1 Peter 4:4 “They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you.”
Lord, You know this is still true today. As soon as someone is saved out of that mess, their friends mock them, because they have no understanding. They are called, “Preacher Boy, Religious Wacko, Bible Thumper, and High and Mighty Goody 2 Shoes, among other things I will not put into print.” They are persecuted because their life convicts the others of sin.
People want to be around others who think and act like they do. When a Christian is called out of the group they have been hanging with to live a holy life, the others do not like it because it shows them who they themselves are. This happens in families as well. Christians do not have to come out of a lewd lifestyle for them to be persecuted and picked on by family members. Some are even ostracized for their beliefs. We see that a lot with our international students at Liberty University that come from pagan countries and families. They may not be a member of your family when they come to LU, but most leave as one of Your kids. Some, over time, have been able to win their families.
That’s why You told us that You came to divide families. It is not Your heart to do so as You would like all to be saved, but You know/ knew what would happen.
Help us all who find ourselves to be in this situation, whether with family, nationality, friends, or co-workers to live the life You intend for us so we can be salt and light to this fallen world.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Live For Christ Not for Yourself
1 Peter 4: 3 “For you have spent enough time in the past doing what the pagans choose to do- living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.”
My Sweet Lord, You know that when I was a pagan, I was involved in drunkenness a couple of times and lust some, but thankfully not these other things listed. I realize that I was blessed by being kept from those, but also realize that I certainly am not above those who did/ do. The sins I did commit were enough to send me to hell for eternity and only by Your grace I was saved. I lived in that self absorbed lifestyle. Only after You saved me and became Lord of my life did I start to become selfless to the point where I would be willing to suffer, even for doing right, as Your testimony to the unbeliever and the encouraging of other saints is now more important to me than my life. Time spent in that lifestyle was altogether wasted.
Lord, help me to live for others and not myself anymore at all. Only when I do am I blessed and can be a blessing to others and You. I praise You for the changes You have made in me, but I still have a very long way to go. Help me to never give up fighting the good fight. I want more than anything else in life for You to be able to say to me at the end of this journey, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Whom God Chooses
Some dear sait of Yours sent this to me and it fits right in with what we discussed today, Lord, so I want to share it.
Whom God Chooses
Whom God Chooses
by Henry F. Lyte
When God wants to drill a man,
and thrill a man, and skill a man,
When God wants to mold a man,
To play the noblest part;
When He yearns with all His heart
To create so great and bold a man,
That all the world shall be amazed,
Watch his methods; watch His ways.
How He ruthlessly perfects
When He royally elects!
How He hammers him and hurts him
And with mighty blows converts him
Into trial shapes of clay
Which only God understands;
While his tortured heart is crying,
And He lifts beseeching hands!
How He bends but never breaks
When His good He undertakes.
How He uses whom he chooses,
And with every purpose fuses him;
But every act induces him
To try His splendor out --
God knows what He's about!
and thrill a man, and skill a man,
When God wants to mold a man,
To play the noblest part;
When He yearns with all His heart
To create so great and bold a man,
That all the world shall be amazed,
Watch his methods; watch His ways.
How He ruthlessly perfects
When He royally elects!
How He hammers him and hurts him
And with mighty blows converts him
Into trial shapes of clay
Which only God understands;
While his tortured heart is crying,
And He lifts beseeching hands!
How He bends but never breaks
When His good He undertakes.
How He uses whom he chooses,
And with every purpose fuses him;
But every act induces him
To try His splendor out --
God knows what He's about!
Go then, earthly fame and treasure!
Come disaster, scorn, and pain!
In Thy service, pain is pleasure;
With Thy favor, loss is gain.
I have called Thee, Abba, Father;
I have stayed my heart on Thee.
Storms may howl, and clouds may gather;
All must work for good to me.
Come disaster, scorn, and pain!
In Thy service, pain is pleasure;
With Thy favor, loss is gain.
I have called Thee, Abba, Father;
I have stayed my heart on Thee.
Storms may howl, and clouds may gather;
All must work for good to me.
Arm Yourselves With the Attitude of Christ in Suffering
1 Peter 4:1-2 “Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.”
Lord, these verses have taken me a couple of days to try to understand. I know that You led a sinless life as a “man” although You were tempted in all was as we are. When life is prosperous and without persecution and pain, unfortunately we are drawn to our base human desires…things You call “evil”. When we are very sick, in a great deal of pain, or our lives are in jeopardy our focus changes. These things have a way of narrowing our thought simply to survival, but also hopefully to You and Your will. I have seen a lot of Christians who have suffered greatly with physical ailments and life threatening diseases who have become such a testimony to others because they came to know You in a much more intimate way. I have also seen Christians who have been in the same situation who have become bitter against You and others who have caused the pain. Pain and imminent death cause us to draw inward.
That is why we have to arm ourselves with Your attitude. When You were being flogged, spit upon, beaten, slapped, had Your beard yanked out, and then crucified, you never railed against those who accused you falsely or those who carried out the orders they were given, but forgave them all because You knew it was the will of the Father to pay for our salvation.
So if we are to have Your attitude, we are to be more concerned with others than ourselves and our evil desires. That way we will cease from sin.
