Too often, Christians today blend in with everyone else. Rather than "strange," we appear normal; instead of "aliens," our lives seem no different than the citizens of this world. Peter's call was to choose inheritance over indulgence and conviction over compromise. "Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." (1 Pet 2:11-12)

The Christian life is so counterintuitive that Peter called Christians aliens, strangers, foreigners, and exiles. Christ transformed the impulsive, stumbling fisherman into one of the most influential men in history. People took note that this "unschooled and ordinary" man had "been with Jesus"! What happened to him? How did he change?

Find out by getting a copy of Aliens & Strangers. 36 days of devotionals explore Peter's life and teaching, so that we too may learn to live like exilesÐpeople who temporarily reside in this world, but whose citizenship is in heaven.

About the author: Brett Kreider graduated from MIT (BS) and the University of Maryland (MS) with degrees in electrical engineering. He served many years in the full-time church ministry and worked for a missionary society serving developing countries. Brett and his wife, Beth, have three children, Logan, Noah, and Elena, and live in Herndon, Virginia. He works for MITRE as a cybersecurity consultant and serves in the Northern Virginia Church of Christ as a Bible teacher, and he and his wife are the Northern Virginia Chapter Directors for HOPE worldwide.