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We Will Be Divided: Believer and Non-Believer !

“If you are reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you, for the spirit of glory and of God rests on you” -1 Peter 14

Sadly, division is happening right now and will happen even more in the future. For if we truly Follow Jesus, if we truly put Jesus first in all things, those choices will naturally divide us from those who refuse to.

And make no mistake, it is a choice we make. We either choose to Follow Jesus, or not. We either choose to go to Heaven or we choose Hell for all eternity. The choice is completely our own, given us by God Himself!

“Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.” – Luke 12: 51-53

Sadly, sometimes this choice will even involve family. We can always love and spend time with them, but we have to be careful it does not weaken our own faith. Those who do not believe, often do not want anyone around them to believe. And unless God tells us differently, we can also Keep Praying for them! It’s a long life, this may just be a bad season for them.

Keep Praying 🙂 And keep Loving 🙂

Prepare, Pray & Be Ready!

Participating In The Sufferings Of Christ.

“But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” – 1 Peter 13

In suffering, we can become even closer to Jesus. Our suffering can become a gift that we can give Jesus if we suffer without complaint and in love, and offer it to Jesus in such a way.

When we suffer for our faith in Jesus; our suffering becomes an even greater gift. This type of suffering is a special gift from God 🙂

When the Apostles and Disciples suffered for Christ, they worshipped God. They were grateful that they were given the gift of suffering for they knew it brought them ever closer to Jesus. And they were grateful.

They also knew that they would be well rewarded when Jesus came at the Second Coming. They knew that whatever price they paid that day would be more than worth it when Jesus came again!

But there is also another aspect to be considered when we suffer here on earth. Whatever we lose in this world, God gives us back, although it may indeed be in another way. Think about this, when a person loses their sight, they often hear better! And whether God brings us closer to Him or whether God gives us a Gift that we can share with each other, God is always Fair!

Prepare, Pray & Be Ready!

Fiery Trials!

“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;” – 1 Peter:12

This is a really important verse. So often, as Christians, we think that because we are believers, God will Save us from our trials. But this is NOT so!

Remember what Jesus said:

“A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.” – John 15:20

And remember this verse:

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” – John 15: 18-19

We are in Good company. Great company! 🙂

Prepare, Pray & Be Ready!

Ministering To God’s People

“If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies,” – 1 Peter 11

What does it mean, to speak as “the oracles of God”. In this verse, it means that we should only speak what God Wills us to speak. To go beyond that is a grave sin. One thing that may help us is that our speech should never contradict God’s Word (The Holy Bible)

In times of trouble especially, we can be tempted to “minister” to God’s People by speaking words of hope and comfort. And this is good.

However, it is important that we do not “minister” to God’s People beyond the “ability which God supplies”. In other words, we must not give God’s People more than God Wills and we must not lighten God’s Warnings to His People.

It is important that when we “minister” to God’s People, we speak only God’s Truth as it is, not as what we might wish it were…

Prepare, Pray & Be Ready!

Peter: “And above all things have Fervent Charity”

In Peter 4:8, Peter the Apostle, writes a letter to other Christians to tell them how to live in times when Christians are persecuted. Sadly, a time is coming when Christians will be greatly persecuted.

“And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” -1 Peter 4:8

Have you ever lived among those you love in a tight-knit circle in a small house? No matter how much we love one another; we can get on each other’s last nerve, lol. And because we love one another so, we often share our inner most thoughts, including our sins. Or sometimes, we just-get caught.

And that is why Peter’s verse is so very important. The definition of charity is: “kindness and tolerance in judging others.”. Or historically, “loving” others.

The first has often been confused. Refraining from judging others does NOT mean refraining sharing with them God’s Truth. It does NOT mean failing to share with them if their behavior if sinful. It DOES mean loving them anyway! It DOES mean forgiving them as Jesus forgives us :).

No matter how great the challenges we face,

“And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” -1 Peter 4:8

Prepare, Pray & Be Ready!

Always Welcome One Another :)

“Use hospitality one to another without grudging.”- 1 Peter 4:9

In times of great persecution, some Christians may lose much! Some may even lose their home! Many of these items will be practical items such as food, clothing, shoes, blankets, bandages…Some Christians may even lose people they love such as parents, sisters and brothers, friends…

Peter tells us that we should not hesitate to welcome them to our home! And our “welcome” should truly be warm and without hesitation. For those are our brothers and sisters in Christ. There may be less food, clothing…but there will be more love. And God will be well pleased 🙂

Prepare, Pray & Be Ready!

People Will Know That We Follow Jesus If We Love One Another!

” By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” – John 13:35

Jesus said this to His apostles: “if ye have love one to another”, others will know that you Follow Me 🙂

And do they? There are so many acts of kindness we can do. Listening, smiling, carry grocery bags, sharing our food and water, allowing others in the parking lot to pull out in front of us, sharing our blankets and clothes… The list is endless!

We can hug each other, help each other, walk with each other, share God’s Truth with one another… Just as Jesus does with us 🙂

Prepare, Pray & Be Ready 🙂

Why We Need To Warn Others!

“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” – Isaiah 58:1

If we truly love one another as God has commanded, then we must also tell one another the truth. Which means telling people when they sin.

There are those who will say this is not kind. But is it kind to watch someone we love go to Hell, when we could have told them the truth and watched them go to Heaven:)

One reason Jesus came was so that we might have forgiveness. But forgiveness requires repentance. We can’t repent if we don’t even know our sins!

So if we truly love others, we need to warn them just as God’s Word warns us.

Prepare, Pray & Be Ready!

“Peter’s Letter to Christians In 1 Peter 4 Is About How To Live In The World While Suffering For Faith In Christ. “

Notice, this does not say we should be reluctant to share the Good News of Jesus Christ in case we suffer for it. As more and more people suffer for their faith in Jesus, as more Christians are persecuted, it will become even more important to share the Good News.

Why? In part, because there will not be any Good News to be had. But most importantly, because every person that we reach with the Good News of Jesus Christ will have the ability to go to Heaven if they choose to accept Jesus as their Savior.

Can you imagine is such a time of darkness, how it will help another to be able to look forward to Heaven :). How it will help another to be loved and give love 🙂

Prepare, Pray & Be Ready!