In the name of Jesus
& in the will of God
In the name of Jesus and in the will of God,
Today, I choose to surrender my whole self to Jesus—my heart, mind, body, and soul—and to God’s will.
I hand over my plans, my worries, and my fears, asking Jesus to take control of all aspects of my life and to live as guided by the Holy Spirit. I repent of all sin and have confessed all. I release and give all my past, pains and sufferings, all bindings, and all my pains and burdens to Jesus.
All that needs to be fixed—in Truth, in Love, or replaced—I ask for from Jesus.
In the name of Jesus, all the dark spirits I rebuke;
in the name of Jesus, all the fools I rebuke;
in the name of Jesus, all the bad tools I rebuke;
in the name of Jesus, all the lies I rebuke;
in the name of Jesus, all the spies I rebuke;
in the name of Jesus, all the tricks I rebuke;
in the name of Jesus, all the poisons I rebuke;
in the name of Jesus, all the attacks I rebuke;
in the name of Jesus, all the slander I rebuke;
in the name of Jesus, all the misguidance I rebuke.
In the name of Jesus, I ask for all the strength, Love, Truth, and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and purify my heart, mind, and soul. Guide me in Love, and let my true loving self in Jesus be in all my ways and in all my days and nights. Take care of everything, and mold me into the one You created me to be, for Your glory alone and in the name of Jesus.
I am in Your presence.
I am still.
I am humble.
I am Your loving child in the body of Jesus.
God wins, and God is Love.
God bless all in the name of Jesus.
Amen. Amen.
1 Peter 3:8-22
Suffering for Doing Good
8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For,
“Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
and their lips from deceitful speech.
11 They must turn from evil and do good;
they must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 19 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
1 Peter 3:8–22
1 Peter 3:8–22 calls believers to unity and compassion amid suffering, urging them not to retaliate against evil but to respond with blessings, drawing from Psalm 34 to emphasize righteous living and pursuit of peace. It reassures that no true harm befalls those eager for good, even in persecution, and highlights Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection as the ultimate example and hope, including his proclamation to imprisoned spirits and the symbolic role of baptism as a pledge of clear conscience. This passage equips early Christians facing trials by framing suffering as a path to blessing and inheritance, while instructing them to always be ready to defend their faith gently, culminating in Christ’s exalted authority over all powers.
Key themes and meanings
Unity and compassionate response to evil: Peter exhorts, “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble” (v. 8), and “Do not repay evil with evil… but repay evil with blessing” (v. 9), promoting harmony and non-retaliation as marks of Christian character that lead to inheriting God’s blessing, countering the divisiveness of persecution.
Hope in suffering and apologetics: Even if persecuted for righteousness, believers are blessed and should “revere Christ as Lord” and “be prepared to give an answer… with gentleness and respect” (vv. 14–15), underscoring that a clear conscience silences accusers and that suffering aligns with God’s will when done for good, fostering resilience through Christ’s example.
Christ’s atonement and baptismal symbolism: Christ’s suffering “once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God” (v. 18) extends to his post-resurrection proclamation and the ark’s water prefiguring baptism, which saves not physically but as “the pledge of a clear conscience toward God” through resurrection (vv. 20–21), affirming salvation’s spiritual depth and Christ’s supreme lordship (v. 22).
1 Peter 4
Living for God
4 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Suffering for Being a Christian
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And,
“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
1 Peter 4
1 Peter 4 encourages believers to adopt Christ’s mindset in suffering, breaking free from sinful desires to live for God’s will, contrasting past pagan excesses with present sobriety and service. It warns of impending judgment while stressing deep love that covers sins, the stewardship of spiritual gifts for God’s glory, and viewing trials as participation in Christ’s sufferings, leading to future joy. Addressing a community under scrutiny, the chapter reframes fiery ordeals as normative tests of faith, calling sufferers to entrust themselves to their faithful Creator and persist in doing good, even as judgment begins with God’s household.
Key themes and meanings
Renunciation of sin and alignment with God’s will: “Since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves… with the same attitude” (v. 1), urging a decisive break from “debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry” (v. 3) to live “for the will of God” (v. 2), portraying suffering as a catalyst for holiness that silences critics and prepares for accountability before the Judge (vv. 4–5).
Love, service, and eschatological urgency: With “the end of all things… near,” believers must “be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray” and “love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (vv. 7–8), using gifts as “faithful stewards of God’s grace” (v. 10) to glorify God, emphasizing communal hospitality and speech empowered by divine strength (vv. 9–11).
Joyful participation in Christ’s sufferings: “Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal… but rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ” (vv. 12–13), promising blessing through the resting Spirit and warning against shameful suffering, while quoting Proverbs to affirm that if the righteous are scarcely saved, the ungodly face peril (vv. 14–18); thus, commit to the Creator amid trials (v. 19).
1 Samuel 16
Samuel Anoints David
16 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”
2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”
The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”
4 Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”
5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.”
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”
Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.
Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”
13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.
David in Saul’s Service
14 Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil[a] spirit from the Lord tormented him.
15 Saul’s attendants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. 16 Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the lyre. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes on you, and you will feel better.”
17 So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.”
18 One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him.”
19 Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” 20 So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul.
21 David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. 22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”
23 Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.
1 Samuel 16
1 Samuel 16 is significant for God’s choice of David as the next king, which highlights the theme that God looks at the heart, not outward appearance. It also establishes a parallel between David and Saul, as the Spirit of the Lord departs from Saul and a tormenting spirit from the Lord takes its place, while David’s anointing with the Spirit is described. The chapter further details how David’s musical talent became a source of comfort for the distressed Saul, setting the stage for their future interactions.
Key themes and meanings
God’s discernment of the heart: God explicitly tells Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (v. 7). This emphasizes that God’s choice of David was based on his inner character, a rejection of human-based judgment on physical traits or status, unlike Saul who was chosen for his imposing stature but lacked a true heart for God.
Divine sovereignty in leadership transitions: Despite Samuel’s fear of Saul’s retaliation, God orchestrates the secret anointing at Bethlehem (vv. 1–5), with the Spirit empowering David immediately upon anointing (v. 13), signaling a shift from Saul’s rejected reign to David’s Spirit-filled future, underscoring God’s control over kingship beyond human scheming.
Providence in relational dynamics: The “evil spirit from the Lord” tormenting Saul (v. 14) leads to David’s entry into the court as a musician who soothes him (vv. 15–23), ironically positioning the future king as Saul’s armor-bearer and beloved servant, illustrating how God weaves personal talents and circumstances into larger redemptive purposes.
