Friday, November 27, 2015

Living for God. 11/27/15

Day 330

Today's Songs:

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https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/dramatized/niv/1Pet.4


1 Peter 4

Living for God

4 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Suffering for Being a Christian
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And,

“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
    what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”[a]
19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.


Supplied Life Devotional by Bill Freeman
November 27th
The survival of faith

"And the Lord said, Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren." Luke 22:31- 32

Peter is the most notable example of the survival of faith. When the Lord told him that Satan desired to sift him as wheat, that meant "The devil is going to come to you, Peter. He is going to shake you up one side and down the other. You think you love Me? You think you are so much for Me? I am going to show you, Peter, that there is nothing in you for Me." And Peter denied the Lord. But before that the Lord said to him, "I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail." This means Peter's response, his living faith, should not fail. Then the Lord added, "And when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren." The word "returned" can also be rendered "converted" or "turned again." So when Peter turned again, He was to strengthen the brothers. Though Peter denied the Lord, his faith did not fail. It came back. On the day of Pentecost, there was power with Peter, because his faith had survived the test. It had proved to be genuine.
Sometimes we pass through trials, environments that shake us down to the bone, and we feel, "God, there is nothing in me for You." But we just need to give ourselves a little time. We will discover that deeper than our mind, deeper than our emotions, there is a response in us. And that is what surfaces in us. It is called faith. And it sounds like, "Jesus, I love You. I love You even more." This shows that we experienced Christ in a genuine way.

James tells us that the testing of our faith produces patience (1:3). The word "patience" comes from a compound Greek word. The first part of the word means "under," and the second part of the word means "remain." So patience means to remain under. When there are pressures, difficult environments, we experience patience by remaining under the environments. When we do not get what we want, we remain under that situation. When we feel deprived, or things are delayed, we remain under. When things do not happen the way we think they should, we know how to remain under. And that remaining under, that patience, is Jesus Christ. He is patience. When you are there under a certain environment and you are saying "Jesus," you are experiencing Another life that is able to remain under with joy. With joy! Not with grumbling, not with complaining, not with "I cannot wait to get out of this situation." But you can remain under. This is patience. This is the faith that does not fail. It survives despite the intensity of the testing.

Pray Until Something Happens (PUSH)
Anna, Ariana, Ariel,  Georgie, Linnette, Wes, and Zoe.

Health and Healing

Luis, Vonetta's mom 


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Priscilla

Praise Alert
Vonetta's mom health improved

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Conflict between citizens and  police officer. 

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