Soul Medicine

To Know Him Takes Desire And Dedication In Spending Time With Him, In Reading Scripture and in Prayer 2 Peter 1:1-2 1Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: 2Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Reach Out And Encourage! It Makes A Difference! 1 Peter 5:12-13 12With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. 13She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

May God's Promise Carry You Through The Storms And Struggles 1 Peter 5:10-11 10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Trust God Fully And Remain Vertically Focused: Eyes And Heart Fixed On Him 1 Peter 5:7-9 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Everyone, Young And Old, Walk Humbly With The Lord 1 Peter 5:5-6 5In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” 6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

Lead By Example Not By Force 1 Peter 5:1-4 1To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ's sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

Admit Sin Sooner, Focus Vertically Longer, Trust God Always 1 Peter 4:17-19 17For it is time for judgment to begin with God's household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” 19So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Suffering Should Be Spirit Induced And Never Self Motivated 1 Peter 4:14-16 14If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

Keep Your Focus On The Victory Through Christ As You Suffer In What You May Be Going Through 1 Peter 4:12-13 12Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

Every One Of Us Has Talents, Find Yours And Use It For His Glory 1 Peter 4:10-11 10Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. 11If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Live Expectantly Of Christ's Return 1 Peter 4:7-9 7The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Life Change In Following Christ And Not Self May Intimidate Others 1 Peter 4:3-4 3For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.

Seek The Will Of God, Not Of The World 1 Peter 4:1-2 1Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.

Do Others See The Hope You Have That Causes Them To Ask Why? 1 Peter 3:15-16 15But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

We Should Not Only Seek Peace, But Should Also Pursue It. 1 Peter 3:10-14 10For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. 11They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. 12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.”

Live In Harmony and In Humility 1 Peter 3:8-98 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Live Out Your Free Salvation By Showing Respect To Everyone 1 Peter 2:16-17 16Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God's slaves. 17Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

Allow Jesus To Be The Overseer Of Your Soul 1 Peter 2:25 25For “you were like sheep going astray,” f but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

If You Follow Jesus Be Prepared To Suffer Like Jesus 1 Peter 2:22-24 22“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” e 23When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

Be Conscious Of God To Help You Endure The Struggle And Suffering 1 Peter 2:18-21 18Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

Submit To God By Living For The Lord's Sake And Not For Self Sake! 1 Peter 2:13-15 13Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.

Walk Differently Than The World Walks 1 Peter 2:11-12 11Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

Not Your Accomplishments That Make You Right With God; HE DID IT! 1 Peter 2:9-10 9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,ab, ac a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praisesaf, of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.ai 10Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Allow God To Put You Where He Wants You And To Build His Church 1 Peter 2:7-8 7Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

Serve Together As A Team As ONE! 1 Peter 2:4-5 4As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house a to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Let His Call Be Your Reason Until He Closes The Door Isaiah 6:11-12 11Then I said, “For how long, Lord?” And he answered: “Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant, until the houses are left deserted and the fields ruined and ravaged, 12until the Lord has sent everyone far away and the land is utterly forsaken.

God Will Take You Where He Wants You To Go! Are You Willing? Isaiah 5:55 5Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations you do not know will come running to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.”

If You Know Him Rid Yourselves Of Worldly Behaviors And Thinking 1 Peter 2:1-3 1Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Love Like He Loved Through The Living And Enduring Word Of God 1 Peter 1:22-23 22Now 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. b 23For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

Go The Extra Mile Without Complaint 1 Peter 1:6-7 6In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

You Are Shielded By The Power Of God Through Your Trust In Jesus 1 Peter 1:3-5 3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Listen To God's Promise And Let It drown Out The Noise Of Self Hebrews 13:5-6 5Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” 6So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

God's Word Is Sent To Nourish Us, As Rain Does The Earth Isaiah 55:10-11 10As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Drink From The Living Water And Never Be Thirsty Again Isaiah 55:1 1“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.

If You're Looking For A True Friend, Become One Proverbs 18:24 24A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Is Your Heart Cheerful And Bring Others A Positive Outlook? Proverbs 17:22 22A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

The Blessing From God Comes When Our Focus Remains On God Numbers 6:24-26 24“ ‘ “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” '

Have You Ever Caught Yourself Justifying Your Actions Or Calling Luke 10:29 29But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

Love God With All That You Are; Easy To Say, Yet Hard To Do. Impossible Without The Holy Spirit Luke 10:25-28 25On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' c ; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' ” 28“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

Live Out Your Faith By Sharing Your HiStory With Him Luke 10:23-24 23Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

God's Love And Grace Is Offered To Everyone And We All Have Equal Access To Him Luke 10:21 21At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

Keep The Emphasis On The Main Thing And Not On Your Accomplishments Luke 10:17-20 17The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” 18He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Knowing God's Word Is Great, But Obeying God's Word Is Most Important. Matthew 4:3-4 3The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' ”

Remain Focused On Him Always Matthew 4:1-2 1Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted a by the devil. 2After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.

Choose To Rejoice Today, No Matter The Circumstances You May Find Yourself In Psalm 118:24 24The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.

It's Only Through Jesus We Are Saved And Jesus Alone John 10:1-2 1“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.

God Loves The World, So Should We John 3:16 16For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Let Nothing Get In The Way Of Your Grip Of Jesus' Robe Luke 8:45-46 45“Who touched me?” Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.” 46But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”

God's Perspective Of Love Is Commitment From God And Us To Him Song of Songs 6:3 3I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine; he browses among the lilies.

Share Your Story by Sharing HiStory Of Your Life Psalm 40:9-10 9I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, Lord, as you know. 10I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly.

Make Sure You Give God The Obedience And Lifelong Service He Desires Over Sacrifice Psalm 40:6-8 6Sacrifice and offering you did not desire— but my ears you have opened — burnt offerings and sin offerings d you did not require. 7Then I said, “Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll. 8I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.”