What an awesome Easter! This past Sunday, we heard from Pastor Steven as he kicked off our brand new series, Resilient: A study through 1 Peter. We learned about the strength of having a living hope – a hope in Jesus – in the midst of a world that is falling apart. The things of this life will fail us and let us down, but Jesus is constant, victorious, and never failing.

What a TERRIBLE way to live!

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

1 Peter 1:1-2

Why am I trying to prove I belong?

Why do I spend so much time building a life that I can’t keep?

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

1 Peter 1:3-5

Is my hope dead or alive?

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:6-9

Hope is the DNA of people who learn from loss.

How do I grow hope?

Wednesdays Parenting with Emotional Intelligence: What is Love, Really?