OUCH!!!  

This Christian life can be pretty painful!!  

Why?  And how do we respond?

 

We can rejoice when we  go through any time of suffering "grief in all kinds of trials."  These  come so that our "faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."   These trials are designed to reshape us, not to ruin us.  

(1 Peter 1: 6-7)

     We are to prepare our  minds for action. 

  We are to be self-controlled, to set our hope fully on the grace given to us through Christ, and to be obedient - not conforming to evil desires.  Ignorance is no longer an excuse.  We are to be holy - and we can be through Him.

(1 Peter 1:13-14)

   If we obey the truth, we are purified, and it will be seen through sincere love for others.  We will love deeply, from the heart.

(1 Peter 1:22)

  In order to do all this and get along with others, and be in obedience, we are to rid ourselves of all 

  • malice  (Vicious intention; desire to hurt someone.) 

  • deceit ( The practice of being false; dishonest; to cause to believe an untruth.)

  • hypocrisy, (Pretense to being what one really is not, especially the pretense of being a better person than one really is. The word is based on the Greek hypokrisis, originally meaning to give an answer. A hypocrite in classical Greek could be an interpreter of dreams, an orator, a reciter of poetry, or an actor. Originally a neutral term, "hypocrite" gained the negative connotation of pretense, duplicity, or insincerity. )

  • envy  ( A painful or resentful awareness of another's advantage joined with the desire to possess the same advantage),  and 

  • slander  ( To speak critically of another person with the intent to hurt).

of every kind.  

We are to crave "spiritual milk" in order to grow.

(1 Peter 2:1-3) 

  If we do not obey, we will most surely stumble

 (1 Peter 1:3).

 There is a specific lifestyle designed for each of us to be obedient:

1.) 1 Peter 2:1  Abstain from any evil desire.

2.) 1 Peter 2;13-17  Be submissive in our society, in our relationships, and in our home.

3.) 1 Peter 3:8  Be humble in all our relationships.

4.)  1 Peter 4:11  In the midst of everything we face, we must glorify God in all things.

We are to follow His example;

 

   When insulted, He did not retaliate.

   When He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to God who judges justly.  

1 Peter 2:28 

  By HIS wounds we are healed (1 Peter 2;24), not my our own!

 

Oh, Father, I pray you will keep my mind on these things.  I pray to always see my "trials" as opportunities, and that I will praise you through them, knowing they are coming to me  to reshape me into your image.  I pray I will have my mind prepared for action , that I will be self controlled, and that my hope will always be firmly set on you!  I pray I will be obedient to your Word, and never conforming to evil desires.   I know these will come in this world, but you have given me all I need to have victory over them!

Forgive me when I have failed you and been disobedient.  Forgive me for hanging onto any malice, deceit, hypocrisy, or envy.  Remove them from my life and replace them with your love.  I desire my heart to overflow with your love for others.

Help me not to retaliate when I have been hurt, but to remember how very much Christ suffered for me...and that my wounds are already healed because of what he has done for me!!!  Fill my heart with the love you have for others- even though they may be the very ones hurting me.  Bring to my mind the vision of Christ washing the feet of even His betrayer.

Thank you for your Word, and how it speaks to us every day!  Help me to be more like Jesus every day! 

In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

 

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