1 Peter 3.15-16 NLT<\/p>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
'If someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way.'<\/p>\\n
When Peter wrote his letter, Christianity was still quite new and so I am sure that many people were very curious about it. They wondered what this new-fangled faith was all about, and Peter was keen that his readers shouldn\u2019t miss any opportunity to talk about it. But it had to be done in the right way. If they were aggressive and disrespectful it could put people off for ever. So he urged them to be ready for every opportunity that came their way but to ensure that their responses were gentle and respectful.<\/p>\\n
In our own society, so few people attend church that there is, once again, a great curiosity about Christian faith. Most people know that Christianity exists, but haven\u2019t a clue what it\u2019s about, so we all need to be ready to talk about our hope as believers. I know this may sound intimidating, but it shouldn\u2019t. We don\u2019t need to have all the answers, and in fact none of us do. We simply need to be able to explain why Jesus is so important to us, and how he has changed our lives. Answering people\u2019s questions is not nearly as important as taking their questions seriously. If you are asked a question that you can\u2019t answer, then be absolutely clear that you don\u2019t know. People will always find that response far more refreshing and helpful than someone who has got slick responses to every question. The Alpha Course, which has been run in more than 100 countries and attended by more than 27 million people, encourages people to ask questions. People are shown respect as they ask their questions and are offered teaching which they can reflect on in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Alpha and the many other introductory courses are great, but it is still vital that we are all on our toes and ready to respond whenever people ask questions about our faith.<\/p>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
Question: What could you do to become better equipped to share your faith with others?<\/p>\\n
Prayer: Loving Father, thank you for the good news that you have brought to us through your son, Jesus. Help us to seize every opportunity for sharing it with others. Amen<\/p>\"}\"\n \"duration_seconds\" => 203\n \"hash\" => \"1158bc1bcdfb3c432a00096387da8d12\"\n \"published_at\" => \"2022-05-17 04:00:00\"\n \"created_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:37:07\"\n \"updated_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:37:07\"\n \"deleted_at\" => null\n ]\n #original: array:15 [\n \"id\" => 29422\n \"podcast_id\" => 12\n \"guid\" => \"bestillandknowpodcast.podbean.com\/e2a0e8e3-3aa7-3def-97a8-32d409f504fb\"\n \"episode_no\" => 1380\n \"title\" => \"Day 47 - Issue 41\"\n \"slug\" => \"day-47-issue-41\"\n \"original_thumbnail_img\" => \"https:\/\/pcr-rss.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20230308180514-BSAK-Podcast-Thumb-3000x3000.jpg\"\n \"thumbnail_img\" => null\n \"episode_data\" => \"{\"duration\": \"03:23\", \"subtitle\": \"1 Peter 3.15-16 NLT\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n'If someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way.'\\nWhen Peter wrote his letter, Christianity was still quite new and so I am sure that many people we...\", \"audio_src\": \"https:\/\/pcr-od.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20230308182231-BS_K_-_1705229cqml.mp3?awCollectionId=Be+Still+and+Know&awGenre=Religion+and+Spirituality\", \"description\": \"
1 Peter 3.15-16 NLT<\/p>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
'If someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way.'<\/p>\\n
When Peter wrote his letter, Christianity was still quite new and so I am sure that many people were very curious about it. They wondered what this new-fangled faith was all about, and Peter was keen that his readers shouldn\u2019t miss any opportunity to talk about it. But it had to be done in the right way. If they were aggressive and disrespectful it could put people off for ever. So he urged them to be ready for every opportunity that came their way but to ensure that their responses were gentle and respectful.<\/p>\\n
In our own society, so few people attend church that there is, once again, a great curiosity about Christian faith. Most people know that Christianity exists, but haven\u2019t a clue what it\u2019s about, so we all need to be ready to talk about our hope as believers. I know this may sound intimidating, but it shouldn\u2019t. We don\u2019t need to have all the answers, and in fact none of us do. We simply need to be able to explain why Jesus is so important to us, and how he has changed our lives. Answering people\u2019s questions is not nearly as important as taking their questions seriously. If you are asked a question that you can\u2019t answer, then be absolutely clear that you don\u2019t know. People will always find that response far more refreshing and helpful than someone who has got slick responses to every question. The Alpha Course, which has been run in more than 100 countries and attended by more than 27 million people, encourages people to ask questions. People are shown respect as they ask their questions and are offered teaching which they can reflect on in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Alpha and the many other introductory courses are great, but it is still vital that we are all on our toes and ready to respond whenever people ask questions about our faith.<\/p>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
