Dear brothers and sisters,
Are you loved? Look around you. What do you see? Even if you live impoverished, suffering through various trials, you are Loved today. The only way to know this love is to be born again. You will have a spectacular inheritance as a child of God.
Blessed assurance is a song that is rolling around me like a warm spring breeze. I really need this right now. My body is fighting a bug of sorts, I guess. In order to be well I am taking the precautions, teas, and reading my Bible in stillness. There is my strength and calm. Just knowing I am loved by the Lord helps me deal with this trouble.
You are on my mind today and I know you too need encouragement. Through trials and tests we are promised that Jesus goes with us. He doesn't just wait off in the distance saying, "Come on you can do it!" He is right beside us as our Shepherd. Find comfort in His Word today with me.
In 1 Peter chapter one, Peter is writing to gentile believers. Some new to the faith, some well acquainted with this journey. All of us, along with them, are called to salvation through Christ, submission to His Words of life and to trust Him when we suffer.
Chapter 1:3 says, "Praised (honor, blessed) be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)! By His boundless mercy we have been born again to an ever-living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead," If Jesus hadn't risen from the dead we would have no eternal inheritance. But God the Father brought us into that hope.
Verse 4..."[Born anew] into an inheritance which is beyond the reach of change and decay [imperishable], unsullied and unfading, reserved in heaven for you," There is no where else we can find this kind of inheritance. Anything from anyone here on earth will eventually loose its value. Not this one!
Verse 5..."Who are being guarded (garrisoned) by God's power through [your] faith [till you fully inherit that final] salvation that is ready to be revealed [for you] in the last time. WE have something wonderful to look forward to! This is so much better than rehearsing or complaining about what has happened to us in the past. God places a guard on this and through your faith you will see it in the end. I am challenged to not allow the past creep into my future hope and rob me. Being needy is about needing God.
Verse 6..."[You should] be exceedingly glad on this account, though now for a little while you may be distressed by trials and suffer temptations," For me the temptations to loose hope when I feel poorly used or sick in body. When all along, Jesus is with me.
The temptation to doubt His precious promises. The temptation to use my time to complain to somebody, anybody, about my lot in life. Rather, let my witness be of faith in Christ, knowing the outcome as He told us. Joy returns!
Instead, we must carry on in our faith! We call on the Spirit of God to help us lift up our heads and our hands to rejoice anyway. What a difference this makes! Here I am writing this to you while my stomach is still unsettled. But, my heart is revived and I feel the fresh life of Jesus in that warm breeze wrapping around me. Yes, even in the chill of winter. We will always have the warmth of the Son!
We don't have to see Jesus to love Him do we? WE can believe in Him and exult and thrill with inexpressible and glorious joy! (verse 8). We will be convinced by spending time in the shelter of the Most High, resting in Him. Go on and read all of chapter one. I am sure you will find yourself in this letter. I have. It will even show you a battle plan in verse 13-16.
Time for me to leave you. I will return and in the meantime, hold you up in prayer. I covet your prayers as I am sure you do mine. May you find your inheritance today. Believe it and cling to Jesus Christ for this. Together we can stand fast in the truth of His Word. Thank you Lord Jesus for such marvelous peace! Have a blessed day and remember you are loved with an everlasting love! God be with you, Patricia.
Abundance is...lifting everything to Jesus