1Pe 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
1Pe 3:13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
1Pe 3:14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
1Pe 3:16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
1Pe 3:17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
Suffering is inevitable.
We suffer so much in our life for many, many reasons and the 'eyes of the LORD are over the righteous' even in their suffering. 'His ears are open unto their prayers', even in their suffering.
We suffer and it is BETTER to suffer for well doing than for evil doing.
If a person believes they will not suffer if they are God's then they do not understand God at all. His Son suffered more than we ever could and He did so because it was the 'cup' He had to drink from. Each of us has our own walk with God. Are they perfect walks? No, none of us can lay claim to a perfect walk with Christ, we can only claim to fall at the feet of our Savior and beg for forgiveness, repenting of our wrong doing, our many, many imperfections.
We have to SANCTIFY the Lord God in our hearts.
We have to be READY to give an answer to EVERY MAN that ASKS us the REASON of the HOPE that is in US and we have to do this with MEEKNESS and FEAR.
My hope is in God, my hope is in my Savior and HIS righteousness, not any righteousness any may think I possess or don't possess.
What do we worship?
What makes up our lives?
Do we seek our Savior?
Is God a REAL part of our lives?
Do we live for ungodliness?
Do we worship ungodliness?
So many people hold so many beliefs and they don't hesitate to share them explaining them according to their belief in the Word of God, and yet their beliefs can be contrary to others.
I have a website I share with my sisters entitled - 'Who's to Say We're Right?'
We are NOT here to give the reason for our HOPE in anything but CHRIST!
As we live we can hope only in CHRIST'S righteousness, not our own in any way whatsoever.
People can keep the law to the letter. People can follow every statute they believe is meant to be kept and yet they will find NO righteousness in any of it, because the righteousness we have, the hope we have is ONLY in Christ.
We love Christ and depend wholly on Him for salvation, not on ourselves, our hope is NOT in ourselves, it can't be because we will fail miserably if we place any hope in our own actions.
By the grace of God we will follow Him and worship Him, Love HIM, live for HIM as HE wills us to do all by the mercy of our Savior.
There is a group of people who believe that we cannot say the name Jesus without invoking the false God Zeus, that those who speak the name Jesus are deceived and are going to be lead astray because they are not using the original Hebrew, the original Greek language. There are people who refuse to call their weekdays by the worldwide known Sunday, Monday, etc because these titles have origins contrary to the language of God and are from false Gods and such. There are people who live simply and hold no real ritualized Biblical practices and they are told their love of God is false when they love God more fully than those who have every 'i' dotted and every 't' crossed, they love our Savior more than those who don't ever say the name Jesus for fear they are invoking a pagan god and not the Son of God, the Son of the Father in Heaven. It is the LOVE that matters above so much that man believes matters, without the LOVE there is absolutely nothing. If those who believe they cannot say Jesus but must rather use the Hebrew language LOVE, truly LOVE Jesus they are following their hearts and their convictions and ultimately it is GOD who will judge, Jesus who will know if they are HIS or not. May we all be HIS, known by HIM!
Unfortunately here are so many whose hope is found not in Jesus, but rather in themselves and their own knowledge and these people will have to answer to God as EVERY man does, and explain to our Savior that they were wrong in NOT placing their hope in Him.
Are we perfect? NO MAN IS. We can only fall down on our knees and beg our Savior to lead us in HIS way ever lasting, in HIS LOVE.
Will we suffer? Yes. Christ suffered under the very people God had chosen to be His, they'd gone astray- losing all their true LOVE of God and yet they held their facts perfectly, rigidly. Will we suffer? YES! We will suffer, those who LOVE our Lord more than life itself, those of us who suffer living in this world longing for Jesus will be told we are not God's, by those who believe they are God's and we will suffer…suffer…suffer.
We must believe this--
1Pe 3:16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
1Pe 3:17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
Let us, let all of us who love the Lord, love one another- truly- love one another and pray for the love of Jesus to be found in us.
Help us LORD, helps us to be YOURS, fully YOURS guiding all who would be YOURS to the truth and helping us to walk in the truth through YOUR love, YOUR amazing, amazing LOVE.
Let us read these verses again--
1Pe 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
1Pe 3:13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
1Pe 3:14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
1Pe 3:16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
1Pe 3:17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
The righteous- those who live in Christ's righteousness.
