575. "Guests in the Home" August 1, 2012
1 Peter 4-Part 5
Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.
1 Peter 4:9-10 NLT
LET IT GLOW
When I became a saved believer in Jesus, I received at least one spiritual gift.
A spiritual gift is a graciously given supernaturally designed ability granted to every believer by which the Holy spirit ministers to the body of Christ. The Greek word (Charisma) emphasizes the freeness of the gift. A spiritual gift cannot be earned, pursued, or worked up. It is merely "received"through the grace of God. (MacArthur)
A list of spiritual gifts is found in Romans 12:3-8 and 1 Corinthians 12:4-10. Each believer has at least one spiritual gift, maybe more. They are used to benefit others in the church and to honor the Lord Jesus. I don't own my gift since God has given it to me. A steward is responsible for another's resources.
How am I using the spiritual gift(s) God has given me? Are they being used? Is it for God's glory and the benefit of the church? Or have I laid it aside? Do I know what they are?
LET IT GROW
Verse 9 in King James Version says, Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
Hospitality refers to being generous to guests; grudging means with a cheerful and willing mind.
(Thayer's Lexicon)
I recall the early years of my husband's ministry. When we would have revival services held in our church, we often hosted the evangelist. Many times my daughter or son gave up their bed/room for the guest preacher. It wasn't that any of us minded, but no one else offered to keep him. There were several homes which had extra, unoccupied bedrooms. It was a matter of attitude. There was extra work involved-cleaning before and after, providing meals, extra laundry for towels. But we received the blessing of felowshipping with the guest and they missed out. The blessings outweighed the work. Though I was always working, we would schedule the revival during my spring break so it was easier on us.
In the early church, apostles and preachers were constantly travelling from one town to another spreading the gospel. They needed someone to minister to them in return by providing the physical necessities of life. The gospel came as a free gift, so should the support of the gospel preachers. Both are done to glorify God in the name of Jesus Christ. (Falwell)
Human hospitality is a reflection of God's hospitality to us. (Wiersbe)
Abraham was hospitable to three strangers, one of which was the Lord. (Genesis 18)
When we share with others, we are sharing with Christ (Matt. 25:35, 43).
Am I sharing as often as I should be? Whenever I do, is it done cheerfully and willingly?
LET IT GO
Open my home more to others.
Don't worry about the "stuff," but do it for fellowship and out of love.
Use my spiritual gifts to serve others in church.
Willingly and cheerfully serve.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Fervent Love
574. "Fervent Love" July 31, 2012
1 Peter 4-Part 4
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8
LET IT GLOW
This is the year of the Olympics. I admire those athletes who have worked intensely and with dediction, practicing their skills, preparing to meet the competition head on. They want to give it their best, their all while performing at their event. It's usually a once-in-a-lifetime occurance. (An exception was a lady who won a gold medal five times in five different Olympics.) Should I have that same attitude towards life? Am I giving my all serving Jesus in this one life I have? Aren't I commanded to love all people, inspite of whatever they are or have done? Above all else, am I loving? To what extinct am I loving others? If I come in contact with another for only a moment, do I show them the love of Jesus? Let's see what Peter says about it.
Fervent means stretched out, intent, earnest; charity is love going forth from your soul and taking up its abode as it were in ours; it's your love to us; love, affection, or benevolence. (Thayer's Lexicon)
Webster's Dictionary defines fervent as being hot, glowing, earnest (serious, sincere, zealous).
Is my love for others stretched out? Is it sincere and earnest? Or is it conditional-I love you if you do this and that?
If these are the last days, how much more important is it to love those you are going to spend eternity with? (Guzik)
My love is not just to be toward my family and friends, enemies and others, but especially toward the saints, Christians brethren in Christ.
John Gill says love is to be:
Christian love means that we treat others the way God treats us, obeying His commandments in the Word. (Wiersbe)
Jesus told us the two greatest commandments were to love God and love thy neighbor as thyself. (Matt. 22:39) The latter comes from Levitcus 19:18. A description of love is found in 1 Corinthians 13. If we don't have love, we are nothing. Which is the greatest, faith, hope, or love?