Lord, these verses have taken me a couple of days to try to understand. I know that You led a sinless life as a “man” although You were tempted in all was as we are. When life is prosperous and without persecution and pain, unfortunately we are drawn to our base human desires…things You call “evil”. When we are very sick, in a great deal of pain, or our lives are in jeopardy our focus changes. These things have a way of narrowing our thought simply to survival, but also hopefully to You and Your will. I have seen a lot of Christians who have suffered greatly with physical ailments and life threatening diseases who have become such a testimony to others because they came to know You in a much more intimate way. I have also seen Christians who have been in the same situation who have become bitter against You and others who have caused the pain. Pain and imminent death cause us to draw inward.
That is why we have to arm ourselves with Your attitude. When You were being flogged, spit upon, beaten, slapped, had Your beard yanked out, and then crucified, you never railed against those who accused you falsely or those who carried out the orders they were given, but forgave them all because You knew it was the will of the Father to pay for our salvation.
So if we are to have Your attitude, we are to be more concerned with others than ourselves and our evil desires. That way we will cease from sin.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
All Authorities are Under Christ's rule
1 Peter 3:22 “who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand- with angels, authorities and powers in submission to Him.”
Hallelujah! Lord, this is one of those verses that gives so much hope to us believers. There is no one greater, wiser, more powerful, just, loving, true, and wonderful than You! You rule over everything and everyone even if they do not realize it. Thank You for Your amazing grace that saved me and brought me out from under Satan’s rule and into Yours. Neither he nor his minions have power over me anymore unless I allow it. If they try to tempt me, by Your grace and power, I can resist and send them away.
Thank You, thank You, thank You for delivering me from that living death!
Hallelujah! Lord, this is one of those verses that gives so much hope to us believers. There is no one greater, wiser, more powerful, just, loving, true, and wonderful than You! You rule over everything and everyone even if they do not realize it. Thank You for Your amazing grace that saved me and brought me out from under Satan’s rule and into Yours. Neither he nor his minions have power over me anymore unless I allow it. If they try to tempt me, by Your grace and power, I can resist and send them away.
Thank You, thank You, thank You for delivering me from that living death!
Baptism-the Pledge of a Good Conscience Toward God
1 Peter 3:21 “And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also- not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
Lord, as You know, I was sprinkled on my head (their form of baptism), as a child in the church I was brought up in. My Mother told me that at age twelve, it had been after some sort of catechism so I could join the church. I do not remember either event. I do not question her memory, however I feel very sad that, like others I suppose, I could have apparently been taught and had “learned” so much that I had been counted “worthy” to be baptized but do not remember any of it. I must have been like many other adults and children who grew up in church hearing about You, believing historically that You were the Son of God (whatever that meant), born of a virgin, crucified and resurrected, but having no idea of what that might mean to me personally.
After my conversion, when I started reading the word for myself, I learned that baptism by immersion always came after salvation and did not bring you into membership of a denomination, but was an outward sign of what had happened inwardly
Lord, as You know, I was sprinkled on my head (their form of baptism), as a child in the church I was brought up in. My Mother told me that at age twelve, it had been after some sort of catechism so I could join the church. I do not remember either event. I do not question her memory, however I feel very sad that, like others I suppose, I could have apparently been taught and had “learned” so much that I had been counted “worthy” to be baptized but do not remember any of it. I must have been like many other adults and children who grew up in church hearing about You, believing historically that You were the Son of God (whatever that meant), born of a virgin, crucified and resurrected, but having no idea of what that might mean to me personally.
After my conversion, when I started reading the word for myself, I learned that baptism by immersion always came after salvation and did not bring you into membership of a denomination, but was an outward sign of what had happened inwardly
Only Eight Saved Out of Thousands
1 Peter 3: 20c "In it (the Ark), only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water." (Emphasis is mine)
Lord, it has never ceased to amaze me that out of the thousands of people on the earth at the time of Noah, and out of all of the people You, through Noah, preached to over that 120 years only eight people, Noah’s family, were saved. Man’s heart is sick and desperately wicked, rebellious, prideful, arrogant, and foolish. Who can know it? It is much like Lot’s family being saved alone out of the population of two great cities.
You could have used any means to destroy the population at that time, but in your foresight used water because You already had baptism for believers planned for thousands of years later.
“You are God alone from before time began,
You were on the throne, You are God alone.”
Lord, it has never ceased to amaze me that out of the thousands of people on the earth at the time of Noah, and out of all of the people You, through Noah, preached to over that 120 years only eight people, Noah’s family, were saved. Man’s heart is sick and desperately wicked, rebellious, prideful, arrogant, and foolish. Who can know it? It is much like Lot’s family being saved alone out of the population of two great cities.
You could have used any means to destroy the population at that time, but in your foresight used water because You already had baptism for believers planned for thousands of years later.
“You are God alone from before time began,
You were on the throne, You are God alone.”
He Was Made Alive by the Spirit/ Preached Through Noah
1 Peter 3:18b “He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,”
Lord, Your resurrection is so amazing! Although You raised others from the dead, the Holy Spirit made You alive again. The scripture says that before You raised Lazarus, You prayed, and other times You just spoke or spoke and then touched someone and they were made alive again. That same Holy Spirit that raised You from the dead is the same Holy Spirit that lives within me today. He has the same power as He is fully God and has all of the power and character of God as well. Thank You seems so hollow a phrase for what You have given us in salvation! You have not left us alone, but have given us an amazing comforter/counselor in the Holy Spirit.
