Dr. Jessica Peck prescribes Hope for Healthy Families on American Family Radio

Hello and welcome to the Dr. Nurse Mama show prescribing Hope for Healthy Families here on American Family Radio. Here's your host, professor, pediatric nurse practitioner and mom of four, Dr. Jessica Peck.

Dr. Jessica Peck: Well, hey there, friends, and welcome to my favorite time of day, getting to spend time with you, prescribing Hope for Healthy Families. And listen, we've got a powerful prescription for you today. We're talking about God's word. And you may think, you know, there are a lot of shows that we talk about the Bible on here. This is a marriage and family show. And let me tell you, the Bible has long been recognized as a transformational guide for family health. And when I first achieved the rank of full professor, which in the academic world is a big deal, I was allowed and invited to contribute a book to the university library. And they said it could be any book, any book that had been the most foundational for me in my academic journey. And I donated a life application Bible and said I have found no greater words of help or healing than those I have found in the Bible. And it provides not only spiritual guidance, but very practical principles that nurture your emotional health, your relational health and just your overall family well being. And so if you are struggling as a family, if you are going through some hard things, if you're going through trials or trauma or tragedy or maybe just the everyday just craziness that is life today, you're living at the speed of a smartphone. Maybe you just feel like you're in a rut. Maybe there are relationships that are difficult. Maybe you're worried about how you're going to guide your children through the next phase of life or where your marriage is going. I'm telling you, the best thing that you can do is get into the word of God. Scriptural teachings emphasize love and respect and forgiveness and compassion and all of those values that really strengthen family bonds and frankly, help us communicate better. And we read passages that encourage caring for one another, serving each other, being patient. How do we do that in a world that is very impatient? And really those things create the foundation for resilience, for conflict resolution, for strengthening our family bonds. And it is so important to integrate the wisdom of God into our daily life. And families can develop routines and boundaries and all rhythms that help promote our health as a family. Together creating a home where each person is thriving and you're thriving as a whole, that is so important.

Today we're talking about how to be anchored in God's truth

So today we're talking about how to be anchored in God's truth. And my guest is Marian Jordan Ellis. She's written A book, and it is called Anchored the Life and Letters of the Apostle Peter. Now, I know some of you already, your ears have perked up because Peter is so such a fascinating character in scripture. He lived in the shadow of the Roman Empire, where allegiance to Caesar was expected and Christians were branded as dangerous outsiders. He went from a denying Christ to being the proclaimer, the primary preacher, following Christ's resurrection. He knew the tension of being a follower of Jesus in a culture that not only misunderstood him, but openly opposed his faith. And at one moment, he was bold enough, brave enough, brash enough to walk on water, and then the next, he denies Christ. That's why I say he's fascinating. And in this Bible study and Anchored, Marian Jordan Ellis is reminding us that Peter's journey really does mirror our own struggle. Even here, thousands of years later. How do we live faithfully in a post Christian world that pressures us to stay silent or to compromise or to conform? So, Marian, I am delighted to have you here and to talk about this today. Thanks for joining us.

Marian Jordan Ellis: Oh, it's so my pleasure. And I love your show, and I love what you're doing, and I love that your contribution was the Word of God, because it's really, truly the answer to everything. So thank you for having me.

Dr. Jessica Peck: Well, thank you so much, Marian. I know it's like the Sunday school answer, right? But it is the answer. I mean, I. I'm going to show my age, but thinking of that song, you know, Jesus is the answer for the world today. Above him, there's no other. See, I'm already going back to the 90s campfire, but that's okay. I dig. But we can learn so much from the life of Peter. Tell us a little bit about your life and how you came to be in ministry to help other people, to know about the life of people who lived in the Bible.

Marian Jordan Ellis: Well, thank you for asking that. So I am, you know, very much a prodigal. I grew up in a. I would say a culture of Christianity. I grew up attending, church. I knew some Bible stories. I maybe even knew some Bible verses. But I had never committed my own life to be a follower of Jesus. I had a very cultural. Check the box. Christianity. I lived in a lot of darkness. And then after college, I was living in the city, and I came to the emptiness, of my own sin, my own depravity, my own trying to live my life apart from God. And my first prayer happened in a bar. And I said, God, if you're real, help and that answer God gave me was a friend invited me to a church where I actually had ears to hear the gospel for the first time. I heard that not only was God real, that God loved me, that Jesus came to demonstrate God's love to save me. And I literally, I think I ran from the third balcony of that church to the altar that day, surrendered my life to Christ, and really started being discipled, and transformed radically by the power of the Holy Spirit and the power of God's word. And really, my ministry is called this Redeemed life because I have experienced everything Jesus offers. the abundant life, the freedom from sin and strongholds, the freedom to live, for God's glory, because that's what we're meant to live for. And so I want to pass on those truths to others who. To how to live the redeemed life. And so that's, who I am and what God's really been doing in my life for 25 years.

