I woke up this morning and I thought I would share pieces of 1 Peter with you as really a thought be thought walk through the book. Don't worry I'm not going to share every verse and I didn't even do a verse from every chapter. Just some general thoughts from 1 Peter to wrap up the year and a wonderful reminder from Matthew 22 focusing on the "L" or up and out of life. I also included a prayer as we go into 2009. Enjoy!
"Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,23.for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God." 1 Peter 1:22-23
I have realized during my visit here that loving other people is what it is all about. People need to experience the love of God in Christ through us and it is time to GET BUSY doing it. Reach out! Love others! Don't worry about whether you're doing it right or not. You aren't and it doesn't matter. Love others because God loved you first!
"BUT YOU are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light ; 10.for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, BUT NOW you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD ; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY." 1 Peter 2:9-10
You are different and DON'T forget about it. You don't HAVE TO live like anybody else and isn't that AWESOME?! "But you" "But now" YOU ARE DIFFERENT for the glory of God. Spread the word.
"For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to FOLLOW IN HIS STEPS" 1 Peter 2:21
Couldn't help but remind you of our commitment. What would Jesus do to celebrate 2008? Be grateful. Give love away. Serve others! Have fun doing it today!
"For YOU WERE continually straying like sheep, BUT NOW you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls." 1 Peter 2:25
You were BUT NOW...go for it! WHY NOT?
"ABOVE ALL, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8
ABOVE ALL sounds like it's important. What do you think?
"Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to you all who are in Christ." 1 Peter 5:14
HAPPY NEW YEAR my dear family! This verse is a hug and kiss from me to all of you as we enter the 2009 adventure!
Matthew 22:34-40
The Most Important Commandment
"But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they met together to question him again. 35 One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” 37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
Carolyn Vogt loaned me a book which has been great on my trip. It is called "The True Christians Love to the Unseen Christ" by Thomas Vincent. I thought this quote right at the beginning of the book said what the focus for the "L" of life is really to be and why. Here it is:
"Without love to Christ we may have the name Christians, but we are wholly without the nature. We may have the form of godliness, but are wholly without the power." p. 1
He also asks some great questions throughout this book but this little section goes right to the heart:
"How little Christ must be entertained in your thoughts, who is the object of faith? Moreover, does it not argue little love of Christ that you speak so little of Him and for Him in your conversing one with another? If you had much love to Christ, would not this love BREATHE forth more in your discourses?" p. 31
Great challenge in applying the love of God in Christ. Love and share it. Share it and love! awesome opportunity and WE GET TO do it ALL for God's glory! WOOHOO!
Happy New Year! We will miss you guys tonight! We love you and are praying for you as you celebrate!
Pray this prayer as you enter 2009"Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I love you! Thank You for loving me first. As I enter 2009 increase my love for You but please don't let it stop there. Allow me the privilege to see the love I have for You or even more importantly the love You have for me SPILL OVER to others that they may experience the greatest gift of grace in the Gospel. 2009 will be a better year Father, Son and Holy Spirit as lives are transformed by Your work starting with me. To You be the glory in all things! Much love from me to You. I pray in Jesus' name. AMEN!"
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