Year: 2019

Don’t Be Surprised that You are “Barely Saved” and “Suffering”

Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? And also, “If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?” So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.
1 Peter 4:12‭-‬19 NLT

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“It Is Well” with Kelcie

https://www.smule.com/p/471491380_2949908331

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Trials.

For someone with no faith, they are just meaningless hardships with no plan or purpose. When there is no faith, things like unexpected sickness, unfair circumstances, etc are all just random, chaotic events beyond their control that a person must A) accept and deal with, hopeless that there circumstances will change for the better or B) run from challenges to find the path of least resistance.

A coworker has been dealing with weird health issues recently, and the doctors so far have been no help for him. No answers. No diagnoses. No advice. No help.

And this isn’t some nagging condition or symptoms — at times, my coworker is overwhelmed by physical symptoms that had him fearful that he might die right at that moment. He’s a young fellow, and he has been fighting to keep his frustration and fear under wraps as he contemplates very real and close (not like some theoretical philosopher) his own life and morality.

He is a professed atheist, and even though he had been curious enough at times to ask me about my faith, he already has such a wall of disgust built up towards “religion” and the atrocities committed throughout history by “religious people”, etc. that he cannot yet grasp hold of the concept of a relationship with a living God that isn’t just foolishness, tradition, ceremony, control and exploitation.

But he is going through a trial, and it is clearly visible in his voice, on his face, in his eyes, in his attitude and in every part of his life right now. And this IS the norm. There is no shame in such things. It is expected when people have no hope beyond themselves.

But if we have faith, shouldn’t our source of hope in Christ offer a different response and attitude and reaction to suffering than the norm?

I wonder how much more it would draw even the most hardened of atheists to at least question and consider the things of God if all the Christians weren’t so fearful and grumbling and critical of their trials, but met them gladly and praised God for the opportunity to suffer and testify to His glory even in the middle of great suffering and trial?

I wonder how much more effective then or reasoning with them and sharing this Good News would prove when the lost actually saw us living, loving, suffering, persisting and encouraging with a fire that burns brightly and consistently regardless of our circumstances.

Such things are beyond a mere man’s power, and we would fall short every time if we’r wye alone and operating solely under our own power and abilities. We might forget or source of hope and cower in the boat instead of stepping out onto the water — and even once we have stepped out, we might falter again, thinking that it is up to us to stay lifted up upon the waters instead of simply trusting God’s call to walk.

But we who know and love the Lord, and who are called according to His purposes — we do not walk alone. We do not suffer alone. And we do not endure fiery trials without purpose or plan, but for the molding and building of our character and nature and very being to demonstrate Christ to a lost and dying world.

So don’t seek out suffering or trial or problems in order to “prove yourself a mighty man or woman of God” and don’t run from trials as if God has abandoned you. Like the young errand boy, who was looked down on by so many mighty warriors, who was overlooked by his own family, who had no armor of his own, who had no personal experience in battling giants, we can say when faced with the total set before us, “Today the Lord will conquer you” when we face an enemy so great or challenging before us that we know that any amount of our own skill throwing rocks would be insufficient without God’s hand of protection guiding us to the battlefield and to the victory.

David wasn’t a great rock slinger. He was just a man who God walked with, a man who knew and lived God. He was a very flawed and imperfect man with nothing good in him apart from Christ, but he was not someone content to stay “apart from Christ”. Lord, let us not see David as a powerful warrior or victor — so that we do not miss what is actually at play — and so that we don’t think highly or lowly of others or ourselves and miss out on your glory alone. Only you are worthy of honor and praise!

Lord, if you will, come and breathe into us this peculiar light of something so different than the world — that we will be content and praise you whether you give or take away — and that we will not stumble or hinder others from seeing your light because of our many shortcomings and lack of faith. Lord, heal us off or unbelief, change or hearts and minds to be more like you. Walk close with us, even along the still waters, even in the valleys, especially upon the mountain tops, and not just in the midst of the fiery trial, but behind us ahead of us, and all around us. Like Elisha and his servant, faced with an army of enemies around them, let us see that there are more Heavenly hosts and warring angels around and protecting your children than the greatest of challenging circumstances could present in this world. Remind us humbly that even though we are barely saved, that we are barely saved nonetheless, and that should be the source of such a grateful life of hope, of faith, of love, of praise, and of worship. Amen.

Gifted and Talented

We are given gifts — who will those gifts serve most today?

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.
1 Peter 4:10‭-‬11 NLT

Life Application Study Bible
Some people, well aware of their abilities, believe that they have the right to use their abilities as they please. Others feel that they have no special talents at all. Peter addresses both groups in these verses. Everyone has some gifts; find yours and use them. All our abilities should be used in serving others; none are for our own exclusive enjoyment. Peter mentions speaking and serving.

