Jan 29th -- We have a role in administering God's grace! 1Peter 4:10

Many of us would say that God's grace is unmerited favor that comes from God alone. However Peter does not limit this concept, actually he states that "we" have a role to play. That "we" can administer God's grace. Have you ever thought of this??

Yes, we are (can be) used of God to administer His grace. God uses us to administer grace...His Grace!! Wow.

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms."

First we must desire to find out our "gifts" (and place) in the Body of Christ. We are strategically gifted and placed by God to form the Body of Christ. And then we are responsible to God, to be used by Him, to (faithfully) administer His GRACE. Wait a minute...I thought God gives the grace we need for this life? How is it that I have a role to play?

Peter tells us to faithfully administer God's grace by "using our gifts". Have you ever pursued the knowledge of your gifts? You have been assigned special gifts by the Holy Spirit to provide GRACE. What an honour and responsibility!

vs. 11 "If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God."
"If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ."

Often we expect our Pastor to "speak the word of the Lord to us". But what about us? Do we speak the word of the Lord when we open our mouths?? Do we serve with the strength God provides, or in our own strength...that leads to frustration and burnout?

So, 1Peter 5:12 states that Peter shared with us "the true grace of God..."

That grace covers: (1)His first coming (2)His gift of eternal life (3)His eternal glory (4)Using our gifts

If we are to WAJD then we must (1)Find our God given GIFTS (2)Faithfully administer these gifts (3)Present God's GRACE to others

Have you (have I) been faithful?

Well, let's get on with it...what are we waiting for??

Jan 21st - Would God Call You To Suffer? 1Peter 2:19

Would you agree that most of us would prefer never to suffer? Many say, "God would not want us to suffer, He is a loving God." But let's look at scripture:

For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

Wait a minute God, I don't want to "suffer" for doing good, I deserve better.
Well this attitude would make it difficult for us to endure and verse 20 has a stipulation that we must have an "enduring attitude"; Why? Because Jesus already "endured". He endured suffering for you and me.

If we are going to WAJD, then we must endure hardship (as discipline), and to give glory to God in the midst of it....for it is commendable!

Jan 16th Monday - God's Will: One Thing For Sure 1 Peter 2:15

We are often seeking after God's will. We ask, "What is your will God?" "How can I know what to do?"

Well, one thing for sure is God's will in 1Peter 2:15

For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.

Doing good; what does this mean for me today? How do I apply this to my life?
Let's see what the rest of 1Peter 2 has to say:

Submit to every authority instituted among men
Live as free men
Do not use freedom aa a cover-up for evil
Live as servants of God
Show proper respect to everyone
Love the brotherhood of believers
Fear God
Honor the king
Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect....also to those who are harsh
Suffer for doing good (and endure it), this is commendable before God...to this you were called, to follow in Jesus' steps (more about this in tomorrow's devotion)
Entrust yourself to him who judges justly

Again, Jesus did all these things in honor to His Father.
If we are to WAJD, should we do anything less?

Jan 15th Sunday -- Good Grief Charlie Brown 1 Peter 1:6-7

Most of us know that great cartoon character developed by Charles Shultz, the loveable Charlie Brown. Whenever Snoopy got Charlie into trouble (or when Charlie got himself into trouble) he would sigh the words, "Good Grief!"

Did you know this is scriptural?

1Peter 1:6-7 ...for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith -- of greater worth than gold...may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

The grief we suffer in trial come (for a purpose)!
The trials come (in all kinds) to:

(1) Prove genuine faith
(2) So that your faith may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Prove to me that you have faith...(how?); by your victory over trials of many kinds.

Have you ever thought that our trials,(and the way we handle them), may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed? I believe that our trials may be used by God to bring "others" to Him. Wow!

If we are to WAJD then we should expect trials of many kinds. Were not Jesus' trials (in the desert) comfort to us, that Jesus can relate with our temptations and trials and accurately intercede (pray) at the right hand of the Father on our behalf?

Rejoice! Rejoice! We are witnesses when we Walk As Jesus Did!

Walk through that trial, we can trust Him.

Jan 14th Saturday My Shield and My Deliverer 1Peter 1:3

The other day I was watching the movie "Mr. Incredible" from the makers of "Toy Story". In the movie Mr. Incredible's family also have super-hero status. His wife is "ElasticGirl", and his son's name is "Dash" (very fast), and his daughter's name is Violet and she had the ability to be invisible and to create a "force-field" around both herself and her family. While reading the passage I thought of her "super-power" and related it to God's super-power, his resurrection power to (us) who believe.

1Peter 1:3-5 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a "living hope" through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade -- kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

We often do not realize the "SHIELD" we have in Jesus Christ from God the Father. This shield comes through faith...it is for the present and even more so for the time of the coming of our Lord and Saviour. We need not fear at all the future or the last days, we are shielded by God in Christ.

Jesus walked and talked with the Father, our Father, while on this earth and was never in fear. Today if we are to WAJD, then we will be confident, meek, humble, secure in our Lord. Walk in the Shield of God today!!

Thursday Jan 12 This is how we know we are in Him: WAJD

1John 2:3-9

We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.

Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness.

Will we chose, desire, plan, commit to walk as Jesus did today??