Dr. Jessica Peck: Marianne, thank you for being so transparent with your testimony. It's so encouraging because God loves to redeem, to restore, to renew, and to call the most unlikely people. It really, it made me smile to hear you say, my first prayer was in a bar, because God is there. God is pursuing us. God is always there. and I love how you share that, and you really provide this very compelling before and after picture. And I think that's the part of people's testimonies that's so compelling because you described before, and you use the phrase cultural Christianity, but where you kind of did what you want, didn't have, you know, rules, and then now you go to God's Word, where there are rules, there are standards. But you're describing freedom there in personal relationship. Can you just walk us through a little of that? bring us a little closer to that. Before and after.

Marian Jordan Ellis: Nothing would make me more happy. So what I would say and what I teach women all the time is, sure, there was a difference in my lifestyle, but the motivation is what changed. Before, it was like, I thought Christians did certain things in order to earn God's love. Well, when I was born again, I realized that I am now redeemed by a God who first loved me. And so the desire of my life is to live for the glory of my redeemer. The desire of my heart is, I see now, have eyes to see that God is good and his ways are good. So I want to. There's a want to. Of the will to align my life with this good God whose ways are Good. And it was a radically different perspective than religion. It wasn't doing certain things to check a box. It was, I want to live this way because God is so beautiful. He is so worthy of my life, because how do you not live for the one who died to set you free? And so God's commandments then were a blessing to me. They weren't a burden. And so that's the. That's what. That's the redeemed life. I try to teach people, like, see, I mean, when you see who Jesus is, living for his glory is your DNA. That's what you want. And so for me, you know, that sanctification process, there was the first moment of surrender, and then it's this. You know, everything became about living for the glory of God. You know, my sexuality, what I put into my body, how I treated my body, where I went, what I watched with my eyes. Everything is like a total. Like, I love Jesus, so therefore I want to live for Jesus. And I think that's different than religion. It's, it's a beautiful life abandoned to the one who set us free.

Dr. Jessica Peck: That is a compelling invitation. And, you know, when we look at that transformation, it's not to say that you still don't have struggle, because you do have struggle. And we see that very much in the life of Peter. And one thing that I've learned about Peter is that in Jewish culture, that the boys would grow up and there they would go through the Jewish school and they would try to be, to be taught by a rabbi. And those who weren't academic. I'm probably using the wrong word, so let me just tell you, this is my layperson interpretation. But those who weren't academically gifted enough went back and learned their father's trade. And so we learned that's where Peter is. He's a fisherman. He is not studying under a rabbi. But one day this rabbi comes and says, come and follow me. And I think this is such a beautiful picture of God using unlikely people. And when he uses people, when through our weaknesses, his strengths shine. And that is of our life. And that can be a hope for sure.

So what led you to focus on the life of Peter for this Bible study

So what led you to focus on the life of Peter? for this Bible study?

