Dear Lena,
What a God we have!
And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven-and the future starts now!
Lena, this world is not your home, so don't make yourself cozy in it. Don't indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. Remember, the Day is coming when you'll have it all-life healed and whole.
Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out
proved genuine. Lena, when Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory. You never saw him, yet you love him. You still don't see him, yet you trust him-with laughter and singing. Because you kept on believing, you'll get what you're looking forward to: total salvation.
Lena, don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn't know any better then; you do now. You call out to God for help and he helps-he's a good Father that way. But don't forget, he's also a responsible Father, and won't let you get by with sloppy living.
Lena, keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You're not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It's the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won't last forever. It won't be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ-eternal and glorious plans they are!-will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.
It's judgment time for Christians. We're first in line. If it starts with us, think what it's going to be like for those who refuse God's Message! If good people barely make it, What's in store for the bad? So if you find life difficult because you're doing what God said, Lena, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he's doing, and he'll keep on doing it.
Never forget that Jesus has the last word on everything and everyone, from angels to armies. He's standing right alongside God, and what he says goes.
Lena, everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything.
Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless-that's your job, Lena, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing. Whoever wants to embrace life and see the day fill up with good,
Here's what you do, Lena: Say nothing evil or hurtful; Snub evil and cultivate good; run after peace for all you're worth. God looks on all this with approval, listening and responding well to what he's asked; But he turns his back on those who do evil things.
Lena, 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.
With love and blessings,
Peter
1 Peter verses taken from the Message paraphrase
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