1 Peter 319-20a “through whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah (120 years) when the ark was being built,”
Lord, I have to be honest, as You know my thoughts anyway, that I really do not understand why You did this. Your word says that it is appointed for men once to die and then the judgment, so I know You would not go to preach in order to save some there. You also would to go there to taunt those souls who could not change their decision and say, See, Noah told you this would happen.” So, what did your preach to them? Why You went and what You preached was obviously perfect and You owe me no explanation. You are God! I’m just one of Your kids asking the why and what questions children ask. Even if You say, “Because I said so.”, that will be enough for me.
In consulting with other Bible scholars, I have more peace with what Ryrie says. He said this refers to You before Your incarnation preaching through Noah to those souls who would not heed the warning and are now in prison. Given Your character and the rest of the counsel of Scripture, this makes perfect sense to me.
Lord, Your resurrection is so amazing! Although You raised others from the dead, the Holy Spirit made You alive again. The scripture says that before You raised Lazarus, You prayed, and other times You just spoke or spoke and then touched someone and they were made alive again. That same Holy Spirit that raised You from the dead is the same Holy Spirit that lives within me today. He has the same power as He is fully God and has all of the power and character of God as well. Thank You seems so hollow a phrase for what You have given us in salvation! You have not left us alone, but have given us an amazing comforter/counselor in the Holy Spirit.
1 Peter 319-20a “through whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah (120 years) when the ark was being built,”
Lord, I have to be honest, as You know my thoughts anyway, that I really do not understand why You did this. Your word says that it is appointed for men once to die and then the judgment, so I know You would not go to preach in order to save some there. You also would to go there to taunt those souls who could not change their decision and say, See, Noah told you this would happen.” So, what did your preach to them? Why You went and what You preached was obviously perfect and You owe me no explanation. You are God! I’m just one of Your kids asking the why and what questions children ask. Even if You say, “Because I said so.”, that will be enough for me.
In consulting with other Bible scholars, I have more peace with what Ryrie says. He said this refers to You before Your incarnation preaching through Noah to those souls who would not heed the warning and are now in prison. Given Your character and the rest of the counsel of Scripture, this makes perfect sense to me.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Christ Died for Sins Once for All
1 Peter 3:18a “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous and the unrighteous, to bring you to God.”
Lord, I praise You this morning for being a willing sacrifice. You alone deserve honor, glory, majesty, and praise. Out of Your unconditional love for all mankind, You gave your life for us all:
False gods, like Allah and others, require that their devout followers die for them. You, the God of all creation, ruler of all that is, willingly died for us!
“Amazing love, how can it be.
That Thou, my God, should die for me?”
While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Thank You, Lord, for saving my soul.
Thank You, Lord, for making me whole.
Thank You, Lord, for giving to me,
Thy great salvation so rich and free (to me).
Lord, I praise You this morning for being a willing sacrifice. You alone deserve honor, glory, majesty, and praise. Out of Your unconditional love for all mankind, You gave your life for us all:
· Those who follow false gods, like Allah and do heinous acts against innocents to gain their own exalted place in the presence of that god.
· Those who have placed themselves as gods and feel they do not have to yield to the laws of the land and are vial offenders against innocents.
· Those who are enemies of what is holy and right.
· Those who are moral and upright in their own system of religion.
· And even those who have chosen to worship Satan.
How unlike us You are! As the scripture says, we might consider giving our lives as a noble deed for a cause, a good person, or a loved one. But You died for Your enemies, for those who hated You, ignored You, falsely accused You, lied about You, and betrayed You.False gods, like Allah and others, require that their devout followers die for them. You, the God of all creation, ruler of all that is, willingly died for us!
“Amazing love, how can it be.
That Thou, my God, should die for me?”
While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Thank You, Lord, for saving my soul.
Thank You, Lord, for making me whole.
Thank You, Lord, for giving to me,
Thy great salvation so rich and free (to me).
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Behave Like Christ No Matter What
1 Peter 3:16 “But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”
Lord, You, Joseph, David, and Daniel come to mind immediately as examples. The fact that impetuous bombastic Peter would write this to others is testimony of Your work in his life. How we deliver Your message is so important. If we follow the Spirit’s leading, we will never mess up the message because He will put the words in our mouths.
1 Peter 3:17 “It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”
Lord, the phrase “if it is God’s will”, sticks out here. I know that You need to teach us perseverance and patience through things we suffer. You also understand from Your time here as the God-man how difficult that is, especially when it is because you are doing something good. I think of Nate Saint, Jim Elliott, Paul, and the Burnhams (Missionaries in the Philippines who were captured by Muslim extremists and held captive for a year and a half) and all the other martyrs, or those tortured or imprisoned, (Eric Bonheoffer) for the faith.
The world looks with consternation asking, “Why would a loving God allow His devout followers to suffer and sometimes die for doing His will?” To be honest, Lord, I wonder about that sometimes too. I have to remember that we live in enemy territory from the day we are saved until the day when You take us home to be with You in Glory. The way we behave when we suffer or are persecuted for doing Your will can speak louder to the unbelieving world than our mountains of words. Our perfect example was You on the cross.
So I trust You and believe Your Word with all of its promises. Whether I understand or not, am bewildered or not, am frustrated or not, or am terrified or not…I will still believe and trust, yielded to Your will in my life…whatever it holds.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Be Prepared to Give an Answer
1 Peter 3:15 “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”
Lord, the hope I have is go glorious, reassuring, and wonderful, why would I not be more than willing to share it if anyone should ask? Our hope is not just eternal life. Everyone has eternal life after death. Lord, I would not want eternal life here on earth with all of its trouble and sin. Our blessed hope is eternity with YOU in a perfect, peaceful, beautiful, sinless place. Who would not want that?
