Quiet Time: Blessed to Bless

Blessed to Bless

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. – 1 Peter 3:9

God has blessed me; therefore, I must bless others (Pulpit Commentary)

“Skin for skin”, “an eye for an eye”, and “Don’t get mad-get even” are all well known and well practiced idioms of the day.

(1 Peter 3:9) tells us not to return: apodidontes: to give up, give back, return, restore; evil: kakon: bad, evil for evil or insult: loidorian: abuse, railing for railing. Then it goes on to say we are to give a blessing: eulogountes: to speak well of, to praise the person who insults us.

Why would God command such a realistically implausible and practically impossible response to verbal abuse? It is because He knows us better than we know ourselves. We need to do this. Also it is the fact that His Holy Spirit indwells and empowers the believer to do the seemingly impossible.

Actually, though, in this case, we are told to follow Him in this response because of our future, our inheritance. In other words, this world is where we walk by faith knowing that one day our faith will be sight and we will see Him face to face.

Just in case we think that it really is impossible to accomplish this command, God has given us several examples to follow:

• Joseph could’ve gotten back at his brothers but instead he, “Gave orders to fill their bags with grain, to put each man's silver back in his sack, and to give them provisions for their journey.” – Genesis 42:25

• David had could’ve killed Saul. Instead he said, “But the LORD forbid that I should lay a hand on the LORD's anointed. Now get the spear and water jug that are near his head, and let's go." – 1 Samuel 26:11

• Solomon tells us “Do not say, ‘I'll pay you back for this wrong!’ Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you”. – Proverbs 20:22

• Jesus, the ultimate example tells us to, “Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you”. – Luke 6:28.

"If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them” (John 13:17). I think that something happens in our heart when we walk out the word. In that instant we experience a little bit of heaven here on earth. We are blessed by God at that moment so that we can give Him glory.

Be a blessing. (Romans 12:14)

 

 

 

Quiet Time: Beware the Winner

Beware the Winner

When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he led out his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. – Genesis 14:20

And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand." He gave him a tenth of all. – Genesis 14:20

Abram had his household trained and ready to fight, but God immediately sent Melchizedek, the priest, to remind him Who gave the victory.

Winning can tempt us into believing that we are somehow better than the next man. Since everyone loves a winner, the victor is often celebrated and lifted up by those around him. That’s where the danger lies. 

The bible tells us that a man tested by the praise accorded him (Proverbs 27:21). We see also, that many trust in the strength of their arsenal or their own preparations and personal skill.  (Proverbs 21:31; Psalm 20:7). 

As Christ followers, we must always remember that our Father God is the giver of all things good, and that includes every victory.

Quiet Time: How to Love Life

How to Love Life

 Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. 
– 1 Peter 3:10

How to love life and see good days:

1. Say nothing evil
2. Say nothing hurtful
3. Do no evil
4. Do good
5. Seek peace
6. Pursue peace

Looks like a good plan.

May God empower me to do it?

READ: 1 Peter 3:8-22

Quiet Time: Heaven's Not Enough

Heaven’s Not Enough

Blessed assurance is holding me

…not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. – 1 Peter 3:9

Sometimes I think that Christians are embarrassed by the biblical directive to live for Christ in hope of our home in heaven. It almost seems that in our rush to make the bible relevant we’ve fallen into a philosophy of pragmatism. (What's in it for me)

Today, our heroes lead mega ministries, with near cult-like followers, and have all the privileges of the rich and famous.  Now, listen, their apparent success isn’t what bugs me. It is their message, “If you just do what I’m teaching, then you will be like me; happy, wealthy, and wise.” 

The bible teaches that my sense of contentment is found in walking with Christ alone (Hebrews 13:5). As I match step with Jesus allowing Him to teach me, my heart burns with a holy fire for more of Him (Luke 24:32). I begin to seek things that lead toward peace, the very words that come from my mouth are affected, I have a desire for holiness, and I sense God’s presence and pleasure. (1 Peter 3:10-11) 

When I read (1 Peter 3:9) I feel so challenged. Blessing for insult? Really?! 

But then I remember Who’s I am and where I’m headed and I say to my soul, “Yes, and amen; all this and heaven too.”

Building 429: “Where I Belong”

 

Queit Time: Get Up Get Going

Get Up - Get Going

The joy in a simple song

“Arise, shine; for your light has come, And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. – Isaiah 60:1

Rise and shine and give God the glory - glory!

