1 Peter 1:6-7 GENUINENESS OF FAITH

S  - 1 Peter 1:6-7 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

O -Rejoice in the eternal inheritance

 

Overlook the trails and test for a little while in this world

Fire refines gold – same way trials refines faith

Trails and tests glorify God when we stand strong on the hope the Lord provides.

 

A - Today’s verses provides me with the courage and confidence to withstand any trials that may come my way. I understand that these are only testing phases that seek the genuineness of my faith and it is only to refine my faith. The glory and honour to the Lord will result when we stand strong in our faith. I am unable to see Christ now but I believe in Him and love Him. This put a glorious joy and peace in my heart. This joy is based on the end result of my faith – Salvation of my soul.

P – Father Lord, I praise your precious name. I thank you for the promises that you are giving me through these verses. Help me to stand strong in your faith and not to let any trials or tests distract me. Enable me to empty all the impurities in me so that I can filled with more of you.  Bless me to lean on to you in all situations and not on my knowledge or on anything in this world. Enable me to prove the genuineness of the faith I have in you and stand as a witness for you.

In Jesus powerful name I Pray

 

Amen

1 Peter 1:3-4 LIVING HOPE AND ETERNAL INHERITANCE

S – 1 Peter 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you.

O – Through His resurrection Christ gave us:
New birth into a living hope
Inheritance that can never perish

A –  Through the resurrection of Christ, we have a living hope and an inheritance in heaven. We as believers should not place our hope on anything immaterial. Many a times, I place my hope on my Family, Job and self Efforts. But the Lord has given me an eternal hope and this will never fail me. Whatever happens in this life on earth should not overly affect or upset me as my hope is placed on the Lord.

P – Abba Father, Thank you for this hope that I have in you. Enable me to always be reminded of this hope that I have in you and not to put my hope on anything perishable in this life. Let me at all times be grateful for this living hope and the inheritance that awaits me in heaven. In Jesus’ precious name I pray, AMEN

New Study on 1&2 Peter

I am starting the new study on www.lovegodgreatly.com blog. If you want to join me and my group, I can add you to my FB group. Please comment below:

 

PROVERBS 20:15-21

S- Proverbs 20:15-21

¹⁵ Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,

    but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.

    hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.

    but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.

    so if you wage war, obtain guidance.

    so avoid anyone who talks too much.

    their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.

    will not be blessed at the end.

¹⁶ Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;

¹⁷ Food gained by fraud tastes sweet,

¹⁸ Plans are established by seeking advice;

¹⁹ A gossip betrays a confidence;

²⁰ If someone curses their father or mother,

²¹ An inheritance claimed too soon

O -
1.    Lips that speak knowledge is more precious than gold and rubies
2.    Dishonest gain may seem beneficial but will not last and consequences have to be suffered.
3.    Any major decisions should be taken with proper guidance.
4.    Avoid gossip by all means
5.    Father and Mother should never be cursed.
6.    An inheritance should be taken at the right time only

A -

The words I speak are very important and as emphasized many times in the bible, the tongue is very difficult to control. The words we speak should be shown in Eph 4:29 “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

Yet there are times when I tend to forget it and just blurt out what I feel to just satisfy the flesh for that moment and guilt rushes over. I need to seek the spirit to guide me in this area.

Any kind of gain made through dishonest means is no good at all and will turn to have greater consequences later one. I need to be prayerfully alert to any such dishonest invitations.

Any major decision should be taken with godly wisdom or it will be regretted later. Consulting godly people for guidance is also a good way.

Gossip is mentioned as evil many times in the bible. My self evaluation tell me that I have improved a lot in avoiding it compared to the earlier years. But sometimes I just fall unintentionally into a conversation which might lead to a gossip and this is not good. Unnecessary talk about other people should be completely stopped as it does no good. I remember reading a devotional article on how to approach gossip. We need ask 2 questions “Does this talk do me any good? Does this talk help the person who we are talking about?” If no, then just stop.

My parents should not be cursed by any means. Honoring parents is one of the commandment God has given with a promise attached to it and hence it is indeed important.

P -

Abba Father,

Thank you for speaking to me through the word today and mostly highlighting to me about the words I use. Enable me to speak words of wisdom which is only possible thru your guidance. In all that I do let me be guided by your light. Enable me to be a witness for you and not a worldly person giving vent to anger and hatred. I submit myself to you completely. Mould me and make me fulfill the purpose you have for me.

In Jesus precious name

AMEN

1 CORINTHIANS 12:26-27 - TAKE PART IN EACH OTHER'S SUFFERING AND JOY

 

S-If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. (‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭26-27‬ NIV)

O- one part suffers / rejoice - other part suffers and rejoice
We are part of body of Christ

A- These verses teach how we as a church forms the body of Christ. We are all different and have various talents and are to be used for the glory of God and to encourage each other. If we see that one person is backsliding in faith we should not avoid and ignore him rather support him at this difficult phase and bring him back. when we see any one suffer we need to support in whatever way possible and most importantly pray for them. We are one and need to be at each other's service.

In the same way when any one member does something marvelous and praiseworthy then he should be honored and not be looked upon with jealousy. When we are reminded that we are one body in Christ and each have different role, our outlook will change towards fellow members and we will have the same fellowship that the beginning believers had in Acts 4:32 being believers of one heart and mind.

P- Abba father, I pray for my church at this time. Let us all be reminded of these verse and support each other in suffering and rejoice together while we share joy. Moreover let me be able to uphold the church in prayer at all times so that we never lose the focus of being Christ's body. Help us all to grow spiritually strong and mature in you.
In Jesus mighty name, AMEN.

Exodus 17:12 BODY OF CHRIST IS INTERDEPENDENT

S - Exodus 17:12New International Version (NIV)

12 When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.

O – Hands grew tired – they held his hands – remained steady

A – Each one of us have a special role to play in the body of Christ. God has blessed each one with unique special gifts and we need to use it to support each other and glorify God. While Isarealites fought, Moses spiritually supported them and when he was tired Aaron and Hur held him.

   None of us are perfect and each have their own weaknesses. We need to support each other even in moments of weaknesses. Uphold the troubled in prayer and encourage them in the Lord with loads of Love and through the Word.

P – Abba Father, Enable me to use the talents you have given me to glorify your name. Enable me to support my fellow belivers to grow spiritually. Bless me to pray for them and help and encourage them in all the ways possible.

In Jesus’ precious name

AMEN.

WEEK 4 THE BODY OF CHRIST

Week 4  of Made for Community!! The body of Christ!!!

Summary after the week's study will be updated here!