"Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." 1 Peter 3:8-9 (NIV)
The Apostle Peter encouraged the believers to live in harmony, to be sympathetic, to be compassionate, to be humble, and to love one another as brothers. By being a blessing to each other they would receive a blessing themselves.
The concept of "being a blessing to others and then receiving a blessing," is not a new one. Peter may have been paraphrasing Proverbs 11:25 which states "he that watereth shall himself also be watered." As Christians, we are to treat our fellowman with love and compassion. We are to be sympathetic to the plight of others, and humble in our dealings with them. Jesus said that as we treat our brothers, we are doing it to Him. (Matthew 25:40 and 25:45) So let us be very careful about how we treat each other. Treating others in a non-Christian way may cause us to miss out on a blessing.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Monday, May 6, 2013
Have The Attitude Of Christ
"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with The Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus..." Philippians 2:1-5 (NIV)
The Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Philippi to encourage them to be Christ-like, and to be guided by The Holy Spirit, and demonstrate the love of God towards one another. He told them not to be selfish, but to think of, and to value others more than self, just as Christ did.
Those of us who have been encouraged by being in Christ, who have received comfort from His love, who have received the indwelling of The Holy Spirit, who have been shown the loving kindness and mercy of God, should have and display that same love towards one another. We should do nothing with selfish ambition or conceit, but we should humble ourselves, and place the interest of others before our own. We should think, act, and behave as Christ did and follow His example. To be Christian is to be "Christ-like." We cannot be perfect like He was and is, but we can strive for the perfect example which He set before us.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Philippi to encourage them to be Christ-like, and to be guided by The Holy Spirit, and demonstrate the love of God towards one another. He told them not to be selfish, but to think of, and to value others more than self, just as Christ did.
Those of us who have been encouraged by being in Christ, who have received comfort from His love, who have received the indwelling of The Holy Spirit, who have been shown the loving kindness and mercy of God, should have and display that same love towards one another. We should do nothing with selfish ambition or conceit, but we should humble ourselves, and place the interest of others before our own. We should think, act, and behave as Christ did and follow His example. To be Christian is to be "Christ-like." We cannot be perfect like He was and is, but we can strive for the perfect example which He set before us.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Comfort During Suffering
"Remember Your word to Your servant, for You have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life." Psalms 119:49-50 (NIV)
This psalmist declares that The Word of God gives him hope, and it is a comfort to him when he is suffering because he knows that God is keeping him.
We should be glad and thankful that The Lord has preserved our life and allowed us to remain among the living for one more day. We may be in the midst of a storm at the moment, however, the fact that we can recognize that and understand that it is only a temporary situation, (Psalms 30:5 and 1 Peter 1:6), should be a source of comfort for us. We should rejoice because trouble don't last always. It was God who brought us to it, and He can take us through it.
This psalmist declares that The Word of God gives him hope, and it is a comfort to him when he is suffering because he knows that God is keeping him.
We should be glad and thankful that The Lord has preserved our life and allowed us to remain among the living for one more day. We may be in the midst of a storm at the moment, however, the fact that we can recognize that and understand that it is only a temporary situation, (Psalms 30:5 and 1 Peter 1:6), should be a source of comfort for us. We should rejoice because trouble don't last always. It was God who brought us to it, and He can take us through it.
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Ask For It And Receive It If...
"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." Mark 11:24-25 (NIV)
These are some of the words that Jesus spoke to His disciples regarding prayer. Jesus said that if they asked for something, and believed that they would receive it, then it would be theirs. Then He told them not to hold anything in their heart against anyone so that they would not block their own blessing.
Today, Christians, we are the disciples of Jesus, The Christ. Before we pray, we should make sure that we are not holding anything in our heart against anyone. When we pray, we should make sure that what we pray for will give God glory. For whatever we ask for that is in the will of God, we will receive it, so that God can be glorified. (John 15:7-8 and 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12) After we pray, we must believe that God hears and answers the prayers of His saints. (Proverbs 15:29 and 1 Peter 3:12) We have not, because we ask not. (James 4:2) Before, when, and after we pray, we must believe that God can, and will, grant our request.
These are some of the words that Jesus spoke to His disciples regarding prayer. Jesus said that if they asked for something, and believed that they would receive it, then it would be theirs. Then He told them not to hold anything in their heart against anyone so that they would not block their own blessing.
Today, Christians, we are the disciples of Jesus, The Christ. Before we pray, we should make sure that we are not holding anything in our heart against anyone. When we pray, we should make sure that what we pray for will give God glory. For whatever we ask for that is in the will of God, we will receive it, so that God can be glorified. (John 15:7-8 and 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12) After we pray, we must believe that God hears and answers the prayers of His saints. (Proverbs 15:29 and 1 Peter 3:12) We have not, because we ask not. (James 4:2) Before, when, and after we pray, we must believe that God can, and will, grant our request.
Friday, May 3, 2013
God Is Watching Us
"From heaven The LORD looks down and sees all mankind; from His dwelling place He watches all who live on earth; He who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do." Psalms 33:13-15 (NIV)
The author of this psalm states that God, who made man, looks down from heaven and observes man, and He takes note of everything that man does. The Creator not only sees, but He oversees and records all that man does.