Marian Jordan Ellis: You know, over 25 years that I've been following Jesus, there have been very specific moments that Peter's life and his letters have been instructional to me personally. You know, like I said in my. My very earliest stages of being a Christ followers, that line that it says he left everything and followed Christ, he's leaving those fishing nets. He's leaving his family business. And for me at that time, I had a social circle that revolved around a lifestyle that as a believer, I was having to leave behind. I had, you know, everything at that point was there was a before and after the call of God on my life. And so I so related to Peter of like, basically that the anthem of Peter's life boils down to three words. Jesus is better. And so for me, I, I, I saw in Peter's life of, yes, when you give God your yes, you're saying, jesus, you're better than, what my career path held. You're better than this social circle. You're better than all of this. And in you is life is found. And then as I've grown in my faith and as I've matured and stepped into ministry, I've looked at Peter's life, like, in moments that I have blown it, I've said the wrong thing on stage or I've done, you know, something stupid. And I see ye in process. God calls us and then he sanctifies us. We're all in process. And so watching Peter's life has given me hope and encouragement. You know, there's moments I was able to get out from under the covers after I did something stupid and going, you know what? God can redeem this. And then also as Peter the apostle, you know, we saw his before picture where, you know, right before Jesus is crucified, he's absolutely terrified of a servant girl the night, of Jesus arrest. But then when the Holy Spirit empowered him, he stands up in the temple courts and he is proclaiming Christ with boldness. And I spent about 15 years of my life traveling to college campuses, sharing the gospel, proclaiming, my testimony of what Jesus had done and telling. And I would have to look at how Peter and the early apostles stood in various harsh, oppressive moments and declared the resurrection, declared there's hope in no other name, and did it with fierceness and boldness for the love of the lost. And so Peter's been my model in so many ways throughout my, my own discipleship.

Dr. Jessica Peck: You know, what's really compelling about that, Marian, is that when we look at Jesus meeting Peter and, and calling him and saying, leave everything, Follow me. And he does, and he follows him. And he, you know, goes on this journey, it's not the end of the story, is not. And Peter's life was so much better. And he got rich and he got successful and he got famous and, you know, all of these like measures of worldly success. In fact, according to most historians, the. The best of our knowledge, he gave his life for the gospel, he became a martyr for his faith and he was persecuted, he was imprisoned, he was all of these things that we would look and say. Again, contrasting that before and after, like you're talking about Marian, it doesn't look like, oh, the after was so much better. But yet, yet still we have Peter standing there and Jesus saying, on this rock, I will build my church and saying, Jesus is better. I think the compelling question is how, how is Jesus better even in the light of all of that? And when we come back from our next break, we'll start to break that down and talk about the life of Peter.

Because the world can feel unsteady, because culture is chaotic

Because the world can feel unsteady, because culture is chaotic and voices are clashing and values are changing. But there is a firm foundation. We can stand firm in our convictions. And I think especially the events of the recent news where we're looking at the people who have done that and the cost of that. It is so important for us to have encouragement in that, to know that we, we can and as Marian said, that Jesus is better. The Bible study is anchored. The Life and Letters of the Apostle Peter by Marian Jordan Ellis. We'll be right back with more.

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Take You At Your Word:Benjamin William Hastings and Cody Carnes: Is the only way for me. It's a narrow road that leads to life, but I wanna be on it. It's a narrow Road and the mercy's wide. Cause you're good on your promise I'll take you at your word. If you said it, I believe it. I've seen how good it works. If you start it you'll complete it I'll take you at your word.

Dr. Jessica Peck: Welcome back, friends. That is take you at your word by Benjamin William Hastings and Cody Carnes. And today we are talking about taking God at his Word. A Bible study of his word by Marian Jordan Ellis. It's called Anchored the life and letters of the apostle Peter. And I think Peter is just someone who we can really relate to because he seems like, you know, he. He was so fiery. He had so much passion, he had so much intent. And yet he messed up. He really did. And yet we still continually saw Jesus meeting him where he was, teaching him what he needed to know, and then going on to be a powerful force in taking the Gospel from Judea to Samaria to the uttermost m. Parts of the world. And Peter's world, when we look at it, it was marked by worship of Caesar, of viewing Caesar as a literal God. The. The whole place, the places where he was traveling, were literally filled with literal pagan idols that were built around communities that were centered around pagan temples of worship. He lives in a culture that prized power, that prioritized pleasure over anything. Yet Peter called Christians to live as a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation set apart not by compromise, but by courage. And Marian Jordan Ellis is showing us how. Those calls, they're so relatable today. Can't you just feel it? Even when I say that, I mean, we see cultural norms shift constantly. Faith feels out of step. And whether we're in our home, our workplaces, the school, social media, our community, the question is the same. Will we live anchored in Christ, no matter the cultural currents? And so, Marian, I want to talk about the world feeling chaotic and unsteady. What are the cultural shifts? How do you see the parallel between Peter's world and our world today?

