Living On Purpose In Christ | Christianity, Biblical Encouragement, Aromatherapy, Devotions, Essential Oils, Journal Prompts

131 | What Does Biblical Christian Living Look Like Today? Words of Wisdom from 1 Peter

• Paula Behrens | Christian Coach, Pastor, Certified Essential Oil Practitioner • Season 3

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What if the most powerful kind of faith is the kind no one applauds? We open with a family crisis that turned a festive Christmas into a humble meal and, unexpectedly, a quiet altar of surrender. From that tender starting point, we walk through 1 Peter, using a gentle Greek word study to uncover a living hope that holds when plans collapse and the spotlight is gone.

We trace Peter's arc from failure to restoration and why his voice matters for ordinary believers who feel scattered by life. Our devotions dive deep into how identity as God's chosen people reshapes small decisions, with practical biblical encouragement that explores how trials refine faith like fire tempers gold. We'll unpack the Greek idea of elpis—a confident expectation rooted in the resurrection—and discuss how hope should be visible in tone, choices, and endurance.

Relationships take center stage: gentleness as strength, respect as witness, and a clear conscience that can answer hard questions without heat or haste. Peter's image of living stones makes belonging tangible, and his call to serve with our gifts cuts through comparison culture. Leaders shepherd by example. Everyone wears humility. And at the heart of it all sits one of Scripture's softest invitations: cast all your anxiety on God because He cares.

If you're hungry for a steadier rhythm of Scripture, prayer, and simple practices that fit real life, you'll find clear guidance, grounded encouragement, and next steps to make your hope show up where it counts.

If this resonated, share it with a friend who needs quiet courage. Follow the show, leave a review to help others find it, and join our Bible study circle at EssentialFaithJourney.com to keep growing with us.

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Paula Behrens:

If you have ever wondered whether your faith really counts when it is lived out quietly, faithfully, and mostly out of the spotlight, stay with me all the way to the end of this episode. I'm going to invite you to hang out with us inside our Bible study circle where we walk through scripture together in a way that fits real life, real schedules, and real questions.

Paula Behrens:

But first, let me take you back to a time when life taught me a profound lesson about finding beauty in the unexpected. You know, life can sometimes take unexpected turns, leading us to places we never imagined. In my very first appointment as a pastor, I faced such a moment when my two boys needed surgery. My youngest son was stepping up to give a kidney to his older brother. This unexpected event led me to ask that my appointment be shortened so that I could be by their side to support them. I planned to lead the Christmas Eve candlelight service, but on Christmas Day, I found myself undecorating the tree and loading the moving van with my parents. On our journey back to Houston, we encountered an unexpected twist. All the restaurants were closed. What we envisioned as an abundant Christmas celebration transformed into a simple stop at Jack in the Box for tacos. Yet, in this humble meal shared with family, God tenderly reminded me of the beauty of surrender, showing how joy and gratitude can be discovered even in the simplest of moments.

Paula Behrens:

Are you finding it difficult to figure out where God is leading you through the whirlwind of daily life? Perhaps, like me, you've had moments of doubt, surprise encounters, and maybe even a bit of overwhelm along the way. Well, if that resonates with you and you're yearning for clarity, peace, and faith-focused encouragement, this podcast is for you. You want to grow closer to God, but let's be honest, your days are full, your mind is busy, and your devotional routine feels more like a struggle than a sanctuary. That's exactly why I created the Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour. This one-on-one session is designed to make deepening your relationship with God simple, peaceful, and personal. No pressure, no overwhelm, just a guided, spirit-led approach to help you reset and reconnect with Jesus in a way that truly fits your life. You won't leave empty-handed either. Before our coaching call, you'll receive an essential oil sampler to use during our online session to enhance this fun spiritual journey. You'll walk away with everything you need to continue your journey, including a printable devotional planning guide to help you stay consistent, a beautiful gospel reading plan that walks you through the life of Jesus, a downloadable prayer journal to reflect, process, and pray intentionally, and practical guidance on how to use essential oils to quiet your mind and invite peace into your spiritual practices.

