Cast Your Cares Upon Him
(NIV) 1 Pe 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
I have always loved 1 Pe 5:7, but if we pluck that one verse out of this section then we are missing the full impact of these scriptures. It is so reassuring to have the promise that we can and should give our anxieties and cares to Jesus. Why? Because He cares for us. But Peter says we should humble ourselves before God, and He will then lift us up.
Humility. We’ve talked about this before. Why is pride such a major issue? I have always held the belief that pride was the original sin. It was pride that caused Lucifer to oppose God, starting a war in Heaven that still has implications today. It was pride that caused Adam and Eve to disobey God and eat the forbidden fruit, and it is pride that continues in the 21st Century to pull us away from God.
Peter warns that the devil is always on the lookout for those he can devour. He says the devil is like a roaring lion, but it would be a mistake to view Christ followers as victims , cowering in fear. We are not victims, but we are strong in the Lord, empowered by the Holy Spirit! Stand firm and resist. How? Pray, read the Word, and stay connected with other believers because our help truly is in the Lord and He is so faithful.
May we remain humble in spirit, but bold in our faith, giving encouragement to our fellow believers and always, always know and believe that God is our very present help in time of need.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
God-given Gifts for God-given Purposes
(NIV) 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Did you realize the gifts you have (hospitality, teaching, faith, etc.) are not only supernatural in origin and they have a purpose—to build up the community of faith and to glorify God. As a preacher, I prayed that God would help me understand the Scriptures in context and that I would deliver a message that would build up the church and glorify God. As a pastor I asked God to use me to minister to others on His behalf.
Regardless of who we are, or the nature of our talents, it is vital that anything we do is covered in prayer. Prov 3:5-7 tells us not to rely on our own strength, or our own understanding. How do we heed this advice? Prayer.
May we look to God to guide us as we seek His will.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Love Each Other
(NIV) 1 Pe 4:7 The end of all things is near. Therefore, be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
Short and sweet. Today’s scripture is one of my favorites. Two thousand years ago Peter said the end is near. And today I can say the end is closer than ever before. For me, the anticipated return of Jesus is exciting. But I recognize some people are not enthusiastic about this prospect. In fact, I have said, “Jesus is coming soon,” and have heard the panicked reply, “Oh, I hope not.”
I get it. When I was young, I can recall thinking I am looking for the soon return of Jesus, but please wait until…” I would like to tell you that until meant, “please wait until more people have received salvation.” But I remember thinking, “Please wait until I (get my promotion, get married, have a baby). Do you see where I was at that time? My mind and my heart were not yet heavenly minded because I was tethered to this world.
Peter goes on to caution the readers of this letter to be alert and sober minded? Why? So they can pray. Could it be that our prayers are not effective because we fail to meet these two criteria?
And then Peter says to love deeply. Why? Because love covers a multitude of sins. Oh, how I love this. When we can incorporate this truth into our very being, then we will love more, give more, speak more kindness, and isn’t this the will of God?
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Living for Righteousness
(NIV) 1Pet 2:21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” 23 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. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
He did not retaliate. I admit today that I struggle with the idea that I should just sit quietly when someone insults me, or even worse, lies about me. Yet Jesus, my example in all things, did not answer His accusers. And Rom 12:17 counsels us not to repay evil for evil.
It has taken me a lifetime to learn refraining from the instant comeback is the holy response. Praying for those who persecute me is the godly thing to do.
How do I accomplish such a feat? Each morning I begin my day in the Word, asking God to direct my path and guard my mouth. And then I remember He carried our sins to the cross and they were crucified with Him. Not only was the penalty paid, but sin has no more power over those who are children of God. Living in and for righteousness is my daily goal and I know that the Good Shepherd will lead me and the Holy Spirit will empower me.
I close today with a song by Chris Tomlin.
Jesus Messiah
He became sin Who knew no sin
That we might become His Righteousness
He humbled himself and carried the cross, Love so amazing
Love so amazing
Jesus Messiah
Name above all names Blessed Redeemer
Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners, The ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah, Lord of all.
May we cede our innate nature to God and reap the benefits of living in righteousness.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Living for Jesus
(NIV) Living Godly Lives in a Pagan Society
1 Peter 2:11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 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.
This letter, written by Peter to Jewish and Gentile Christians scattered throughout Asia, may seem foreign to us as he urges the readers to live holy lives among the pagans but, it may be more relevant than it seems at first look. I am not wanting to be judgmental, but look at our society today.
A pagan is defined as one who is non religious or, more harshly, as a heathen. The pagans in Peter’s culture were readily identifiable by their practices. They worshipped idols made by their own hands, sacrificed animals to please these man-made gods, and then ate the meat offered to the idols, something a Jewish Christian would avoid at all costs. Peter encouraged the recipients of this letter to set a good example which would glorify God.
I feel like a stranger in a foreign land. I could list things in our society that are offensive to me as a disciple. Instead, I commit myself anew to lead a life before God and others that glories in being a child of God. I purpose to be kind to others, even to those whose behavior is anathema to the gospel of Jesus Christ, not to show my support of their actions, but to show them how Jesus changes hearts and lives.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Seeking Holiness 