Strangers Don't Have To Be Strange

TODAY’S READING: 1 Peter 1; 1 Peter 2; 1 Peter 3; 1 Peter 4; 1 Peter 

SCRIPTURE: 1 PETER 1:1-2

“To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout...  ...who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.”

OBSERVATION:

I joined my kids at a school assembly.  The focus of this assembly was “stranger danger.”  Actually, they were undoing some damage that they have found in the “stranger danger” teaching.  Stranger danger taught that if you did not know somebody they were dangerous.  They have realized that seeing every stranger as a threat has hindered some children from getting help that they need in crisis.  This assembly helped kids to identify potentially dangerous strangers and how to identify potentially helpful strangers.  The thought that I get as I read this passage is that as Christians I think sometime we feel our job is to be a threat to a world that doesn’t Know God.  I also think the world see us and many times thinks “stranger danger”.

Sometimes I think that we misplace or displace ourselves as Christians in the world as strange, not necessarily as helpful strangers.  Police, firemen, soldiers, Dr.’s are all strangers in the sense that we do not know them personally.  But we know we can call on them for help.  I pray that Christians take on that same reputation in the community.  I think this word stranger in this context means a new person with a fresh and life giving perspective - someone that embodies godly values and principles that may be heard of but not necessarily known.  Someone whom you’d be glad to meet.  There is a contrast in lifestyle & beliefs - but this contrast should highlight the goodness of God in your life - the abundance of grace and peace.

APPLICATION:

I will strive to be a stranger that people are glad they met.  I will focus on living and being the things that God has called me to be.  I will look for way to be a blessing to others.

PRAYER:

Father, as I bring the good news of Christ as a stranger to people, I pray that you will help me to be a breath of fresh air.  Help me to received a blessing and not just strange.  Help the message to be as lived as it is spoken.  In Jesus name - AMEN!

I Want More! More than what?

TODAY’S READING: 1 Timothy 5; 1 Timothy 6; Titus 1; Titus 2; Titus 3

SCRIPTURE: 1 Timothy 6:6-10

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.  But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.  People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

OBSERVATION:

I think this is a good verse to support the saying, “Be careful what you pray for.”  I have found myself daydreaming at times about how good it would be to come into a large amount of money - win the lottery, have some insanely rich uncle that you never knew you had leave you an inheritance, accidentally invent something that revolutionized the global market.  Whatever.  I had coffee with some friends the other day and we go on the topic of our economy and money.  They mentioned that more money just amplifies the problems in your life, to which I replied, “I’ve always wanted a chance to prove that theory.”

The truth is that we see it everyday - people who can’t keep up with their desires.  People who have great lives, nice things, a beautiful family, who still feel miserable because of unfulfilled desires - they crave more.  

More than what?  More than the things that come for free?  More than playing with your kids?  More than a wife who is faithful and loving?  More than a God who has never let you down?  More than the purpose that God has designed for you?  More than what?

APPLICATION:

I wan to spend my daydreaming time thanking God for the life I have.  I have more than I deserve.  I have more than I need.  I just want more of what I have - the free stuff that really and accurately defines our lives - faith, family, friendships, and a future with God.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for the goodness shown to me thru Jesus Christ.  The life you have given me in Jesus.  It is a good life, a life that I don’t deserve and couldn’t have earned.  Please give me eyes to see your goodness all the time, everywhere.  Take away my desire for more of anything that is not you.  In Jesus name - AMEN!

Wisdom, Revelation, Enlightenment - Know God More

TODAY’S READING: Ephesians 1; Ephesians 2; Ephesians 3; Ephesians 4

SCTIPTURE:  EPHESIANS 1:17-19

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.  I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”

OBSERVATION:

The Spirit of wisdom and revelation is the Holy Spirit.  I think of all of the different things that have revealed who God is to me - His nature, character, His plan for my life, and His love.  It is funny because as I think back on my life before I was a believer, I can see that many of these same things were part of my life but God was missed.  

Hardships were just hard until the Holy Spirit brought revelation and used them as a tool to bring God’s plan into focus.  Nature was simply a place to escape the business of everyday life until the Holy Spirit brought revelation and showed me the beauty and intricacy of God’s creation, of which I am part of - the great care and intention He in creating the wilderness he had with me.  Things that used to be ordinary are now seen through enlightened eyes and God is found and Hope is known.

APLICATION:

I need to pray for the Holy Spirit to continually bring revelation and wisdom to my life.  To make ordinary things spiritually significant.  I’m not pretending that there is a spirit behind every rock, but I do believe that God can be found in the beauty of life and there is a spiritual lesson to be learned in the midst of hardship.

The ordinary becomes extraordinary when the Holy Spirit enlightens our hearts and brings revelation in the midst of everyday life.

PRAYER:

Father thank you for your goodness extended to me.  I love the way you make yourself known to me.  Thru prayer and scripture of course, but also thru life and relationships.  You are so good to me and my family.  I love you.  In Jesus name, AMEN!