Jesus taught us a lot about love-who to love (enemies, those who use us, neighbors, brethren) and how to love (with all our heart). He is my example, so I am to do the same as my Master Teacher.
The question is, "Am I doing it?"
LET IT GROW
The last part of our key verse refers to what was said in Proverbs 10:12, Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
If a person has true love for others, his shortcomings will not be obvious. (Falwell)
Love does cover a multitude of sins, both the sins of the one loving and the sins of the one who is being loved. (Guzik)
Where love abounds in a fellowship of Christians, may small offences, and even some large ones, are readily overlooked and forgotten. But where love is lacking, every word is viewed with suspicion, every action is liable to misunderstanding, and conflicts about-to Satan's perverse delight. (Gruden)
John Gill says that the blood and righteousness of Christ covers sins, the sins of God's elect.
Love:
Christian love is forgiving. It doesn't condone sin, but it doesn't spread gossip and slander around, does it?
Fervent and forgiving love-that's what I want. It's source is Jesus Christ. He exemplified it when He died on the cross in my place. He committed no sins, but have and do. He payed the price so I could have a relationship with the Father God and an eternal home in heaven. Now that is love!
How can I show Jesus that I love Him? I can show my love by obeying His Word and the Holy Spirit, loving God, and by loving others.
LET IT GO
Leave the jealousy, revenge, unforgiveness at the foot of the cross.
Forgive others and have a fervent love for them unconditionally.
1 Peter 4-Part 4
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8
LET IT GLOW
This is the year of the Olympics. I admire those athletes who have worked intensely and with dediction, practicing their skills, preparing to meet the competition head on. They want to give it their best, their all while performing at their event. It's usually a once-in-a-lifetime occurance. (An exception was a lady who won a gold medal five times in five different Olympics.) Should I have that same attitude towards life? Am I giving my all serving Jesus in this one life I have? Aren't I commanded to love all people, inspite of whatever they are or have done? Above all else, am I loving? To what extinct am I loving others? If I come in contact with another for only a moment, do I show them the love of Jesus? Let's see what Peter says about it.
Fervent means stretched out, intent, earnest; charity is love going forth from your soul and taking up its abode as it were in ours; it's your love to us; love, affection, or benevolence. (Thayer's Lexicon)
Webster's Dictionary defines fervent as being hot, glowing, earnest (serious, sincere, zealous).
Is my love for others stretched out? Is it sincere and earnest? Or is it conditional-I love you if you do this and that?
If these are the last days, how much more important is it to love those you are going to spend eternity with? (Guzik)
My love is not just to be toward my family and friends, enemies and others, but especially toward the saints, Christians brethren in Christ.
John Gill says love is to be:
- mutual and reciprocal,
- warm and fervent,
- not luke warm nor indifferent,
- but is to be constant, continued, and perpetual,
- the sum and substance of the law, and fulfilling of it,
Christian love means that we treat others the way God treats us, obeying His commandments in the Word. (Wiersbe)
Jesus told us the two greatest commandments were to love God and love thy neighbor as thyself. (Matt. 22:39) The latter comes from Levitcus 19:18. A description of love is found in 1 Corinthians 13. If we don't have love, we are nothing. Which is the greatest, faith, hope, or love?
Jesus taught us a lot about love-who to love (enemies, those who use us, neighbors, brethren) and how to love (with all our heart). He is my example, so I am to do the same as my Master Teacher.
The question is, "Am I doing it?"
LET IT GROW
The last part of our key verse refers to what was said in Proverbs 10:12, Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
If a person has true love for others, his shortcomings will not be obvious. (Falwell)
Love does cover a multitude of sins, both the sins of the one loving and the sins of the one who is being loved. (Guzik)
Where love abounds in a fellowship of Christians, may small offences, and even some large ones, are readily overlooked and forgotten. But where love is lacking, every word is viewed with suspicion, every action is liable to misunderstanding, and conflicts about-to Satan's perverse delight. (Gruden)
John Gill says that the blood and righteousness of Christ covers sins, the sins of God's elect.