Them that do evil- those who live in their own righteousness.
Followers of that which is good- followers of our Savior.
Suffering for righteousness- for being Christ's.
Be not afraid of their terror- and oh how the evil will terrorize those who are Christ's!
Neither be troubled- yes, those who are not Christ's will try and trouble you over and over yet we must keep our HOPE in Christ!
The LORD GOD made HOLY in our hearts!
Ready to answer every man that ask-- the REASON of the HOPE in us! All in meekness and fear!
Having a GOOD conscience- they that speak evil-as evildoers- may be ashamed because they are FALSELY accusing our good conversation in CHRIST!
God's will is BEST!
If we suffer for well doing- it is better than suffering for evil doing.
By the grace of God may we suffer for well doing- for loving HIM fully and not for doing any evil.
Please Lord…please help us to be fully YOURS in all ways.
Forgive us when we fall short.
Help us to find our way all in YOU and ONLY in YOU and NO other!
All by YOUR LOVE!
Amen.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
Heirs together
1Pe 3:5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
1Pe 3:6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
1Pe 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
As long as we do well and are not afraid with any amazement.
1Pe 3:6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; whose children you became, doing good, and fearing no terror. (LITV)
1Pe 3:6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose children ye now are, if ye do well, and are not put in fear by any terror. (RV)
As long as we do well and are not - put in fear- not fearing - not afraid-- of terror, alarm.
We face terror all the time, people will deny it but it's true. We've numbed ourselves and call it good and yet we are filled with so much anxiety it's not funny. When we read something like this, that if we do well and are not alarmed by fear, or fearful of alarming situations then we are like Sara was with Abraham.
Imagine Sarah's life with Abraham. She obeyed Him, believing in him when so much around her had to tell her to do otherwise. Her life couldn't have been an easy one. There was great reason for her to be fearful she left her homeland and journeyed away with Abraham and came face to face with those who would challenge them. She faced hunger, thirst. She faced deception and the wrath of a pharaoh, her life was filled with challenges. She had no children for Abraham and yet was assured by him that she would. She doubted, yes, but deep down she also believed. She had the necessary faith, the necessary belief in her husband, a trust that even though everything seemed to be unfolding contrary to plans that it would work out. Sarah did NOT let fear fill her up as it can so easily do when we are depending upon our husbands.
In today's world where a lot of times it's the woman who supplies the main source of income things have taken a turn for the worse. Yell at me for saying that if you want to, but it's true. Our men have been stripped of so much of their God-given right, need, to lead their families, the women and the children that it's amazing that things haven't deteriorated even faster than they have in our society. People think it's crazy to believe that way because it's male chauvinism and denying women equal rights etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. But truthfully God was NOT downgrading and debasing women when He created families as He did. God was giving us an example of our relationship with HIM. A living example that would be perpetual as long as mankind existed. Yet so many of God's examples to us are perverted and this was another one. Satan has done a really, really good job of working subtly through the years to twist things so that men have either abused their rights with caring for women or women have abused their rights in regards to men. In America today the women's rights movement has really taken a toll on the fabric of our society, in Saudi Arabia and other middle eastern countries women are abused senselessly for the most minor infractions- Satan has worked it so that it is all perverted and he loves it that way.
So when we read about Sara, about women needing to obey their husbands it's not a concept that is God's injustice at work, NOT at all, it's God's LOVE.
1Pe 3:6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
1Pe 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
Men and women- husbands and wives. God would have us be His, all of us be His all for our good, for our benefit. Loving us and us loving
By HIS Grace we can be the men and women He wants us to be, living in HIM now and always, all through HIM.
In His love!
1Pe 3:6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
1Pe 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
As long as we do well and are not afraid with any amazement.
1Pe 3:6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; whose children you became, doing good, and fearing no terror. (LITV)
1Pe 3:6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose children ye now are, if ye do well, and are not put in fear by any terror. (RV)
As long as we do well and are not - put in fear- not fearing - not afraid-- of terror, alarm.
We face terror all the time, people will deny it but it's true. We've numbed ourselves and call it good and yet we are filled with so much anxiety it's not funny. When we read something like this, that if we do well and are not alarmed by fear, or fearful of alarming situations then we are like Sara was with Abraham.
