drivers test a few years later 🙂 which was a huge relief. Much of life’s tests require study, learning and exercising mental, spiritual...