Love:
- thinks no ill,
- does not take sin up, improve and exagerate them,
- takes no notice of injuries, offences, affronts,
- overlooks them, bears them, forgives them,
- never rakes sins up and sees them any more, which prevents much scandal, strife, or trouble.
Christian love is forgiving. It doesn't condone sin, but it doesn't spread gossip and slander around, does it?
Fervent and forgiving love-that's what I want. It's source is Jesus Christ. He exemplified it when He died on the cross in my place. He committed no sins, but have and do. He payed the price so I could have a relationship with the Father God and an eternal home in heaven. Now that is love!
How can I show Jesus that I love Him? I can show my love by obeying His Word and the Holy Spirit, loving God, and by loving others.
LET IT GO
Leave the jealousy, revenge, unforgiveness at the foot of the cross.
Forgive others and have a fervent love for them unconditionally.
Monday, July 30, 2012
As Fast as a Flash
573. "As Fast as a Flash" July 30, 2012
1 Peter 4-Part 3
But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 1 Peter 4:7
LET IT GLOW
Do you remember those cameras that required a flash be attatched in order to take pictures not in the sunshine? Yes, I had some of those. (telling my age) Some cameras required a cube with four flashes inside, others required a long, rectangle shape with several flashes inside it. Now days, however, the flash is inside the camera. Anyway, the flash would go off when I took a picture in the shadows. It was for a clearer picture, adding light to a face. When I pressed the button, in a flash the flash would flash. I got to thinking how life passes by in a flash. Fifty years went by as fast as a flash. I wonder if the return of Jesus will seem like that to Him.
John MacArthur tells us that end means not as if something simply stops, but it means a consummation, a goal achieved, a result attained, or a realization. Peter here begins to emphasize triumphant suffering through the Second Coming of Christ, which is the goal of all things. He is calling believers to live obediently and expectantly in the light of Christ's return.
The New Testament writers talked about the end time when Jesus returns. Christians in the early church expected Jesus to return in their lifetime (Rom. 13:12). They expected it to happen in their day and so do we. Of course, two thousand years have passed since Peter wrote these words. The possibility is that it could happen any second, any flash of time. So we believers in the Word of God should live knonwing that the "end of all things is sure."
The fact that He did not return does not invalidate His promise (2Peter 3:8). Has it only been two days since Jesus left earth?
Do I live with expectancy and an urgency? Am I sharing the Gospel so others can be ready for the rapture?
LET IT GROW
How can I live a life that brings glory to God? Peter gives us his "ten commandments":
1. Be sober (verse 7)
2. Watch unto prayer. (verse 7)
3. Have fervenat love. (verse 8)
4. Use hospitality. (verse 9)
5. Minister your spiritual gifts. (verses 10-11)
6. Think it not strange. (verse 12)
7. Rejoice. (verse 13)
8. Do not be ashamed. (verses 15-16)
9. Glorify God. (verses 16-18)
10. Commit yoiurself to God. (verse 19)
Looking at verse 7, I am to be sober and watch unto prayer. Sober means to be of sound mind; to curb one's passions; watch refers to being calm, collected in spirit unto the offering of prayer. (Thayer's Lexicon)
Am I serious and not swept away by my emotions or passions? I shouldn't be a fanatic who does nothing abut wait for Christ's return. Instead, I should have a watchful pursuit of holiness. I'm a citizen of heaven, just passing through here on my way there. am I serving God to my full capacity?
If I am knocked out of balance by worldly lusts and pursuits, then I can't know the fullness of holy communion ibn prayer with God. Do I enjoy the fullness of fellowship with my Lord?
We will continue to look at the other 8 items on the list above. Stay tuned, friends.
LET IT GO
Keep a sound mind.
Pray, pray, pray.
Talk with Jesus throughout the day.
Let go of the world.
Live for God's glory.
