Devotionals by Raul Ries
FRIDAY September 25, 2026
Christian Precepts
Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
1 Peter 3:8-9
Interestingly, Peter begins these verses with the word finally, but he has many more exhortations after that comma. So even though he seemed to be closing his letter, he continued for a few more chapters before he finally ended it. You see, Peter’s heart burned for the Church, and there was so much more that he wanted to share with his brothers and sisters in Christ.
Peter wrote to them very personally. He knew they were suffering persecution and prosecution, but despite their adverse circumstances, he wanted them to know how to respond to people who treated them evilly. In doing so, his letter helped his brethren to be prepared for Christian persecution. Yet his approach was optimistic, and, at the same time, positive. Why? He knew the end from the beginning––they would be in the presence of the Lord if they died.
So in this passage, Peter gave Christians instructions that were to be followed. This way they could experience God’s blessings at the worst time in history. We, too, live in a world that is increasingly hostile toward Christians. Churches are mysteriously being burned down all over the world, and Christians are facing persecution. Some believers might ask, “What if we lose our jobs?” “What if we get incarcerated, interrogated or beaten?” Listen, we can never allow fear to enter our hearts. Peter will teach us how to live our lives under the enemy’s assaults. He will help us have the right attitude in life.
When I consider my crosses, tribulations and temptations, I shame myself almost to death thinking, what are they in comparison to the suffering of my blessed Savior Jesus Christ.
~Martin Luther~
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About Raul Ries
Raul Ries is the Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel Golden Springs and President of Somebody Loves You Ministries. After his miraculous conversion in 1971, Raul began to read and study the Bible extensively even though he had a limited education. In 1974 he began a home Bible study with seven other committed individuals. Soon, he started to preach and counsel youth during the noon hour at his former high school, Baldwin Park High. Calvary Chapel West Covina grew out of Raul's home fellowship, as well as his Kung-Fu studio, and was soon meeting weekly at an old converted Safeway store. In 1993, the congregation moved to Diamond Bar and occupied a 101,000 square-foot corporate building on 28 acres. Calvary Chapel Golden Springs (as it is now called) draws between 10,000 - 12,000 in attendance weekly.
Author of several books, including Fury to Freedom (the story of his early life and dramatic conversion), Raul Ries has also produced three films: Fury to Freedom (feature film dramatization of the book); A Quiet Hope (a riveting and stirring documentary detailing seven soldier's accounts of the Vietnam War and its aftermath); and A Venture in Faith (a documentary of the history of the Calvary Chapel movement).
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P.O. Box 4440
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
(909) 396-1884