However; people are by nature skeptical, blinded by their sin and they do not believe there is such a place or such a One who would love them unconditionally and save them where they are. Some falsely believe as I once did, that their good works will outweigh the bad and in Your benevolence will allow them into Heaven when they die. They don’t, or will not accept that all of our best works are like filthy rags. The only “key” into Heaven is through the blessed sacrificial blood of the Savior.
Help us all, Lord, to boldly tell those everywhere of this marvelous truth.
Lord, the hope I have is go glorious, reassuring, and wonderful, why would I not be more than willing to share it if anyone should ask? Our hope is not just eternal life. Everyone has eternal life after death. Lord, I would not want eternal life here on earth with all of its trouble and sin. Our blessed hope is eternity with YOU in a perfect, peaceful, beautiful, sinless place. Who would not want that?
However; people are by nature skeptical, blinded by their sin and they do not believe there is such a place or such a One who would love them unconditionally and save them where they are. Some falsely believe as I once did, that their good works will outweigh the bad and in Your benevolence will allow them into Heaven when they die. They don’t, or will not accept that all of our best works are like filthy rags. The only “key” into Heaven is through the blessed sacrificial blood of the Savior.
Help us all, Lord, to boldly tell those everywhere of this marvelous truth.
How to Suffer Properly for Doing Good
1 Peter 3:13 “Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?”
Lord, this is a rhetorical question Peter is asking. The assumed answer is, “No one.” However; Christianity comes under attack from the Evil One, and we see persecution all throughout history. We are approaching the time in our country now, and are experiencing it in mild forms today. So the answer might be, “Maybe not as many as would be if I were consistently doing wrong.”
We are quickly approaching the fulfillment of end times prophecy which warns that there will come a time in the last days when evil will be called good, and good evil. Lord, help us all to do good even when we know we will suffer for it, simply because You command it. If we do, we may win some to the kingdom.
1 Peter 3:14 “But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear (their threats), do not be frightened.”
Blessed if I suffer for what is right…that’s radical thinking. Our pride rises up and screams, “I don’t deserve to be treated like this! This is unfair, God! Why are You allowing me to suffer? Aren’t I doing what You have commanded? So why are You punishing me?”
Then that still mall voice whispers, “Down boy. If you really got what you deserved, you would be in Hell this very moment being tortured for all eternity. However, the Savior rescued you. This suffering will last but a little while. Oh, it may seem like a long time to you right now, but in light of eternity, it’s a heartbeat. You are suffering for the cause of Him who saved you. How you suffer determines whether you glorify Him or not. You make the choice. I will bless you, give you grace and mercy to withstand this, so lean on Me. Trust Me. I will bring you through.
Lord, this is a rhetorical question Peter is asking. The assumed answer is, “No one.” However; Christianity comes under attack from the Evil One, and we see persecution all throughout history. We are approaching the time in our country now, and are experiencing it in mild forms today. So the answer might be, “Maybe not as many as would be if I were consistently doing wrong.”
We are quickly approaching the fulfillment of end times prophecy which warns that there will come a time in the last days when evil will be called good, and good evil. Lord, help us all to do good even when we know we will suffer for it, simply because You command it. If we do, we may win some to the kingdom.
1 Peter 3:14 “But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear (their threats), do not be frightened.”
Blessed if I suffer for what is right…that’s radical thinking. Our pride rises up and screams, “I don’t deserve to be treated like this! This is unfair, God! Why are You allowing me to suffer? Aren’t I doing what You have commanded? So why are You punishing me?”
Then that still mall voice whispers, “Down boy. If you really got what you deserved, you would be in Hell this very moment being tortured for all eternity. However, the Savior rescued you. This suffering will last but a little while. Oh, it may seem like a long time to you right now, but in light of eternity, it’s a heartbeat. You are suffering for the cause of Him who saved you. How you suffer determines whether you glorify Him or not. You make the choice. I will bless you, give you grace and mercy to withstand this, so lean on Me. Trust Me. I will bring you through.
Rulesfor Peaceful Fulfilled Living
1 Peter 3:7 “ Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.”
Lord, You have blessed me with a considerate husband. We have both grown in consideration for one another over our almost 40 years of marriage. It is very sad to see Christian couples who refuse to live by these commands. They destroy each other and their children, if they stay together long enough to have any. I believe that failure to live by these commands results in so many Christian divorces.
1 Peter 3:8 “Finally, all of you live in harmony (be of one mind), having sympathetic compassion for another, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. (full of pity and courtesy)” (KJV)
Lord, compassion and courtesy, love and pity all go together, but none can be extended to another if one is self-centered. We all need to die to (crucify) self and live for others, exalt others, edify others, encourage others, defer to others, and promote others. If we are busy doing these things, we won’t have time to be selfish. But we must do those things in humility of spirit not to attract the attention of others for our praise.
Help me, Lord, to do all of those things simply because You command it and so You got all of the glory.
1 Peter 3:9 “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
When we experience evil or insult, we are tempted to reply in kind. How much like You, Lord, to show us that our human reaction is opposite of what You want from Your children. We can do this only when we are filled with, and controlled by, the Holy Spirit.
Lord, help us, especially in our families, to live this out in our daily lives.
1 Peter 3:10-12 and Psalm 34:12-16 “For, ‘Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good: he must speak peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.’”.
O Lord, how very true these verses are. A good peaceful life lived with heard and answered prayer…how much better can it get? So why would we seek anything different? Thank You again for giving us guidance and direction. It would be so awful if You had not done so. Now that we have this direction, help us…help ME live it out in my daily life!
Lord, You have blessed me with a considerate husband. We have both grown in consideration for one another over our almost 40 years of marriage. It is very sad to see Christian couples who refuse to live by these commands. They destroy each other and their children, if they stay together long enough to have any. I believe that failure to live by these commands results in so many Christian divorces.
1 Peter 3:8 “Finally, all of you live in harmony (be of one mind), having sympathetic compassion for another, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. (full of pity and courtesy)” (KJV)
Lord, compassion and courtesy, love and pity all go together, but none can be extended to another if one is self-centered. We all need to die to (crucify) self and live for others, exalt others, edify others, encourage others, defer to others, and promote others. If we are busy doing these things, we won’t have time to be selfish. But we must do those things in humility of spirit not to attract the attention of others for our praise.
Help me, Lord, to do all of those things simply because You command it and so You got all of the glory.
1 Peter 3:9 “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
When we experience evil or insult, we are tempted to reply in kind. How much like You, Lord, to show us that our human reaction is opposite of what You want from Your children. We can do this only when we are filled with, and controlled by, the Holy Spirit.
Lord, help us, especially in our families, to live this out in our daily lives.
1 Peter 3:10-12 and Psalm 34:12-16 “For, ‘Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good: he must speak peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.’”.
O Lord, how very true these verses are. A good peaceful life lived with heard and answered prayer…how much better can it get? So why would we seek anything different? Thank You again for giving us guidance and direction. It would be so awful if You had not done so. Now that we have this direction, help us…help ME live it out in my daily life!
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Submit and Call My Husband "Master"?
1 Peter 3:5-6 “For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands. Like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.”
Lord, thank You for these verses! That may seem strange coming from a 21st century woman in a culture where the “Woman’s Liberation Movement” is going strong; so strong in fact that some women are turning to each other for love and affection in an perverse sense because they feel that they do not “need” men at all. The word “obey” is being stricken from wedding vows and in too many homes the woman “wears the pants”.
I know that actions speak louder than words. In the past, I have paid “lip service” to my dear husband but have not had a submissive and obedient attitude or heart. Lord, forgive my duplicity. Now when I am tempted to be rebellious, I am reminded of something a dear mentor of mine, Betty Baker said many years ago. We were talking about the wisdom of her husband wanting to drive all the way to Florida from New York (in total a 24 hour trip), because of his severe heart condition. She agreed that she too was concerned. I asked her if she would drive instead of him. She said that he would never let her drive when they were together. She said, “I could probably force the issue and nag until he gave in, but if I did I’d probably get us into an accident. I have learned that I dare not step out from under the umbrella of my husband’s authority; for when I do, I get poured on.”
There was so much wisdom in that little conversation. I have since taught that word picture to many women, young and old, and it has been a blessing to them as well. Thank You, Lord for the ladies like Betty Baker, Barb McKee, Evelyn Dudley, and Dorothy Rhine You placed in my life as mentors…Titus 2 Women, in those early years.
Lord, I must confess that I find it strange that in the second part of these verses, Peter uses Sarah as an example. Yes, she obeyed Abraham when he told her they would move without knowing where, and to tell the king that she was his sister (a half truth) to save his own life, and she called him master. However; there is the whole situation with Hagar too. I guess she made the suggestion by manipulation and nagging, but he still had the choice whether to follow through and did…much like Adam and Eve. So, the sin rests on them both. In no way does this mean that Sarah was treated like a slave or a doormat, being ordered about because she called Abraham, “Master”. It was obvious that he loved her and treated her with the utmost care, (except in his weak moments).
You are a God of order and have placed an order of authority in the home because anything with two heads is a monster. You always hold the husband accountable for what happens in his home. That order is in place to provide efficiency and effectiveness for Your Kingdom. Only when we submit to that order does the battle of the wills die and You are glorified in our homes.
Lord, thank You for these verses! That may seem strange coming from a 21st century woman in a culture where the “Woman’s Liberation Movement” is going strong; so strong in fact that some women are turning to each other for love and affection in an perverse sense because they feel that they do not “need” men at all. The word “obey” is being stricken from wedding vows and in too many homes the woman “wears the pants”.
I know that actions speak louder than words. In the past, I have paid “lip service” to my dear husband but have not had a submissive and obedient attitude or heart. Lord, forgive my duplicity. Now when I am tempted to be rebellious, I am reminded of something a dear mentor of mine, Betty Baker said many years ago. We were talking about the wisdom of her husband wanting to drive all the way to Florida from New York (in total a 24 hour trip), because of his severe heart condition. She agreed that she too was concerned. I asked her if she would drive instead of him. She said that he would never let her drive when they were together. She said, “I could probably force the issue and nag until he gave in, but if I did I’d probably get us into an accident. I have learned that I dare not step out from under the umbrella of my husband’s authority; for when I do, I get poured on.”
There was so much wisdom in that little conversation. I have since taught that word picture to many women, young and old, and it has been a blessing to them as well. Thank You, Lord for the ladies like Betty Baker, Barb McKee, Evelyn Dudley, and Dorothy Rhine You placed in my life as mentors…Titus 2 Women, in those early years.