Question: What could you do to become better equipped to share your faith with others?<\/p>\\n
Prayer: Loving Father, thank you for the good news that you have brought to us through your son, Jesus. Help us to seize every opportunity for sharing it with others. Amen<\/p>\"}\"\n \"duration_seconds\" => 203\n \"hash\" => \"1158bc1bcdfb3c432a00096387da8d12\"\n \"published_at\" => \"2022-05-17 04:00:00\"\n \"created_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:37:07\"\n \"updated_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:37:07\"\n \"deleted_at\" => null\n ]\n #changes: []\n #casts: array:3 [\n \"episode_data\" => \"object\"\n \"published_at\" => \"datetime\"\n \"deleted_at\" => \"datetime\"\n ]\n #classCastCache: []\n #attributeCastCache: []\n #dateFormat: null\n #appends: []\n #dispatchesEvents: []\n #observables: []\n #relations: array:1 [\n \"podcast\" => App\\Models\\Podcast {#2660\n #connection: \"mysql\"\n #table: \"podcasts\"\n #primaryKey: \"id\"\n #keyType: \"int\"\n +incrementing: true\n #with: []\n #withCount: []\n +preventsLazyLoading: false\n #perPage: 15\n +exists: true\n +wasRecentlyCreated: false\n #escapeWhenCastingToString: false\n #attributes: array:17 [\n \"id\" => 12\n \"brand_id\" => 81\n \"title\" => \"Episodes\"\n \"meta_title\" => null\n \"intro\" => \"Bring some Spirit-filled peace into your hectic schedule every weekday morning with this new Daily Devotional.\"\n \"slug\" => \"episodes\"\n \"original_thumbnail_img\" => \"https:\/\/pcr-rss.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20250325131114-1200x1200BSAK.webp\"\n \"thumbnail_img\" => \"thumbnails\/PwPnKXLnoWUTSPin7YwSrTjOguQlT9SfdeJlWDLn.webp\"\n \"xml_feed_url\" => \"https:\/\/pcr-rss.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/be-still-and-know-daily-bible-devotion.xml\"\n \"brand_nav_order\" => null\n \"is_active\" => 1\n \"is_open_access\" => 0\n \"is_playlist\" => 0\n \"last_cached_at\" => \"2025-08-04 14:32:07\"\n \"created_at\" => \"2023-03-09 09:22:35\"\n \"updated_at\" => \"2025-08-04 15:32:07\"\n \"deleted_at\" => null\n ]\n #original: array:17 [\n \"id\" => 12\n \"brand_id\" => 81\n \"title\" => \"Episodes\"\n \"meta_title\" => null\n \"intro\" => \"Bring some Spirit-filled peace into your hectic schedule every weekday morning with this new Daily Devotional.\"\n \"slug\" => \"episodes\"\n \"original_thumbnail_img\" => \"https:\/\/pcr-rss.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20250325131114-1200x1200BSAK.webp\"\n \"thumbnail_img\" => \"thumbnails\/PwPnKXLnoWUTSPin7YwSrTjOguQlT9SfdeJlWDLn.webp\"\n \"xml_feed_url\" => \"https:\/\/pcr-rss.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/be-still-and-know-daily-bible-devotion.xml\"\n \"brand_nav_order\" => null\n \"is_active\" => 1\n \"is_open_access\" => 0\n \"is_playlist\" => 0\n \"last_cached_at\" => \"2025-08-04 14:32:07\"\n \"created_at\" => \"2023-03-09 09:22:35\"\n \"updated_at\" => \"2025-08-04 15:32:07\"\n \"deleted_at\" => null\n ]\n #changes: []\n #casts: array:2 [\n \"last_cached_at\" => \"datetime\"\n \"deleted_at\" => \"datetime\"\n ]\n #classCastCache: []\n #attributeCastCache: []\n #dateFormat: null\n #appends: []\n #dispatchesEvents: []\n #observables: []\n #relations: []\n #touches: []\n +timestamps: true\n +usesUniqueIds: false\n #hidden: []\n #visible: []\n #fillable: []\n #guarded: array:1 [\n 0 => \"*\"\n ]\n +parent_relationship: \"brand\"\n #forceDeleting: false\n }\n ]\n #touches: []\n +timestamps: true\n +usesUniqueIds: false\n #hidden: []\n #visible: []\n #fillable: []\n #guarded: array:1 [\n 0 => \"*\"\n ]\n +parent_relationship: \"podcast\"\n #forceDeleting: false\n }\n \"nextEpisodes\" => Illuminate\\Database\\Eloquent\\Collection {#2742\n #items: array:3 [\n 0 => App\\Models\\PodcastEpisode {#2741\n #connection: \"mysql\"\n #table: \"podcast_episodes\"\n #primaryKey: \"id\"\n #keyType: \"int\"\n +incrementing: true\n #with: []\n #withCount: []\n +preventsLazyLoading: false\n #perPage: 15\n +exists: true\n +wasRecentlyCreated: false\n #escapeWhenCastingToString: false\n #attributes: array:15 [\n \"id\" => 29419\n \"podcast_id\" => 12\n \"guid\" => \"bestillandknowpodcast.podbean.com\/5cda970d-485d-3307-9b73-d8ebbbbc4ed0\"\n \"episode_no\" => 1381\n \"title\" => \"Day 48 - Issue 41\"\n \"slug\" => \"day-48-issue-41\"\n \"original_thumbnail_img\" => \"https:\/\/pcr-rss.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20230308180514-BSAK-Podcast-Thumb-3000x3000.jpg\"\n \"thumbnail_img\" => null\n \"episode_data\" => \"{\"duration\": \"03:36\", \"subtitle\": \"1 Peter 4.7-8 NLT\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n'The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other.'\\nThe idea of the world coming to an end is a challenging thought,...\", \"audio_src\": \"https:\/\/pcr-od.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20230308182228-BS_K_-_1805226frk5.mp3?awCollectionId=Be+Still+and+Know&awGenre=Religion+and+Spirituality\", \"description\": \"
