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May 8, 2026

God’s Great Gifts

Martin Wiles (South Carolina)   |   Read 1 Peter 3:18-22

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Lectionary Week
May 4–10, 2026
Scripture Overview

Three of our passages this week touch on what God has done for us. Paul, in the Acts passage, confronts people who made space to worship an unknown God, apparently in an effort to cover all of their bases. He tells them who this unknown God is. First Peter relates the work of Christ on the cross and beyond, culminating in his resurrection. These two passages focus on God’s work through Christ, and the psalmist, writing before the coming of the Messiah, praises God for all God has done. Finally, Jesus, in the John passage, reminds us of an added gift believers now have: the Holy Spirit. The Easter season gives us an opportunity to reflect on God’s great gifts to us.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read Acts 17:22-31. What would you tell someone about God if they knew little or nothing?
Read Psalm 66:8-20. What are some things for which you praise God?
Read 1 Peter 3:13-22. How have you suffered for taking a stand for Christ?
Read John 14:15-21. How do you experience God’s continual presence with you through the Holy Spirit?

Respond by posting a prayer.

1 Peter 3:18-22

18 Christ himself suffered on account of sins, once for all, the righteous one on behalf of the unrighteous. He did this in order to bring you into the presence of God. Christ was put to death as a human, but made alive by the Spirit. 19 And it was by the Spirit that he went to preach to the spirits in prison. 20 In the past, these spirits were disobedient—when God patiently waited during the time of Noah. Noah built an ark in which a few (that is, eight) lives were rescued through water. 21 Baptism is like that. It saves you now—not because it removes dirt from your body but because it is the mark of a good conscience toward God. Your salvation comes through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who is at God’s right side. Now that he has gone into heaven, he rules over all angels, authorities, and powers.

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

As I neared retirement age, I began passing on some of my treasured family heirlooms. I wanted to determine who received what, and I made those decisions based on their personalities and interests.

Giving away my things wasn’t easy. I had to adopt a mindset of mortality. I had more...

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God, I am forever grateful for the gift of Christ. Empower me to share that gift with others, telling of your love and mercy that is available to each and every person. Amen.


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