Paula Behrens:

You don't need fancy tools or hours of free time. You just need a doable plan and someone to help you make it real. So let's make your devotional life easy, meaningful, and refreshingly Christ centered. It's time to simplify your spiritual life so you can savor it again. Book your Aroma of Christ coaching hour today at PaulaBehrens.com/coaching. That's Paula Behrens B E H R E N S .com/coaching (no spaces). Look for a link in the show notes. All right, it's time to get started. Grab your Bible, dust off your journal, cozy up to your favorite beverage, and let's dive in.

Paula Behrens:

You know, there's something about the book of 1 Peter that feels incredibly personal to everyday Christians. It was written for believers who were not living in a spiritual bubble, but surrounded by people who shared their values and not applauded for their faith. It was written to people who loved Jesus and were simply trying to live that love out in the middle of ordinary life. That's why 1 Peter still feels so fresh, so relevant, and so encouraging today. Peter writes this letter to believers who are scattered. They are geographically scattered, socially scattered and emotionally scattered. They are learning what it means to follow Christ in a culture that does not always understand or welcome them. These believers are not being told to escape the world. They are being taught how to live faithfully within it. And Peter, of all people, is the one writing to them. This is the same Peter who once spoke boldly and then stumbled badly, the same Peter who denied Jesus out of fear and was later restored by grace. That matters because Peter does not write from a place of perfection. He writes from experience. He knows what it's like to fail, to be forgiven, and to be transformed by the presence of Christ.

Paula Behrens:

From the opening lines, Peter reminds believers that they are chosen, not forgotten, not overlooked, not random, chosen according to the foreknowledge of God. That one truth alone changes everything. It tells us that even when our lives feel small or hidden, God sees us fully and knows us completely. Peter quickly anchors believers in what he calls a living hope. Now, this hope is not fragile. It does not depend on circumstances going well or people treating us fairly. It is rooted in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because Jesus is alive, hope is alive, and because hope is alive, believers can endure seasons that feel heavy or uncertain. Peter does not shy away from the reality of hardship. He acknowledges that trials will come and he names them honestly. But he also reframes them. He explains that trials refine faith the way fire refines gold. Not to destroy it, but to strengthen it. This perspective does not make pain disappear, but it does give pain a purpose. For Christians today, especially those who feel spiritually tired or emotionally stretched, this message is deeply comforting. God is not surprised by your struggles. He is not disappointed by your weakness. He is at work, even in seasons that feel uncomfortable.

Paula Behrens:

Peter then calls believers to live with intentional holiness. Not a stiff, rule-based holiness, but a lived out holiness shaped by love and reverence for God. This holiness flows from identity, not fear. It's about living in alignment with who you are in Christ. One of the most freeing truths Peter shares is that transformation comes through God's Word. Believers have been born again through the living and enduring Word of God. This means lasting change does not depend on willpower or performance. It depends on God's truth taking root in receptive hearts. As the letter continues into chapter two, Peter shifts toward identity and purpose and community. He uses the image of living stones being built together into a spiritual house. Each believer matters, each one has a place. Faith is deeply personal, but it was never meant to be lived alone.

Paula Behrens:

Then Peter makes one of the most powerful identity statements in all of Scripture. He tells believers, You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people. These words are not decorative, they are defining. They connect New Testament believers directly to Old Testament themes of calling, anointing, and purpose. When Peter calls believers a royal priesthood, he is describing a shared calling. God's people now bear witness to Jesus' character, his mercy, and his saving work in the world through how they now live. All of this language about identity, belonging, and purpose raises an important question. How were these believers expected to keep living this way when life was hard, when they felt misunderstood, and when obedience sometimes came at a cost? Peter does not leave them guessing. He keeps pointing them back to the one steady anchor that runs through the entire letter.

Paula Behrens:

One of the most important words Peter uses is the Greek word elpis (ἐλπίς), which we translate as hope. But this is not the kind of hope that sounds like 'I hope things get better,' or 'I hope this works out.' In the New Testament, elelpis (ἐλπίς) describes a confident expectation, something secure and certain, not fragile or wishful. Peter introduces this word right at the beginning when he speaks of a living hope. This hope is alive because it is anchored in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because Jesus lives, hope lives. And because hope lives, believers are able to endure seasons that feel heavy, confusing, or unfair. This hope does not ignore suffering, though. It stands steady in the middle of it. What makes elpis (ἐλπίς) especially important in 1 Peter is how it shapes daily life. Hope is not treated as a private feeling tucked away in the heart. It becomes visible. It affects how believers respond to hardship, how they treat others, and how they continue to do good, even when it is costly. Later in the letter, Peter tells believers to be ready to explain the hope that is within them. This tells us that this hope can be seen. It shows up in the way believers live.

