We're going through the Bible, book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse, and I know I say this about every book,

but really looking forward to First Peter. So, the first five verses of chapter one, I'll ask you to stand if you're able.

You can follow along as I read. If not, where you're seated is just fine. The Apostle Peter,

by the Holy Spirit, verse 1. Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to God's elect, exiles, scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Capadocia,

Asia, and Bethinia, who, verse 2, have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father through the sanctifying

work of the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ.

There's the Trinity right there.

And sprinkled with his blood. grace and peace be yours in abundance. Praise, verse 3,

be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In His great mercy, He has given us new birth into a living hope

through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fate.

This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power

until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed

in the last time. Wow. Let's pray if you would please join with me. Father, thank you so, so much for your word. Wow, this is just a taste of what's here in this

first letter. Lord, thank you for inspiring Peter to write this. Here we are well nigh 2,000 years later and what a blessing and an

encouragement this is going to be for us. So Lord, will you minister to us and speak

into our lives in and through your word? Lord, be our teacher and be our guide.

We open up our ears to hear and our hearts to receive. So Lord, as we do speak, for your servants are listening, we pray. In Jesus' name. Amen. And amen. You can be seated. Thank you.

So I want to talk with you today about why it is that we can choose, keyword choose, hope in the midst of persecution and trials and difficulties.

Anyone in a trial today?

I like how one said it, you're either coming out of a trial, right smack in the middle

of a trial, or about to go into a trial.

Doesn't that just, isn't that perky?

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