1 Peter 4-Part 3
But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 1 Peter 4:7
LET IT GLOW
Do you remember those cameras that required a flash be attatched in order to take pictures not in the sunshine? Yes, I had some of those. (telling my age) Some cameras required a cube with four flashes inside, others required a long, rectangle shape with several flashes inside it. Now days, however, the flash is inside the camera. Anyway, the flash would go off when I took a picture in the shadows. It was for a clearer picture, adding light to a face. When I pressed the button, in a flash the flash would flash. I got to thinking how life passes by in a flash. Fifty years went by as fast as a flash. I wonder if the return of Jesus will seem like that to Him.
John MacArthur tells us that end means not as if something simply stops, but it means a consummation, a goal achieved, a result attained, or a realization. Peter here begins to emphasize triumphant suffering through the Second Coming of Christ, which is the goal of all things. He is calling believers to live obediently and expectantly in the light of Christ's return.
The New Testament writers talked about the end time when Jesus returns. Christians in the early church expected Jesus to return in their lifetime (Rom. 13:12). They expected it to happen in their day and so do we. Of course, two thousand years have passed since Peter wrote these words. The possibility is that it could happen any second, any flash of time. So we believers in the Word of God should live knonwing that the "end of all things is sure."
The fact that He did not return does not invalidate His promise (2Peter 3:8). Has it only been two days since Jesus left earth?
Do I live with expectancy and an urgency? Am I sharing the Gospel so others can be ready for the rapture?
LET IT GROW
How can I live a life that brings glory to God? Peter gives us his "ten commandments":
1. Be sober (verse 7)
2. Watch unto prayer. (verse 7)
3. Have fervenat love. (verse 8)
4. Use hospitality. (verse 9)
5. Minister your spiritual gifts. (verses 10-11)
6. Think it not strange. (verse 12)
7. Rejoice. (verse 13)
8. Do not be ashamed. (verses 15-16)
9. Glorify God. (verses 16-18)
10. Commit yoiurself to God. (verse 19)
Looking at verse 7, I am to be sober and watch unto prayer. Sober means to be of sound mind; to curb one's passions; watch refers to being calm, collected in spirit unto the offering of prayer. (Thayer's Lexicon)
Am I serious and not swept away by my emotions or passions? I shouldn't be a fanatic who does nothing abut wait for Christ's return. Instead, I should have a watchful pursuit of holiness. I'm a citizen of heaven, just passing through here on my way there. am I serving God to my full capacity?
If I am knocked out of balance by worldly lusts and pursuits, then I can't know the fullness of holy communion ibn prayer with God. Do I enjoy the fullness of fellowship with my Lord?
We will continue to look at the other 8 items on the list above. Stay tuned, friends.
LET IT GO
Keep a sound mind.
Pray, pray, pray.
Talk with Jesus throughout the day.
Let go of the world.
Live for God's glory.
Friday, July 27, 2012
How am I Living?
572. "How am I Living?" July 27, 2012
1 Peter 4-Part 2
For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 1 Peter 4:6
LET IT GLOW
How am I living? Am I walking in the Spirit or in the flesh? It doesn't hurt to reevaluate one's self every so often. Do I have the peace and happiness with God that pleases Him and me? Are grace and love of God a part of my life daily? What do I spend time thinking about-past, present, future? Am I living by faith or by sight? The last phrase of our key verse tells me to live according to God in the spirit. In order to do that, I need to know what pleases God and what His Word says, don't I? I must surrender my will to His.
The Gospel had such an effect on new converts that they lived by faith in Christ, lived a life of holiness from Him and communion with Him, lived according to the will of God, in righteousness and true holiness; though dead in their bodies, they lived in their spirits or souls an eternal life of comfort, peace, pleassure, and happiness with God, according to His eternal purpose, unchangeable, convenant, promise, grace, and love. (Gill)
LET IT GROW
Where did Peter's readers once walk? (These were Gentiles that he was talking to, remember?)
Verse 3 says that before their conversion, these Gentiles walked in a life of:
lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine(drunkenness), revelings(orgies), banquetings(carousing), and abominable(detestable) idolatries.
Peter's list of vices clarify what we are to leave behind as a believer in Jesus.
