The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse passage – 1 Peter 4:12-19 (day six)

14 If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you.  1 Peter 4:14

That’s a strange thought, isn’t it? It’s not new; Peter heard Jesus teach the same thing, AND he experienced it first hand. This blessing, according to Peter, is not only a future reward but is experienced, in part, in the present because of the presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. In other words Christians endure suffering not only by clinging to promises of future glory in Jesus, but through God’s gracious Spirit in the present.

I think the Spirit of God blesses us in suffering by giving us glimpses of the beauty and majesty of Jesus. Steven, the first Christian martyr, by the Holy Spirit saw the throne room of God while being stoned. He was blessed for the glorious Spirit of God rested upon him.

What a wonderful promise, and what marvelous grace! We are not left alone in our suffering, but when we do, we see and savor Jesus more fully though the Holy Spirit.

Re:Verse passage – 1 Peter 4:12-19 (day five)

“So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” v. 19

We all want justice, right? Or, maybe we just want revenge for when we are wronged. We all, typically, would like people to get what they deserve if they have done wrong in this world. There have been times when I have been wronged by someone or someone I love has been wronged, and I have wished for justice. There are times, though, that justice seems to be missed. Maybe it is when a criminal gets to go home because of a technicality. Maybe it is that the wicked seem to get richer or to not have anything happen to them after they have been known to be wicked in their actions. Maybe it is simply putting up with incessant insults or criticism for your faith.

Peter’s reminder, here, is for us to simply let God take care of all that. Our job is to continue to do good. We should never need revenge or worry about the justice part because God is a God of justice. He is going to take care of all of that. So, let us continue to do good while trusting that God is going to take care of us and take care of the judgement.

Re:Verse passage – 1 Peter 4:12-19 (day four)

Suffering is inevitable.  Peter tells us that we are not to look to God for relief if we are suffering for something we did and then received our just reward for our deeds.  Murder, theft, evil and meddling (whoa…did he have to include that last one?)  There is no relief if we deserve what we received.  Believers that suffer unjustly though should glorify God and identify with the suffering of Christ.

Verse 19 gives us a summary of all 1 Peter.  We (believers) do not suffer by accident or blind fate.  We suffer by God’s will.  Believers must entrust themselves to God’s safe keeping…He is our Creator and has cared for us from the beginning.  We are in good hands with our all-loving and faithful God.  Suffering for doing right, brings glory to God and purifies us for His service.

Are you in the middle of suffering?  Have you done something to deserve it or is God purifying you for a greater work?  “Lord, open our eyes to see as You see.  Cleanse us and make us useful vessels for You!”

Re:Verse passage – 1 Peter 4:12-19 (day three)

“To the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.”

When you’re suffering, and there is no end in sight, what do you need? You need someone who acknowledges your pain with an understanding so deep that you finally believe someone has actually entered into your suffering. That someone will speak out loud the very thoughts and fears that have been screaming in your head. No “if you’ll just try this” or “let me tell you about a similar experience I had.” Just someone recognizing, appreciating, and speaking your anguish. This is empathy, and empathy originates with Jesus. Jesus comes to you as a fellow sufferer. This is “sharing the sufferings of Christ.” And in his beautiful company, you will endure and rise.

Re:Verse passage – 1 Peter 4:12-19 (day two) …but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. vs 13

Outside the love of Jesus Christ that verse makes no sense whatsoever. Peter can only make this bold of a statement with full assurance of the truth. He knows Jesus, and walked the path of a disciple that would ultimately lead to his own martyrdom. If Peter can make such claim we are wise to listen. Our present sufferings for the savior are an assurance of his promise. To be sure these sufferings are ones faced in opposition to the world and for the cause of Christ. As you put on the full armor of God there is a full expectation of resistance, but anyone who keeps the faith and fixes their eyes on Jesus will be reminded these obstacles are not the end. Faithfulness to Jesus will have its final reward in eternity.

Re:Verse passage – 1 Peter 4:1-11 (day seven)

As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. vs 10

When we begin to talk about stewardship, people shut down, assuming that we are talking about money.  Financial conversations can feel uncomfortable. We don’t like people telling us what to do with “our” money. However, stewardship goes beyond a paycheck and tithe. Most people who enter a church understand that the giving of money is a command from God. Yet, most people who enter a church do not have any desire whatsoever to serve in that church. They simply want to come, observe, give a little money in the plate as it passes, and go about their business. They neglect that God has gifted them with special talents and He commands them to use those gifts in the church. A good steward does not hoard their gifts, they use them wisely.

You have a gift. What is your gift?

God did not design you with that gift to only bless you professionally. He gave you that gift to steward it and give back to Him with it. So how can you use your giftedness in our church?

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Re:Verse passage – 1 Peter 4:1-11 (day six)

“The end of all things is near.”

I imagine when that rings true, it has a way of putting everything into perspective. That’s what Peter was doing after all, helping these churches put things in proper perspective.

How about you? If you were convinced the end of all things was near…let’s say, in a month, would your perspective change? Your priorities shift? Would you pray more earnestly? Would you zero in on your most important relationships? Would you try to help others along? Would you be generous? Would you live for what mattered most?

See, that’s what Peter is trying to do here.

Re:Verse passage – 1 Peter 4:1-11 (day five)“Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another”

What does love look like?  Let me ask a more specific question…. What does Christian love look like?  Pastor Peter gives us a few snapshots in our Re:verse passage.  First, Christian love shapes how we think and act towards others- looking for the best in others and standing ready to forgive others. This doesn’t mean we ignore sin or that we don’t take it seriously. It means we always seek to find grace as we interact with each other.

Second, Christian love prompts us to welcome others- into our hearts and even our homes.

One last picture from Peter- Christian love serves others as the voice and hands of the Lord. Words are extremely important in God’s economy. Oh, that we might use them as He intends. In addition, God’s strength and attention are on display as we serve others.

The call to love others is an opportunity to resemble Christ most and best.

Re:Verse passage – 1 Peter 4:1-11 (day four)

Today, our church has been called to a time of fasting and prayer.  In our passage, Peter has emphasized that because Christ experienced sufferings, we too can expect them.  He goes on to say that several things should characterize our lives, because the end of all things is near.  Foremost in character is to be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.

As you fast and pray today, how do you exercise sound judgment and sober spirit?  Sound judgment suggests praying intelligently…accurately discerning the circumstances in light of biblical truth.  A sober spirit describes one who is focused and alert.  Prayer should not be approached with nonchalance or in a flippant manner.  Prayer is serious business…coming before a holy God to hear His voice and petition His mercy and grace.

Peter’s second admonition is to have forgiving love…our culture today certainly does not encourage that.  Make the most of your prayer today, because the end of all things is near!