Marian Jordan Ellis: I don't even know where to begin. There's so many, I think the. There are multiple, depending on who you're talking to. But for the believer, I think, the noise that we live in and the propaganda that we live in, where people are vying to tell you, put your hope in this or put your hope in that. And one thing that Peter is very clear. In a world where, yes, we have strong governments, we have strong voices, but our living hope is in one place. Our hope is not in who's in the office currently. Our hope is not in what we possess. Our hope is not in our current status. Our hope is in Jesus Christ, who's the anchor of our souls. He's that because of what he accomplished through the resurrection. And so he's calling believers, in every culture since the early church to say, hey, I live in this world with, things that are going to shift and change all the time, but my anchor is in the fact that I belong to a different world.

Dr. Jessica Peck: I love the analogy of the anchor because it does feel like we are tossed about on very stormy seas. And it just feels like you just never know when the next wave is going to come crashing in, when the next wind is going to topple you over and just make us feel like we're just in this constant state of upheaval and tumult and thinking, okay, what do I say? When do I say it? How should I say it? And. And where do I find the courage to say it? You know, in a world that makes, our, our faith seem very scary to profess at time. I think that's why we can look at Peter as such a relatable disciple, because he was impulsive and he was bold, but he was also really broken in a lot of ways. How does Peter's story give us hope in our own failures and struggles when we don't get it right, when we don't understand, when we misinterpret, or we, you know, even get to the point of maybe denying our faith? Not in a way that Peter did, but maybe we think, I didn't speak up when I should have. I didn't counteract that. How does, how is Peter so relatable in that?

Marian Jordan Ellis: I'm so glad you asked that, because I think that's one of the most tender scenes in the Bible. So we see, like all of us, the fear of man is something we all battle. I taught at my church last night and I, I told them, hey, we're all responsible to share the gospel, in love with our neighbors. But the reality is we all have this fear of speaking up. And I, talked about Peter. Peter was asked, are you with him? Are you one of him? Are you a disciple of Jesus? In front of little servant girl, he denied Jesus three times. And so we see a very real person who knew clearly who Jesus was, who had more revelation than most of us will ever have, struggle with the fear of man. So we see that, that we can relate to him. But what we also see is that post resurrection, this man was so convinced of everything that he believed about Jesus to be true and to be the source of life, that that fear of man had been eclipsed by the reality of the gospel, that Jesus Christ is the king of glory who came to save us from our sins and proved this by rising from the dead. And so we see Peter show us, yes, we're all going to struggle with fear of man, but the more we believe and understand the truth of our faith, that fear is replaced with boldness that we can stand confident that, you know what, I am putting my hope in the one who defeated the grave, and I'm going to proclaim the most loving truth in the entire world is that faith in Christ can set the captive free. And so we see that journey in his own life which teaches us how to be bold. We look back at the resurrection, we look at an empty tomb and remember that the same Holy Spirit that transformed Peter from being weak to bold is the same Spirit that Jesus gave to us that can give us the word of testimony in the moment that will meet us in that conversation to have the exact words to share with someone. And so we do what Peter did. We look at the resurrection and we remember the truth of it. And we rely on the Holy Spirit to speak through us.

Dr. Jessica Peck: And that's the key. That the same Holy Spirit that Peter received after Jesus ascended into heaven at Pentecost, is the same Holy Spirit that we receive today. That same Holy Spirit we get, we get that, we get, we get that same power. And I think sometimes we forget that, you know, and we forget and we, we are so afraid of other people. And so what does it look like to stand firm in those biblical convictions? Because every single Christian who is listening can think of a time where they wish that they had been bolder in their faith, where they had an opportunity to speak up, to speak out, but they didn't for whatever reason. And maybe we make, you know, we justify that and maybe that's well intentioned, maybe it's just excuses, you know, maybe we think, well, that wasn't the time, or I'm going to follow up. Or maybe we think we were just afraid. What does it look like to do that without coming across as combative and to have all of those negative labels that are put on you because sometimes it feels like you can even speak something gently, something softly, something quietly, something simply. And yet, you know, cue all of the negative, interactions and a lot of times that is, that is branded as hate, you know, that we're, we're speaking hate, hate. How do we stand firm in our convictions without coming across as that we're, you know, that we're, we're just being hateful, honestly.

