Skip to main content

GOD'S plan

1 Peter 3:17
"17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing."

And it's as simple as that.
We will suffer in this life, no way around that. But, the question is; will you do the right thing or the wrong thing? Peter advised it's better to do the right thing. Peter knew it was natural to want to fight back. But Don't. Remember who you are. An EXILE in a hostile world. Meet the world in gladness. Rooted in the wholeness of God. Let the wicked world know us by our love. Show compassion when hostility is shown to you. 

Peter further taught the good conscience being MUCH BETTER than a guilty conscience that causes you anguish and remorse. People of this world are vain, proud, haughty, and arrogant. They will gossip and lie about you; "speak evil." Our task is to live in such a way that no one will believe them. And, MAYBE they will be ashamed of how they treated you. 

We have to show compassion in this hostile culture. We must learn to love others deeply. Offer them hospitality. Look for open doors… open opportunities to share the Gospel. Let people see your conviction and passion.  Bring it all together for our Lord and Savior!

Use the lens of Scripture to interpret the world. Not the lens of the world to interpret Scripture. If we just look at Church history we will see the early church was persecuted and had no political influence; YET the church EXPLODED with growth. This church took in orphans and took care of widows and women who were in need. The church stood up for them. Providing support and help to them. Out of this service the church GREW and eventually took power. When it worked from position of power it stopped growing. 

Today the dynamic is still the same; if we operate out of LOVE we will grow. Be helpful and show compassion. Give out "free samples" of GOD'S LOVE to those wandering around not knowing what they want. We will stand out and people will realize THEIR OWN hunger for the Gospel. THIS will LEAD them to JESUS. IT'S a good plan. The one given to Peter and he shared it with everyone in his Epistle. It's the plan shared in church from the pulpit. It's the plan shared here in this blog. It's GOD'S plan for you and for me.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

to be taller

Matthew 6:27 "27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?" Jesus has questions... Beginning our study this week with "Why Do You Worry?" Questions have always been a cornerstone of education, used to assess students’ knowledge, promote comprehension, and stimulate critical thinking. Well-crafted questions lead to new insights, generate discussion, and promote the comprehensive exploration of the subject. It makes sense that GOD would use questions VERY effectively. In yesterday's verses, Jesus asked "Are you not MUCH BETTER than birds?" His questions do not end there. In today's verse we read another one, "Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?" This is a sentence our culture needs to learn. No anxiety, no thinking, no wanting will alter our bodily height, or any other condition of our life that is fixed by God’s laws. We often wish things were different than they are, but our "wo...
Post a Comment
Read more

in roads

Acts 2:7&8 "7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?" The Holy Ghost is the only way this happens. They were very surprised to be hundreds and, some cases, thousands of miles from "home" and hearing their language spoken! It was astonishing! Appreciate that these devout Jewish people whose families had been carried away from Israel generations before. Taken in captivity by armies that invaded and conquered Israel. (A little like Joseph was taken captive to Egypt. All by God's plan to save the Israelites during a time of famine.) Over the years, these Jewish "captives" would adopt the language and some of the customs of their captors. However, they remained Jewish. By the time of the events recorded in the book of Acts, they made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem for Passover and the Feast of Weeks. They just happe...
Post a Comment
Read more

praise Him

Luke 1:51-53 "51 He hath shewed strength with His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. 53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away." This is Mary's Magnificat. Beginning with verse forty-six Mary's responds to Elizabeth’s blessing is EPIC! In this poem Mary praises GOD for His blessing to her and His faithfulness to Israel.  Mary's Magnificat also highlights a series of reversals in which the proud are humbled and the humble are exalted! Which we read in today's verses; "He hath shewed STRENGTH with His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and EXALTED them of low degree. He hath FILLED the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away." We should marvel at GOD'S choice of this poor young girl to be the m...
Post a Comment
Read more