Matthew Henry Commentary on 1 Peter 4
The work of a Christian is twofold-doing the will of God and suffering his pleasure. This chapter directs us in both. The duties we are here exhorted to employ ourselves in are the mortification of sin, living to God, sobriety, prayer, charity, hospitality, and the best improvement of our talents, which the apostle presses upon Christians from the consideration of the time they have lost in their sins, and the approaching end of all things (v. 1-11). The directions for sufferings are that we should not be surprised at them, but rejoice in them, only take care not to suffer as evil-doers. He intimates that their trials were near at hand, that their souls were in danger as well as their bodies, and that the best way to preserve their souls is to commit them to God in well-doing (v. 12-19).

• The rule is that whatever gift, ordinary or extraordinary, whatever power, ability, or capacity of doing good is given to us, we should minister, or do service, with the same one to another, accounting ourselves not masters, but only stewards of the manifold grace, or the various gifts, of God. Learn,
  • [1.] Whatever ability we have of doing good we must own it to be the gift of God and ascribe it to his grace.
  • [2.] Whatever gifts we have received, we ought to look upon them as received for the use one of another. We must not assume them to ourselves, nor hide them in a napkin, but do service with them one to another in the best manner we are able.
  • [3.] In receiving and using the manifold gifts of God we must look upon ourselves as stewards only, and act accordingly. The talents we are entrusted with are our Lord’s goods, and must be employed as he directs. And it is required in a steward that he be found faithful.
• (2.) The apostle exemplifies his direction about gifts in two particulars-speaking and ministering, concerning which he gives these rules:-
  • [1.] If any man, whether a minister in public or a Christian in private conference, speak or teach, he must do it as the oracles of God, which direct us as to the matter of our speech. What Christians in private, or ministers in public, teach and speak must be the pure word and oracles of God. As to the manner of speaking, it must be with the seriousness, reverence, and solemnity, that become those holy and divine oracles.
  • [2.] If any man minister, either as a deacon, distributing the alms of the church and taking care of the poor, or as a private person, by charitable gifts and contributions, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth. He who has received plenty and ability from God ought to minister plentifully, and according to his ability. These rules ought to be followed and practised for this end, that God in all things, in all your gifts, ministrations, and services, may be glorified, that others may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven (Mt. 5:16), through Jesus Christ, who has procured and given these gifts to men (Eph. 4:8), and through whom alone we and our services are accepted of God (Heb. 13:15), to whom, Jesus Christ, be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Learn,
    • First, It is the duty of Christians in private, as well as ministers in public, to speak to one another of the things of God, Mal. 3:16; Eph. 4:29; Ps. 145:10-12.
    • Secondly, It highly concerns all preachers of the gospel to keep close to the word of God, and to treat that word as becomes the oracles of God.
    • Thirdly, Christians must not only do the duty of their place, but they must do it with vigour, and according to the best of their abilities. The nature of a Christian’s work, which is high work and hard work, the goodness and kindness of the Master, and the excellency of the reward, all require that our endeavours should be serious and vigorous, and that whatever we are called to do for the honour of God and the good of others we should do it with all our might.
    • Fourthly, In all the duties and services of life we should aim at the glory of God as our chief end; all other views must be subservient to this, which would sanctify our common actions and affairs, 1 Co. 10:31.
    • Fifthly, God is not glorified by any thing we do if we do not offer it to him through the mediation and merits of Jesus Christ. God in all things must be glorified through Jesus Christ,who is the only way to the Father.
    • Sixthly, The apostle’s adoration of Jesus Christ, and ascribing unlimited and everlasting praise and dominion to him, prove that Jesus Christ is the most high God, over all blessed for evermore. Amen.

Commit to Work Hard at Peace

Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
1 Peter 3:11 NLT

Life Application Study Bible
Too often we see peace as merely the absence of conflict, and we think of peacemaking as a passive role. But an effective peacemaker actively pursues peace. He or she builds good relationships, knowing that peace is a by-product of commitment. The peacemaker anticipates problems and deals with them before they occur. When conflicts arise, he or she brings them into the open and deals with them before they grow unmanageable. Making peace can be harder work than waging war, but it results not in death but in life and happiness.

This morning’s verse is from a message extended to all Christians about Christian living:

Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.”
1 Peter 3:8‭-‬12 NLT

What a beautiful list:

1) Christian unity of mind and purpose

2) Sympathy towards each other

3) Love each other

4) Be tenderhearted

5) Be humble

6) Don’t retaliate against evil actions or words

7) Pay back evil with blessing

8) Keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies

9) Turn away from evil

10) Do good

11) Search for peace, and work to maintain it

Imagine a world where people actually lived this way — not as an oppressed and heavily burdened people afraid of the harsh consequences of breaking any of the above “laws” — but as a people who knew and believed that this narrow path of dying to self and to having faith and living for God is best.

