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For I know the plans I have for you,declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer 29:11 |
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| Archived Manna: | |
Dear
Friend,
If you do not already have a habit of gathering daily manna the first thing in the morning (we can look at the example given to us in Exodus 16 and find the pattern for collecting daily manna), make it a habit. Establish your life and your schedule to allow you the necessary time to do your daily collection first thing every morning to give you the strength to make it through the day. And remember that today’s manna will not be sufficient for tomorrow; tomorrow’s manna must be collected tomorrow morning. Saturday, July 1, 2017
Today's Passage : Today's Passage: Subject:Suffering as a Christian Bible Verse:1 Peter 4:12-14 (ESV) "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you." Message:
T
he first sentence of today’s passage is a chilling reminder of what these people’s faith meant to them. When Peter speaks of suffering, we must remember he is addressing people who are in real danger of being dragged out and murdered, often in a gruesome manner. Imagine that you are faced with the possibility of being arrested at any time and, without a trial, transported to a sports stadium, where you and your church friends would be turned loose with a pack of hungry lions, while a crowd of cheering people mocked you.
How many of us would meet such a test of faith? Some, but not all; it is impossible to predict how people will react to extreme danger. But what would living under such a threat do to our faith? It would make us value our faith infinitely more. Those who must work hard or pay dearly for something, hold it more dearly.
We can give thanks that we live in a time and place where we will not be killed or severely persecuted; but there is a cost to our comfort, and that cost is less dedication. Like the children of rich parents, we lose toughness and drive.
But we do have a challenge, which is complacency. Christianity is being trimmed from society by degrees, slowly, as the government grows ever larger and ever more aggressively secular.
Peter asks us, “what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” We, all of us, must make an effort to support Christianity in every way we can: with our work, with our words, with our time. And, as Peter teaches us again and again, by our example: acting honorably in all things with an open profession of our faith.
Meditation : Prayer : Let me not forget you as I go forth into the world this day, blessed Lord; may my every word be a prayer, and my every act be testimony to your love and truth, and may I know your presence every second of this day. Amen |
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