Ken

Have you ever been blamed for something you didn’t do? It’s frustrating. It’s unfair. And—believe it or not—you’re in good company. Jesus knows exactly what that feels like. Over the last 30 years, I’ve learned something that has helped me through hard times: Suffering with Jesus has purpose. Unjust Suffering Is Real Peter was writing to Christians who were going through real suffering. Some were even servants with harsh masters. And here’s what he told them: “It is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.” (1 Peter 2:19) In other words, just because you’re suffering doesn’t mean you’ve done something wrong. Sometimes, doing the right thing leads to hardship. Peter reminds us that God sees when we endure pain for doing good. And He honors it. Jesus Is Our Example “Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you…

Have you ever tried walking the wrong way on one of those moving sidewalks at the airport? Everyone else is coasting along in one direction, but if you want to go the other way - it takes effort. And a clear sense of where you’re headed. That’s what it feels like to follow Jesus sometimes. In a world moving one way, we’re called to live differently—not to impress people, but to impact them. What Does It Mean to Live with Honor? Peter puts it like this: “Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires… Live such good lives among the pagans that… they may see your good deeds and glorify God.” (1 Peter 2:11–12) In other words: Even if you don’t feel like you “fit in” with the culture around you—you can still stand out in the right way. Peter gives us two big…

There’s a guy I play pickleball with who never quite gets my name right. Some days I’m Jeff. Other days I’m Roger. I just roll with it. But it’s a funny reminder that names matter. Identity matters. The truth is, a lot of Christians have forgotten who they are. We let the world define us. We let our past haunt us. We wear labels that God never gave us. But Peter gives us a better name. He says, “Remember who you are.” Who Are You, Really? Here’s what Peter says: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession…” (1 Peter 2:9) Let’s unpack that. 🟡 You are a chosen people You’re not a mistake or a leftover. God picked you. Not because you were the smartest or most talented—but simply because He loves you. In a world that makes people feel forgotten or…

On Easter Sunday, we celebrate the most important truth in history: Jesus is alive. And because He’s alive, we can be made alive too. That’s not just something we say on Easter morning; it’s a truth we can build our lives on every day. But here’s a question worth asking: What holds your life together? What keeps you steady when things feel shaky? Peter gives us an answer. He calls Jesus our Living Stone, the cornerstone of our faith. Jesus Is Our Cornerstone Peter writes: “As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God… the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” (1 Peter 2:4, 6) In ancient times, the cornerstone was the most important stone in a building. It was placed first and used to line up every other part of the structure. If it was off, the whole building…

Think about when something new comes into your life - like a new baby, a puppy, or even a fresh start. Everything changes. There's excitement, growth, and sometimes a little chaos. But there’s also joy. Peter tells us in his letter that something even greater has happened to those who follow Jesus: we’ve been born again. We’ve gone from lost to found, from dead to alive. And this new life has a purpose—to love deeply and grow steadily. A New Life Means a New Way to Love Peter writes: “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.” (1 Peter 1:22) When we’re born again, we’re given a new identity nd that identity is rooted in love. Not surface-level love. Not polite smiles and quick greetings. Peter is talking about deep, from-the-heart love.…