The pagan's idea of a good timeas mentioned here, were divided into sexual connotations and parties involving alcohol. These occured in the pagan temples. The Jews would not have been participants, but the Gentiles would have. The people still into those activities wondered why the believers didn't run with them anymore. They ran with the wrong crowd. Since becoming believers, they had new friends, a new way of life, and a new way of worship.
Unsaved people do not understand the radical change that their friends experience when they trust Christ and become children of God. Let a drunkard become sober, or an immoral person pure, and the family thinks he has lost his mind! (Acts 26:24 and Mark 3:21) They thought the same thing about Jesus.
Peter said they had spent enough time in the past. Do I let the past stay in the past? Remember what you were before you met Christ?
If life lived after the flesh is anything, it is a waste. A "good life" lived by the world's rules will be a waste in the measure of eternity. (Guzik)
LET IT GO
Let go of the past and live in the here and now.
Live according to God in the spirit.
Walk by faith.
Don't waste any more time living for my self. Surrender. Sacrifice. Obey. Love.
1 Peter 4-Part 2
For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 1 Peter 4:6
LET IT GLOW
How am I living? Am I walking in the Spirit or in the flesh? It doesn't hurt to reevaluate one's self every so often. Do I have the peace and happiness with God that pleases Him and me? Are grace and love of God a part of my life daily? What do I spend time thinking about-past, present, future? Am I living by faith or by sight? The last phrase of our key verse tells me to live according to God in the spirit. In order to do that, I need to know what pleases God and what His Word says, don't I? I must surrender my will to His.
The Gospel had such an effect on new converts that they lived by faith in Christ, lived a life of holiness from Him and communion with Him, lived according to the will of God, in righteousness and true holiness; though dead in their bodies, they lived in their spirits or souls an eternal life of comfort, peace, pleassure, and happiness with God, according to His eternal purpose, unchangeable, convenant, promise, grace, and love. (Gill)
LET IT GROW
Where did Peter's readers once walk? (These were Gentiles that he was talking to, remember?)
Verse 3 says that before their conversion, these Gentiles walked in a life of:
lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine(drunkenness), revelings(orgies), banquetings(carousing), and abominable(detestable) idolatries.
Peter's list of vices clarify what we are to leave behind as a believer in Jesus.
The pagan's idea of a good timeas mentioned here, were divided into sexual connotations and parties involving alcohol. These occured in the pagan temples. The Jews would not have been participants, but the Gentiles would have. The people still into those activities wondered why the believers didn't run with them anymore. They ran with the wrong crowd. Since becoming believers, they had new friends, a new way of life, and a new way of worship.
Unsaved people do not understand the radical change that their friends experience when they trust Christ and become children of God. Let a drunkard become sober, or an immoral person pure, and the family thinks he has lost his mind! (Acts 26:24 and Mark 3:21) They thought the same thing about Jesus.
Peter said they had spent enough time in the past. Do I let the past stay in the past? Remember what you were before you met Christ?
If life lived after the flesh is anything, it is a waste. A "good life" lived by the world's rules will be a waste in the measure of eternity. (Guzik)
LET IT GO
Let go of the past and live in the here and now.
Live according to God in the spirit.
Walk by faith.
Don't waste any more time living for my self. Surrender. Sacrifice. Obey. Love.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Armor and a Sword
571. "Armor and a Sword" July 26, 2012
1 Peter 4-Part 1
Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin. For he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 1 Peter 4:1-2
LET IT GLOW
When he was a little boy, our son got a plastic armor and sword as a gift. He played the knight senerio day after day. He would ride his three-wheeler around rescuing whomever, fighting the bad men. With all that on, he was ready for anything that came his way.
Am I ready for the challenges of today? Am I dressed in God's armor? (See Ephesians 6:17)
We know that Christ suffered physical pain while He hung on the cross, yet He endured it all so you and I would not have to pay for our sins. Our sins were imputed to Christ. He was the perfect sacrifical Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world. His blood washes our souls clean. He willingly did it because of His love for us. May I never get over it.
Peter would later face his own martyrdom for the cause of Christ. Peter was faithful to the end for the glory of God. How about you and me? Will we be faithful to the end?
