1 Peter 1:5-7
: 5..who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
: 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials
:7 that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
1 Peter 1:13
Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
: 13b Amplified says it a little stronger…set your hope wholly and unchangeably on the grace that is coming to you when Jesus Christ, the Messiah, is revealed.
Father, this whole chapter in 1 Peter is wonderful! I love it. There is so much here to sit and dwell on!
This week what caught my eye is what I have to look forward to. You speak of the revelation of Jesus Christ and of what will be revealed to me “in the last time.” And later on in 1 Peter 4:13 You speak of the “revelation of His glory”.
The Christians at the time were facing a time of severe persecution to come. Peter speaks of (:13) fixing our hope completely (all of it!) on the grace we will receive when Jesus returns.
In thinking of living as many other believers live today in persecution, it has to be His grace alone that enables one to endure.
I’m talking being tortured, being brainwashed, being stripped of everything we own, and being separated from our loved ones. This is happening today in many foreign countries for the sake of Christ.
Having to live in an environment like that, Peter knows that in order to have hope at all we would need to “fix”, to keep in place God’s promise of the grace that will be revealed to us at Jesus’ second coming.
Peter reminds us of the imperishable inheritance (:4) that is reserved for us in heaven and that suffering tests the purity and genuineness (:7) of our faith.
This proof of our faith results in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus, Our Victor returns for us.
I like the way The Message expresses verse 7:
Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it’s your faith not your gold that God will have on display as evidence of His victory.
I haven’t thought of my own faith as an object that is precious to You Father. A blessing to You, yes. And more like it is pleasing and a foundational necessity in our Christian walk. But the fact that the Word says it is of the highest value and will result in praise, glory and honor is a little different perspective to me.
To live without the expression of faith in this life then becomes vain. To really know and understand that You will utilize pure faith to proclaim Jesus’ victory and as evidence of His triumphant life in His Body, is motivating. It creates in me a greater understanding of its divine value and importance of it being demonstrated in my life.
Its not all about me. It is not about having “more” faith. Faith the size of a mustard seed will move mountains. It is about utilizing the faith (Rom 12:3) You have already equipped us with; it’s about knowing we already have it to accomplish Your perfect will in our lives. It’s about stepping out and doing what You ask us to do.
How else can believers endure the suffering of persecution if it is not by having a fixed faith in our Resurrected Lord and in His promise? They can know that they will be taking into Eternity the faith that sustained them and it will result in praise, honor and glory.
Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me; And the life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Gird Your Minds
1 Peter 1:13
Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Father this was interesting to me. You tell us to gird our minds for action. What does this mean?
The literal translation of “your minds” in the Greek is “the loins of your mind”.
Loins to the Hebrews were the seat of virility, of generative power. (Manhood)
Webster defines loins as the abdominal and hip region;
And to “gird one’s loins”…as to prepare for action, muster up one’s resources.
The word “gird” metaphorically means to be prepared for action. “It is derived from the practice of Orientals who in order to be unimpeded in their movements were accustomed when starting a journey or engaging in any work, to bind their long flowing garments closely around their bodies and fastened them with a leather belt.” (from Greek Lexicon)
So what would be the meaning of girding the “loins of your minds”? You brought forth the question to me that since the Hebrews considered the loins as the seat of generative power, what is the seat of generative power in my mind?
The presence of God through His Spirit and the knowledge of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus is a life-giving Spirit (1 Cor 15:45). As believers know Him more intimately, we not only receive His life more fully, but we impart it to others whose hearts are open to receive it. Life is produced in others. We are unimpeded by the distractions of the world
So girding my mind is preparing it by filling it up with Jesus. When He fills our mind, get ready, because there will be action!! Jesus is all about demonstrating His love through us as the Father demonstrated His love to us that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. (Rom 5:8) Then He rose Jesus from the dead, and Jesus is alive forevermore! And He is alive in us!
Thank You Father for Your presence in the Body of Christ. May grace and peace be multiplied to Your children through the knowledge of Our Lord Jesus.
(1 Peter 1:2)
Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Father this was interesting to me. You tell us to gird our minds for action. What does this mean?
The literal translation of “your minds” in the Greek is “the loins of your mind”.
Loins to the Hebrews were the seat of virility, of generative power. (Manhood)
Webster defines loins as the abdominal and hip region;
And to “gird one’s loins”…as to prepare for action, muster up one’s resources.
The word “gird” metaphorically means to be prepared for action. “It is derived from the practice of Orientals who in order to be unimpeded in their movements were accustomed when starting a journey or engaging in any work, to bind their long flowing garments closely around their bodies and fastened them with a leather belt.” (from Greek Lexicon)
So what would be the meaning of girding the “loins of your minds”? You brought forth the question to me that since the Hebrews considered the loins as the seat of generative power, what is the seat of generative power in my mind?
