Photography & Thoughts // By the Sea & I Peter

   Hello all! I hope that you are enjoying your weekend thus far and getting ready for a lovely Sunday. Remember last weekend when I mentioned taking photos at the beach? Well, here are a few shots from that day! You'll notice that it was a distinctly overcast day, so nearly everything is cast in gray. To me, it is fitting for the drama and wild beauty of the sea.

   Earlier this week I went through some study notes and letters, deciding what to keep and what to throw away. I came across a note from an older gentleman we used to go to church with who has since passed away. In the note, 1 Peter 3:6-9 was mentioned. I decided to read the passage, and began in verse 3. Finding it encouraging, I jotted down a few notes on things that the scripture taught me. Now, I hope to in turn encourage you!

^"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, ⁵ who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶ In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, ⁷ so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; ⁸ and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, ⁹ obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls."

I Peter 1:3-9

1.  Our inheritance is eternal. While the world strives for what is temporary, we can know that the true treasure lasts beyond this life on earth.

2. The trials we face are not a punishment. They are rather a testing by fire, purifying our faith. We find after trials that our faith is stronger, and we have grown.

3. These trials ultimately bring God glory. Far from being for our demise, they are for our joy as the Lord is honored.

4. We can see the division of the true treasure of eternal life in Christ and the vain riches that the world strives for. Houses, cars, beauty and fame will all be lost. The joy that comes from living for Christ and belonging to him will continue on forever.

Have you been encouraged by any particular scriptures lately?
What do you learn from this passage in I Peter?


For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.
I Thessalonians 5:9-11