And who is he that will harm you, if you be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye; and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: I Peter 3:13-15
I am often amazed, well baffled would be a better word, at the way things transpire sometimes. Yes, honestly, it catches me and momentarily disconcerts me, even though I know I shouldn’t be surprised according to the Word of God. Last week, according to the natural eye, appeared tragic and disastrous, and they were traveling fast on two wheels. Flying through stealing money, disrupting the means in which I communicate God’s word, running rampant through my house, along with sickness in my body. Yes, it laid me down to rest for days as if it was on a serious mission to steal, and to kill, and to destroy... OH BUT GOD!
Apparently, it was set out to stop, hinder, prevent progress, and interfere, however, it prevented nothing, yet it provoked more prayer. My hands may not have been able to go up in praise and my feet weren’t able to do a little dance, but my soul praised Him and all the while, still happy and joyful. Needless to say, the Lord is interested in our heart, our conduct, and our words even during our suffering. Jubilant is described as one expressing great delight over a success, achievement or victory; triumphantly joyful. Despite and through it all, I still had joy!
Peter is reminding and encouraging the believers to have a divine perspective on their trials, persecutions, and the struggles because these can cause them to either grow or become bitter as they live for Christ. However, their character, as well as their conduct must be above criticism. They cannot let their lives be ill spoken of. He tells them they should be able to endure all without wavering in their faith and they should not be surprised, but rather count it a privilege. All hardships can be used for testimony (spoken or unspoken), if we sanctify our hearts unto the Lord, so that He gets the glory. Our lives should be a living testimony, epistles, read of men.
With all that happened last week (and I thank God for the Jesus in me), it could have gone differently had I allowed Cynde, pre-Jesus, to handle matters. Yet, the Christ in me knows that I must live the life I talk about. Handling things the ways I know Jesus would and knowing that He is counting on me to do the same. We have a hope in Jesus, a living hope. Yes, we are going to meet opposition along the way and we will encounter those who say they are saved, as well as say they are Christians, but you will be able to discern them by the fruit their bear. They may also think they are fooling man, but you can’t fool God, He sees all. I always want to be found handling myself lovingly with gratefulness, and thankfulness, in order for others to see and hear that through it all, Cynde has hope in the God she serves. It is important to me that He sees it in us and that it’s genuine and not just for show. It's time to stop faking and shaking it because that won't last. I don’t have time to spend playing church, whether I’m home alone, at the physical church, in the market, at the bank or wherever, I’m me in Christ always, it's my lifestyle. My conduct, my life, and my conscience (behavioral sense according to what is right and wrong) is that of such that you won’t be able to speak evil of it (verse 16).
Let’s be mindful of our conduct, our attitudes, and our conversations as we face whatever comes our way; no matter how many time we get knocked down, misused, abused or mistreated (Jesus endured, didn’t He?); don't allow it to cause a stunt in our growth or cause us to become bitter as we live for Christ. It might not be easy, but do you want easy or do you want “well done, my good and faithful servant?“ Verse 12 says, “for the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers.” That is enough for me! Let’s remind ourselves to be joyful regardless. Happy is he whose hope is in the Lord (Psalm 146:5). So, we can “count it all joy” as James would tell us!
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
I am often amazed, well baffled would be a better word, at the way things transpire sometimes. Yes, honestly, it catches me and momentarily disconcerts me, even though I know I shouldn’t be surprised according to the Word of God. Last week, according to the natural eye, appeared tragic and disastrous, and they were traveling fast on two wheels. Flying through stealing money, disrupting the means in which I communicate God’s word, running rampant through my house, along with sickness in my body. Yes, it laid me down to rest for days as if it was on a serious mission to steal, and to kill, and to destroy... OH BUT GOD!
Apparently, it was set out to stop, hinder, prevent progress, and interfere, however, it prevented nothing, yet it provoked more prayer. My hands may not have been able to go up in praise and my feet weren’t able to do a little dance, but my soul praised Him and all the while, still happy and joyful. Needless to say, the Lord is interested in our heart, our conduct, and our words even during our suffering. Jubilant is described as one expressing great delight over a success, achievement or victory; triumphantly joyful. Despite and through it all, I still had joy!
Peter is reminding and encouraging the believers to have a divine perspective on their trials, persecutions, and the struggles because these can cause them to either grow or become bitter as they live for Christ. However, their character, as well as their conduct must be above criticism. They cannot let their lives be ill spoken of. He tells them they should be able to endure all without wavering in their faith and they should not be surprised, but rather count it a privilege. All hardships can be used for testimony (spoken or unspoken), if we sanctify our hearts unto the Lord, so that He gets the glory. Our lives should be a living testimony, epistles, read of men.
With all that happened last week (and I thank God for the Jesus in me), it could have gone differently had I allowed Cynde, pre-Jesus, to handle matters. Yet, the Christ in me knows that I must live the life I talk about. Handling things the ways I know Jesus would and knowing that He is counting on me to do the same. We have a hope in Jesus, a living hope. Yes, we are going to meet opposition along the way and we will encounter those who say they are saved, as well as say they are Christians, but you will be able to discern them by the fruit their bear. They may also think they are fooling man, but you can’t fool God, He sees all. I always want to be found handling myself lovingly with gratefulness, and thankfulness, in order for others to see and hear that through it all, Cynde has hope in the God she serves. It is important to me that He sees it in us and that it’s genuine and not just for show. It's time to stop faking and shaking it because that won't last. I don’t have time to spend playing church, whether I’m home alone, at the physical church, in the market, at the bank or wherever, I’m me in Christ always, it's my lifestyle. My conduct, my life, and my conscience (behavioral sense according to what is right and wrong) is that of such that you won’t be able to speak evil of it (verse 16).
Let’s be mindful of our conduct, our attitudes, and our conversations as we face whatever comes our way; no matter how many time we get knocked down, misused, abused or mistreated (Jesus endured, didn’t He?); don't allow it to cause a stunt in our growth or cause us to become bitter as we live for Christ. It might not be easy, but do you want easy or do you want “well done, my good and faithful servant?“ Verse 12 says, “for the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers.” That is enough for me! Let’s remind ourselves to be joyful regardless. Happy is he whose hope is in the Lord (Psalm 146:5). So, we can “count it all joy” as James would tell us!
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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