Imagine Sarah's life with Abraham. She obeyed Him, believing in him when so much around her had to tell her to do otherwise. Her life couldn't have been an easy one. There was great reason for her to be fearful she left her homeland and journeyed away with Abraham and came face to face with those who would challenge them. She faced hunger, thirst. She faced deception and the wrath of a pharaoh, her life was filled with challenges. She had no children for Abraham and yet was assured by him that she would. She doubted, yes, but deep down she also believed. She had the necessary faith, the necessary belief in her husband, a trust that even though everything seemed to be unfolding contrary to plans that it would work out. Sarah did NOT let fear fill her up as it can so easily do when we are depending upon our husbands.
In today's world where a lot of times it's the woman who supplies the main source of income things have taken a turn for the worse. Yell at me for saying that if you want to, but it's true. Our men have been stripped of so much of their God-given right, need, to lead their families, the women and the children that it's amazing that things haven't deteriorated even faster than they have in our society. People think it's crazy to believe that way because it's male chauvinism and denying women equal rights etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. But truthfully God was NOT downgrading and debasing women when He created families as He did. God was giving us an example of our relationship with HIM. A living example that would be perpetual as long as mankind existed. Yet so many of God's examples to us are perverted and this was another one. Satan has done a really, really good job of working subtly through the years to twist things so that men have either abused their rights with caring for women or women have abused their rights in regards to men. In America today the women's rights movement has really taken a toll on the fabric of our society, in Saudi Arabia and other middle eastern countries women are abused senselessly for the most minor infractions- Satan has worked it so that it is all perverted and he loves it that way.
So when we read about Sara, about women needing to obey their husbands it's not a concept that is God's injustice at work, NOT at all, it's God's LOVE.
1Pe 3:6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
1Pe 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
Men and women- husbands and wives. God would have us be His, all of us be His all for our good, for our benefit. Loving us and us loving
By HIS Grace we can be the men and women He wants us to be, living in HIM now and always, all through HIM.
In His love!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Hidden man of the heart
1Pe 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
1Pe 3:2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
1Pe 3:3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
1Pe 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
Our adorning is to be that of the HIDDEN man of the HEART.
The hidden man of the heart that IS NOT corruptible.
A MEEK and QUIET spirit.
How many of us possess such a spirit? Meek and quiet? People call them timid and in need of coming out of their shells. People want these meek and quiet ones to stand up for themselves, to NOT take any and everything from others. They want them to grow a backbone, to 'man up', to get a spine, and so on. To be meek and quiet is not something that is acceptable for the most part. Those who are domineering like to stomp on those who are meek and quiet. They like to make them their 'subjects' in a manner of speaking.
We are to adorn ourselves with the ornament of meekness, the ornament of a quiet spirit.
Meekness-
Definition 1. mildness of disposition, gentleness of spirit, meekness. Meekness toward God is that disposition of spirit in which we accept his dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting. In the OT, the meek are those wholly relying on God rather than their own strength to defend them against injustice. Thus, meekness toward evil people means knowing God is permitting the injuries they inflict, that he is using them to purify his elect, and that he will deliver his elect in his time. (Isa_41:17, Luk_18:1-14)
Amazing and wonderful isn't it? Meekness is our disposition being one that accepts God's dealing with us NO MATTER what- no resisting, no disputing, no questioning God and His plans.
This part- 'meekness towards evil people knowing God is permitting the injuries they inflict- that HE is using them to PURIFY his elect, AND that HE will deliver HIS elect in HIS time.' It's amazing isn't it? The MEEK, the QUIET in spirit KNOW this and BELIEVE this. The meek and quiet live knowing that God's will in all things is best even when we suffer horrifically.
If we live adorning our spirit rather than our bodies, if we live adorning our spirit rather than our flesh selves- then we are truly living for God and His love.
There is truly something to be said for those monks and such who take vows of meekness, of self-sacrifice, of silence, of deprivation of the flesh needs, the carnal desires. Seriously, there is something to be said for them. Those who have abandoned the materialistic way of life and live simply. Those who live off the land through hard work and much sacrifice. Those who devote themselves to God fully, wholly. Yet the majority of us don't do that, do we? We don't feel we can and maybe we can't. Maybe our walk with God, our path is to travel down a road that isn't one like that but rather to be in and among the world knowing the world and STILL being God's, is that possible? To be meek among the world, to be quiet among the awful, loud noise of the world. Rather than all of us having to take ourselves out of the world to the quietness, perhaps some have to stay in the world and live in the noise and be quite.