Marian Jordan Ellis: And I love the heart behind your question. Because we want to represent Jesus. Well, yes. Right. And here's the thing that I think the hard pill we have to swallow is we can't control how people hear, but, but we can control how we speak. So, number one, I would say pray for boldness and pray for discernment. So we see throughout the epistles, Paul prayed for boldness for himself. He was articulate, he was passionate, he was far more intellectual than most of us he could debate, but he also prayed for boldness. And so I think that's something that we all tend to struggle of. I don't want people not to like me. I don't want people to label me wrongly. So in this age, I don't know any of us that don't need to pray for boldness. Number two, I would ask the Holy Spirit to give us discernment to when to speak and when to remain silent. And I don't think we remain silent if asked directly or asked, to give our opinion. But I don't think every news event requires us to hop on social media and rant or make a statement. So I think, operating in discernment and then also I think asking great questions in conversation helps us get to a heart level where we're having a genuine, I want to meet you and hear you, but I also want to be able to know where your pain point is so I can know how to present the gospel to you. So if we're coming with our, you know, our speech prepared, or we're coming with our five points to make that person look like a fool online, they're not going to hear us anyways. But if we can come and have a genuine dialogue with someone about, an issue. But most of all, as believers, we're here to get to the heart of that person and present who Jesus is for that person. Okay? And, so I think those three things guiding all of us in this current climate, pray for boldness, pray for discernment, and then pray to be able to listen very well to who you're having a conversation with so that you can meet them with love, with the gospel of grace and truth. It has to be both grace and truth.

Dr. Jessica Peck: You know, I, I've. I'm not saying that this could never happen. I'm not saying that it has never happened. But I have interviewed hundreds of guests for this show, and I've never Heard a testimony of someone coming to Christ that starts with, well, I was reading on social media and somebody put a comment and shared the gospel in this comment on this post. And it really convicted me and, you know, led me to Christ. I don't know, Marian. I haven't heard it. I think that this really speaks to the importance of our interpersonal relationships, because most of us are not going to be in a position where we have a public platform. Most people do not have that. And there is a different weight that comes along with that. But the most powerful transfer information can come in the context of those relationships and speaking truth in the context of those relationships where with the people that we're living with, that we're working with. And I will tell you that for me, a lot of times that comes from people asking me, they notice something about my life is different. One of this is going to seem like a really, you know, small example, but I was in a professional setting one time and a meeting, and it was a pretty robust discussion. It was pretty heated, about an issue that was important for child health. And we, you know, had a little break. And we went into the restroom, and as I was washing my hands, there, was another person, woman at the. At the sink. And she said, I need to ask you a question. She said, I noticed that you're the only person in that room that didn't use curse words. And it really stood out to me. It was weird. Why?

Marian Jordan Ellis: Why?

Dr. Jessica Peck: Why? What. What held you back? What made you refrain from those moments? And then it's so hard. And I was thinking about the scripture. Always be ready to give an answer, you know, for the hope that you have. But those kinds of things happen. And I, you know, see someone else's action and we, you know, go to be the keyboard warrior. That's just not the way. can, we agree on that?

Marian Jordan Ellis: It's definitely not the way. And, you know, there are a few of us who God has entrusted a platform to us. And so there are m. Monumental moments where we have to speak and have to say something. And I do not look forward to those moments when they happen. But the 99.9% of discipleship happens with people eye to eye, face to face. and that's where I think all believers should focus, is that, God has called and entrusted a sphere of influence to me, of people I work with, people my kids may go to school with, people that I interact with. That's who I'm responsible for. Family, you know, and to be an authentic ambassador of Christ to those people so that they can see a difference in your life, that, as Peter says, you are a light in the world. You know, we live for the glory of God. We're holy as he is holy. So, yes, we are distinct and different for a reason, so that the world can see a distinctive difference. You know, that's what Jesus meant by salt and light and so that those conversations will get sparked. Now, I don't mean to say, you know, you know, preach the gospel, but don't use words. I'm not saying that. I, I believe every believer is called to be a vocal, proclaimer of the gospel to those that God puts in our path. And I don't think it's a bullhorn on the street corner, and I don't think social media is the best platform for that. But we should all be looking for ways to engage a lost world with the hope of Jesus Christ. Christ.

