Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Good Morning! 

 

My cable is out again this morning -- it has been off and on all day - so this won't get sent to everyone till I get to the office.  

 

Don't forget that you can find all of the back issues of the daily email on the web at www.leapclass.blogspot.com.  

 

The new unit for this week is Unit  18 - Salvation by Faith

 

Focus Scripture for the Week:   Psalms 51:12 

 

 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit 

 

Today's Scriptures:  1 Peter 1:3-9   

 

Today's Discussion:  

 

-- Peter was writing to encourage Christians across the world to be strong in their faith in the face of persecution --- from the Romans, from Jews, from non-Christian family members and others opposed to our faith.  Though it is not part of our reading for the day, Peter begins the letter by addressing it to "God's elect, strangers in the world".  That is a status that we don't feel as often as other Christians do, because of where we live, but living as a Christian will often put you at odds with the world around you.

 

-- Peter's message is one of an encouragement, and reminds us to take encouragement from our salvation -- that our salvation will make all of the hardships and difficulties worth it.  I don't think that we have that view of salvation - in this day and age we tend to focus only on heaven and our life-to-come.   We don't really think about salvation from the standpoint of "I will survive this/bear this because I know it is worth it, because of what is waiting for me in heaven."   Of course, a huge reason is that we live in country where many people are Christians and the government doesn't officially persecute Christians.  But if we really look around, we are still "strangers in the world" ---  we should have a different set of values and priorities than the culture around us.  And if we hold to those different beliefs, we will be putting our self at odds with the culture, and thus opening ourselves up to some comment and possible ridicule.

 

-- So we many times tend to "go along to get along".  Peter's call in this lesson is that we should remember our salvation -- the great free gift that it is -- and to use that as encouragement not to "go along", but to stand strong, prepared to bear whatever difficulties come from not "going along".

 

 

Question for Sunday:   

 

-- can we recall a time where you did the right thing - that WWJD moment -- even though it was the unpopular thing?  What sustained you and encouraged you to do what you did?

 

Today's prayer request:    The people of  Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama   

 

I just can't get this story and these people out of my mind.  The coverage from that area is just terrifying and profoundly sad.  The leadership of these areas, the rescue workers and the survivors have all listed prayer as the first, most important thing we can do to help at this time, so let us continue to remember them. 

 

Today's class member prayer: 

 

Brandon Herring 

 

Have a great day.

 

Jay