"..do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance." I Pet 1:14

Peter has been encouraging the 'aliens' and 'strangers'. They've been given an awesome rescue by God that makes them the envy of prophets and angels. So, how should they respond? Lets see...

How greatly favored are these 'strangers' and 'aliens'; these 'scattered ones' throughout the world! This morning, Peter is telling them that they are favored of God with a 'rescue' that has been planned since time immemorial. It's just one more thing that sets us apart - that makes us 'strange'!

One more thing makes us 'aliens and strangers' in this world - sets us apart in a remarkable way - that is our perseverance. The Christian 'endures' when hardships come. He persevers - he even rejoices! - right in the midst of his griefs! And that, thw world will call 'strange'. Lets take a look...

When Peter calls us 'stranges in the world', he seems to be using it as a title of honor! There's a reason for that. Every little thing that makes us 'strange' in the eyes of the world is an incredible, enviable blessing. This morning, let's look at just one of them: the joy of the 'Stranger'.

"It is my desire that we be better strangers," Jokes one of Shakespeare"s characters (Orlando in As You Like It). But for the Christian, that is no joke! It is supremely important that we live 'as strangers in the world'. It's one of the points that Peter will make in this marvelous, uplifting, encouraging letter!

Merry Christian! Salt and Light!

"Joy to the world!" More than any other word or concept, 'joy' is what typifies Christmas. 'Joy' was announced to the shepherds that night; the Wise Men 'overjoyed' to see that Bethlehem star. And 'joy' was promised constantly, in the prophecies of Christmas. How are you doing with 'joy'? Here are three wonderful reasons for you to find joy this this year! Merry Christmas!

"The riddle we can guess, we speedily despise" writes Emily Dickinson, Well, no one is goingto despise

this passage of Scripture! The final portion of the Book of Daniel is full of mystery. Daniel himself could

not explain it! But there's a beautiful reason for that: this book was written for you, not him!

"Light breaks where no sun shines..." writes Dylan Thomas in one of his poems. Our Scripture this morning says much more that that! In the darkness and gloom of a world lost in sin, the "light that breaks" will be you! Yes! You, dear Chriistian, are going to "shine", and the sight of it will be glorious!

Just two little verses in our text this morning tell all the story of the end of time: The Great Tribulation,

the Rescue of the Church (Rapture), the Resurrection and the Judgment. Are you ready for that? How do you

know? There's only one way to be sure: make sure your name is written in the Book!