My blog has been chosen to take part in a 9 week Bible Study and I am so excited. It is called ~
1 Peter
Finding Encouragement in Troubling Times
And girlfriend~I am needing encouragement. I have been walking with Jesus for almost 27 years and never have their been as many troubles and trials as I have had the past few months. Each Tuesday morning for the next nine weeks I will post what I have gleaned from the Bible Study in I Peter.
Do you ever wonder if you would deny Christ if faced with prison, poverty or pain?
I have had some real pain lately since my father went out and fell to his death in his front yard. My mother's illness and surgery and some other issues I just can't tell in public......grin**** I mean is that not how it goes? Are you with me? It seems like our enemy tries his best to kick us while we are down. I am praising the Lord for His perfect timing in placing this in my hands for such a time as this.
But even with my very heavy heart I am reminded in this study there are Christians in Sudan, Indonesia and Iran that are enduring persecution this very day. Peter~ himself suffered a martyr's death. Even with a broken heart shattered in a thousand pieces over many reasons I am not fearing for my life. Praising the Lord for that! And this study has burdened my heart to pray for those that are.
Now just because I am doing this study does not mean I am signing up in line for calamity~as our author writes herself. I am not so brave~ no way.
In the first chapter we study how to prepare for opposition. Our first century sisters faced hostility and hatred for their faith. We were challenged to deal with some issues where we have felt disenfranchised ~discriminated against or even mistreated~ even a little for our faith.
Yesterday was a perfect example about this. I posted that I felt after I accepted Christ into my life I wanted to express my love for God in the way I lived as an expression of my love to God. Not that I am self righteous or try to gain God's favor. But as my expression to God I strive to offer him a holy life to the best of my ability.
The attacks came even from someone I love dearly. I felt very discriminated against. I was not preaching any issues at all~ only that I felt a Holy and just God deserves our very best. For those people who visit each and every day if I have ever made you feel judged or as if I am self-righteous please forgive me. I will repeat I am just a sinner saved by grace trying my very best to serve God one moment at a time!
13Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
This week we were to read 1 Peter 1:1-12 but as you can see that I had to read ahead and if the verse fits~well I just had to use it.
The apostle Peter was writing to God's people who were scattered throughout what is now modern Turkey. People knew they were suffering all kinds of trials so he wrote to encourage them to persevere in a "lively hope." As Christians we can endure our sufferings better when we remember our salvation by God's power and evidence of that power by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
I may not know what tomorrow holds but I know who holds my hand. God's great riches He provides for all His children is that we have the hope and assurance that we are kept by His power. Just as Peter had the power of God on his life I serve the same God. He is the same yesterday, today and forever!
Now that is reason to celebrate today!
I have had some real pain lately since my father went out and fell to his death in his front yard. My mother's illness and surgery and some other issues I just can't tell in public......grin**** I mean is that not how it goes? Are you with me? It seems like our enemy tries his best to kick us while we are down. I am praising the Lord for His perfect timing in placing this in my hands for such a time as this.
But even with my very heavy heart I am reminded in this study there are Christians in Sudan, Indonesia and Iran that are enduring persecution this very day. Peter~ himself suffered a martyr's death. Even with a broken heart shattered in a thousand pieces over many reasons I am not fearing for my life. Praising the Lord for that! And this study has burdened my heart to pray for those that are.
Now just because I am doing this study does not mean I am signing up in line for calamity~as our author writes herself. I am not so brave~ no way.
In the first chapter we study how to prepare for opposition. Our first century sisters faced hostility and hatred for their faith. We were challenged to deal with some issues where we have felt disenfranchised ~discriminated against or even mistreated~ even a little for our faith.
Yesterday was a perfect example about this. I posted that I felt after I accepted Christ into my life I wanted to express my love for God in the way I lived as an expression of my love to God. Not that I am self righteous or try to gain God's favor. But as my expression to God I strive to offer him a holy life to the best of my ability.
The attacks came even from someone I love dearly. I felt very discriminated against. I was not preaching any issues at all~ only that I felt a Holy and just God deserves our very best. For those people who visit each and every day if I have ever made you feel judged or as if I am self-righteous please forgive me. I will repeat I am just a sinner saved by grace trying my very best to serve God one moment at a time!
1 Peter 1:13-16
King James Version (KJV)
13Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
1 Peter 1:3-5
King James Version (KJV)
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
This week we were to read 1 Peter 1:1-12 but as you can see that I had to read ahead and if the verse fits~well I just had to use it.
The apostle Peter was writing to God's people who were scattered throughout what is now modern Turkey. People knew they were suffering all kinds of trials so he wrote to encourage them to persevere in a "lively hope." As Christians we can endure our sufferings better when we remember our salvation by God's power and evidence of that power by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
I may not know what tomorrow holds but I know who holds my hand. God's great riches He provides for all His children is that we have the hope and assurance that we are kept by His power. Just as Peter had the power of God on his life I serve the same God. He is the same yesterday, today and forever!
Now that is reason to celebrate today!
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