1 Peter 4.7-8 NLT<\/p>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
'The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other.'<\/p>\\n
The idea of the world coming to an end is a challenging thought, but Peter wasn\u2019t in any sense threatening his readers. The New Testament writers all spoke of this as the climax and fulfilment of God\u2019s purposes. The end of the world was something which everyone should look forward to with great excitement. The last days began with the coming of Jesus into the world and will come to an end with his return, which will be a matter of great joy.<\/p>\\n
Whether Jesus returns to this earth within the next week or in a thousand years the time is limited, and Peter was concerned that this should focus his readers\u2019 minds. There was no time to lose. The challenge that he posed in the first Century applies equally to us today as we anticipate the return of Christ. His challenge is that believers should be both earnest and disciplined in their prayers. I\u2019m sure we all know how incredibly easy it is to wander in our prayers and become undisciplined. There are many ways in which we can help ourselves in this. Some people find it helpful to write down their prayers, or to follow a definite routine of prayers. I don\u2019t think it matters how we pray, but it is vital that we ensure our prayers have a well-guarded place in our lives and that they keep us on our spiritual toes.<\/p>\\n\\n\\n
The second challenge Peter issues is to show deep love for each other. In our prayers we draw close to God who is love, and so the inevitable result of spending time in his presence is that we will want to love others more. We will be looking for practical ways of showing his love. One of the ways that the early church did this was through hospitality. Peter encouraged them to open their homes to one another day by day so as to give practical support and help to one another. And, in days before church buildings, he was looking to them to open their homes so that they could worship together.<\/p>\\n
The fact that Christ might return at any moment should be a constant encouragement to us all to be both more prayerful and loving.<\/p>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
Question: How do you respond to the fact that the end of the world is coming soon?<\/p>\\n
Prayer: Lord God, help me to use my limited time here on earth wisely and well. Amen<\/p>\"}\"\n \"duration_seconds\" => 216\n \"hash\" => \"dbfe40e60e2bc1069d5d49fd69407e44\"\n \"published_at\" => \"2022-05-18 04:00:00\"\n \"created_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:37:07\"\n \"updated_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:37:07\"\n \"deleted_at\" => null\n ]\n #original: array:15 [\n \"id\" => 29419\n \"podcast_id\" => 12\n \"guid\" => \"bestillandknowpodcast.podbean.com\/5cda970d-485d-3307-9b73-d8ebbbbc4ed0\"\n \"episode_no\" => 1381\n \"title\" => \"Day 48 - Issue 41\"\n \"slug\" => \"day-48-issue-41\"\n \"original_thumbnail_img\" => \"https:\/\/pcr-rss.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20230308180514-BSAK-Podcast-Thumb-3000x3000.jpg\"\n \"thumbnail_img\" => null\n \"episode_data\" => \"{\"duration\": \"03:36\", \"subtitle\": \"1 Peter 4.7-8 NLT\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n'The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other.'\\nThe idea of the world coming to an end is a challenging thought,...\", \"audio_src\": \"https:\/\/pcr-od.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20230308182228-BS_K_-_1805226frk5.mp3?awCollectionId=Be+Still+and+Know&awGenre=Religion+and+Spirituality\", \"description\": \"
1 Peter 4.7-8 NLT<\/p>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
'The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other.'<\/p>\\n
The idea of the world coming to an end is a challenging thought, but Peter wasn\u2019t in any sense threatening his readers. The New Testament writers all spoke of this as the climax and fulfilment of God\u2019s purposes. The end of the world was something which everyone should look forward to with great excitement. The last days began with the coming of Jesus into the world and will come to an end with his return, which will be a matter of great joy.<\/p>\\n