Lord, I must confess that I find it strange that in the second part of these verses, Peter uses Sarah as an example. Yes, she obeyed Abraham when he told her they would move without knowing where, and to tell the king that she was his sister (a half truth) to save his own life, and she called him master. However; there is the whole situation with Hagar too. I guess she made the suggestion by manipulation and nagging, but he still had the choice whether to follow through and did…much like Adam and Eve. So, the sin rests on them both. In no way does this mean that Sarah was treated like a slave or a doormat, being ordered about because she called Abraham, “Master”. It was obvious that he loved her and treated her with the utmost care, (except in his weak moments).
You are a God of order and have placed an order of authority in the home because anything with two heads is a monster. You always hold the husband accountable for what happens in his home. That order is in place to provide efficiency and effectiveness for Your Kingdom. Only when we submit to that order does the battle of the wills die and You are glorified in our homes.
Before I conceded to Your leadership it was the same in my family. Oh Lord, what a mess I made of things then. I am sure that my change in attitude and willing submission had a great deal to do with my husband’s conversion. Again, thank You, Lord for Your wisdom! Help me to always follow Your way especially when it is counter-cultural!
“Do not give way to fear.” Lord, I know that as a wife we can sometimes become fearful when our husbands seem to be making wrong and hurtful decisions, especially when the outcome will affect the whole family. Help us to rely wholly on You for protection, to give godly counsel to them in a loving submissive way, and to pray for them in their time of decision making. After all You hold him accountable for those decisions. You hold us accountable for our actions and attitudes.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
The Unfading Beauty of a Gentle and Quiet Spirit
1 Peter 3”4 “Instead, it should be that your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth to God.”
O Lord, is my spirit always gentle and quiet? More than anything, I want it to be! I know there are still times when I get impatient or exasperated. Lord, for those times I humbly ask for Your forgiveness.
I used to think this verse meant that I could not talk much and had to be so subdued that no one would even know that I was around. I came to realize that was untrue. I was so glad because You made me a very gregarious person. I realized that by quiet and gentle spirit You meant that I was not to be a spastic busybody or forceful know-it-all. I was not to be a hysterical screamer or fretful worrier. You meant that I was to be gentle and calm, lacking pride and selfishness, being meek not forceful…in the vernacular: I was not to be a “horsey broad”.
Lord, You are my example again! Thank You, Lord. That gentle and quiet spirit comes from being filled with, and controlled by, the Holy Spirit. He does not shout or scream, and is not pushy, but speaks in that “still small voice”.
O Lord, is my spirit always gentle and quiet? More than anything, I want it to be! I know there are still times when I get impatient or exasperated. Lord, for those times I humbly ask for Your forgiveness.
I used to think this verse meant that I could not talk much and had to be so subdued that no one would even know that I was around. I came to realize that was untrue. I was so glad because You made me a very gregarious person. I realized that by quiet and gentle spirit You meant that I was not to be a spastic busybody or forceful know-it-all. I was not to be a hysterical screamer or fretful worrier. You meant that I was to be gentle and calm, lacking pride and selfishness, being meek not forceful…in the vernacular: I was not to be a “horsey broad”.
Lord, You are my example again! Thank You, Lord. That gentle and quiet spirit comes from being filled with, and controlled by, the Holy Spirit. He does not shout or scream, and is not pushy, but speaks in that “still small voice”.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Love the Brotherhood of Believers, Fear God, Honor the King
1 Peter 2:17b “Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the King.”
Dear Lord, love others as You have loved me with selfless patience, grace, mercy, longsuffering, and fairness, always acting and speaking what will be for their good. Lord, thank You for loving me when I was/am unlovely. We expect professing Christians to act like it and when they don’t, we are sorely disappointed or we measure our “goodness” by their failure. However; when we sin and act in a way that is unbecoming to You, we try to excuse it as, “we are only human”, or, “God’s not finished with me yet.”
Lord, please help me to always treat others with the grace, longsuffering, and mercy You have shown me. Help me to have a very healthy fear of the Lord out of respect and gratitude. We do not have a king, but we do have public authority over us. They are not perfect for sure, and some are downright sinful and flaunt it. I must honor the office if not the person. But You, Oh Lord, are King of Kings, and I can honor You without question, as You are worthy of honor.
Inner Beauty Not Outward Ostentation
1 Peter 3:3 “Your beauty should not be from outward adornment, such as braided hair and wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.”
Lord, thank You that I have not had hair long enough to braid, have never had “fine” clothes or ostentatious gold jewelry. We were never taught as children that those things were important or enviable. My mother was beautiful inside and modeled that for us and all others around her. She was patient, kind, loving, selfless, generous, industrious, and faithful to her church. Lord, thank You for her example.
Sadly, the world encourages…no, demands…that females and now males as well, show themselves off with a “tight sexy body” and fine clothes and jewelry so all around them will look at them and “worship” them. I have seen Christian women compete with one another: spending hours in the beauty salon, spending hundreds, if not thousands, on make up and age defying creams and lotions, ruining their skin in tanning booths, and putting their husbands and families into debt to buy fine clothes and lots of them.
Lord, we are to be presentable as we are Your ambassadors to the world, but when we become more concerned with others seeing us instead of You, therein lies the problem. We are not to dress in a way that, like a flashing neon sign, says “Look at me!” We are to draw people to You and glorify You, not try to obtain worship for ourselves.
Lord, thank You that I have not had hair long enough to braid, have never had “fine” clothes or ostentatious gold jewelry. We were never taught as children that those things were important or enviable. My mother was beautiful inside and modeled that for us and all others around her. She was patient, kind, loving, selfless, generous, industrious, and faithful to her church. Lord, thank You for her example.
