Study Desk

Although he was abused, he never tried to get even. And when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he had faith in God, who judges fairly.

because he will see how you honor God and live a pure life.

Be beautiful in your heart by being gentle and quiet. This kind of beauty will last, and God considers it very special.

Long ago those women who worshiped God and put their hope in him made themselves beautiful by putting their husbands first.

Even if you have to suffer for doing good things, God will bless you. So stop being afraid and don't worry about what people might do.

You are better off to obey God and suffer for doing right than to suffer for doing wrong.

Christ died once for our sins. An innocent person died for those who are guilty. Christ did this to bring you to God, when his body was put to death and his spirit was made alive.

They had disobeyed God while Noah was building the boat, but God had been patient with them. Eight people went into that boat and were brought safely through the flood.

Those flood waters were like baptism that now saves you. But baptism is more than just washing your body. It means turning to God with a clear conscience, because Jesus Christ was raised from death.

Christ is now in heaven, where he sits at the right side of God. All angels, authorities, and powers are under his control.

It means you have turned from your own desires and want to obey God for the rest of your life.

You have already lived long enough like people who don't know God. You were immoral and followed your evil desires. You went around drinking and partying and carrying on. In fact, you even worshiped disgusting idols.

But they will have to answer to God, who judges the living and the dead.

The good news has even been preached to the dead, so that after they have been judged for what they have done in this life, their spirits will live with God.

If you have the gift of speaking, preach God's message. If you have the gift of helping others, do it with the strength that God supplies. Everything should be done in a way that will bring honor to God because of Jesus Christ, who is glorious and powerful forever. Amen.

Don't be ashamed to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God that you belong to him.

God has already begun judging his own people. And if his judgment begins with us, imagine how terrible it will be for those who refuse to obey his message. The Scriptures say,

"If good people barely escape, what will happen to sinners and to others who don't respect God?"

If you suffer for obeying God, you must have complete faith in your faithful Creator and keep on doing right.

Just as shepherds watch over their sheep, you must watch over everyone God has placed in your care. Do it willingly in order to please God, and not simply because you think you must. Let it be something you want to do, instead of something you do merely to make money.