Whether Jesus returns to this earth within the next week or in a thousand years the time is limited, and Peter was concerned that this should focus his readers\u2019 minds. There was no time to lose. The challenge that he posed in the first Century applies equally to us today as we anticipate the return of Christ. His challenge is that believers should be both earnest and disciplined in their prayers. I\u2019m sure we all know how incredibly easy it is to wander in our prayers and become undisciplined. There are many ways in which we can help ourselves in this. Some people find it helpful to write down their prayers, or to follow a definite routine of prayers. I don\u2019t think it matters how we pray, but it is vital that we ensure our prayers have a well-guarded place in our lives and that they keep us on our spiritual toes.<\/p>\\n\\n\\n
The second challenge Peter issues is to show deep love for each other. In our prayers we draw close to God who is love, and so the inevitable result of spending time in his presence is that we will want to love others more. We will be looking for practical ways of showing his love. One of the ways that the early church did this was through hospitality. Peter encouraged them to open their homes to one another day by day so as to give practical support and help to one another. And, in days before church buildings, he was looking to them to open their homes so that they could worship together.<\/p>\\n
The fact that Christ might return at any moment should be a constant encouragement to us all to be both more prayerful and loving.<\/p>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
Question: How do you respond to the fact that the end of the world is coming soon?<\/p>\\n
Prayer: Lord God, help me to use my limited time here on earth wisely and well. Amen<\/p>\"}\"\n \"duration_seconds\" => 216\n \"hash\" => \"dbfe40e60e2bc1069d5d49fd69407e44\"\n \"published_at\" => \"2022-05-18 04:00:00\"\n \"created_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:37:07\"\n \"updated_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:37:07\"\n \"deleted_at\" => null\n ]\n #changes: []\n #casts: array:3 [\n \"episode_data\" => \"object\"\n \"published_at\" => \"datetime\"\n \"deleted_at\" => \"datetime\"\n ]\n #classCastCache: []\n #attributeCastCache: []\n #dateFormat: null\n #appends: []\n #dispatchesEvents: []\n #observables: []\n #relations: []\n #touches: []\n +timestamps: true\n +usesUniqueIds: false\n #hidden: []\n #visible: []\n #fillable: []\n #guarded: array:1 [\n 0 => \"*\"\n ]\n +parent_relationship: \"podcast\"\n #forceDeleting: false\n }\n 1 => App\\Models\\PodcastEpisode {#2740\n #connection: \"mysql\"\n #table: \"podcast_episodes\"\n #primaryKey: \"id\"\n #keyType: \"int\"\n +incrementing: true\n #with: []\n #withCount: []\n +preventsLazyLoading: false\n #perPage: 15\n +exists: true\n +wasRecentlyCreated: false\n #escapeWhenCastingToString: false\n #attributes: array:15 [\n \"id\" => 29416\n \"podcast_id\" => 12\n \"guid\" => \"bestillandknowpodcast.podbean.com\/95aa1704-4733-3cbf-8439-b8a133b98d11\"\n \"episode_no\" => 1382\n \"title\" => \"Day 49 - Issue 41\"\n \"slug\" => \"day-49-issue-41\"\n \"original_thumbnail_img\" => \"https:\/\/pcr-rss.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20230308180514-BSAK-Podcast-Thumb-3000x3000.jpg\"\n \"thumbnail_img\" => null\n \"episode_data\" => \"{\"duration\": \"03:43\", \"subtitle\": \"1 Peter 4.10-11 NLT\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n'God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the...\", \"audio_src\": \"https:\/\/pcr-od.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20230308182224-BS_K_-_1905228u2f5.mp3?awCollectionId=Be+Still+and+Know&awGenre=Religion+and+Spirituality\", \"description\": \"
1 Peter 4.10-11 NLT<\/p>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
'God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies.'<\/p>\\n
The New Testament is absolutely clear that we each have a gift, but it\u2019s interesting that, so often, when we identify someone\u2019s particular gift we focus our attention on the receiver and not the giver. We talk about a gifted musician or preacher or cake-maker and praise them for their gift. But if we believe that such skills and abilities are a gift from God then, surely, we should be praising him for his generosity. In these verses, Peter encourages his readers to remember where their gifts came from, and their need to keep their eyes on God as they use them.<\/p>\\n
Peter illustrated his point in two ways. Firstly, he spoke of those who have the gift of speaking. This is a particularly interesting illustration because it is very easy for an eloquent speaker to attract all the attention to themselves. Peter reminds those with this gift that their role is to be a channel through which God himself can speak. This is a staggering responsibility and underlines the importance of preachers and teachers keeping very close to the Lord. And the same is true of those who help others. Anyone, whatever their religious views or lack of them, might be involved in helping other people, but those who have this special spiritual gift must make sure that they are availing themselves of God\u2019s strength. Helping people in our own strength is never going to be of much value. It is as we open our lives to the breath of God\u2019s Spirit that we are going to be able to truly strengthen and encourage others.<\/p>\\n\\n\\n
