Peter writes, quoting Proverbs, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." We see a practical version of this in the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector. One is proud, one is humble. One leaves justified, one does not. As we look at our own lives, do we live lives boasting in ourselves and in our works, or do we humbly boast in Christ and His work?

The Bible talks plenty about love, not as much about hospitality. We hear in 1 Peter that love covers a multitude of sins, and to show hospitality to one another. Hospitality literally means "love of a stranger." As we also remember Thanksgiving this time of the year, we give thanks for the many things that God has given us including His love. We love because He first loved us. We show hospitality to others because God has been hospitable to us, taking care of us, out of His divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in us.

Peter writes, "in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." We have a living hope because we believe in a living God, and in the world we live in people may ask us questions about our faith, and we're called to always be ready, prepared, to give an answer, make a defense for the reason for the hope that we have. That reason is none other than Jesus Christ and His death and resurrection.

If you are a little older, you might be able to easily sing the lyrics of the song. Or you may think about some comedian that talked about how he got "no respect." Who is respect for? Is it earned? Is it freely given? If we use another word synonymous with respect, we might use the word honor. In a world that often lacks respect or honor, what does God's Word say about it, and how is God Himself, in the person of Jesus, treated with honor and respect?

As we hear the stories of a number of team members who were a part of this trip, we keep in mind the words of Peter who tells us that we "are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." Each of us have been called and chosen by God to be proclaimers of the One who has called us out of darkness, out of sin and death, and into His marvelous light, into eternal life.

God has done many great things for us. None of them more important than the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He did it for the forgiveness of our sins, and for our salvation. Yet, while we are here on this earth we go through many trials and temptations. And even though these earthly problems may never go away, God has secured our place in heaven, free from all sin and death and struggle. As Peter writes to fellow Christians who are undergoing various kinds of afflictions, he writes to them giving them hope, a living hope, in the life that is to come for them, who by faith will receive it.

If you like to read, you might know that there are different categories of books: mystery, romance, fiction, science fiction, and even self-help. If you've ever read a self-help book it's about improving yourself regarding whatever area the book is about (certain habits, characteristics, quirks, etc.). Sometimes as Christians, we want to know how we can improve ourselves, or even what we can do for God. As we get to the end of the book of Hebrews, the author lays out a number of things that you can do as you live out your Christian life... Understand, in the end, it's NOT just about you!

Hebrews tells us to "run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross..." We all have a race that we run, a marathon race of this life. Each of our races is different, but the goal is the same, to finish the race. Jesus helps us finish our race in life and finish it in faith, so that we join that great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us in the faith.

Bu Faith, Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac...

Do you ever feel like you're not good enough? If so, how does that make you feel? Unworthy? Unloveable? Not worthy of the love of other people? Not worthy of the love of God? Even though we know the difference between right and wrong, we never are good enough for God, because we are not perfect. So, God sent His perfect Son to be perfect for us. And through Jesus' death and resurrection, through His means of grace (His Word and Sacraments), God says we are good enough, that we are loved, and that we are worth dying for.