Sadly, the world encourages…no, demands…that females and now males as well, show themselves off with a “tight sexy body” and fine clothes and jewelry so all around them will look at them and “worship” them. I have seen Christian women compete with one another: spending hours in the beauty salon, spending hundreds, if not thousands, on make up and age defying creams and lotions, ruining their skin in tanning booths, and putting their husbands and families into debt to buy fine clothes and lots of them.
Lord, we are to be presentable as we are Your ambassadors to the world, but when we become more concerned with others seeing us instead of You, therein lies the problem. We are not to dress in a way that, like a flashing neon sign, says “Look at me!” We are to draw people to You and glorify You, not try to obtain worship for ourselves.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Families- Show Proper Respect to Everyone
1 Peter 2:16-17a “Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil, live as a servant of God. Show proper respect to everyone:”
Lord, why does submitting to, and showing respect for, one another in a family so hard sometimes? The very place where more respect, patience, loving discipline and unconditional love should be shown is the very place where it seems to be looked upon as unnecessary. It is very sad, Lord! I guess that when we are outside the family we care what others think of us and we want to impress others with our piety for Your sake so we act different and better. Then when we walk back into the doors of our homes the “real” us emerges in all of its ugly sinfulness. Venom spews from our mouths, looks that could kill are prevalent, and impatience is the order of the day. Your children are hurt, and the family is divided, and Satan is gleeful because he knows if the one unit in God’s Kingdom that should be the strongest knit can be divided, He has won the victory.
Lord, forgive and strengthen our families. Help us, Lord, not to “eat” each other, but to love, honor, and respect each other. Keep our pride at bay and help us to encourage each other in love making our words and thoughts tender and edifying.
Wives, Win Unbelieving Husbands Through Loving Submission
1 Peter 3:1-2 “Wives, in the same way (Jesus was submissive to the Father out of sacrificial love for us) be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the Word, they may be won without talk by the behavior of their wives when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.” (Emphasis added)
O Lord, this passage strikes such a personal note. When I first trusted You as Savior, I wanted so much for my husband to share in Your forgiveness and transforming power too. He never seemed to want to talk about it, so I left literature out in conspicuous places and played the sermon cassettes while he was home but in another room, hoping he would hear something that would strike his interest. Lord, all of that had the exact opposite effect.
Obviously, I had not gotten this far in my study of Your word, and the young lady who was discipling me had not touched on this either. There came a time when this situation came to a head and broke wide open. He told me, out of fear for me since he thought I was in some kind of cult, to pack everything up and get it out of the house and never speak of it again to him or to the children. At that time my oldest son had already come to trust You. I was quietly complying with his wishes, as I had learned that I must submit to him, when he returned and said that he did not have the right to tell me that, but to not mention anything to him again and to stop leaving things out and listening to tapes while he was home.
Three and a half years later, he came to trust You because he had seen the change in my behavior with the children and him as well as the peace I had in the turmoil that was going on in our lives at the time.
It was a couple of years later when I read these words and marveled at the fact that You had spoken Your truth into my life through my unbelieving husband. Thank You, Lord, for Your loving intervention into the lives of new believers and the wisdom You give even when they do not recognize it yet.
Now, there are two things I share with new believing wives who have unbelieving husbands that were not shared with me right away: 1) proper priorities and 2) these verses.
O Lord, this passage strikes such a personal note. When I first trusted You as Savior, I wanted so much for my husband to share in Your forgiveness and transforming power too. He never seemed to want to talk about it, so I left literature out in conspicuous places and played the sermon cassettes while he was home but in another room, hoping he would hear something that would strike his interest. Lord, all of that had the exact opposite effect.
Obviously, I had not gotten this far in my study of Your word, and the young lady who was discipling me had not touched on this either. There came a time when this situation came to a head and broke wide open. He told me, out of fear for me since he thought I was in some kind of cult, to pack everything up and get it out of the house and never speak of it again to him or to the children. At that time my oldest son had already come to trust You. I was quietly complying with his wishes, as I had learned that I must submit to him, when he returned and said that he did not have the right to tell me that, but to not mention anything to him again and to stop leaving things out and listening to tapes while he was home.
Three and a half years later, he came to trust You because he had seen the change in my behavior with the children and him as well as the peace I had in the turmoil that was going on in our lives at the time.
It was a couple of years later when I read these words and marveled at the fact that You had spoken Your truth into my life through my unbelieving husband. Thank You, Lord, for Your loving intervention into the lives of new believers and the wisdom You give even when they do not recognize it yet.
Now, there are two things I share with new believing wives who have unbelieving husbands that were not shared with me right away: 1) proper priorities and 2) these verses.
Sheep Returning to the Shepherd
1 Peter 2 25 “For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”
Lord, I love the references Peter makes to Isaiah 53 here in this part of his letter. Any Jew who had been taught at all must have learned from this prophet’s writings.
In our urban culture, sheep and shepherds are not common so it took me some studying and listening to others who have studied Mid Eastern culture and the agriculture of the day, to be able to understand sheep and how they act. Lord, we humans are so much like them! One sheep will lose sight of the shepherd and wander off and the whole flock will follow it, or a small noise will frighten one and he will run in terror in any direction. Others, even though they have no idea why, will follow it and scatter instead of running to the shepherd.