Let me speak to you personally for a moment. You have a spiritual gift. It may not be the one you would choose or one that you have had for very long. But God has given you this gift so that others can be blessed and strengthened. I suggest that you do two things. Firstly, thank God for your gift and then, secondly, ask him to give you the strength to use it today as effectively as possible.<\/p>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
Question: What is your gift, and how are you making use of it?<\/p>\\n
Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the generous gifts that you have given to us. Help us to use them effectively for you. Amen<\/p>\"}\"\n \"duration_seconds\" => 223\n \"hash\" => \"04780de9790f6c97d2952bf0c75a8c2e\"\n \"published_at\" => \"2022-05-19 04:00:00\"\n \"created_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:37:07\"\n \"updated_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:37:07\"\n \"deleted_at\" => null\n ]\n #original: array:15 [\n \"id\" => 29416\n \"podcast_id\" => 12\n \"guid\" => \"bestillandknowpodcast.podbean.com\/95aa1704-4733-3cbf-8439-b8a133b98d11\"\n \"episode_no\" => 1382\n \"title\" => \"Day 49 - Issue 41\"\n \"slug\" => \"day-49-issue-41\"\n \"original_thumbnail_img\" => \"https:\/\/pcr-rss.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20230308180514-BSAK-Podcast-Thumb-3000x3000.jpg\"\n \"thumbnail_img\" => null\n \"episode_data\" => \"{\"duration\": \"03:43\", \"subtitle\": \"1 Peter 4.10-11 NLT\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n'God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the...\", \"audio_src\": \"https:\/\/pcr-od.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20230308182224-BS_K_-_1905228u2f5.mp3?awCollectionId=Be+Still+and+Know&awGenre=Religion+and+Spirituality\", \"description\": \"
1 Peter 4.10-11 NLT<\/p>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
'God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies.'<\/p>\\n
The New Testament is absolutely clear that we each have a gift, but it\u2019s interesting that, so often, when we identify someone\u2019s particular gift we focus our attention on the receiver and not the giver. We talk about a gifted musician or preacher or cake-maker and praise them for their gift. But if we believe that such skills and abilities are a gift from God then, surely, we should be praising him for his generosity. In these verses, Peter encourages his readers to remember where their gifts came from, and their need to keep their eyes on God as they use them.<\/p>\\n
Peter illustrated his point in two ways. Firstly, he spoke of those who have the gift of speaking. This is a particularly interesting illustration because it is very easy for an eloquent speaker to attract all the attention to themselves. Peter reminds those with this gift that their role is to be a channel through which God himself can speak. This is a staggering responsibility and underlines the importance of preachers and teachers keeping very close to the Lord. And the same is true of those who help others. Anyone, whatever their religious views or lack of them, might be involved in helping other people, but those who have this special spiritual gift must make sure that they are availing themselves of God\u2019s strength. Helping people in our own strength is never going to be of much value. It is as we open our lives to the breath of God\u2019s Spirit that we are going to be able to truly strengthen and encourage others.<\/p>\\n\\n\\n
Let me speak to you personally for a moment. You have a spiritual gift. It may not be the one you would choose or one that you have had for very long. But God has given you this gift so that others can be blessed and strengthened. I suggest that you do two things. Firstly, thank God for your gift and then, secondly, ask him to give you the strength to use it today as effectively as possible.<\/p>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
Question: What is your gift, and how are you making use of it?<\/p>\\n
Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the generous gifts that you have given to us. Help us to use them effectively for you. Amen<\/p>\"}\"\n \"duration_seconds\" => 223\n \"hash\" => \"04780de9790f6c97d2952bf0c75a8c2e\"\n \"published_at\" => \"2022-05-19 04:00:00\"\n \"created_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:37:07\"\n \"updated_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:37:07\"\n \"deleted_at\" => null\n ]\n #changes: []\n #casts: array:3 [\n \"episode_data\" => \"object\"\n \"published_at\" => \"datetime\"\n \"deleted_at\" => \"datetime\"\n ]\n #classCastCache: []\n #attributeCastCache: []\n #dateFormat: null\n #appends: []\n #dispatchesEvents: []\n #observables: []\n #relations: []\n #touches: []\n +timestamps: true\n +usesUniqueIds: false\n #hidden: []\n #visible: []\n #fillable: []\n #guarded: array:1 [\n 0 => \"*\"\n ]\n +parent_relationship: \"podcast\"\n #forceDeleting: false\n }\n 2 => App\\Models\\PodcastEpisode {#2739\n #connection: \"mysql\"\n #table: \"podcast_episodes\"\n #primaryKey: \"id\"\n #keyType: \"int\"\n +incrementing: true\n #with: []\n #withCount: []\n +preventsLazyLoading: false\n #perPage: 15\n +exists: true\n +wasRecentlyCreated: false\n #escapeWhenCastingToString: false\n #attributes: array:15 [\n \"id\" => 29413\n \"podcast_id\" => 12\n \"guid\" => \"bestillandknowpodcast.podbean.com\/330123cf-2585-38c2-91d3-13fafffd3ef2\"\n \"episode_no\" => 1383\n \"title\" => \"Day 50 - Issue 41\"\n \"slug\" => \"day-50-issue-41\"\n \"original_thumbnail_img\" => \"https:\/\/pcr-rss.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20230308180514-BSAK-Podcast-Thumb-3000x3000.jpg\"\n \"thumbnail_img\" => null\n \"episode_data\" => \"{\"duration\": \"03:20\", \"subtitle\": \"1 Peter 5.1-2 NLT\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n'As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly\u2014not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.'\\nAfter Jesus\u2019 resurr...\", \"audio_src\": \"https:\/\/pcr-od.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20230308182220-BS_K_-_20052261v3l.mp3?awCollectionId=Be+Still+and+Know&awGenre=Religion+and+Spirituality\", \"description\": \"
1 Peter 5.1-2 NLT<\/p>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
'As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly\u2014not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.'<\/p>\\n
After Jesus\u2019 resurrection, he shared breakfast with his disciples beside the Sea of Galilee and, there, he commanded Peter to take care of his sheep. In today\u2019s verses, which were written thirty or forty years later, Peter recognises that this crucial responsibility is one that he shares with many others. All churches need shepherds, people who have the gift of caring for other people and encouraging them in their Christian lives. Some of them may be paid for their ministry, but many will do it as a natural expression of their Christian service alongside other responsibilities.<\/p>\\n
The truth is that we all need caring for. However old and experienced we may be as Christians, we need others to look out for us and pray for us. This is what is known as pastoral care but, sadly, this is often focused only on those who are sick or in particular need. There is no doubt that such people have a great need to be cared for but, the fact is, we all need to be loved and nurtured. There isn\u2019t a time in our Christian lives when we should stop growing.<\/p>\\n\\n\\n
Offering pastoral care is vital but Peter stresses that it needs to be done in the right spirit. If it is done as a matter of grim duty, it will never be a blessing to others. Caring must flow from the loving heart of someone who does it willingly and gladly. Some people who offer pastoral care will be paid for this ministry, but it would be a disaster if they were to do it because of the financial reward. It must flow from their eagerness to serve God.<\/p>\\n
We all need to thank God for those who care. It is a demanding and privileged ministry which is vital if churches and Christians are to grow.<\/p>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
Question: What have you learnt from the pastoral care that you have received?<\/p>\\n
Prayer: Loving Father, thank you for those who have been like a shepherd to me. Amen<\/p>\"}\"\n \"duration_seconds\" => 200\n \"hash\" => \"85a822277256bfa17fab4e7e88f61f40\"\n \"published_at\" => \"2022-05-20 04:00:00\"\n \"created_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:37:07\"\n \"updated_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:37:07\"\n \"deleted_at\" => null\n ]\n #original: array:15 [\n \"id\" => 29413\n \"podcast_id\" => 12\n \"guid\" => \"bestillandknowpodcast.podbean.com\/330123cf-2585-38c2-91d3-13fafffd3ef2\"\n \"episode_no\" => 1383\n \"title\" => \"Day 50 - Issue 41\"\n \"slug\" => \"day-50-issue-41\"\n \"original_thumbnail_img\" => \"https:\/\/pcr-rss.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20230308180514-BSAK-Podcast-Thumb-3000x3000.jpg\"\n \"thumbnail_img\" => null\n \"episode_data\" => \"{\"duration\": \"03:20\", \"subtitle\": \"1 Peter 5.1-2 NLT\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n'As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly\u2014not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.'\\nAfter Jesus\u2019 resurr...\", \"audio_src\": \"https:\/\/pcr-od.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20230308182220-BS_K_-_20052261v3l.mp3?awCollectionId=Be+Still+and+Know&awGenre=Religion+and+Spirituality\", \"description\": \"
1 Peter 5.1-2 NLT<\/p>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
'As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly\u2014not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.'<\/p>\\n
