Tag Archives: First Epistle of Peter

Christian Living, Guests, Repentance

Yours, Mine, Theirs and Ours

Gallery Leave a comment

There is no really deep secret to having a happy home. It simply is letting Jesus have first place in our hearts.

via Draw Near – 365 Guides to Greater Intimacy with God | YouVersion.com.
Please use this link to read the entire devotion at You Version

May I shout that out? Shout it out because there are multitudes of unhappy homes all around us; perhaps some of us are living in one. There is a remedy.

And yes I have heard the arguments.

It’s him.

If he will put JESUS first I will.

Why should I be the one when he won’t?

The answer is simple.

Do you want peace or not?

One thing stands between turmoil and peace: pride — yours, mine, theirs and ours

James 4:6 21st Century King James Version (KJ21)

6 But He giveth more grace; therefore He saith, “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”

via James 4:6 KJ21 – But He giveth more grace; therefore He – Bible Gateway.

When we feel GOD is resisting us or at least not doing what we want? There could be many reasons for His delay; even so have we carefully examined ourselves for pride in ourselves?

1 Peter 5:5 21st Century King James Version (KJ21)

5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility; for “God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”

via 1 Peter 5:5 KJ21 – Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves – Bible Gateway.

Got some heavy trials? Got some miserable situations?

Seek an elder – a wise woman with some godly age on her who will share the WORD with you and then practice what the WORD says.

And not to leave the men out here. Seek out a wise man with some godly age on him who will share the WORD with you and then practice what the WORD says.

Is this remedy easy? No it’s not – that’s no secret either. If it were easy everybody would jump on it. Only the humble and the brave will take on this remedy. But you know, the end results of this remedy is a whole lot easier to handle than the results of refusing this remedy.

It’s really a no-brainer – don’t you think?   :)

Even so let compassion move us and let us pray for one another. As my dear friend Janet says: “Life’s hard but GOD is good!”

Blessings for a holy weekend,

Please pray for Janet and family – visitation is tonight and memorial service tomorrow. Dawn’s (S) surgery is this morning. Kerri, Leon, Dori, Terri, Carolyn, Penni, Sheila, Melinda, Patricia/Todd – just to name a few dear Ones who need prayer warriors to intercede.

Assurance - Promise, Christian Living, KWT Paraphrasing

Beauty! Give Me Some of That!

Gallery 1 Comment

1 Peter 3:3-4 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

3 Your beauty should not consist of outward things like elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold ornaments or fine clothes.
4 Instead, it should consist of what is inside the heart with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very valuable in God’s eyes.
via I peter 3:3-4 HCSB – Your beauty should not consist of – Bible Gateway.

Your beauty should not consist of outward things

I got that far and was stopped.

How many outward things do I do to enhance my appearance? How many changes of clothes do I make some days before I leave out my front door? How often do I linger in front of the mirror wishing the reflection looks different? Those questions I am not going to answer – not here in print anyway.  :)

But I am answering them as I read: Your beauty should not consist of outward things

No way do I believe that ABBA is saying that clothing and hair products and colors and even out those tones foundations are inappropriate.

Yet. I am back to this again: Your beauty should not consist of outward things

Beauty? I have beauty? How often have I worked for beauty and was certain I had failed?
I work for the wrong thing when I overtly busy myself with hair and face and clothes.

In this passage, ABBA says you do well my daughter when you attend the beauty of SPIRIT – a gentle and quiet spirit.

Gentle. We know what that means don’t we? Do we? Look with me at this.

Definition

  1. mildness of disposition, gentleness of spirit, meekness

Meekness toward God is that disposition of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting. In the OT, the meek are those wholly relying on God rather than their own strength to defend them against injustice. Thus, meekness toward evil people means knowing God is permitting the injuries they inflict, that He is using them to purify His elect, and that He will deliver His elect in His time.

So if I desire to be beautiful I will apply more than fine hair products, more than colors and foundations to my face, more than drape modest classy-looking clothes on my frame, I will consistently refuse to resist the work of the HOLY SPIRIT inside me. I will accept all His dealings with me as good. I will rely on my ABBA when injuries come; whether those injuries, pains, and griefs come at the hands of evil-doing people or just because this world in which I live is hostile to God and me.

But what about quiet? We know what quiet means, right? Look at this from my online Greek Lexicon:

to lay hold of a thing, to adhere or cling to; to be closely joined to a person or a thing

So to be gentle I will not resist the HOLY SPIRIT. To be quiet. I will be closely joined to Him. Not only will I not resist but I will eagerly seek and cling to Him. 

Do this and I will be a woman of beauty, a woman ABBA highly favors and values.
Even when I run to Walmart with NO even-out-the-tones foundation, NO colors or mascara for my eyes, my hair in a ponytail, and my not small enough frame clad in a wrinkled T-shirt and Capri pants with stains.

So next time you see me that way, look for a JESUS smile on my face and His love in my eyes and if that is what you see, I am certain you (and I) will think I’m a woman of beauty.
And you know what?
If you are adorned the same, I will know you are a woman of beauty too!!

Thank You, ABBA, for stopping me short this morning. I pray all my sisters and my brothers will seek this ‘beauty’ that You have for us.  Again, we ask that You heal our sick and afflicted and that You rescue our rebellious and oblivious Ones. I ask, please forgive us, please have mercy, and pour out great conviction and repentance on we the people for JESUS’ sake. Amen and amen.

We have the God-given Right to do right in this wrong World,