'...if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
1Pe 3:2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.'
Being won by God because of the witness of the meekness, the chasteness, the quietness. Rather than conform to the loudness, the outgoingness, the vulgar reality of our world remaining God's through the fear, the knowledge, the chasteness, quiet, and meekness. By the grace of God we need to be HIS fully, knowing whatever walk we are called to that we CAN be His and HIS alone. We can't be afraid to be meek and quiet, we can't be conformed to the world. By HIS GRACE!
1Pe 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
Hidden man of the heart.
Not corruptible.
A meek and quiet spirit.
Which is in the sight of GOD of great price.
God does not wish blood sacrifice, God does not wish us to put on an outward show with rituals and such. God would have us meek and quiet in spirit - this is what God wants of us. He wants us trusting wholly in Him no matter what…no…matter…what.
By HIS grace!
His LOVE!
Amen.
1Pe 3:2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
1Pe 3:3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
1Pe 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
Our adorning is to be that of the HIDDEN man of the HEART.
The hidden man of the heart that IS NOT corruptible.
A MEEK and QUIET spirit.
How many of us possess such a spirit? Meek and quiet? People call them timid and in need of coming out of their shells. People want these meek and quiet ones to stand up for themselves, to NOT take any and everything from others. They want them to grow a backbone, to 'man up', to get a spine, and so on. To be meek and quiet is not something that is acceptable for the most part. Those who are domineering like to stomp on those who are meek and quiet. They like to make them their 'subjects' in a manner of speaking.
We are to adorn ourselves with the ornament of meekness, the ornament of a quiet spirit.
Meekness-
Definition 1. mildness of disposition, gentleness of spirit, meekness. Meekness toward God is that disposition of spirit in which we accept his dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting. In the OT, the meek are those wholly relying on God rather than their own strength to defend them against injustice. Thus, meekness toward evil people means knowing God is permitting the injuries they inflict, that he is using them to purify his elect, and that he will deliver his elect in his time. (Isa_41:17, Luk_18:1-14)
Amazing and wonderful isn't it? Meekness is our disposition being one that accepts God's dealing with us NO MATTER what- no resisting, no disputing, no questioning God and His plans.
This part- 'meekness towards evil people knowing God is permitting the injuries they inflict- that HE is using them to PURIFY his elect, AND that HE will deliver HIS elect in HIS time.' It's amazing isn't it? The MEEK, the QUIET in spirit KNOW this and BELIEVE this. The meek and quiet live knowing that God's will in all things is best even when we suffer horrifically.
If we live adorning our spirit rather than our bodies, if we live adorning our spirit rather than our flesh selves- then we are truly living for God and His love.
There is truly something to be said for those monks and such who take vows of meekness, of self-sacrifice, of silence, of deprivation of the flesh needs, the carnal desires. Seriously, there is something to be said for them. Those who have abandoned the materialistic way of life and live simply. Those who live off the land through hard work and much sacrifice. Those who devote themselves to God fully, wholly. Yet the majority of us don't do that, do we? We don't feel we can and maybe we can't. Maybe our walk with God, our path is to travel down a road that isn't one like that but rather to be in and among the world knowing the world and STILL being God's, is that possible? To be meek among the world, to be quiet among the awful, loud noise of the world. Rather than all of us having to take ourselves out of the world to the quietness, perhaps some have to stay in the world and live in the noise and be quite.
'...if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
1Pe 3:2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.'
Being won by God because of the witness of the meekness, the chasteness, the quietness. Rather than conform to the loudness, the outgoingness, the vulgar reality of our world remaining God's through the fear, the knowledge, the chasteness, quiet, and meekness. By the grace of God we need to be HIS fully, knowing whatever walk we are called to that we CAN be His and HIS alone. We can't be afraid to be meek and quiet, we can't be conformed to the world. By HIS GRACE!
1Pe 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
Hidden man of the heart.
Not corruptible.
A meek and quiet spirit.
Which is in the sight of GOD of great price.
God does not wish blood sacrifice, God does not wish us to put on an outward show with rituals and such. God would have us meek and quiet in spirit - this is what God wants of us. He wants us trusting wholly in Him no matter what…no…matter…what.
By HIS grace!
His LOVE!
