August 14, 2014

1 Peter 3:13

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?

I actually laughed when I read this verse this morning......let me make a list, yes? We do good....we focus on doing good, treating others with kindness, letting someone else have that perfect parking place, let our spouse pick the movie, go visit our relatives, pick up trash, take food to the hungry and clothes to the homeless and...... We have people pull in front of us, steal our parking spots, take advantage of us, treat us in unkind ways, talk bad about us behind our backs, lie to us....to we get to the point that we get frustrated because it seems the nicer we are the more beat up we get.....

But you will! We are called to love....to serve....to be Christ's hands and feet here on this earth. So the acts of kindness that we do are done so that Christ might be known to those we serve....that someday, one of those people will we have served will say...Why? Or tell me about your God. We shouldn't do it to get goodness in return....or our motives are not as they should be.

In fact, we should expect the opposite. Satan will try everything to diminish work performed only in the name of Christ..... Everything......Lies..... "Wait, you are working day and night to serve others and what do you get in return? Look how they didn't even recognize you at church for organizing the banquet! Without you, none of this would even be possible! He doesn't deserve you!.." .. And his lies, starting subtle at first, begin to weave in bits of pride that will destroy.

As a child, we were told that if we would be nice to someone else then they would be nice to us back..... Not true. Not then, not now. Be nice.......but be nice expecting nothing in return. Expecting nothing but knowing that you have acted in obedience to our Father.....and that is worth all the praise in the world.

August 14, 2014

Beautiful tribute to Tae tonight with our home church and family. To God be the glory. Always....... Never be afraid to step full out in faith, to love greatly and serve with wild abandonment.....

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August 15, 2014

1 Peter 3:14

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear; do not be frightened.

Fear.......

It can immobilize us, it can shatter our dreams before they even start, it can leave us frightened to the core...almost afraid to breathe.... And this is all before we even know something is bad.

Satan uses fear to control us...... What if? What if? What if? He will weave lies in our head in such a way that the event doesn't even have to happened....because we've already "lived" in the fear.

Yet, Christ gives us an assurance that He holds us in the palm of His hand. This doesn't mean that bad things won't come out way, or we won't get hurt.....or die. But the Creator of all has our back.

And with that, we don't need to fear our enemies..... He is ultimately in control...always. No mistakes. And that is all that matters.

August 16, 2014

1 Peter 3:15

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.

It is amazing, enlightening....empowering, yet, almost daunting how much of our walk with Christ is action on our part. Choices. Goodness doesn't just happen. Obedience doesn't just fall into place. Serenity and peace do not come naturally. While we live as children of God, we live within our own free will....and the choices we make within that free will determines how we experience this life.

Set apart in your hearts Christ as Lord. Such a simple sentence but such a profound action. Have we done this? Do our lives mirror this? Every day.....every where?

Life without Tae has been difficult. Yes, we are doing ok and fully place our trust in Him....but I have learned that this is a daily action....sometimes an hourly action. Christ is my Lord. Period. With that statement, comes with the belief that the Bible and words in it are Truth. Period. No deviation. I'm not talking about man's interpretations or how satan has managed to play on words.....but the pure word of God. There is a difference. Satan tries to weave doubt in our minds....but my heart has long been set on my Lord.

I don't even allow myself to look "left or right" anymore....that time has passed. There was a time in my early walk with God that I would entertain other possibilities or thoughts but the more I have experienced who He is and have seen what He has done.... No, this is my Lord and this who I will follow. Period. I realize this is outside of the current political correctness but....either He is or isn't.

My mind goes to our brothers and sisters in Christ who are facing persecution today. Dying for their steadfast belief in who is Lord of their life. I have no doubt that the faithfulness of God is pouring out upon them. While we look on through a worldly view lens, our Father in heaven protects His saints...... He has those who have set their hearts on Him as Lord of their lives in the palm of His hand. And, we can rest assured of that.

August 17, 2014

1 Peter 3:15

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,.....

Are we prepared to tell others about Christ in our lives? Are we mirroring Him in our life so they ask? Has anyone asked us where our joy and hope comes from recently? Ever? Do they see joy and hope in our life?

It is easy to fall into the pit of of self-pity, there are always things within our lives that won't add up to what we wish them to be....whether they be day to day happenings or life changing events, we will find ourselves disappointed, unhappy and filled with unrest....the question, though, is how do we as Christians respond? Do we respond as the world who will commiserate with us or do we live in such a manner that those who see us will ask, "How?" Or even "Why?".....We live in such a way that He is glorified.

Most of these times of living that makes the world take notice is during times of trials..... when you've been cheated, when you've lost, when you've lost a dearest love one...when you are down and out and you've "earned" your badge of despair..... But when hope is placed in Him, we know who is in control and can find comfort and solace in His hands.....and here, we can find joy that surpasses all understanding....and here we can testify that He is good...all the time.

But what about the smaller details in life? Small God-ordained moments that give us opportunity to share Him....a close parking spot in the rain, running into a long lost friend that is struggling, a break in the storm, the advance of a storm, grocery money that extends way past it's earthly value.....He's in all of the details... Do we give Him the glory? Do we share Him in the small things? We must speak boldly of His goodness even in the small details. Do we? Or do we hold back and only share of His goodness with other believers? Are we fearful of others' responses when we share His day to day goodness in our lives? There are those that are dying for their faithful, verbal acknowledgement of Him knowing that death will follow...and we hesitate because......why? We might be laughed at, mocked.... We are told to be prepared to give a response. Are we ready to say....."It was God"

August 17, 2014

A day of church and the beach. First time here since Tae went on to heaven..... We had a girl's day out here the week before she died. I remember looking into the ocean that day with the song "Oceans" running through my head.. .." Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander...." and today the lyrics that were running through my head as I looked upon the same spot was " Who told the ocean you can only go this far? I know my Redeemer Lives..... I know my Redeemer lives. Let all creation testify....." My feet are deeper than they could have ever wandered on their own......but through it all I know with all that I am that He truly lives and He is faithful.

August 18, 2014

1 Peter 3:16

Keeping a clear conscious, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

I love that the word 'maliciously' is used here....not bad, not wrongly, not harsh but maliciously about our be behavior. Spoken with the intent and full-well knowledge of bringing evil and harm. And we are instructed to be gentle, have respect and a clear conscious......wow.

So what about the times when we are wronged that aren't malicious? Gentleness and respect. Again, we are to expect this to happen.....we shouldn't be surprised but rather be prepared so that we can respond through Christ's love and not our own bare emotions.

I can think of twice when I have been what I would "rate" as maliciously attacked by words in my life. I hate to say that both times I was ill-prepared, shocked and, frankly, quite upset that someone would talk to me like that.... My response was neither gentle or respectful but probably more on the side of indignant. And then I come to Peter's writings.....and I should have known....it will happen....it will.

We fight not against flesh and blood....it goes deeper than that. The Light that shines in you will make those who are not believers feel uncomfortable at times.....it will. Be ready for it. Be gentle, kind and respectful so that when the malicious words "make a full circle" they will come up empty and your accusers will be left with their false words and your witness as a believer will still be strong.

One of my situations has come full circle.....the other, I have got to keep Peter's words hidden in my heart, mind and soul..... I think of Christ as He was ridiculed time and time again....He looked neither right or left but stayed focused on the Father......so that they might know Him also.....even those who cause us the most pain....even them.