Amens: 1 Peter

Talk about a challenge to rise up, step up, man up, grow up, straighten up. Just some highlights from The Message's translation of 1 Peter.

1 Peter 1: 5,6 - The Day is coming when you'll have it all - life healed and whole. I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime.

1 Peter 1: 7 - ...it's your faith...that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.

1 Peter 1: 14-16 - Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. ... As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, "I am holy; you be holy."

1 Peter 2: 5 - Present yourselves as building stones for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life, in which you'll serve as holy priests offering Christ-approved lives up to God.

1 Peter 4: 2 - Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you'll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want.

1 Peter 4: 10, 11 - Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything ...

1 Peter 4: 12 - Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job.

1 Peter 4: 19 - So if you find life difficult because you're doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he's doing, and he'll keep on doing it.

1 Peter 5: 6,7 - So be content with who you are, and don't put on airs. God's strong hand is on you; he'll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you.