After Jesus\u2019 resurrection, he shared breakfast with his disciples beside the Sea of Galilee and, there, he commanded Peter to take care of his sheep. In today\u2019s verses, which were written thirty or forty years later, Peter recognises that this crucial responsibility is one that he shares with many others. All churches need shepherds, people who have the gift of caring for other people and encouraging them in their Christian lives. Some of them may be paid for their ministry, but many will do it as a natural expression of their Christian service alongside other responsibilities.<\/p>\\n
The truth is that we all need caring for. However old and experienced we may be as Christians, we need others to look out for us and pray for us. This is what is known as pastoral care but, sadly, this is often focused only on those who are sick or in particular need. There is no doubt that such people have a great need to be cared for but, the fact is, we all need to be loved and nurtured. There isn\u2019t a time in our Christian lives when we should stop growing.<\/p>\\n\\n\\n
Offering pastoral care is vital but Peter stresses that it needs to be done in the right spirit. If it is done as a matter of grim duty, it will never be a blessing to others. Caring must flow from the loving heart of someone who does it willingly and gladly. Some people who offer pastoral care will be paid for this ministry, but it would be a disaster if they were to do it because of the financial reward. It must flow from their eagerness to serve God.<\/p>\\n
We all need to thank God for those who care. It is a demanding and privileged ministry which is vital if churches and Christians are to grow.<\/p>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
Question: What have you learnt from the pastoral care that you have received?<\/p>\\n
Prayer: Loving Father, thank you for those who have been like a shepherd to me. Amen<\/p>\"}\"\n \"duration_seconds\" => 200\n \"hash\" => \"85a822277256bfa17fab4e7e88f61f40\"\n \"published_at\" => \"2022-05-20 04:00:00\"\n \"created_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:37:07\"\n \"updated_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:37:07\"\n \"deleted_at\" => null\n ]\n #changes: []\n #casts: array:3 [\n \"episode_data\" => \"object\"\n \"published_at\" => \"datetime\"\n \"deleted_at\" => \"datetime\"\n ]\n #classCastCache: []\n #attributeCastCache: []\n #dateFormat: null\n #appends: []\n #dispatchesEvents: []\n #observables: []\n #relations: []\n #touches: []\n +timestamps: true\n +usesUniqueIds: false\n #hidden: []\n #visible: []\n #fillable: []\n #guarded: array:1 [\n 0 => \"*\"\n ]\n +parent_relationship: \"podcast\"\n #forceDeleting: false\n }\n ]\n #escapeWhenCastingToString: false\n }\n \"previousEpisode\" => App\\Models\\PodcastEpisode {#2730\n #connection: \"mysql\"\n #table: \"podcast_episodes\"\n #primaryKey: \"id\"\n #keyType: \"int\"\n +incrementing: true\n #with: []\n #withCount: []\n +preventsLazyLoading: false\n #perPage: 15\n +exists: true\n +wasRecentlyCreated: false\n #escapeWhenCastingToString: false\n #attributes: array:15 [\n \"id\" => 29425\n \"podcast_id\" => 12\n \"guid\" => \"bestillandknowpodcast.podbean.com\/d0950160-04d4-35de-b1ed-a5d7b91e2821\"\n \"episode_no\" => 1379\n \"title\" => \"Day 46 - Issue 41\"\n \"slug\" => \"day-46-issue-41\"\n \"original_thumbnail_img\" => \"https:\/\/pcr-rss.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20230308180514-BSAK-Podcast-Thumb-3000x3000.jpg\"\n \"thumbnail_img\" => null\n \"episode_data\" => \"{\"duration\": \"03:28\", \"subtitle\": \"1 Peter 3.9 NLT\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n'Don\u2019t repay evil for evil. Don\u2019t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.'\\nIf you have ever been insulte...\", \"audio_src\": \"https:\/\/pcr-od.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20230308182234-BS_K_-_1605228l81f.mp3?awCollectionId=Be+Still+and+Know&awGenre=Religion+and+Spirituality\", \"description\": \"
1 Peter 3.9 NLT<\/p>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
'Don\u2019t repay evil for evil. Don\u2019t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.'<\/p>\\n
If you have ever been insulted, you will know that the immediate reflex reaction is to want to even the scores. In the pain of the moment, we are all inclined to cry out for justice because it\u2019s just not right that people should get away with insulting us. It would seem that Peter\u2019s readers were well used to being insulted. Christianity was a new phenomenon, and its teachings stood in sharp contrast to the thinking of the time. Christians faced verbal and physical attacks on a regular basis.<\/p>\\n