LET IT GROW
What does Peter tell me to do in these verses?
Many of us are defeated in our battle against sin because we refuse to sacrifice anything in the battle. We only want victory if it comes easily to us. Jesus called us to have the kind of attitude that would sacrifice in the battle against sin. (Matt. 5:29-30) (Guzik)
As Christ suffered for you, do ye likewise for Him, for His Gospel. Bear all; die to sin; live unto righteousness. (Gill)
Live in the the Spirit according to the will of God. (Baker)
The work of a Christian is twofold-doing the will of God and suffering His pleasure. Christ put to death the body of sin by self-denial and mortification. He died to destroy sin. the beginning of the true mortification lies in the mind (Eph. 4:18). ( M.Henry)
What's the worst case senerio? A believer suffers unjustly in death. The best that could happen? Their death means the final end of all sins-eternal life. So the threat of death should not be a threat to the Christian.
As believers live for the will of God, their values change; and they align their lives with God's desires, the stated principles and commands in His Word. For the Christian, life's deepest concern is not what human appetites desire, but what God's will dictates. Life becomes a precious resource that cannot be wasted by "doing what the pagans choose to do." (Shepherd's Notes)
Am I living the remainder of my life pursuing the holy will of God rather than the ungodly lusts of the flesh.
LET IT GO
Drop those ungodly lusts of the flesh that surround me.
Arm my mind with the armor of God-His helmet of salvation, breastplate of His righteousness, His truth, His peace, His sword of His Word, His shield of faith.
Stop sinning, repeating those same sins.
Live to do the will of God, not my will.
1 Peter 4-Part 1
Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin. For he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 1 Peter 4:1-2
LET IT GLOW
When he was a little boy, our son got a plastic armor and sword as a gift. He played the knight senerio day after day. He would ride his three-wheeler around rescuing whomever, fighting the bad men. With all that on, he was ready for anything that came his way.
Am I ready for the challenges of today? Am I dressed in God's armor? (See Ephesians 6:17)
We know that Christ suffered physical pain while He hung on the cross, yet He endured it all so you and I would not have to pay for our sins. Our sins were imputed to Christ. He was the perfect sacrifical Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world. His blood washes our souls clean. He willingly did it because of His love for us. May I never get over it.
Peter would later face his own martyrdom for the cause of Christ. Peter was faithful to the end for the glory of God. How about you and me? Will we be faithful to the end?
LET IT GROW
What does Peter tell me to do in these verses?
- Arm yourself. Arm (hoplizomai in Greek), means to equip or outfit as one would outfit an army unit with the best possible weapons for a paarticular battle.
- Be of the same mind as Christ. The best weapoon here ould be the same mind (ennoia in Greek), or view toward the suffering that Christ Himself had. It was not that Christ enjoyed suffering, but He endured it in order to accomplish our salvation (3:18).
- Cease from sin. Christ suffered at the hands of sinful men so He could stop their sinning.
- Live no longer in the flesh. This is the reason or purpose for so equipping oneself.
- Live to do the will of God.
Many of us are defeated in our battle against sin because we refuse to sacrifice anything in the battle. We only want victory if it comes easily to us. Jesus called us to have the kind of attitude that would sacrifice in the battle against sin. (Matt. 5:29-30) (Guzik)
As Christ suffered for you, do ye likewise for Him, for His Gospel. Bear all; die to sin; live unto righteousness. (Gill)
Live in the the Spirit according to the will of God. (Baker)
The work of a Christian is twofold-doing the will of God and suffering His pleasure. Christ put to death the body of sin by self-denial and mortification. He died to destroy sin. the beginning of the true mortification lies in the mind (Eph. 4:18). ( M.Henry)
What's the worst case senerio? A believer suffers unjustly in death. The best that could happen? Their death means the final end of all sins-eternal life. So the threat of death should not be a threat to the Christian.