Dr. Jessica Peck: Well, you call this a holy boldness. And we're coming up on our second break here, but when we come back, I want to talk about some practical ways that we can do that. That's what we can learn from the life of Peter. Peter was called to a specific ministry in a specific time, in a specific place, just like each of us are called to a specific ministry in a specific time, a specific place in our sphere of influence, just like you so beautifully described, Marian. And we can learn from Peter's holy boldness. And the reality is that most of us, although I would dare to say in this day and age, some of us, but most of us will not be required to give up our lives for the gospel. And yet we still have that fear. So we'll talk about some ways that we can live with holy boldness and, and how we just can be anchored by the truth of God's word. We'll also talk about some seasons of suffering, how Peter's perspective encourages us when we're going through our own seasons of suffering, and what we can learn about that. The Bible study is called the Life and Letters of the Apostle Peter. It's by Marian Jordan Ellis. And I have really been encouraged by this conversation. I hope that you have, too. We can learn so much about the truth of God's Word. His grace is sufficient for us. And I believe that his grace was sufficient in the life of Peter, and it's sufficient in our lives today. We'll be right back with more from Marian Jordan Ellis. See you on the other side of this break.

The war against biblical principles rages on numerous fronts

Buddy Smith: We live in a day when America's families are under attack like never before. Buddy Smith, Senior vice president of the American Family Association. The war against biblical principles rages on numerous fronts. The Internet, Hollywood, Washington, D.C. america's corporate boardrooms. And the list goes on. At American Family association, we're committed to standing against the enemies of God, the enemies of your family. And we recognize it's an impossible task without God's favor and your partnership. Thank you for being faithful to pray for this ministry, to give financially and to respond to our calls for activism. What you do on the home front is crucial to what we do on the battlefront. We praise God for your faithfulness, and may he give us many victories in the battles ahead as we work together to restore our nation's biblical foundations.

Still by Hillary Scott: You're parting waters? Making a way for me? You're moving mountains that I don't even see? You've answered my prayer before I even speak? All you need for me to be is still.

Dr. Jessica Peck: Welcome back, friends. That is still by Hillary Scott. And God's word tells us to be still and know that I am God. And today, I invite you to be still and just to have a listen to the conversation I'm having with Marian Jordan Ellis about her new Bible study called Anchored the Life and Letters of the Apostle Peter. And those early believers that Peter talked to, that he preached to, they were exiles, and then sometimes they were even people who were violently persecuted. Yet Peter, who was once broken by his own failures, told them that their trials would refine their faith like gold tested in fire. And we're talking about that today. Just as Jesus, restored Peter after his denial and later emboldened him through the Holy Spirit to lead the church in a hostile world, we, too, can see our hearts as part of God's shaping work. And Marian, you know, we talked earlier about, about all of the things that Peter went through that before and after. And by any measure of the world, Peter's life after becoming a Christian, after converting, it was not better. It was. He did not have more money. He did not have more comfort. He did not have more status. He was persecuted. He was persecuted to the point of death. Death. How do we learn from that, from the trials that he faced and yet still said, as you said earlier, Jesus is better. This is still better.

Marian Jordan Ellis: You know, I think, if we go back to the gospel, there's a scene in Peter's life that I think became part of his anchor as he moved forward as a leader in the church. And if you recall in John chapter six, it's kind of the Halfway point in Jesus's ministry. And, he started to amp up. Jesus started to amp up his teachings, clearly defining who he was and what he came to do, and teaching I am the bread of life, and saying things that were so difficult for people to understand, that were polarizing in many ways, as we would kind of see in our culture, these very polarizing statements where Jesus was making a line in the sand saying, hey, you're with me or you're not with me. Okay? And John 6 comments that people started leaving the faith. You know, this, you know, people who had been following Jesus started to turn and not following, him anymore. Kind of the first deconstruction period. And so, Jesus looked at his disciples and said, do you want to go too? And Peter's answer, not only clarified the anchor of Peter's life, but for me, in my own times of suffering, of sorrow, of questions of my faith, became my own anchor. Peter said to Jesus, where else would we go? Because you alone have the words of life. And so, that was a long way to say this. When you suffer, there's a spiritual war that happens around you. And it says something like this. If God is really good, would this be happening to you? When the world becomes really intense, you question what you believe. And so suffering and trials and persecution, what they do is they. They bring everything in really sharp focus. Do I believe that Jesus is who he claimed to be, and in the midst of this fire, I'm going to hold on to him as the anchor of my life? Or am I going to abandon ship and try to find life somewhere else? And Peter synthesizes it for us. Where else would we go? Because you alone, the world can take everything from me. It can take my home, my possessions, my health. But you alone, Jesus, have the words of life. And so that becomes the anchor. And so for those in the suffering fire, when they're holding on to him, that's why we see when people are in the fire, there's the fourth man in the fire with them, because they have chosen to say, jesus is my life, Jesus is my anchor. And the world can see that fourth man in the fire with them in that moment.