Christians have been under attack at many times throughout the past 2,000 years. There are horrifying stories of the ways in which the Salvation Army was attacked in this country in the latter part of the 19th Century. There are distressing accounts of dead animals, some set alight, being hurled at passing Salvationists as they processed through the streets. Others threw stones, paint- filled eggs, burning coals and rotten fish. Chamber pots were emptied from upper windows over the heads of men and women below. Thousands of people were injured and some were killed. And in our own day there are many Christians around the world who live with continual abuse and persecution because of their faith.<\/p>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
Facing insults is incredibly tough, and if you are experiencing this at the moment then you have my heartfelt sympathy. It\u2019s understandable that you would want to fight back. But Jesus shows us a completely different way. He calls us to respond with blessing. That\u2019s easy to say, and incredibly difficult to do but that is the way of Christ. This proves to us once again that it is absolutely impossible for us to live the Christian life in our own strength. We need to ensure that we depend completely upon the strength which God gives us. Only as we allow his Spirit to fill us can we possibly live in this way.<\/p>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
Question: If you have recently been insulted, how are you going to bless that person? And if you haven\u2019t had such an experience, how will you be able to equip yourself to respond to any future insult with blessing?<\/p>\\n
Prayer: Lord God, I recognise that I need your strength every moment of every day. Amen<\/p>\"}\"\n \"duration_seconds\" => 208\n \"hash\" => \"d2ed19d11e61cf16a3c11599d2c5bbe3\"\n \"published_at\" => \"2022-05-16 04:00:00\"\n \"created_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:37:08\"\n \"updated_at\" => \"2024-12-19 13:37:08\"\n \"deleted_at\" => null\n ]\n #original: array:15 [\n \"id\" => 29425\n \"podcast_id\" => 12\n \"guid\" => \"bestillandknowpodcast.podbean.com\/d0950160-04d4-35de-b1ed-a5d7b91e2821\"\n \"episode_no\" => 1379\n \"title\" => \"Day 46 - Issue 41\"\n \"slug\" => \"day-46-issue-41\"\n \"original_thumbnail_img\" => \"https:\/\/pcr-rss.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20230308180514-BSAK-Podcast-Thumb-3000x3000.jpg\"\n \"thumbnail_img\" => null\n \"episode_data\" => \"{\"duration\": \"03:28\", \"subtitle\": \"1 Peter 3.9 NLT\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n'Don\u2019t repay evil for evil. Don\u2019t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.'\\nIf you have ever been insulte...\", \"audio_src\": \"https:\/\/pcr-od.streamguys1.com\/be-still-and-know\/20230308182234-BS_K_-_1605228l81f.mp3?awCollectionId=Be+Still+and+Know&awGenre=Religion+and+Spirituality\", \"description\": \"
1 Peter 3.9 NLT<\/p>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
'Don\u2019t repay evil for evil. Don\u2019t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.'<\/p>\\n
If you have ever been insulted, you will know that the immediate reflex reaction is to want to even the scores. In the pain of the moment, we are all inclined to cry out for justice because it\u2019s just not right that people should get away with insulting us. It would seem that Peter\u2019s readers were well used to being insulted. Christianity was a new phenomenon, and its teachings stood in sharp contrast to the thinking of the time. Christians faced verbal and physical attacks on a regular basis.<\/p>\\n
Christians have been under attack at many times throughout the past 2,000 years. There are horrifying stories of the ways in which the Salvation Army was attacked in this country in the latter part of the 19th Century. There are distressing accounts of dead animals, some set alight, being hurled at passing Salvationists as they processed through the streets. Others threw stones, paint- filled eggs, burning coals and rotten fish. Chamber pots were emptied from upper windows over the heads of men and women below. Thousands of people were injured and some were killed. And in our own day there are many Christians around the world who live with continual abuse and persecution because of their faith.<\/p>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
Facing insults is incredibly tough, and if you are experiencing this at the moment then you have my heartfelt sympathy. It\u2019s understandable that you would want to fight back. But Jesus shows us a completely different way. He calls us to respond with blessing. That\u2019s easy to say, and incredibly difficult to do but that is the way of Christ. This proves to us once again that it is absolutely impossible for us to live the Christian life in our own strength. We need to ensure that we depend completely upon the strength which God gives us. Only as we allow his Spirit to fill us can we possibly live in this way.<\/p>\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
Question: If you have recently been insulted, how are you going to bless that person? And if you haven\u2019t had such an experience, how will you be able to equip yourself to respond to any future insult with blessing?<\/p>\\n
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[]\n<\/pre>