As believers live for the will of God, their values change; and they align their lives with God's desires, the stated principles and commands in His Word. For the Christian, life's deepest concern is not what human appetites desire, but what God's will dictates. Life becomes a precious resource that cannot be wasted by "doing what the pagans choose to do." (Shepherd's Notes)
Am I living the remainder of my life pursuing the holy will of God rather than the ungodly lusts of the flesh.
LET IT GO
Drop those ungodly lusts of the flesh that surround me.
Arm my mind with the armor of God-His helmet of salvation, breastplate of His righteousness, His truth, His peace, His sword of His Word, His shield of faith.
Stop sinning, repeating those same sins.
Live to do the will of God, not my will.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Remote Control
570. "Remote Control" July 25, 2012
1 Peter 3-Part 8
Who (Jesus Christ) has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand-with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. 1 Peter 3:22 NIV
LET IT GLOW
I remember the days before remotes. I would have get up and walk over to the tv in order to change the station or the volume. Growing up in our location, we only got three stations out of Tulsa, due to an antenna. Now instead of getting up to turn the station, I get up to get the remote.
Really, don't we like to have the power? Whether it is in the form of a remote control or an engine, we like to have control, making the decisions. We like to think we have the power, anyway, but we really don't. Jesus holds everything in His hand. As the old song goes, He's got the whole world in His hands.
After Jesus accomplished His cross work and was raised from the dead, He was exalted to the place of prominence, honor, majesty, authority, and power. The point of application to Peter's readers is that suffering can be the context for one's greatest triumph, as seen in the example of the Lord Jesus. (MacArthur)
All things are in subjection to Jesus-angels, authorities, and powers.
None need to fear who put their trust in Him (Jesus), as He can do whatsoever He will in behalf of His followers and has good and evil spirits under His absolute command. He can do what He will and employ when He will. (Clarke)
Do I recognize that Jesus is in control, sovereign?
LET IT GROW
What does verse 18 say about Jesus dying for?
LET IT GO
Let go of the control and give Jesus the remote control of my life. Allow HIm to change and direct me
Thank You Jesus for dying for me, a sinner.
1 Peter 3-Part 8
Who (Jesus Christ) has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand-with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. 1 Peter 3:22 NIV
LET IT GLOW
I remember the days before remotes. I would have get up and walk over to the tv in order to change the station or the volume. Growing up in our location, we only got three stations out of Tulsa, due to an antenna. Now instead of getting up to turn the station, I get up to get the remote.
Really, don't we like to have the power? Whether it is in the form of a remote control or an engine, we like to have control, making the decisions. We like to think we have the power, anyway, but we really don't. Jesus holds everything in His hand. As the old song goes, He's got the whole world in His hands.
After Jesus accomplished His cross work and was raised from the dead, He was exalted to the place of prominence, honor, majesty, authority, and power. The point of application to Peter's readers is that suffering can be the context for one's greatest triumph, as seen in the example of the Lord Jesus. (MacArthur)
All things are in subjection to Jesus-angels, authorities, and powers.
None need to fear who put their trust in Him (Jesus), as He can do whatsoever He will in behalf of His followers and has good and evil spirits under His absolute command. He can do what He will and employ when He will. (Clarke)
Do I recognize that Jesus is in control, sovereign?
LET IT GROW
What does verse 18 say about Jesus dying for?
- our sins (concerning our sins);
- the unjust (in our place);
- a way to bring us to God;
- being put to death and quickened by the Spirit;
- those in prison;
- the disobedien;.
LET IT GO
Let go of the control and give Jesus the remote control of my life. Allow HIm to change and direct me
Thank You Jesus for dying for me, a sinner.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Sufferings
569. "Sufferings" JULY 24, 2012
1Peter 3-Part 7
And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: And be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled.
1 Peter 3:13-14
LET IT GLOW
Lately I have been accident prone. By that I mean I have had a few accidents that were of my own doing. Such things as hitting my nose on the rock porch when I was pushing a yard light into the dry ground.
Oh, there was another thing that happened the other day. Since we had a cow get out twice, and when I saw the gate leaning somewhat, I decided to straighten it up so there was less chance of her getting out again. As I lifted the heavy gate, it slipped and hit the middle knuckle of my second finger. It swelled and bruised before I could get the ice. (You should have seen the homemade splint I used-a broken handle of a plastic spoon wrapped with tape. I didn't wear it to church, though.)