Isaiah 53:6 says, “All we, like sheep, have gone astray. We have turned everyone to his own way, and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”
Lord, before You called me out of darkness into Your marvelous light, I had gone astray too. I had listened to supposed “learned” men in college that had sabotaged what little faith and understanding I had of Your Word. I did not read Your Word and really did not understand the personal touch from You in what I had heard and learned. Thank You, Lord, for rescuing me! Thank You for being MY Good Shepherd who loves, leads, guides, provides for, and protects me daily. To You belong all of my praises, honor, glory, and majesty!
Lord, I love the references Peter makes to Isaiah 53 here in this part of his letter. Any Jew who had been taught at all must have learned from this prophet’s writings.
In our urban culture, sheep and shepherds are not common so it took me some studying and listening to others who have studied Mid Eastern culture and the agriculture of the day, to be able to understand sheep and how they act. Lord, we humans are so much like them! One sheep will lose sight of the shepherd and wander off and the whole flock will follow it, or a small noise will frighten one and he will run in terror in any direction. Others, even though they have no idea why, will follow it and scatter instead of running to the shepherd.
Isaiah 53:6 says, “All we, like sheep, have gone astray. We have turned everyone to his own way, and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”
Lord, before You called me out of darkness into Your marvelous light, I had gone astray too. I had listened to supposed “learned” men in college that had sabotaged what little faith and understanding I had of Your Word. I did not read Your Word and really did not understand the personal touch from You in what I had heard and learned. Thank You, Lord, for rescuing me! Thank You for being MY Good Shepherd who loves, leads, guides, provides for, and protects me daily. To You belong all of my praises, honor, glory, and majesty!
Saturday, July 2, 2011
By His Stripes We Have Been Healed
1 Peter 2:24 “ He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His stripes you have been healed.”
O Lord, again I thank you! I ask forgiveness for all of the times I missed Your mark of holiness, ignored Your commands, and spoken, or thought, ill of a brother. You bore ALL of MY sin Yourself out of love for ME, a wretched sinner.
“Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my ALL!” What more is there to say? I must die to sin and life for righteousness…no alternative is given, no loophole to wiggle through. My life is no longer my own, but His, and because of His great sacrifice on my behalf, I can offer Him nothing less.
O Lord, again I thank you! I ask forgiveness for all of the times I missed Your mark of holiness, ignored Your commands, and spoken, or thought, ill of a brother. You bore ALL of MY sin Yourself out of love for ME, a wretched sinner.
“Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my ALL!” What more is there to say? I must die to sin and life for righteousness…no alternative is given, no loophole to wiggle through. My life is no longer my own, but His, and because of His great sacrifice on my behalf, I can offer Him nothing less.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Rules for Holy Living
1 Peter 2:11 “ Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your souls.”
Lord, our world and our culture promote all kinds of sin: selfishness, arrogance, greed, lust, hate, and war. It is so important that we keep our eyes on You, not on each other or things. We are to be detached from this world; we do not belong to it anymore, Praise God!
Help me, Lord to always remember that this world is not my home anymore. I certainly enjoy Your creation while I am here, but the “stuff” and sin of this world are not to be an attraction to me anymore.
1 Peter 2:13 “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.”
Lord, someone else wrote, “Live such a good life that if someone accuses you of evil, no one would ever believe it.” I wish I had always lived my life that way, but I must confess that I have not. This is such a simple admonition: Always do right so your light will shine bright!
1 Peter 2:14 “ Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by Him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.”
Lord, how odd it is that You say to submit for Your sake, when it seems to be in our best interest to follow this command. Is it because if we do these things, even if the rulers over us are harsh and unbelieving, we will be better ambassadors for You and will bring more souls into Your kingdom? I love You, Lord, and want to do Your will. Please give me the grace to be able to submit to the authorities You place over me and to remember that indeed it is You who has placed them there.
God's design for Holy Living
1 Peter 2:22-23 “ ‘He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.’ (Isaiah 53:9) When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.”
Sweet Lord, through all of these previous verses I see four recurring themes:
Thank You, Lord, for leaving us such a perfect example to follow and for giving us Your Holy Spirit so we have the ability to follow it. No Christian has an excuse.
Sweet Lord, through all of these previous verses I see four recurring themes:
· First- rid yourself of all pride and don’t worry about proving or protecting your reputation. Leave that with God.
· Second- Christ is, and always should be, our example. Learn of Him and follow His example. Do not do what comes naturally.
· Third- Love and respect all people, not just those we feel deserve it, so we might win them to the Kingdom.
· Fourth- Entrust ourselves to the One True Judge who judges justly.
Thank You, Lord, for leaving us such a perfect example to follow and for giving us Your Holy Spirit so we have the ability to follow it. No Christian has an excuse.
Now You are a People of God
1 Peter 2:10 “ Once you were not a people, but now you are a people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”
Lord, having been born in America where we are such a melting pot of nationalities and races, it is hard for me to understand the true impact of this statement for the regenerate Jews of Peter’s day. They were a nation, then not, then were united again, then were disbursed again several times throughout history. They were not only a people genetically and nationally, but spiritually as well. Since the time of David, they had not really been a nation living freely in Israel until 1948, so being told they were a people of God must have been huge for them.
America used to be called a Christian nation, more for our ideals and ways than for the actual spiritual condition of our population. Now even our president has boldly and proudly declared that we are no longer. So now we Christians are more than ever aliens in our home country. How much like the Jews we are.
But God! How I love that phase in Your Word! We gentile Christians were not a people and did not receive mercy until we actually believed and received Your precious gift of salvation! Now we are a people of God along with people of other lands and tongues all over the world! We are Your Kingdom, every tribe and every nation on this globe is all family under the blood! That is amazing and very exciting!
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