Dr. Jessica Peck: That's so convicting. And when we think about the trials that we face in the world, and that is a question I hear, hear all the time from so many people. If God is good, how come the world is not? And how can you believe in a God who would allow these things to happen? And I think when we face those trials in the world, Marian I mean, we've got two choices about where to put our hope. We can put our hope in ourselves and think, okay, I'm going to trust myself and the people who are here on this earth to somehow walk me through this, this and do the best that they can to give me the best life that I have here on this earth. And that's what. Whatever time I have left, that, that somehow that will be made better through however other people are going to help me. Or you put your hope in Christ and say, I don't understand some of those things, but, somehow I believe beyond all things that God will somehow redeem, restore, renew, make this right. And that's where I'm going to put my hope, Marian. That's where I. That. That anchor, just like you talked about, that is where I'm going to put my hope. And I say this quote all the time. I heard it when I was 16. I can't even find a source to attribute it. But it goes, if God was small enough to be understood, he wouldn't be big enough to be worshiped. And that's just where I have to go with that. And you look back at the life of Peter, someone who, if you look at the history of it, he knew Jesus. He walked with Jesus. He was an eyewitness to the crucifixion, to the resurrection. He preached on the steps of the temple. 3,000 people said, yes, I believe this. I see this. And then even through suffering, he continued to have that anchor for his soul. And I just think that is. That's. That's what's really compelling. It's not that he got rich and famous and happy. It's that his conviction remained.

Marian Jordan Ellis: Yeah, and, you know, Peter really shows us, in the letters, he really links suffering to our vision of who Christ is. And he, you know, Peter was the witness of the transfiguration, and he was on the mountain when Jesus glorified was revealed. And so, he's able to write to us who are facing real struggles and real trials. Like he says, I have seen him. I've seen him in the fullness of his splendor. And many theologians believe that, what Peter was seeing on the Mount of Transfiguration is what we will see, that Jesus, we will see when he returns and makes all things new. You know, and so I think the link Peter's making there is to those of us who are walking through a broken and fallen world where sin and suffering are still happening, is this mindset that's fixed on the return, returning, resurrected king, and to basically remind us, Jesus will win. Jesus will win. Jesus will win. And so he had had that vision of the, of Jesus and his full glory so that when he walked through these very hard times, he was seeing the end of the story, right? He was seeing who was going to be returned to make all things new.

Dr. Jessica Peck: I think it's so hard because, because we almost want to exchange that for a counterfeit version of it. And I see so many Christians today, and I struggle with this too. You know, you get into this if then situation with God, you think, okay, if I read my Bible, if I go to church, if I do all of the right things and live like a Christian should, it's kind of that cultural Christianity like you were talking about earlier, then I will be blessed, my family will be blessed, everything will be great. And that is not it at all. And I think, you know, you talk a little bit in this study even about just kind of projecting that performative Christianity, like, oh, I'm getting an A plus and being a Christian right now. But we're missing, we're missing the richness and the reality of what God really called us to. And it's right there in the life of Peter. God did not, Jesus did not call Peter and say, okay, here I'm, calling you to a life of success. He called him to a life of suffering, but for a greater purpose and a greater good. How do we reject that counterfeit that we're seeking? That we're, oh, yes, God, has called me to a life of success and that's what I'm going to have and instead pick up that mantle, mental suffering.

Marian Jordan Ellis: So, you know, two things come to mind. First thing, when Peter made his famous confession of, you know, you are the Christ, you're the son of the living God. And Jesus said to Peter, you know, on this rock, I, built my church. So Peter has declared, you know, you are the Messiah. You're the son of the living God, you're the Savior of the world. You're the, you are it. And so Jesus said, okay, this is the truth. Truth. And so the next moment Jesus is declaring, hey, I'm going to go to Jerusalem and they're going to crucify me. And that's when Peter makes one of his big, big blunders where he tries to correct Jesus, tell Jesus that's a bad plan. You should never suffer and die. And then Jesus gets in Peter's face and says, get behind me, Satan. Right? Think about that.

