Do Not Think It Strange
Sunday, November 1, 2020 Good Morning, Lord V.O.D.: Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.—1 Peter 4:12-13 M.O.M.: The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.—Romans 13:12 Today's reading: Jeremiah 27-29 Titus 3
It Is Not Strange
Why do people burn and loot in the places where they live? Why do they destroy the lives of their neighbors?
Why did brothers fight in a civil war on opposing sides?
There are a million things we think strange for which there is only one answer. John 10:10 (Jesus said), "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
It's hate-as ancient as the rebellion of satan in Heaven. His hate knows no bounds nor his unquenchable desire for complete dominion over the human race. This is a simple, though world consuming, fact.
Anywhere that the human soul is inhabited by God's Spirit, there will be those who hate this reality. Most do not know why they hate it, they just do because they are governed by: "the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience..."Ephesians 2:2
"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other." Matthew 6:24
There are two spirits in this world:The spirit of Almighty God and the spirit of the enemy. God is love. The enemy is hate.
Whenever and wherever God moves in the hearts of His believers, the enemy's fury moves to extinguish it. Hate destroys everything around it. That's why haters burn their own cities. It may not make any sense to us but destruction is the enemy's job.
Now, what about our own behavior where we live? Hate destroys wherever it is. If we let our guards down and give the devil a foothold, we are back under the control of the wrong master. (Amplified Bible-"And do not give the devil an opportunity [to lead you into sin by holding a grudge, or nurturing anger, or harboring resentment, or cultivating bitterness, Ephesians 4:27.)
It has become such a natural thing: to react in hateful judgement. We are the only ones who will stop it in our lives. No one else will stop it. It is the free will God has given us. God inhabits us, yes, but Jesus said we must take up our crosses daily, Luke 9:23, because He knew the great challenges of the human mind that will come from the enemy.
Peter told us to 'not think it strange' but rejoice in our verse of the day, Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.—1 Peter 4:12-13
The trials may not be physically 'fiery' as they are in some parts of our world so the enemy hits us with all he can emotionally and psychologically. This means we must always be vigilant. As Peter told us to be 'sober-minded'. Deuteronomy 4:9 “Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;
But we have not been given a spirit of fear so we must live as Jesus intended. Proverbs 4:23 Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.
Springs of Life-this is our life in Christ when we make the right choices. Is your heart 'springs of life'?
Make the right choices right now. Choose to take up your cross and seek Christ and His righteousness.
Springs of Life...should not be strange in our lives. He died so we could live this truth.
...because He loves us...
Father in Heaven, I am not consistent. Forgive my weakness for fear. Fill me with desire for You. Great and merciful Father, In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen