1 Peter 3:15-16 (HCSB), "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."
Day by day, I've looked at the chapters that I've been reading with an eye toward how we can take refuge is some aspect of God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit or our relationship with them. Today, I want to take a little turn. Peter challenges us all to be prepared to give an answer. As you examine your life and consider all the wonderful, miraculous, self-less sacrifices that Jesus has made for you, are you ready to tell others what He has done?
Acts 17:17 (HCSB), "So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there." Paul was always available to "reason" with whomever he met, wherever he was. It is important, as we take refuge in what Jesus has done for us, that we are also ready to tell others about that sacrifice.
In his visit to Cornelius, Peter said, "He commanded us to preach to the people, and to solemnly testify that He is the One appointed by God to be the Judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about Him that through His name everyone who believes in Him will receive forgiveness of sins." - Acts 20:42 (HCSB) This doesn't just apply to the apostles of the early church. It applies to all of us.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 (HCSB), Paul writes, "Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." In this way he is admonishing us to always keep our eyes on God. The same is true with what Peter is trying to tell the church, "always be prepared to give an answer..."
Take Refuge, my friend, you have an answer to give. Jesus Christ made a sacrifice for you and for me so that through His sacrifice our debt was paid. Give thanks to God in everything because of everything He has given you.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
1 Peter 2 - Living Stones
1 Peter 2:4-5 (HCSB), "Coming to Him, a living stone—rejected by men but chosen and valuable to God — you yourselves, as living stones, are being built into a spiritual house for a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
Peter encourages the church that although they have been rejected by men, they are valuable to God. God is using them to build a spiritual house that will be vibrant and full of life. A house where spiritual sacrifices are presented and acceptable to God. When we look in Romans 12:1 (HCSB), "Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship." we see that we, personally, are the spiritual sacrifices that God wants.
Picture for a moment a "stone" house. In today's times it is really a wooden house with a stone face. Some of those faces come as a facade that just looks like stone and, as such, has no real depth to it. However, sometimes the stone face is built, one stone at a time, by a master craftsman. He will go out and check his sources attempting to find stones that are the right color, shape and mixture of sizes to construct the perfect wall. Generally, they are able to build the wall by positioning stones in a seemingly random fashion, but sometimes they have to search their pile of stones to find the one that fits perfectly in a particular place.
You are like that stone. You may have been looked over and tossed away. But as God is building his spiritual house, he is looking for you to fill the spot that is saved just for you.
Take Refuge in the living stones chosen by God to fit His purpose.
Peter encourages the church that although they have been rejected by men, they are valuable to God. God is using them to build a spiritual house that will be vibrant and full of life. A house where spiritual sacrifices are presented and acceptable to God. When we look in Romans 12:1 (HCSB), "Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship." we see that we, personally, are the spiritual sacrifices that God wants.
Picture for a moment a "stone" house. In today's times it is really a wooden house with a stone face. Some of those faces come as a facade that just looks like stone and, as such, has no real depth to it. However, sometimes the stone face is built, one stone at a time, by a master craftsman. He will go out and check his sources attempting to find stones that are the right color, shape and mixture of sizes to construct the perfect wall. Generally, they are able to build the wall by positioning stones in a seemingly random fashion, but sometimes they have to search their pile of stones to find the one that fits perfectly in a particular place.
You are like that stone. You may have been looked over and tossed away. But as God is building his spiritual house, he is looking for you to fill the spot that is saved just for you.
Take Refuge in the living stones chosen by God to fit His purpose.
1 Peter 1 - A Living Hope
1 Peter 1:3-5 (HCSB), "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by God's power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time."
1 Peter 1:18-19 (HCSB), "For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from the fathers, not with perishable things, like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish."
As Peter writes the church scattered abroad, he starts by reminding them of the living hope they have through Jesus and follows that with a call to holy living. What a combination. We have an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted and unfading which was redeemed by the precious blood of Christ.
From The Messge, 1 Peter 1:3-4, "What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now!" What a God indeed. His grace towards us and His mercy on us are immeasurable. And in that grace, He provided a redemption for us.
Take Refuge in the living hope of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:18-19 (HCSB), "For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from the fathers, not with perishable things, like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish."