The presence of God through His Spirit and the knowledge of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus is a life-giving Spirit (1 Cor 15:45). As believers know Him more intimately, we not only receive His life more fully, but we impart it to others whose hearts are open to receive it. Life is produced in others. We are unimpeded by the distractions of the world
So girding my mind is preparing it by filling it up with Jesus. When He fills our mind, get ready, because there will be action!! Jesus is all about demonstrating His love through us as the Father demonstrated His love to us that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. (Rom 5:8) Then He rose Jesus from the dead, and Jesus is alive forevermore! And He is alive in us!
Thank You Father for Your presence in the Body of Christ. May grace and peace be multiplied to Your children through the knowledge of Our Lord Jesus.
(1 Peter 1:2)
Monday, May 10, 2010
Occupied with Gladness
Ecc 6:19 Furthermore, as for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to receive his reward (share) and rejoice in his labor; This is the gift of God.
:20 For he will not often consider the years of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the gladness of his heart.
Amplified
:20 For he shall not much remember (seriously) the days of his life, because God (Himself) answers and corresponds to the joy of his heart (the tranquility of God is mirrored in him.)
These verses really speak to my heart, Father. You are so wonderful! How grateful you make me by calling me Your own!
You say that I won't be considering, remembering my years but will be occupied with the gladness of my heart. Growing older will not be what the world says but will be a time of knowing You in a way that makes our latter years "shine brighter and brighter until the full light of day." (Prov 4:18).
1 Tim 6:17
Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.
:18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,
:19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.
What is "life indeed"? The Hebrew can mean a "life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ."
Even though by physical laws of life our body is decaying, our real life in Christ, is alive forevermore. This is the beauty of knowing God. The Risen Christ indwells us through His Holy Spirit and imparts His life to us and out to the world around us. Age, in reality to me, enable us to accumulate the wisdom of God, to know Him more intimately and deeply, to see what Jesus has done for me on the Cross in a way that impacts my life daily in these few years, as Ecc 5:18 says, that God has allotted me on this earth.
Your children don't have to be thinking about and fearing how old we are or aging. We are able to be occupied with Your presence which gives true genuine life through the abundance of love and grace You shower on us daily.
The word of the Lord came to King David toward the end of his life and he spoke this last song in 2 Samuel 23:3-4:
When one rules over men righteously, ruling in the fear of God,
:4 He dawns on them like the morning light, when the sun rises on a cloudless morning, when the tender grass springs out of the earth, through clear shining after the rain.
This is true for me when the Risen Christ rules in my heart regardless of the season of my life.
Thank You, Father, for being my God.
:20 For he will not often consider the years of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the gladness of his heart.
Amplified
:20 For he shall not much remember (seriously) the days of his life, because God (Himself) answers and corresponds to the joy of his heart (the tranquility of God is mirrored in him.)
These verses really speak to my heart, Father. You are so wonderful! How grateful you make me by calling me Your own!
You say that I won't be considering, remembering my years but will be occupied with the gladness of my heart. Growing older will not be what the world says but will be a time of knowing You in a way that makes our latter years "shine brighter and brighter until the full light of day." (Prov 4:18).
1 Tim 6:17
Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.
:18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,
:19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.
What is "life indeed"? The Hebrew can mean a "life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ."
Even though by physical laws of life our body is decaying, our real life in Christ, is alive forevermore. This is the beauty of knowing God. The Risen Christ indwells us through His Holy Spirit and imparts His life to us and out to the world around us. Age, in reality to me, enable us to accumulate the wisdom of God, to know Him more intimately and deeply, to see what Jesus has done for me on the Cross in a way that impacts my life daily in these few years, as Ecc 5:18 says, that God has allotted me on this earth.
Your children don't have to be thinking about and fearing how old we are or aging. We are able to be occupied with Your presence which gives true genuine life through the abundance of love and grace You shower on us daily.
The word of the Lord came to King David toward the end of his life and he spoke this last song in 2 Samuel 23:3-4:
When one rules over men righteously, ruling in the fear of God,
:4 He dawns on them like the morning light, when the sun rises on a cloudless morning, when the tender grass springs out of the earth, through clear shining after the rain.
This is true for me when the Risen Christ rules in my heart regardless of the season of my life.
Thank You, Father, for being my God.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Spring Rain
Hosea 6:3
“So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord
His going forth is as certain as the dawn;
And He will come to us like the rain,
Like the spring rain watering the earth.”