Dr. Jessica Peck: Tough.

Marian Jordan Ellis: Why? Because Because Peter was standing, trying to oppose the ultimate plan of God, which was for the Son of God to suffer so that he could be glorified. Now, I say that because Jesus's words to all the disciples right after this big confrontation was the command that if anyone would come after me, they must take up their cross and die. And so. So in the kingdom, we don't invite suffering, we don't invite hardships. But part of the Christian life is saying, to this world, I'm dead to this world, but I'm alive to Jesus. Part of the Christian life is recognizing. When I say my hope is on that confession that Jesus that, Peter made. You are the Christ. You're the living God, and I'm choosing to follow him. That means I'm willing to take up my cross and die to save. Die to this world, die to sin, and say, I'm following Jesus and come what may. Come what may. Because it is a narrow road.

Dr. Jessica Peck: You know, that's such a different. That is such a different calling than come to this life, and I will bless you and you will, you know, live easy. That is a tough truth, Marianne. And even when you're looking at what Jesus said to Peter, he. He. That was harsh. That was difficult. And I think we can learn from that even in the context of our relationships today. Much what we were talking about earlier, speaking truth with boldness.

What are the takeaway lessons that you want us to have from this Bible study

What are the takeaway lessons that you want us to have from this Bible study with Peter?

Marian Jordan Ellis: I just want to piggyback on one thing you just said, though.

Dr. Jessica Peck: Yeah.

Marian Jordan Ellis: the call to die to ourselves is hard, but here's the thing. The abundant life is on the other side of it.

Dr. Jessica Peck: Amen.

Marian Jordan Ellis: And, you know, and I have had more joy, more peace, more fun, more life, dying to myself and following Jesus than I ever did living in the world. Living in the world and its sin is bondage and death. Okay. And there was a crucifixion of me in order to follow Jesus, but it brought life. That's why Jesus said, if a seed falls to the ground and dies, it bears much fruit. When we lay down our life to follow Christ, we actually experience life. And so your question was, what do I hope? The takeaway is from Anchored. I hope that a billion women fall in love with Jesus. Jesus. And they say, jesus, you're better, and you're worth it all. You're worth it all. And that our lives would testify to the watching world, his goodness, his mercy, his grace, and that in all the ways that we're identified in first Peter that you're a chosen race, you're a royal priesthood holy nation, that we would live those things out so compelling that the world would say, I want to know your Jesus. I mean, and that's the end result. Result. That's it. That the world would say, I want to know this Jesus. You follow?

Dr. Jessica Peck: that is so convicting. And I'm so glad that you shared that because, yes, that is in scripture too, that, that, that God sent Jesus so that we would have life and have it more abundantly. It's not just about what we have in this little lifespan here on earth, but we are talking about eternal life. I mean, that's probably the most famous scripture of all time. John 3:16, that God so loved the world that he sent his son so would have life. And you go on and, and, and know that God gave us, God wants us to have life more abundantly. And even though the enemy comes to steal and to kill and destroy, Jesus comes that we may have life and have it more abundantly. And one of the scriptures you just made me think of, Marian, was from Matthew 10:28. Do not fear those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul. Rather, fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. And I, I was interviewing, someone last week whose mother is having. Has terminal cancer. She's in stage four cancer. And the message that she gave to her daughter, what she was learning through her cancer journey, was that we hold onto this life way too tightly and it's just a shadow of things to come, that the best is yet to come. And that is the hope of the gospel that we are living for. And Marian, I just want to thank you so much for sharing that encouragement, for helping people to, lead women, to lead women to stand firm in their faith. This is a Bible study. So you can do it at your church, you can do it in your home, you can do it in your community. Just invite people in to study. And where can they find out more?

Marian Jordan Ellis: they can find out more from lifeway.com or the Bible Stays, really available anywhere books, are sold. And my website is thisredeemedlife.org

Dr. Jessica Peck: thisredeemedlife.org thank you so much. And as you are living boldly and being anchored in God's truth, I pray that the Lord will bless you and keep you and make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you and give you peace. And I'll see you right back here next time. May God bless you.

Jeff Chamblee: The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.

Marian Jordan Ellis talks with Jessica about a study of the life of Peter and how it can help us become anchored in God's truth. 

Rx for Hope: Be Anchored in God's Truth

https://thisredeemedlife.org/