Have you ever witnessed a hurricane approaching from a distance, wondering what it's like inside the storm? That's exactly what we experience when reading 1 Peter—a firsthand account from someone writing in the center of Christianity's greatest storm of the first century.

Peter penned this letter around 65 AD during Nero's brutal persecution of Christians. Rome had burned the previous year, and believers became scapegoats for the tragedy. Christians were being executed, and Peter himself would soon be crucified upside down. Yet remarkably, his letter overflows with hope and joy rather than fear or despair.

This powerful message reveals that our blessed assurance isn't fragile because it's anchored beyond this world. Peter identifies four foundations that keep our hope alive: we're anchored in Jesus Christ through the work of the entire Trinity; our inheritance is guarded by God himself; our trials actually develop and strengthen our faith; and God's Word continually reveals and reinforces our hope.

Unlike worldly optimism that depends on favorable circumstances, biblical hope represents absolute confidence in God's promises regardless of external conditions. It's not about having positive feelings about tomorrow but having confidence in who holds tomorrow. This perspective allows us to grieve tragedy without being destroyed by it and engage problems without being overwhelmed.

The message is profoundly relevant today. With increasing division, tragedy, and uncertainty all around us, we need this reminder that our hope isn't in outcomes but in the unchanging character of Christ. We don't deny difficulty—we acknowledge it while recognizing that our God is greater. Like securing our own oxygen mask before helping others, we must first drink deeply from this hope ourselves before offering it to a hurting world.

When everything looks like it's going downhill, God has never been better or doing more. There's never been a more important time to stand strong in this blessed assurance and share it with those who desperately need something solid to hold onto.

The ultimate mark of a disciple is becoming a disciple maker—someone who invests their life into others and helps them experience all of Christ in all areas of life.

• The characteristics of disciples who follow "the Way" make us recognizable as Kingdom people
• Disciples don't just know God personally, they help others know Him too
• Moving from being a cup (collecting for yourself) to a funnel (receiving to give away)
• Growing with others toward freedom rather than trying to mature alone
• Being someone's biggest motivator rather than their critic
• Sharing your salvation story helps you experience Christ's presence all over again
• The more we pour ourselves out for others, the more room we create to receive from God
• Taking someone to heaven with you is even better than going yourself

Looking for a next step? Schedule daily time with God, be someone's biggest fan this week, and share your salvation story with someone to experience God's presence all over again.

The fifth mark of a disciple is that we "live to give" – a lifestyle of generosity that positions us to experience God's miracles in everyday situations. This kingdom value stands in stark contrast to worldly wisdom that encourages climbing higher and taking more.

• God invites us to honor Him with our time, talent, and treasure
• Generosity gives us opportunity to see God do the impossible through our possible
• When we live generously, God guards our hearts from future fear
• Our generosity allows us to be living examples of Christ to everyone around us
• Like the friends who broke through a roof to bring their paralyzed friend to Jesus, we can be part of someone else's miracle
• Three action steps: start slow and grow, see generosity as worship, write down what God does

"Try it, put me to the test," says the Lord. "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in."