Zech 10:1
Ask rain from the Lord at the time of the spring rain—
The Lord who makes the storm clouds;
And He will give them showers of rain, vegetation
in the field to each man.
James 5:7
So be patient until the coming of the Lord.
See how the farmer waits expectantly for the precious harvest from the land. See how he keeps up his patient vigil over it until it receives the early and late rains.
Weymouth: Be patient….Notice how eagerly a farmer waits for a valuable crop! He is patient over it till it has received the early and latter rains.
In reading the above, Father, you remind me of having patience. Here it is speaking of knowing and believing that Jesus is returning….so be patient for that.
The early and latter rains are the March and April rains which mature the crops of Palestine.
Hosea speaks to our hearts that as sure as the dawn will come, Our God will come to us….like rain watering the earth.
How does rain water the earth? The rain on the earth enables the seed planted to” bear and sprout (Is 55:10), to furnish seed to the sower and bread to the eater...”
In thinking of your encouraging us to have patience until Jesus returns, that same patience is necessary when we sow your word. Your Word will bring forth a valuable crop to Your Kingdom. Just like it says in Is 55, it will not return void, it will accomplish what you sent it out to do.
It is interesting that the thought comes to my mind that it is a two way street. The early and latter rains mature the crops of Palestine.
The sower and the harvest are both changed by your word. It will not only go out and bring to maturity your purpose, but it will also mature us as we wait in faith expectantly to see the harvest.
Your Holy Spirit has perfect patience and He indwells us. We already have the patience in Him to believe Your Word and to wait.
We do not have to become dry, discouraged, or frustrated when we allow Your Truth to have its perfect way in our heart no matter what we see, hear, or feel. We are the sowers and You are the one that brings forth the harvest. You alone are God!
The other thought that came to mind is that Hosea clearly speaks of Your coming to us like the “spring rain”. Spring rain is so wonderfully refreshing, its fragrance in the air is life giving to us as well as the earth.
Rain restores the wilted flowers and it will restore our soul unto Your presence. You are a life-giving Spirit (1 Cor 15:45). “Ask at the time of the spring rain….” For N.T. believers the time of spring rain is ever present for us.
Thank You, Father for the spring rain that comes in the power of Your love to refresh and restore my heart.
“So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord
His going forth is as certain as the dawn;
And He will come to us like the rain,
Like the spring rain watering the earth.”
Zech 10:1
Ask rain from the Lord at the time of the spring rain—
The Lord who makes the storm clouds;
And He will give them showers of rain, vegetation
in the field to each man.
James 5:7
So be patient until the coming of the Lord.
See how the farmer waits expectantly for the precious harvest from the land. See how he keeps up his patient vigil over it until it receives the early and late rains.
Weymouth: Be patient….Notice how eagerly a farmer waits for a valuable crop! He is patient over it till it has received the early and latter rains.
In reading the above, Father, you remind me of having patience. Here it is speaking of knowing and believing that Jesus is returning….so be patient for that.
The early and latter rains are the March and April rains which mature the crops of Palestine.
Hosea speaks to our hearts that as sure as the dawn will come, Our God will come to us….like rain watering the earth.
How does rain water the earth? The rain on the earth enables the seed planted to” bear and sprout (Is 55:10), to furnish seed to the sower and bread to the eater...”
In thinking of your encouraging us to have patience until Jesus returns, that same patience is necessary when we sow your word. Your Word will bring forth a valuable crop to Your Kingdom. Just like it says in Is 55, it will not return void, it will accomplish what you sent it out to do.
It is interesting that the thought comes to my mind that it is a two way street. The early and latter rains mature the crops of Palestine.
The sower and the harvest are both changed by your word. It will not only go out and bring to maturity your purpose, but it will also mature us as we wait in faith expectantly to see the harvest.
Your Holy Spirit has perfect patience and He indwells us. We already have the patience in Him to believe Your Word and to wait.
We do not have to become dry, discouraged, or frustrated when we allow Your Truth to have its perfect way in our heart no matter what we see, hear, or feel. We are the sowers and You are the one that brings forth the harvest. You alone are God!
The other thought that came to mind is that Hosea clearly speaks of Your coming to us like the “spring rain”. Spring rain is so wonderfully refreshing, its fragrance in the air is life giving to us as well as the earth.
Rain restores the wilted flowers and it will restore our soul unto Your presence. You are a life-giving Spirit (1 Cor 15:45). “Ask at the time of the spring rain….” For N.T. believers the time of spring rain is ever present for us.
Thank You, Father for the spring rain that comes in the power of Your love to refresh and restore my heart.
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