Please find a quiet place to focus on these scriptures for a few minutes, asking His Spirit to speak to your heart, and in Jesus’ name, ridding your heart and mind of distractions, burdens, guilt, worry, etc. Today’s scripture is 1 Peter 3:13-17
The Message (MSG)
13-17If with heart and soul you’re doing good, do you think you can be stopped? Even if you suffer for it, you’re still better off. Don’t give the opposition a second thought. Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. They’ll end up realizing that they’re the ones who need a bath. It’s better to suffer for doing good, if that’s what God wants, than to be punished for doing bad.
The words that spoke to me today in this scripture were at the beginning, where Peter reminds us not to be afraid, that God is in control and will protect us… “Don’t give opposition a second thought”. Then he says, through the good AND the bad, “keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master”.
Oh, so I can’t just lean on (assume) the protection of God, and do life my way? :) Clearly, I shouldn’t go through the motions of my day without calling on His help, worshiping Him… There is that gentle reminder that we must have an ongoing relationship with Christ to have the continual guidance of the Holy Spirit -- to begin our day with Him, seeking the opportunities He gives us to share, and ending the day with Him. I more often than not DON’T do this, and foolishly storm my way through the day, only counting on my efforts. After asking to hold God’s hand during the day only THEN can God can equip us to “be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why…”.
Having said that, I also believe, because God has a sense of humor, that He even uses our blunders and selfish ways to further His kingdom. I’m so grateful for that grace and love!
I’m excited about the lesson today from the Explore God video, and can’t wait to hear about the conversations we will all be having in our lives as a result.
May God continually send us “gentle reminders” to do life WITH Him, so that we can share the hope we have only through Him. Thank you Jesus for your unending patience with me, a sinner. Give me smiles and encouragement for the people around me! Amen.
kristi