Amen.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
When he sufferened he threatened not
1Pe 2:16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
1Pe 2:17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
1Pe 2:18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
1Pe 2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
1Pe 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
1Pe 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
1Pe 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
1Pe 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
1Pe 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
…If a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully
So many people are grieving, so many people are suffering wrongfully and in their grief and suffering they lash out- NOT enduring it patiently. We are raised to fight against injustices, but aren't raised realizing that injustices are going to be plentiful in this world dominated by Satan. We are called weak when we bow to injustice. We are called spineless when we refuse to fight against those who have wronged us. Yet our GREATEST example in all the world's history did NOT fight against the injustices committed against Him, did He? He bore ALL the indignities heaped upon Himself very patiently.
So why do we want to fight against all the wrongs done to us without cause? Is it part of the pride inside us that determines we don't deserve to be treated wrongly? No one likes being wronged or to grieve do they? Did Jesus 'like' it? I can't imagine He did at all. He knew the cup waiting for Him and asked that it be taken away. Liking something and enduring something patiently are two different things entirely. We are not told to enjoy being wronged, we are not told to enjoy grieving, to enjoy suffering. We are told we should endure it with patience just as Jesus endured.
Our example--
1Pe 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
Our example- Jesus Christ- committed HIMSELF to GOD the Father who judges righteously.
Not a single wrong will go unpunished, not a single one, and we have to trust that God will judge all righteously. When we commit ourselves to God, we are asking for HIS righteous judgment unfold NOT our faulty judgment. Remember we are judged how we judge so is it any wonder we are to leave our judging in the hands of God, who alone can judge righteously. If we do the judging then we are asking to be judged by faulty judgment.
We MUST commit ourselves to God's judgment and NOT seek to judge and condemn others ourselves, even if that means enduring horrible wrongs, horrible grief, awful injustices, terrible suffering that we did NOTHING to deserve.
1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
1Pe 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
We ONLY live righteously in our Savior!
We are only dead to sins by living in our Savior!
We are HEALED by our Savior's suffering!
We are only able to come to our Savior by His grace!
Truly we are as sheep gone astray needing our GREAT SHEPHERD to rescue us!
Praise God!
1Pe 2:17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
1Pe 2:18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
1Pe 2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
1Pe 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
1Pe 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
1Pe 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
1Pe 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
1Pe 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
…If a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully
So many people are grieving, so many people are suffering wrongfully and in their grief and suffering they lash out- NOT enduring it patiently. We are raised to fight against injustices, but aren't raised realizing that injustices are going to be plentiful in this world dominated by Satan. We are called weak when we bow to injustice. We are called spineless when we refuse to fight against those who have wronged us. Yet our GREATEST example in all the world's history did NOT fight against the injustices committed against Him, did He? He bore ALL the indignities heaped upon Himself very patiently.
So why do we want to fight against all the wrongs done to us without cause? Is it part of the pride inside us that determines we don't deserve to be treated wrongly? No one likes being wronged or to grieve do they? Did Jesus 'like' it? I can't imagine He did at all. He knew the cup waiting for Him and asked that it be taken away. Liking something and enduring something patiently are two different things entirely. We are not told to enjoy being wronged, we are not told to enjoy grieving, to enjoy suffering. We are told we should endure it with patience just as Jesus endured.
Our example--
1Pe 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
Our example- Jesus Christ- committed HIMSELF to GOD the Father who judges righteously.
Not a single wrong will go unpunished, not a single one, and we have to trust that God will judge all righteously. When we commit ourselves to God, we are asking for HIS righteous judgment unfold NOT our faulty judgment. Remember we are judged how we judge so is it any wonder we are to leave our judging in the hands of God, who alone can judge righteously. If we do the judging then we are asking to be judged by faulty judgment.
We MUST commit ourselves to God's judgment and NOT seek to judge and condemn others ourselves, even if that means enduring horrible wrongs, horrible grief, awful injustices, terrible suffering that we did NOTHING to deserve.
1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
1Pe 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
We ONLY live righteously in our Savior!
We are only dead to sins by living in our Savior!
We are HEALED by our Savior's suffering!
We are only able to come to our Savior by His grace!
Truly we are as sheep gone astray needing our GREAT SHEPHERD to rescue us!
Praise God!
Friday, February 10, 2012
Honesty, good works, submission, well-doing
1Pe 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
They speak against you- as evildoers.
We remain HONEST.