I am always bumping into things or stubbing my toe, hitting my head. Do you do those things, too? Maybe this is not the suffering Peter was talking about. I have had some of the other kinds, too.
Now who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don't worry or be afraid of their threats. NLT
It is unusual for people to mistreat those who are zealous for good. Even a hostile world is slow to hurt people who are benefactors of society, who are kind and caring, but it does happen. (MacArthur)
Our enemies might hurt us, but they cannot harm us. Only we can harm ourselves if we fail to trust God.(Wiersbe)
If I do what is right and suffer for it, then I will be rewarded by God. That is encouraging.
In Romans 8:34, Paul asked,"Who could condemn you?" It is God who is the only One who has the authority to condemn me, and He justified me and committed judgment to His Son Jesus (John 5:22).
Romans 8:1 says, There is therefore now no condemnation to the which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Isn't that good news, friends?
LET IT GROW
In verses 13-17, Peter talkes about the principle of suffering for righteousness. He says we are:
Guilty.
LET IT GO
Consider it an honor to suffer for Christ my Savior.
Keep Him as Lord in and of my heart.
Be ready to give an answer for my hope.
Keep a clear conscience, free from sin by confessing.
1Peter 3-Part 7
And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: And be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled.
1 Peter 3:13-14
LET IT GLOW
Lately I have been accident prone. By that I mean I have had a few accidents that were of my own doing. Such things as hitting my nose on the rock porch when I was pushing a yard light into the dry ground.
Oh, there was another thing that happened the other day. Since we had a cow get out twice, and when I saw the gate leaning somewhat, I decided to straighten it up so there was less chance of her getting out again. As I lifted the heavy gate, it slipped and hit the middle knuckle of my second finger. It swelled and bruised before I could get the ice. (You should have seen the homemade splint I used-a broken handle of a plastic spoon wrapped with tape. I didn't wear it to church, though.)
I am always bumping into things or stubbing my toe, hitting my head. Do you do those things, too? Maybe this is not the suffering Peter was talking about. I have had some of the other kinds, too.
Now who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don't worry or be afraid of their threats. NLT
It is unusual for people to mistreat those who are zealous for good. Even a hostile world is slow to hurt people who are benefactors of society, who are kind and caring, but it does happen. (MacArthur)
Our enemies might hurt us, but they cannot harm us. Only we can harm ourselves if we fail to trust God.(Wiersbe)
If I do what is right and suffer for it, then I will be rewarded by God. That is encouraging.
In Romans 8:34, Paul asked,"Who could condemn you?" It is God who is the only One who has the authority to condemn me, and He justified me and committed judgment to His Son Jesus (John 5:22).
Romans 8:1 says, There is therefore now no condemnation to the which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Isn't that good news, friends?
LET IT GROW
In verses 13-17, Peter talkes about the principle of suffering for righteousness. He says we are:
- happy, blessed, privileged, honored we are for suffering.(verse 14) Jesus taught about it in Matthew 5:10 in the Beatitudes.
- to not be afraid nor troubled. (verse 14)"Live in submissive communion with the Lord Jesus, loving and obeying Him-and you have nothing to fear." John MacArthur
- to sanctify the Lord God in your heart. Reverence Christ as Lord. Set Him apart as Lord in my heart.
- to be ready to give an answer with certainty and assurance of your hope of salvation when asked.
- to do it with meekness and fear, with humility toward men and reverence and worship toward God. (Why am I a Christian? What do I believe?
- have a good conscience, so you are doing right and their accusations are false. The conscience accuses a person of sin using producing guilt, shame, doubt, fear, anxiety, or despair. Confess and ask Jesus to forgive me is how I can prevent those.
Guilty.
LET IT GO
Consider it an honor to suffer for Christ my Savior.
Keep Him as Lord in and of my heart.
Be ready to give an answer for my hope.
Keep a clear conscience, free from sin by confessing.
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