1 Peter 2:13-25 // Be Subject For The Lord's Sake

In this passage, Peter shows us that we have a responsibility to earthly authorities. Though our ultimate citizenship is in heaven and our true allegiance is to King Jesus, as sojourners in exile on this earth, we must submit ourselves to every governing authority placed over us by God because this is the will of God (v.15). What does this look like in the everyday stuff of life?

1 Peter 2:1-12 // What The Church Must Be

As followers of Christ, we are part of a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession. We were not a people and we had not received mercy but now through Christ, we are God’s people who have received mercy. We are also living stones built on the cornerstone of Christ to be the dwelling place of the Lord. In these verses, Peter continues to lay out our identity in Christ rooted in our salvation.

1 Peter 1:13-25 // Called to Be Holy

As followers of Christ, this world is not our ultimate and lasting home. We are strangers, exiles, sojourners here. What are the implications of this for how we live? How we suffer? What our purpose is on this earth? These are just a few of the questions Peter answers for a group of Christians in need of hope as they journey through a broken world. In chapter 1:1-12, he lays a foundation of our identity in Christ rooted in the resurrection hope of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:1-12 // A Sojourner's Guide to Hope

As followers of Christ, this world is not our ultimate and lasting home. We are strangers, exiles, sojourners here. What are the implications of this for how we live? How we suffer? What our purpose is on this earth? These are just a few of the questions Peter answers for a group of Christians in need of hope as they journey through a broken world. In chapter 1:1-12, he lays a foundation of our identity in Christ rooted in the resurrection hope of Jesus Christ.

Exodus 12 & Luke 22 // Do This in Remembrance of Me

Exodus 12 describes the origin of The Passover event. In Luke 22, we see how Jesus The Spotless Lamb of God is the true fulfillment of the Passover as he institutes the Lord’s Supper. ​​In these passages, we see that following Christ means both looking back to the cross and empty tomb with gratitude, dwelling with him in present allegiance by faith, and looking forward with hope.

Genesis 49:29-50:26 // God’s Good Purposes

After Jacob blesses his sons and ensures they know where he wants to be buried, Jacob dies. There is great fanfare to celebrate his life and he is ultimately buried in Canaan. Since their father is dead, Joseph’s brothers are worried that Joseph may finally take revenge. But as we have seen throughout Genesis, the Lord is with Joseph and he recognizes what his brothers meant for evil God meant for good, keeping people alive.

Genesis 49 // Jacob Blesses His Sons

As Jacob approaches the end of his life he gives some of his sons a curse, and others a blessing. These blessings and cursings are prophecies of what is to come for this growing family. The most noteworthy blessing is reserved for Judah, for from his line the Messiah, Jesus Christ would come to give blessing and abundance to all who believe.

Genesis 47:28-48:22 // Jacob Blesses Joseph’s Sons

As we approach the end of the book of Genesis, we see Jacob nearing the end of his life. He asks Joseph to visit him and requests to be buried in Canaan. When Joseph visits, he takes his sons to see Jacob. Jacob blesses Joseph's sons as his own, putting Ephraim ahead of Manasseh, indicating that the special line of promise traced throughout Genesis will continue through his descendants and find ultimate fulfillment in Jesus.

Genesis 46-47 // A Traveler's Guide to Faithful Living

Now that Joseph's identity has been revealed, Jacob and his family prepare for a journey out of the promised land to Egypt. God reassures Jacob of His enduring presence with him on the journey. In this passage, we find timeless principles for the journey of the Christian life that we may remain faithful as sojourners in a world that is not our home.