Because we do not succumb to evil they'll know one day and comprehend God and glorify Him.
By OUR good works- by OUR godly lives which they will see, this is what they behold in us and they will glorify God. We might not think it's important how others see us but the truth is others will look to find faults and even falsely accuse those who call themselves God's. They want to believe we are evil because they don't comprehend God in our lives.
We need to be honest in all our conversations, we need to be honest and from that honesty our good works will be revealed all to the glory of GOD, not to our glory but to God's glory.
1Pe 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
1Pe 2:14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
1Pe 2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men
That with WELL DOING we may put to SILENCE the ignorance of FOOLISH MEN.
By submitting ourselves to obedience of those in authority over us we reveal the will of God in that we are as servants, as the least of them, not presuming to possess a greater personage than any other.
For the LORD'S SAKE we submit. Not because we want to submit, more often than not we might desire to disobey the government, and those with power over our lives, but we submit rather than resist. Jesus submitted remember this…
Mat 26:51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.
Mat 26:52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
Mat 26:53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
Mat 26:54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
Mat 26:55 In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.
Mat 26:56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
And this…
Luk 22:41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
Luk 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
Luk 22:43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
Luk 22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Jesus submitted, sweating great drops of blood, in agony, praying to His Father, He submitted.
We are to submit. God's will must be done and we aren't called to comprehend all the workings of our God. We must trust that even in the bitterest moments, even when those in authority abuse us our God's will is being done - ultimately there will be comprehension but more often than not there is not even the least bit of understanding as we struggle under the oppression of others.
It is true that with well doing we can put to silence the ignorance of foolish men, but that doesn't mean they'll be silent immediately. You might be years and years in well doing before there is silence for that ignorance.
It is God's will we submit. It is God's will we don't give up in well doing no matter the circumstances.
Only through the grace and mercy of God will this be accomplished, not by any righteousness of our own. Any good that comes from us, come from us through HIM.
ALL GLORY TO GOD!
They speak against you- as evildoers.
We remain HONEST.
Because we do not succumb to evil they'll know one day and comprehend God and glorify Him.
By OUR good works- by OUR godly lives which they will see, this is what they behold in us and they will glorify God. We might not think it's important how others see us but the truth is others will look to find faults and even falsely accuse those who call themselves God's. They want to believe we are evil because they don't comprehend God in our lives.
We need to be honest in all our conversations, we need to be honest and from that honesty our good works will be revealed all to the glory of GOD, not to our glory but to God's glory.
1Pe 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
1Pe 2:14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
1Pe 2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men
That with WELL DOING we may put to SILENCE the ignorance of FOOLISH MEN.
By submitting ourselves to obedience of those in authority over us we reveal the will of God in that we are as servants, as the least of them, not presuming to possess a greater personage than any other.
For the LORD'S SAKE we submit. Not because we want to submit, more often than not we might desire to disobey the government, and those with power over our lives, but we submit rather than resist. Jesus submitted remember this…
Mat 26:51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.
Mat 26:52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
Mat 26:53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
Mat 26:54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
Mat 26:55 In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.
Mat 26:56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
And this…
Luk 22:41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
Luk 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
Luk 22:43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
Luk 22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Jesus submitted, sweating great drops of blood, in agony, praying to His Father, He submitted.
We are to submit. God's will must be done and we aren't called to comprehend all the workings of our God. We must trust that even in the bitterest moments, even when those in authority abuse us our God's will is being done - ultimately there will be comprehension but more often than not there is not even the least bit of understanding as we struggle under the oppression of others.
It is true that with well doing we can put to silence the ignorance of foolish men, but that doesn't mean they'll be silent immediately. You might be years and years in well doing before there is silence for that ignorance.
It is God's will we submit. It is God's will we don't give up in well doing no matter the circumstances.
Only through the grace and mercy of God will this be accomplished, not by any righteousness of our own. Any good that comes from us, come from us through HIM.
ALL GLORY TO GOD!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Abstain
1Pe 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul
As strangers.
As pilgrims.
We are strangers and pilgrims- why?
Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Heb 11:14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
Who were 'these' that died in faith?
Abel
Enoch
Noah
Abraham
Isaac
Jacob
Sara
We know these people- these Biblically historical people. They were ALL STRANGERS and PILGRIMS on earth- just as WE are supposed to be. Why? Because we seek ANOTHER COUNTRY. This earth is NOT our home.
