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NOVEMBER 28
Psalm 135:8–14
He destroyed the firstborn of Egypt,
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Both of man and beast.
9 He sent signs and wonders into the 4:9 Be hospitable to one another. The Greek
midst of you, O Egypt, word means “love of strangers.”Love is intense-
Upon Pharaoh and all his servants. ly practical, not just emotional. In Peter’s day,
10 He defeated many nations love included opening one’s home and caring
for other needy Christians, such as traveling
And slew mighty kings—
11 preachers.It also included opening one’s home
Sihon king of the Amorites, for church services. Scripture also teaches that
Og king of Bashan, Christians should be hospitable to strangers
And all the kingdoms of Canaan— (Ex.22:21; Deut.14:28,29; Heb.13:1,2).
And gave their land as a heritage,
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A heritage to Israel His people.
13 Your name, O LORD, endures forever, another, for “love will cover a multitude of
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Your fame, O LORD, throughout all sins.” Be hospitable to one another without
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generations. grumbling. As each one has received a gift,
14 For the LORD will judge His people, minister it to one another, as good stewards of
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And He will have compassion the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks,
on His servants. let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone
ministers, let him do it as with the ability
Proverbs 29:9 which God supplies, that in all things God may
9 If a wise man contends with be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom
a foolish man, belong the glory and the dominion forever
Whether the fool rages or laughs, there and ever. Amen.
12 Beloved, do not think it strange concern-
is no peace.
ing the fiery trial which is to try you, as
though some strange thing happened to you;
but rejoice to the extent that you partake of
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Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is
revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding
29:9 contends. A fool may respond to wis-
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dom with anger or laughter;but in either case, joy. If you are reproached for the name of
no agreement can be reached. Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory
and of God rests upon you. On their part He is
blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a
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1 Peter 4:1–19 thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other
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Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a
4 the flesh, arm yourselves also with the Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him
same mind, for he who has suffered in the glorify God in this matter.
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flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer
should live the rest of his time in the flesh for
the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For
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we have spent enough of our past lifetime in
doing the will of the Gentiles—when we 4:12 the fiery trial. Peter probably wrote this
walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revel- letter shortly before or after the burning of
ries, drinking parties, and abominable idola- Rome and at the beginning of the horrors of a
200-year period of Christian persecution.Peter
tries. In regard to these, they think it strange explains that 4 attitudes are necessary in
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that you do not run with them in the same flood order to be triumphant in persecution: 1)
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of dissipation, speaking evil of you. They will expect it (v. 12); 2) rejoice in it (vv. 13,14); 3)
give an account to Him who is ready to judge the evaluate its cause (vv. 15–18); and 4) entrust it
living and the dead. For this reason the gospel to God (v. 19). some strange thing hap-
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was preached also to those who are dead, that pened. “Happened”means “to fall by chance.”
they might be judged according to men in the A Christian must not think that his persecu-
flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. tion is something that happened accidentally.
But the end of all things is at hand; there- God allowed it and designed it for the believ-
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fore be serious and watchful in your prayers. er’s testing, purging, and cleansing.
And above all things have fervent love for one
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