As Peter writes the church scattered abroad, he starts by reminding them of the living hope they have through Jesus and follows that with a call to holy living. What a combination. We have an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted and unfading which was redeemed by the precious blood of Christ.
From The Messge, 1 Peter 1:3-4, "What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now!" What a God indeed. His grace towards us and His mercy on us are immeasurable. And in that grace, He provided a redemption for us.
Take Refuge in the living hope of Jesus Christ.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
James 5 - Be Patient
James 5:7-8 (HCSB), "Therefore, brothers, be patient until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth and is patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the Lord's coming is near."
One of the hardest phrases for a child to hear is their parent saying, "Be patient." It doesn't matter what they are waiting for, the patience to wait is always a challenge. But, if we just remember what we are being patient for -- "the Lord's coming" -- it will help. As it is written in Hosea 6:3a (HCSB), "Let us strive to know the LORD. His appearance is as sure as the dawn."
Romans 5:3-4 (MSG), "... We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next." Troubles develop patience and patience becomes virtue. Be patient, the Lord is coming.
Just as we talked about in James 4 and not doing what we know we need to do, we easily fall pray to the lack of patience. We want it now! We are the child and God is the Father and whatever we are praying for, we want now. But, being the father that He is, God knows what is best for us and only gives us what we are ready for at the time.
Take Refuge. We can be patient for the Lord's coming because we know it will come to pass. God is good, all the time. And, in His goodness, he will help us to be patient and wait for Him.
One of the hardest phrases for a child to hear is their parent saying, "Be patient." It doesn't matter what they are waiting for, the patience to wait is always a challenge. But, if we just remember what we are being patient for -- "the Lord's coming" -- it will help. As it is written in Hosea 6:3a (HCSB), "Let us strive to know the LORD. His appearance is as sure as the dawn."
Romans 5:3-4 (MSG), "... We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next." Troubles develop patience and patience becomes virtue. Be patient, the Lord is coming.
Just as we talked about in James 4 and not doing what we know we need to do, we easily fall pray to the lack of patience. We want it now! We are the child and God is the Father and whatever we are praying for, we want now. But, being the father that He is, God knows what is best for us and only gives us what we are ready for at the time.
Take Refuge. We can be patient for the Lord's coming because we know it will come to pass. God is good, all the time. And, in His goodness, he will help us to be patient and wait for Him.
James 4 - You Know What To Do
James 4:17 (HCSB), "So, for the person who knows to do good and doesn't do it, it is a sin."
You may be looking at that verse and asking, where do I take refuge in that?
God chastised Cain when he was upset that God did not accept his offering: Genesis 4:7b (HCSB), "...But if you do not do right, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must master it."
Paul expressed his remorse over it in Romans 7:19 (HCSB), "For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do."
All of us as believers struggle with the desire to do things that we ought not to do and the frustration when we don't do what we know we should. But, rejoice! If we didn't have the Spirit to prompt us as we seek to life holy lives, how would we know what is good and what is not? God provided a way for us to know good. God sent an encourager to prompt us to do good. And God has promised over and over to bless those who follow His ways.
It began with the old covenant and His promise to Abraham to bless him and multiply his offspring. It continues with the new covenant where God allows His own Son to make a way for use through His sacrifice. God has always provided a way for us to be empowered to "do good" even when we don't see it in ourselves.
Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:13 (HCSB), "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it." We face the temptation every day to avoid doing what we know we should do. But God has given us the grace to push on through the temptation and live triumphantly in His power.
Take Refuge, my friend. When you know what to do and you struggle not wanting to do it, you have a Helper and a Savior who will come along side you and encourage you to do what you know you should.
You may be looking at that verse and asking, where do I take refuge in that?
God chastised Cain when he was upset that God did not accept his offering: Genesis 4:7b (HCSB), "...But if you do not do right, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must master it."
Paul expressed his remorse over it in Romans 7:19 (HCSB), "For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do."
All of us as believers struggle with the desire to do things that we ought not to do and the frustration when we don't do what we know we should. But, rejoice! If we didn't have the Spirit to prompt us as we seek to life holy lives, how would we know what is good and what is not? God provided a way for us to know good. God sent an encourager to prompt us to do good. And God has promised over and over to bless those who follow His ways.
