Today we begin the book of 1 Peter. This letter, written by Peter to scattered Jewish Christians throughout Asia Minor, was meant as an encouragement to Christians suffering persecution everywhere. The main message in todays reading is that everything in this life will eventually fade away and disappear. Quoting from Isaiah 40:6-8, Peter says in 1 Peter 1:24-25, 24 For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, 25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you. We must all stop grasping for the temporary things of this world and start focusing our time, energy, and money on the eternal.