Imagine a world full of people who are taught and led and empowered by the very spirit of God to overcome their natural tendencies to resist such rules and laws so that they could instead live and appreciate and live ot such things.

Does your imagination look like you, your Christian family, your church?

If it doesn’t yet in your eyes, don’t complain and grumble about the specks you see around you in others — see how you can remove the logs of 1-11 above by the power of the Holy Spirit, by the power of Christ in you, so that you might glorify God with your life today and encourage and not stumble your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Lord, help us in such amazing change in our lives that is contrary to our selfish, prideful nature. Reveal to us what must change, what will change, what you are changing in us — and convict or hearts and minds to walk with you today. Amen.

Show Respect, Patiently Endure

You who are slaves must submit to your masters with all respect. Do what they tell you—not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel. For God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment. Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you. For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.
1 Peter 2:18‭-‬25 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1pe.2.18-25.NLT

Life Application Study Bible
We may suffer for many reasons. Some suffering is the direct result of our own sin, some happens because of our foolishness, and some is the result of living in a fallen world. Peter is writing about suffering that comes as a result of doing good. Christ never sinned, and yet he suffered so that we could be set free. When we follow Christ’s example and live for others, we too may suffer. Our goal should be to face suffering as he did-with patience, calmness, and confidence that God is in control of the future.

Life / Workplace Application

You cannot lead effectively long term if you regularly disrespect and undermine your leaders. You can effectively teach the tactics of dissent and overthrow — which may allow you to manipulate yourselves in an upward direction as you climb over the defeated — but you will eventually be undermined yourself by the very behaviors and attitudes you have sown into your “followers”.

Let’s read this not about the far off words “slaves and masters” from a long ago age — but about the very real and personal relationships we participate in each day with bosses/managers/ supervisors/leaders and subordinates:

submit to your [leaders] with all respect. Do what they tell you—not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel. For God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment.

And if you want to be an impact player long term, you will respect your leaders. I’m not talking about being a yes man and a brown noser while compromising your own integrity and values and following them into unjust and immoral and illegal activities — but I am talking about patiently enduring and continuing to do good, instead of grumbling, complaining, disrespecting or causing dissent.

Patiently enduring unjust treatment is never easy. But we must remember:

God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.

We are called to DO GOOD, EVEN IF IT MEANS SUFFERING.

CHRIST IS OUR EXAMPLE.

That doesn’t mean that we are cowards or defeated or pacifists.

Yes, Jesus did once flip over tables and chase people with a whip. Yes, Jesus did speak out about injustice through parables that revealed the sin in themselves and in their leaders. But Jesus did teach his followers to openly resist and overthrow evil leaders, He provided the means to pay the taxes from ther mouth of a fish:

On their arrival in Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple tax came to Peter and asked him, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the Temple tax?” “Yes, he does,” Peter replied. Then he went into the house. But before he had a chance to speak, Jesus asked him, “What do you think, Peter? Do kings tax their own people or the people they have conquered? ” “They tax the people they have conquered,” Peter replied. “Well, then,” Jesus said, “the citizens are free! However, we don’t want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us.”
Matthew 17:24‭-‬27 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.17.24-27.NLT

This jumps out:

we don’t want to offend them

I’m immediately reminded of:

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord . Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
Romans 12:9‭-‬21 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.12.9-21.NLT

There is always a narrow path, a best way to respond, that doesn’t “demand respect” from others and doesn’t retaliate. If you have truly “died to self” and seek only to “live for God” — then any pride and feelings of self worth that demand “I should be respected” or “I should be treated justly” are to be crushed, overthrown, trod under foot by our example, suffering servant, Christ beaten, convicted wrongly, and crucified mercilessly, yet still praying for them saying:

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”
Luke 23:34a NLT

How can we do such a thing that is so different from our nature, so contrary to what our flesh and pride and ego cries out against and demands vengeance for our being “wronged”?

Who are you really crying out against?

Do you not know that God is sovereign and mighty and His will cannot be thwarted?

Do you not know that He foresaw your circumstances and that you are in this place right now for a reason and a purpose?

Will you grumble against Almighty God who has placed you in this moment and given you the opportunity to choose either to be like Christ in this moment or to show yourself again as a child of wrath instead of as a child of God?

Lord, help us. It is only by the poet of Christ in us that we can reach such humble standing at the foot of the cross. Help us today to be more like you. Amen.