Wednesday Words of Encouragement: Get Serious!
I Peter 4:7-11 (HCSB) ~
Now the end of all things is near; therefore, be serious and disciplined for prayer. Above all, maintain an intense love for each other, since love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God. If anyone speaks, it should be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, it should be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
Get serious! I've said this to my children a few times throughout the years as I'm trying to tell them something and they were busy goofing around. They were so busy being silly that I couldn't get them to see the urgency of something.
Get serious! This passage is telling us the same thing. As believers, we are to be serious about our Christian walk. And that is getting harder and harder in this day and age where so many only want to go skin deep in their relationship with the Lord.
This passage tells us we are to be serious about the following things:
1. Get serious about prayer. We are to discipline ourselves and pray for one another. I'm not talking about little popcorn prayers we throw up here or there. Serious, disciplined prayer is necessary as a believer. Prayer that changes things. Prayer that in intense.
2. Get serious about our love for fellow believers. This is one we probably all struggle with. In any given church there are a multitude of personalities and styles. Yet we are to have not just love but an intense love for each other. Why? Because that will help you see through another person's faults and sins. That is what gets you through the rocky times as a church. That is what shows the world we are really different. Love and forgiveness are the marks of a true believer.
3. Get serious about hospitality. Open your home, possessions, and life to others. Do it often. Do it with enthusiasm. Do it without hesitation. Do it without complaining.
4. Get serious about reflecting and glorifying God in everything. It's not about me. It's not about you. Everything we do in our lives should point people to Jesus. How much of God do we reflect? It helps to remember that every we are and have is from Him.
If we continuing majoring in the minors that I'm afraid that we are no different than those who do not know Christ. We will be known as "religious" people, but no one will come to know the living God who can truly change lives.
Let's get serious!
Now the end of all things is near; therefore, be serious and disciplined for prayer. Above all, maintain an intense love for each other, since love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God. If anyone speaks, it should be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, it should be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
Get serious! I've said this to my children a few times throughout the years as I'm trying to tell them something and they were busy goofing around. They were so busy being silly that I couldn't get them to see the urgency of something.
Get serious! This passage is telling us the same thing. As believers, we are to be serious about our Christian walk. And that is getting harder and harder in this day and age where so many only want to go skin deep in their relationship with the Lord.
This passage tells us we are to be serious about the following things:
1. Get serious about prayer. We are to discipline ourselves and pray for one another. I'm not talking about little popcorn prayers we throw up here or there. Serious, disciplined prayer is necessary as a believer. Prayer that changes things. Prayer that in intense.
2. Get serious about our love for fellow believers. This is one we probably all struggle with. In any given church there are a multitude of personalities and styles. Yet we are to have not just love but an intense love for each other. Why? Because that will help you see through another person's faults and sins. That is what gets you through the rocky times as a church. That is what shows the world we are really different. Love and forgiveness are the marks of a true believer.
3. Get serious about hospitality. Open your home, possessions, and life to others. Do it often. Do it with enthusiasm. Do it without hesitation. Do it without complaining.
4. Get serious about reflecting and glorifying God in everything. It's not about me. It's not about you. Everything we do in our lives should point people to Jesus. How much of God do we reflect? It helps to remember that every we are and have is from Him.
If we continuing majoring in the minors that I'm afraid that we are no different than those who do not know Christ. We will be known as "religious" people, but no one will come to know the living God who can truly change lives.
Let's get serious!
I am really struggling with how God tells us to love our neighbor. Our neighbor is extremely mean. He has been here about 1 year lives with his elderly mother. Loud music and his yard looks awful. Had a surveyor come and now he throws brush lots of it just on the border. I want him to see that I am different but it is really difficult to love him. I ask for your prayers. Thank you
ReplyDeleteThat is difficult. I will be praying!
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