It began with the old covenant and His promise to Abraham to bless him and multiply his offspring. It continues with the new covenant where God allows His own Son to make a way for use through His sacrifice. God has always provided a way for us to be empowered to "do good" even when we don't see it in ourselves.
Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:13 (HCSB), "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it." We face the temptation every day to avoid doing what we know we should do. But God has given us the grace to push on through the temptation and live triumphantly in His power.
Take Refuge, my friend. When you know what to do and you struggle not wanting to do it, you have a Helper and a Savior who will come along side you and encourage you to do what you know you should.
James 3 - Fruit of Righteousness
James 3:17-18 (HCSB) "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."
We already talked about asking for wisdom and God's generous provision in James 1. But here, James describes that wisdom in terms of the fruits of righteousness that it displays. We are challenged to ask "in faith without doubting." Here we find out why. By putting forth our faith as part of the good works James talks about in chapter 2 and using that faith to bridle our tounge as he talks about in chapter 3, we display our fruit of righteousness that can only be inspired by the Father above. It becomes a circle exemplifying the Christian walk.
We have faith in Christ. Through that faith, we ask the Father for wisdom. As a result of God's wisdom, we display our faith through works, self denial and our treatment of others. This in turn leads others to exercise faith in Christ which also renews our own faith seeing Him work in others.
I really like the way James 3:17 is stated in The Message, "Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced." God's wisdom, when accepted in faith, fills us with the desire to live a holy life. Matthew Henry reflects on these verses with, "May the purity, peace, gentleness, teachableness, and mercy shown in all our actions, and the fruits of righteousness abounding in our lives, prove that God has bestowed upon us this excellent gift."
Take Refuge in God's wisdom as to fill us with the Fruit of Righteousness, a truly excellent gift.
We already talked about asking for wisdom and God's generous provision in James 1. But here, James describes that wisdom in terms of the fruits of righteousness that it displays. We are challenged to ask "in faith without doubting." Here we find out why. By putting forth our faith as part of the good works James talks about in chapter 2 and using that faith to bridle our tounge as he talks about in chapter 3, we display our fruit of righteousness that can only be inspired by the Father above. It becomes a circle exemplifying the Christian walk.
We have faith in Christ. Through that faith, we ask the Father for wisdom. As a result of God's wisdom, we display our faith through works, self denial and our treatment of others. This in turn leads others to exercise faith in Christ which also renews our own faith seeing Him work in others.
I really like the way James 3:17 is stated in The Message, "Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced." God's wisdom, when accepted in faith, fills us with the desire to live a holy life. Matthew Henry reflects on these verses with, "May the purity, peace, gentleness, teachableness, and mercy shown in all our actions, and the fruits of righteousness abounding in our lives, prove that God has bestowed upon us this excellent gift."
Take Refuge in God's wisdom as to fill us with the Fruit of Righteousness, a truly excellent gift.
Friday, March 4, 2011
James 2 - Rich or Poor
James 2:5 (HCSB), "Listen, my dear brothers: Didn't God choose the poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that He has promised to those who love Him?"
Hallelujah, God's ways are not our ways. In James 2, we are given the illustration that if you show favoritism of one group over another (in this case rich over poor), you "discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts", James 2:4 (HCSB). It would be better for us to remember Job 34:19 (HCSB), "God is not partial to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of His hands."
God made each of us regardless of our position in society. God loves all of His children. Our challenge is to see the people around us with God's eyes and not man's eyes. Each person is one of God's unique creations and worthy of His love and our love too. Likewise, if others are worthy of God's love, then you are too.
Take Refuge, regardless of your "place" in life, God loves you individually and He expects all Christians to love your as well.
Hallelujah, God's ways are not our ways. In James 2, we are given the illustration that if you show favoritism of one group over another (in this case rich over poor), you "discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts", James 2:4 (HCSB). It would be better for us to remember Job 34:19 (HCSB), "God is not partial to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of His hands."
God made each of us regardless of our position in society. God loves all of His children. Our challenge is to see the people around us with God's eyes and not man's eyes. Each person is one of God's unique creations and worthy of His love and our love too. Likewise, if others are worthy of God's love, then you are too.
Take Refuge, regardless of your "place" in life, God loves you individually and He expects all Christians to love your as well.
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