Today's Devotion: 1 Peter 4:13 (New International Version) But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

In this passage, Peter addresses the suffering that is going on in the church of that time. He is probably talking about one of the persecutions. That suffering still goes on today in some countries.

Today's Comments: Every week, I attend a Bible Study in San Gabriel. My friend, Roger Rose, a retired Episcopal priest conducts these Bible studies, and except for Roger and me, everybody else in the group is of Chinese descent. And, except for me, everybody speaks Mandarin. The people are wonderful, and we all go out for Chinese food before the study.

Some of the people in this group have friends and relatives in China, and a couple just recently have traveled there. They report that Christians are suffering there, just like they did in Paul's time. So, what Peter says then, is still true now. And, we as Christians must still be prepared to suffer in Jesus' name.