Paula Behrens:

And that brings us right back into the flow of the letter, because everything Peter says next about relationships, suffering, humility, and endurance is built on this living hope. Without it, his instructions would feel impossible. With it, they become sustainable. Hope is what allows believers to keep showing up faithfully even when life feels uncertain. As Peter moves into chapter three, he focuses on relationships and witness. He speaks to believers about how faith shows up in marriage, in conversations, and in daily interactions. He emphasizes a posture of humility, respect, and gentleness, not as weakness, but as strength rooted in trust in God. Peter encourages believers to maintain a clear conscience and to respond to opposition with grace. He reminds them to be ready to explain their hope, but to do so with gentleness and respect. The tone matters. Our witness is shaped not just by what we say, but by how we say it. Chapter 3 also reminds believers that suffering for doing good is not a sign of failure. Christ Himself suffered unjustly and yet triumphed. Peter points to Jesus' victory to reassure believers that obedience, even when costly, is never wasted.

Paula Behrens:

In chapter 4, Peter turns more directly to the reality of suffering and endurance. He tells believers not to be surprised when trials come, as though something strange were happening. Following Christ means sharing in his sufferings, but it also means sharing in his glory. Peter is careful here. He does not glorify suffering. He simply acknowledges it as part of the Christian journey. He reminds believers that when they suffer for their faith, God's presence is not absent. The Spirit of God rests on them. Peter also speaks about stewardship in chapter four. Every believer has been entrusted with gifts, abilities, and opportunities. These are not given for comparison or competition, but for service. God values faithfulness over visibility. Quiet service matters deeply to him.

Paula Behrens:

As the letter moves into chapter 5, Peter addresses leaders and the broader community. He calls leaders to shepherd God's people with humility and care, not control or pressure. Leadership, in Peter's view, is about example, not dominance. Then Peter speaks to everyone. He calls believers to clothe themselves with humility toward one another. Pride isolates. Humility builds connection. Humility creates space for grace. One of the most tender moments in the letter appears here. Peter invites believers to cast all their anxiety on God because he cares for them. Now, this is not theory. This is deeply personal. Peter knows fear, he knows anxiety, and he reminds believers that God's care is constant and compassionate.

Paula Behrens:

Peter then closes the letter with encouragement and promise. He assures believers that suffering is temporary, but God's grace is lasting. God himself will restore, strengthen, and establish his people. This is not wishful thinking. It is confidence rooted in God's faithfulness. First Peter is a letter for believers who want their faith to matter in everyday life. It reminds us that God works through steady obedience, humble faith, and lives shaped by hope. You do not need recognition to be faithful. You do not need a platform to be useful. God is at work in ways you may never fully see.

Paula Behrens:

Okay, before we close, I want to invite you into something special. If you are longing for a deeper connection with Scripture and a community that understands real life faith, I'd love for you to come and join us in our Bible study circle. This is a place where we slow down, open God's Word together, and encourage one another to live on purpose in Christ. If this episode resonated with you, that is your invitation. Come and hang out with us. You are always welcome there. Go right now to EssentialFaithJourney.com. That's Essential Faith Journey .com (no spaces). Hope to see you there.

Paula Behrens:

Thank you for tuning in today. And remember, just like setting biblical boundaries, it's okay to say no to things that don't serve you well, like that third piece of cake at the church potluck. If you've enjoyed this episode, we would truly appreciate it if you would take just a few moments to follow the show and leave a review. Also, prayerfully consider investing just one hour to deepen your faith and nurture your spiritual growth. Schedule your call now at PaulaBehrens.com/coaching. That's Paula Behrens B-E-H R E N S .com/coaching (no spaces). Be sure to check the show notes for all the links. Join us next week as we continue to discover how to live on purpose in Christ. Until then, keep leaning into Him and walking in His wisdom. See you next time.

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