As those who are also strangers and pilgrims we are all who claim this status to abstain from fleshly lusts, why? Because fleshly lusts WAR against us. Our flesh lusts war against us dragging us down. When we indulge our ungodly lusts we are damaging ourselves. Those lusts hurt us in many ways, they keep us from God they separate us from God. When we choose not to abstain from those lusts we are actually choosing to separate ourselves from God.
There is a war and those lusts are going to war with us. We are going to war with ourselves, our flesh selves.
Why don't we understand this fully? Why can't we make this really real to ourselves? Why is it so hard to imagine that we are in a war and that war is against our own flesh nature, a nature Satan will encourage in us and strive to get us to indulge.
1Pe 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul
Abstain. DO NOT DO these things. STOP doing these things. Stop indulging fleshly lusts!
People think those who abstain, those who deny themselves are oddballs. Truly those who do abstain from lusts that are being indulged freely by so many do appear to be odd. Fleshly lust rule our world. Fleshly lusts have become our norms in society. Take ONE night and watch several modern tv sitcoms, do it and you'll know without any doubt that fleshly lusts are very, very acceptable today. People watch these shows and so many emulate them. People get their standards from these shows. People are molded by these shows. When we think about this and realize that the Bible tells us to ABSTAIN from the lusts that are so prevalent in our world is it any wonder those who chose a life of abstaining are considered strange?
Abstain.
People indulge their desires all the time, to their own detriment.
How do we stop? Where do we find the power to deny ourselves? The only way is through Jesus, that is the ONLY way, by His grace and mercy, His power.
Please Lord, please help us to abstain from our fleshly lusts that would keep us from You. We need you so desperately.
Please help us.
As strangers.
As pilgrims.
We are strangers and pilgrims- why?
Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Heb 11:14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
Who were 'these' that died in faith?
Abel
Enoch
Noah
Abraham
Isaac
Jacob
Sara
We know these people- these Biblically historical people. They were ALL STRANGERS and PILGRIMS on earth- just as WE are supposed to be. Why? Because we seek ANOTHER COUNTRY. This earth is NOT our home.
As those who are also strangers and pilgrims we are all who claim this status to abstain from fleshly lusts, why? Because fleshly lusts WAR against us. Our flesh lusts war against us dragging us down. When we indulge our ungodly lusts we are damaging ourselves. Those lusts hurt us in many ways, they keep us from God they separate us from God. When we choose not to abstain from those lusts we are actually choosing to separate ourselves from God.
There is a war and those lusts are going to war with us. We are going to war with ourselves, our flesh selves.
Why don't we understand this fully? Why can't we make this really real to ourselves? Why is it so hard to imagine that we are in a war and that war is against our own flesh nature, a nature Satan will encourage in us and strive to get us to indulge.
1Pe 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul
Abstain. DO NOT DO these things. STOP doing these things. Stop indulging fleshly lusts!
People think those who abstain, those who deny themselves are oddballs. Truly those who do abstain from lusts that are being indulged freely by so many do appear to be odd. Fleshly lust rule our world. Fleshly lusts have become our norms in society. Take ONE night and watch several modern tv sitcoms, do it and you'll know without any doubt that fleshly lusts are very, very acceptable today. People watch these shows and so many emulate them. People get their standards from these shows. People are molded by these shows. When we think about this and realize that the Bible tells us to ABSTAIN from the lusts that are so prevalent in our world is it any wonder those who chose a life of abstaining are considered strange?
Abstain.
People indulge their desires all the time, to their own detriment.
How do we stop? Where do we find the power to deny ourselves? The only way is through Jesus, that is the ONLY way, by His grace and mercy, His power.
Please Lord, please help us to abstain from our fleshly lusts that would keep us from You. We need you so desperately.
Please help us.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
The Lord is Gracious
1Pe 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
1Pe 2:3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
If we taste the sincere milk of the word we KNOW the Lord is gracious.
It's the sincere milk of the WORD that helps us grow as newborn Christians.
How could God not be gracious in that He offers us eternal life through His Son, us who do NOT deserve eternal life at all whatsoever. We do NOT deserve salvation! We are sinners born with flesh desires that we nurture throughout our lives by yielding to temptations, by sinning, by living contrary to God's will, against the laws of God.
The laws- LOVE GOD.