Not only did God create the first man, (Genesis 1:27 and Genesis 2:7), He oversees the creation of every man. (Psalms 139:13-16) He made us and He knows us. God sits in heaven and sees all that we do, hears all that we say, and knows all that we think. Additionally, there is a record being kept of this in heaven, and one day, we will each have to give an account for our every thought, spoken word, and action. (Revelation 20:11-13) We say, what happens in Las Vegas, stays in Las Vegas, but this is not true. God sees it all and we will have to answer for it. It is time for us to walk the Christian walk and not just talk the talk. Let us let our behavior match our beliefs. God is watching.
The author of this psalm states that God, who made man, looks down from heaven and observes man, and He takes note of everything that man does. The Creator not only sees, but He oversees and records all that man does.
Not only did God create the first man, (Genesis 1:27 and Genesis 2:7), He oversees the creation of every man. (Psalms 139:13-16) He made us and He knows us. God sits in heaven and sees all that we do, hears all that we say, and knows all that we think. Additionally, there is a record being kept of this in heaven, and one day, we will each have to give an account for our every thought, spoken word, and action. (Revelation 20:11-13) We say, what happens in Las Vegas, stays in Las Vegas, but this is not true. God sees it all and we will have to answer for it. It is time for us to walk the Christian walk and not just talk the talk. Let us let our behavior match our beliefs. God is watching.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Live In Order To Please God
"Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in The Lord Jesus to do this more and more." 1 Thessalonians 4:1 (NIV)
In his letter to the Thessalonian believers, the Apostle Paul said that his purpose for teaching them was so that they would know how to live to please God, and so that they would do that more often.
We have to be taught how to walk with God and how to please Him. Only through The Word of God can we learn how to please Him. Only by instruction in His Word can we learn how to behave and conduct ourselves in a manner which pleases God. Living to please God means living according to His Word, hearing it, believing it, reading it, following it, and loving it. And not just doing this once in a while, but doing it more and more, and more frequently. No matter how good our Christian walk may be, there is always room for improvement and growing closer to God. Living to please God is a continuous process which requires a daily devotion and commitment. As Christians, this is how we ought to live.
In his letter to the Thessalonian believers, the Apostle Paul said that his purpose for teaching them was so that they would know how to live to please God, and so that they would do that more often.
We have to be taught how to walk with God and how to please Him. Only through The Word of God can we learn how to please Him. Only by instruction in His Word can we learn how to behave and conduct ourselves in a manner which pleases God. Living to please God means living according to His Word, hearing it, believing it, reading it, following it, and loving it. And not just doing this once in a while, but doing it more and more, and more frequently. No matter how good our Christian walk may be, there is always room for improvement and growing closer to God. Living to please God is a continuous process which requires a daily devotion and commitment. As Christians, this is how we ought to live.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Do What Is Right Just And Fair
"The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young; let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance; for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. The fear of The LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." Proverbs 1:1-7 (NIV)
King Solomon was the wisest man ever (2 Chronicles 1:11-12), and he chose to share his wisdom with the people within the thirty-one proverbs which he wrote. The purpose of the proverbs was to help the people gain wisdom and discipline, to gain understanding and a prudent life. To help them do that which was right, just, and fair as they went about their daily activities and in their dealings with others.
Solomon prayed for wisdom and knowledge so that he could do a good job as king leading God's people. (2 Chronicles 1:10) He wanted to help the people by giving them some good examples and words of wisdom to live by. We could learn a lot from Solomon, not only from the proverbs which he wrote, but also from his prayerful concern for others and his purpose for sharing. His motives had nothing to do with personal gain. He had a sincere love for others. We need to pray that we would develop that type of love for others. Jesus said that we should love others as we love ourselves. (Matthew 22:39, Mark 12:31, and Luke 10:27) If we love The Lord, then we should love and help His people. To truly love and live a Godly life, we must do things which benefit someone other than ourselves. As we treat others, we are doing that to God. (Matthew 25:40) We should do that which is right, just, and fair, and that which is a blessing to others. Solomon was blessed beyond what he asked for because his purpose was to be a blessing to others. He who blesses others shall himself also be blessed. (Proverbs 11:25)
King Solomon was the wisest man ever (2 Chronicles 1:11-12), and he chose to share his wisdom with the people within the thirty-one proverbs which he wrote. The purpose of the proverbs was to help the people gain wisdom and discipline, to gain understanding and a prudent life. To help them do that which was right, just, and fair as they went about their daily activities and in their dealings with others.
Solomon prayed for wisdom and knowledge so that he could do a good job as king leading God's people. (2 Chronicles 1:10) He wanted to help the people by giving them some good examples and words of wisdom to live by. We could learn a lot from Solomon, not only from the proverbs which he wrote, but also from his prayerful concern for others and his purpose for sharing. His motives had nothing to do with personal gain. He had a sincere love for others. We need to pray that we would develop that type of love for others. Jesus said that we should love others as we love ourselves. (Matthew 22:39, Mark 12:31, and Luke 10:27) If we love The Lord, then we should love and help His people. To truly love and live a Godly life, we must do things which benefit someone other than ourselves. As we treat others, we are doing that to God. (Matthew 25:40) We should do that which is right, just, and fair, and that which is a blessing to others. Solomon was blessed beyond what he asked for because his purpose was to be a blessing to others. He who blesses others shall himself also be blessed. (Proverbs 11:25)
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