Wow, Day 2 in 1 Peter 4 really provided some major encouragement for my heart. Anytime that I'm tempted to look on myself with pity for enduring trials, I can quickly be humbled and reminded that it is for good that I've suffered. The suffering that I've done in my body has brought about purification in my heart and mind. Praise God!
And, on to the next section...
- Pray - Ask God to enlighten your mind as you read His truths.
- Read 1 Peter 4 - Try the Amplified version today. This can provided an elaborated look at 1 Peter 4.
- Read 1 Peter 4:7-11 - It looks like we've got more instructions to add to our list today. You might want to make a list of all the attitudes and actions and behaviors that 1 Peter 4 commands in us.
- Apply - Review your list. Pray over it. Ask God to pinpoint a few of the areas for you to work on.
- Comment - Let us know (if you are bold) what you will be targeting in your life.
It didn't take long in my reading for me to know what I would be targeting: hospitality. My mother was a gracious example of hospitality and it came natural for me as a young bride. Throughout the years, however, it has become more of a "task" for me. In recent years I have made excuses that I work full time, I am tired, there's no time, the house isn't clean enough.....But, my heart still feels moved to be hospitable, to have an open home, to offer refuge to those in crisis or distress. Pray for me that I will return to what I know to be true about hospitality-it doesn't have to be fancy, it doesn't have to be the best. It just has to be MY best for His glory.
ReplyDeleteMy heart immediately knew the command to be hospitable was one that I need to take to heart greater. Sure I love compant when everything looks wonderful... the house is tidy, candles are lite and dinner baking away all homey-like. Afterall, that makes me look pretty good as the home-maker doesn't it?! My motives for my hospitality can be so selfish. I am big on routine and on being prepared for everything I do and I often struggle with thinking of all the "but I's" when it is impressed on my heart spontaneously to be hospitable. I admitt, I wrestle more with how it will effect mine and my son's routine rather then how it will bless someone else. I have been taking steps in this area that have really helped my being "available" in case others need to come in my home but I have far to go. I long greatly for the freedom and ability for which I can have a beautiful balance of good time management but also a completely open, and "other's focused" mindset. *sigh* Oh please help us Father to be more like You in this area.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I'm sorry I missed the last two days of the Bible study. My husband works four 10 hour days (Mon. Tues. Fri. and Sat.) so he's off Wed. Thurs. and Sun. My routine of doing this study is all off when he's home and although we both take time to read the Word, I haven't been good at taking longer during that time to really "study" nor have I been good at just stepping away from us hanging out to do it when it's been on my heart to do so. Next week, I plan to be more faithful even though my best friend is home. =)
ReplyDeleteI was immediately drawn to vs. 11 ("whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies"). The Lord reminded my heart of how many times I attempt to do things (even acts of service) in my own strength and power. Isn't that our natural tendency? To just bear down and do it, forgetting that God has so graciously supplied all the strength we need for the task at hand. But the end of verse 11 was huge to me this morning: "so that in all things God may be glorified, through Jesus Christ". I am actually stealing opportunities for the Lord to receive glory when I refuse to call on His strength and power in my life. What a great reminder to give Him the glory in ALL things!!
ReplyDeleteI saw v. 9, "Be hospitable to one another without grumbling," and flinched a bit over the last two words. I tend to "do" all the right things (or what I think are the right things), so it looks like I am being hospitable to others, where inside my mind and to my dear husband (who still loves me anyway, thank you, God) I do a lot of grumbling. No matter what I do, no matter how "good" or "helpful" it looks, if not done in the right heart its wrong and worth nothing. Yes, it might still benefit the other person, but its certainly not doing all that it could if I would simply quiet my heart, die to my selfishness, and be hospitable and loving with a pure heart and a bitten tongue! Ouch, this makes me sound like such a yucky person. I am so thankful that I can see how much I need God's mercy, forgiveness, and His joy and strength to continually transform my life. Beth
ReplyDeleteI had to post again to say I am so encouraged to see that others struggle with me and, yet, we have hope that He can make us new.
ReplyDeleteHey I'm still here. Going back to school and teaching all day takes it out of you. I also have to say that I have trouble with "being hospitable without grumbling". I'm a bit of an introvert, so I would often prefer it if I didn't have to entertain. However, it doesn't say, "unless you're an introvert . . .". I think God understands our personalities because He made us, but He also wants us to have a servant's heart. I also find it interesting that it says to "love deeply because love covers a multitude of sins". How true this is. It is always the ones we love the most and that love us the most that see us at our worst, and yet they keep on loving and forgiving us.
ReplyDeleteLadies, your comments have humbled the heck outta me! I'm the very same way. Sure, I'm hospitable, but my first thought is always, "Oh, but then I'll have to slave away all day to cook and clean!" God has called us to be hospitable in his strength (thank you, Amy, for the reminder!). I'm SO very relieved to know that I'm a work in progress!
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