The laws- LOVE EACH OTHER.
We seldom do either of these because we are so incredibly self centered.
The LORD is gracious! We are offered this sincere milk all by His mercy, His grace!
1Pe 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
1Pe 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
1Pe 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
1Pe 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
There is great beauty in these words- a living stone.
Rocks are symbols of solidness, yes? A living rock, a living symbol of solidness- of truth, pure truth. Chosen of God, precious. We are also supposed to be lively stones- living stones- why? How? Because we are a part of the living rock, the living stone - JESUS. The spiritual house is the house of our LORD. The holy priesthood is JESUS' holy priesthood- He is OUR HIGH PRIEST! We are His priests.
Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
The Spiritual House- the Holy Priesthood.
We do offer up spiritual sacrifices - not physical, fleshy sacrifices but spiritual sacrifices and these sacrifices are ACCEPTABLE to God by Jesus Christ!
Our Lord is the CHIEF CORNERSTONE. We know this, we know that our Savior is our all in all, He is EVERYTHING!
We who believe understand this, we who believe KNOW this, but those who do not believe can't understand.
To those who do not know Jesus - He is a STONE of stumbling. He is a ROCK of offence. They cannot understand, they don't want to understand that He is a living stone, the He is a ROCK, a LIVING ROCK of life to all who believe.
Our Lord is gracious beyond our comprehension. We need to cling to Him, to cling to His love, His amazing, amazing love.
Too many people stumble at the word of God- too many people are disobedient. We need to fall at the feet of Christ and beg forgiveness, repenting of our sins. He is pure LOVE in a way we scarcely can begin to comprehend. He is the purest love that exists and we need to cling to that pure love seeking to love as He loves all through HIS Holy Spirit sent to us. Of our own we are helpless, it is ONLY in Christ we are anything at all.
All through HIS love!
All through HIS mercy!
Please Lord, please… have mercy on us, forgive us, love us!
All through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior the Son of God.
Amen.
1Pe 2:3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
If we taste the sincere milk of the word we KNOW the Lord is gracious.
It's the sincere milk of the WORD that helps us grow as newborn Christians.
How could God not be gracious in that He offers us eternal life through His Son, us who do NOT deserve eternal life at all whatsoever. We do NOT deserve salvation! We are sinners born with flesh desires that we nurture throughout our lives by yielding to temptations, by sinning, by living contrary to God's will, against the laws of God.
The laws- LOVE GOD.
The laws- LOVE EACH OTHER.
We seldom do either of these because we are so incredibly self centered.
The LORD is gracious! We are offered this sincere milk all by His mercy, His grace!
1Pe 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
1Pe 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
1Pe 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
1Pe 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
There is great beauty in these words- a living stone.
Rocks are symbols of solidness, yes? A living rock, a living symbol of solidness- of truth, pure truth. Chosen of God, precious. We are also supposed to be lively stones- living stones- why? How? Because we are a part of the living rock, the living stone - JESUS. The spiritual house is the house of our LORD. The holy priesthood is JESUS' holy priesthood- He is OUR HIGH PRIEST! We are His priests.
Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
The Spiritual House- the Holy Priesthood.
We do offer up spiritual sacrifices - not physical, fleshy sacrifices but spiritual sacrifices and these sacrifices are ACCEPTABLE to God by Jesus Christ!
Our Lord is the CHIEF CORNERSTONE. We know this, we know that our Savior is our all in all, He is EVERYTHING!
We who believe understand this, we who believe KNOW this, but those who do not believe can't understand.
To those who do not know Jesus - He is a STONE of stumbling. He is a ROCK of offence. They cannot understand, they don't want to understand that He is a living stone, the He is a ROCK, a LIVING ROCK of life to all who believe.
Our Lord is gracious beyond our comprehension. We need to cling to Him, to cling to His love, His amazing, amazing love.
Too many people stumble at the word of God- too many people are disobedient. We need to fall at the feet of Christ and beg forgiveness, repenting of our sins. He is pure LOVE in a way we scarcely can begin to comprehend. He is the purest love that exists and we need to cling to that pure love seeking to love as He loves all through HIS Holy Spirit sent to us. Of our own we are helpless, it is ONLY in Christ we are anything at all.
All through HIS love!
All through HIS mercy!
Please Lord, please… have mercy on us, forgive us, love us!
All through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior the Son of God.
Amen.
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