I woke up this morning with this little children’s church tune playing over and over in my mind. Immediately, the scripture reminding me to do all for the glory of God also came to mind (1 Peter 4:11) as well as, the Psalm by David that reads, “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!” (Psalm 118:24)

I groaned at first as I rolled over to turn off the alarm, thinking, “Really! Am I really singing a nursery song this early in the morning!” and that’s when it struck me. YES, Douglas, rejoice! Your Father in heaven is right here right now and He’s reminding you for Whom,  with, and why you live.

So, let’s go, Lord! I’m ready to remember Your goodness!

Oh, yes, and thank You Jesus for another beautiful day, as well as, simple songs!

Quirt Time: Get Out There

Get Out There

Joy for the Journey

For You, O Lord, have made me glad by what You have done,
I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands. - Psalm 92:4

There's a popular commercial with the tag line, "Get out there!"  I like it, and try to get outside as often as possible. 

My daughter and I spent Monday hiking at Robinson Preserve. It was hot and humid but we had a great time watching the mullet leap and the various wading birds dip for fish in the salt marshes. You know, it almost seemed like everything, even the bugs, were happy to be alive. But,  for us humans, joy can be such a fleeting thing.

I passed several fender benders, flat tires, and broken down vehicles on the way to the preserve and thought how terrible the car owners must feel having such trouble on the last day of a holiday weekend.  To make it more real, how'd you feel the last time you got sideways with someone you love?  No, I don't suppose it takes much for us to get down in the dumps. May-be that's one reason God created so many wonderful places to explore.

Could that be a clue? That joy can be found if we are willing to explore, to actually look for it? 

I think I will make a list of blessings for which only God can get the credit. Then, begin to praise Him  for the works of His hands.

TO DO: Explore and take joy in what you find. Then praise the Creator and pack the joy for the journey.

Song Series: White Flag

White Flag

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. - Galatians 2:20

Go to Africa.

That's what we often fear God will ask us to do if we surrender. May-be  we don't really believe that He wants what's best for us. Now, we'd never say that out loud, but really, isn't that kind of how we feel? So, we settle for good enough. Consequently this settling spills over into our daily walk with Christ (which is what surrender is really all about) and the next thing we know we've become the very person we never intended to be. We become a  "Casual Christian".

Casual Christian is just another term for lukewarm, and we all know how God feels about that! (Revelation 3:15-16)

So, what to do...what to do? Hmmmm...Oh, I know!

JUST BE REAL. "Repent and return to God performing deeds appropriate to repentance." (Acts 26:20) No-one's looking for perfection, not even God, but He is looking for a heart that's really His (2 Chronicles 16:9).

God knows you and He chose you anyway to be His child. So, buck up little trooper! (Romans 5:8)

Trust Him,  and then walk with Him right where you're at. God's love is unfailing. He will teach you how to walk in His way. (Psalm 143:8)

Surrender doesn't mean defeat. Surrender means victory - Christ wins through you; all for His glory. (Galatians 2:20)

When we give up "good enough" we win God's best.

White Flag song story on New Song Cafe

Chris Tomlin ministering at Passion Atlanta Live

When we give up "good enough" we win God's best.

Song Series: All Because of Jesus

All Because of Jesus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uui-jUS8a4A


Read: Romans 6:8-14

Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. – Romans 6:11

“While the goal of the American dream is to make much of us, the goal of the gospel is to make much of God.” Dr. David Platt, Radical. The first time I read the book “Radical” I thought to myself, “This guy’s a mega church pastor?” I guess I questioned Platt’s position based on what I’ve seen over the years. It seems to me, that most of us American believers are content to live life in what I call the Goldilocks continuum. You know what I mean not too bad and not too good, just right. Kind of lukewarm, hmmmm.

Paul shatters this lifestyle in Romans chapter 6. He says that as Christ followers, we no longer have to listen to sin tell us what to do and that we can discover the joy of listening to God tell us what to do. Before Christ, we used to live our lives oblivious to God’s grace and walk according to our own will and way. However, now that the Holy Spirit lives within our hearts we have a growing desire to please God. We look back on our former way of living as fruitless, meaningless, and containing memories of nothing for which we are proud.

I want to live in newness of the life Christ offers. I want to follow the goal of the gospel. I want to make much of God, because it is “All Because of Jesus” I’m alive. (2 Corinthians 5:15)



And it’s all because of Jesus I’m alive

And it’s all because the blood of Jesus Christ

That covers me and raised this dead man’s life

And it’s all because of Jesus I’m alive