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Series: Peace to a People in Exile

When you feel alone, or isolated in your faith, you may feel like an exile. To those who choose to follow him, God offers peace. 

All believers in Jesus are people living in exile—if you are a follower of Jesus, your citizenship is in the eternal kingdom of heaven, and everything you do is a reflection of your new life in Jesus. 

The book of 1 Peter was written to early Christians who were experiencing persecution, and who had become discouraged in faith. This letter is rich in encouragement to people who felt like exiles, encouragement to hold fast to faith in Jesus Christ.

The apostle Peter reminds us of our place in the family of God—not alone anymore, but chosen and beloved by God. As a result, we are changed, inside and out, to reflect Jesus and share that faith with others.

This devotional series takes us through the book of 1 Peter, and looks into the mysterious way that God grants grace and peace in the midst of exile.

Peace to a People in Exile

Chosen and Destined but Still Exiles

Read: 1 Peter 1:1-2 To the exiles of the Dispersion. (v. 1 NRSV) Today’s passage contains a painful dilemma we all know far too well. I am sure you felt

Peace to a People in Exile

Praying for a Lifetime!

Read: 1 Peter 1:3-9 Blessed be the God and Father . . . (v. 3) Did you know that the phrase Peter uses to begin his letter is not original

Peace to a People in Exile

Angel Longings

Read: 1 Peter 1:10-1 . . . things into which angels long to look! (v. 12) Peter’s conviction that there are “things into which angels long to look” intrigues me.

Peace to a People in Exile

Action-Oriented Thinking

Read: 1 Peter 1:13-21 Therefore prepare your minds for action . . . (v. 13 NRSV) Something doesn’t seem right in verse 13: “Prepare your minds for action . .

Peace to a People in Exile

The Enduring Word

Read: 1 Peter 1:22-25 . . . but the word of the Lord endures forever. (v. 25 NRSV) Everything around us is fading away with the striking exception of the

Peace to a People in Exile

Ordered Affections

Read: 1 Peter 2:1-9 Rid yourselves, therefore . . . (v. 1 NRSV) A very wise friend of mine often says, “If we are talking about real Christianity, we must

Peace to a People in Exile

Like Living Stones

Read: 1 Peter 2:1-9 As you come to him, a living stone. (v. 4) My father was a brick mason, so I learned very early in life the difference between

Peace to a People in Exile

Chosen for a Reason

Read: 1 Peter 2:1-9 But you are a chosen race . . . (v. 9) What enormous encouragement is lavished upon Christian believers in just one verse. We are called

Peace to a People in Exile

Beloved and Urged

Read: 1 Peter 2:11-25 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable. (v. 12) Peter was assuming several things as he wrote to Christian brothers and sisters in his day, and