SUFFERING FOR A REASON, FOR A SEASON Thursday, September 26, 2013 Scripture Passage: 1 Peter 1 Today: Suffering for a reason, for a season 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance. (1 Peter 1, NIV) Greetings in the name of Jesus! Peter writes to the scattered, suffering Christians in the churches in Asia minor (today’s Turkey) to encourage and strengthen them, in Christ Christians in that part of the world are going through similar situation today Even in their own land, they are treated like aliens/strangers Being a citizen of heaven, every true Christian will/should feel like an alien, in this world. The tendency to “feel at home” in this world is not very much Christian Today, there are many teachings that “we can have both the word and the world at the same time”. That teaching is in contradiction to the word of God The world hated Jesus; it hated the prophets. It is the same world we live in But there is a wonderful “covering” God gives us. It helps us stay un-affected by the various trials, tests and temptations around us. We will face them, but we don’t become a victim. We shall overcome, by the grace and power of God! Our children/youth face strong pressures from around. They need our help/advice, the word of God and our prayers, to stand strong in those strong storms Peter tells his readers that they are God’s elect, God’s own (though their own neighbors don’t treat them like that). They have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of the Father, sprinkled with the blood of the lamb of God-Jesus, and kept by the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit It is a three-fold protection that you and I have, just like them! The Grace and peace of God, the Joy of the Lord, is ours in abundance! The world does not have it. It is the privilege of those who are in Christ! Even in the worst situation, the suffering Christian rejoices. Worry and fear are strangers to the true child of God, because God is in charge! Have a blessed day, as you pray for our suffering brothers and sisters BG Prayer: Pray for the suffering Christians; pray for all those who have lost their joy in the Lord, for whatever reason. God’s will is to rejoice in the Lord always!
Posted on: Thu, 26 Sep 2013 04:43:25 +0000
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