August 7, 2011

Turn To Your Shepherd....The ONLY Guardian Of Your Souls 

1 Peter 2: 13 - 3: 12

1 Peter

For the Lord's sake, accept all authority - the king as head of state, and the officials he has appointed.  For the king has sent them to punish all who do wrong and to honor those who do right.

It is God's will that your good lives should silence those who make foolish accusations against you.  You are not slaves; you are free.  But your freedom is not an excuse to do evil.  You are free to live as God's slaves.  Show respect for everyone.  Love your Christian brothers and sisters.  Fear God.  Show respect for the king.

Slaves

You who are slaves must accept the authority of your masters.  Do whatever they tell you - not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are harsh.  For God is pleased with you when, for the sake of your conscience, you patiently endure unfair treatment.  Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong.  But if you suffer for doing right and are patient beneath the blows, God is pleased with you.

This suffering is all part of what God has called you to.  Christ, who suffered for you, is your example.  Follow in his steps.  He never sinned, and he never deceived anyone.  He did not retaliate when he was insulted.  When he suffered, he did not threaten to get even.  He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.  He personally carried away our sins in his own body on the cross so we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. You have been healed by his wounds!  Once you were wandering like lost sheep.  But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.

Wives

In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands, even those who refuse to accept the Good News.  Your godly lives will speak to them better than any words.  They will be won over by watching your pure, godly behavior.

Don't be concerned about the outward beauty that depends on fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes.  You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.  That is the way the holy women of old made themselves beautiful.  They trusted God and accepted the authority of their husbands.  For instance, Sarah obeyed her husband, Abraham, when she called him her master. You are her daughters when you do what is right without fear of what your husbands might do.

Husbands

In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives.  Treat her with understanding as you live together.  She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God's gift of new life.  If you don't treat her as you should, your prayers will not be heard.

All Christians

Finally, all of you should be of one mind, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds.  Don't repay evil for evil.  Don't retaliate when people say unkind things about you.  Instead, pay them back with a blessing.  That is what God wants you to do, and he will bless you for it.  For the Scriptures say, "If you want a happy life and good days, keep your tongue from speaking evil, and keep your lips from telling lies.  Turn away from evil and do good.  Work hard at living in peace with others.  The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers.  But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil." 

JesJeJeJJjEJJJ     JJThe LORD is king!  Let the nations tremble!  T*** 

Thoughts.....

Good morning everyone.  Today we have some touchy subjects and I hope I will be able to enlighten the content.  Someone once said, "Text out of context is pretext."  Which means it doesn't exist essentially, so cannot be applied.  Sometimes we take a sentence and apply it to something we are talking about and the actual text from which it came may have an entirely different meaning.  I try earnestly to only utilize single texts which imply the same content to support a similar thought.  Today, I want you to hold onto a thought throughout the text that comes from a different book.  You may need to cling to it to get through what you may be going through, or you may find it a reinforcement of what you already know.  Either way, here it is:

"For you are a holy people, who belong to the LORD your God.  Of all the people on earth, the LORD your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure."   

Isn't that a wonderful statement......you are chosen by God to be his own special treasure.  How much you are loved!  Let's start looking at the scriptures for today and see how they play out in our lives, or others we know, and how we can rise above what may have been or what was bringing us out of the LIGHT of GOD's holy love and protection.  Or be reinforced in knowing how very much we are loved.   

In todays first paragraph. Peter is referring to man's law...government....essentially.  He is telling us to honor the laws that surround us.  Be the person who does good, all the while in doing so, we bring honor to God, and, we, too, will be honored.  I almost scoff when I think about that.  You work, and you pay taxes, you bring honor to God and yourself.  How often do you get a pat on the back as you work and do well...besides the paycheck?  You certainly hear about it, if your skills are not up to par.  And those who work in the home, do you feel gratified with a job well done, are you recognized for all you do by others?  Do you get a pat on the back when you do the taxes right?  Yes, you don't have to pay anything or you get a check.  And when you do wrong.....oh my goodness.  When the kids clean their room, or don't overly destroy it, do you thank them, give them honor?  Do you even thank yourself, OR God, for giving you the ability to do what you need to do and the strength you need to do it?  He would like to honor you.  This is not all government, but it does lean to ruling authority.  Be it government, employment, or in the home, there is authority.  God's hope is that he will be your authority, and in respecting his authority, you will respect that of others.  Honor God and you will bring honor upon yourself.  Those who do wrong will be punished, and those who do right should receive honor. 

The next couple paragraphs speak of slavery, servanthood.  Isn't everyone under some kind of authority?  Who is NOT under someone else's authority?  Even God's?!  Let's look for a second at the references to slavery/servanthood.  In the King James Version both references (v 16 and 18) use the word 'servants'.  I looked up the words in the Greek translation and here is their meaning:  Verse 16 refers to #1401 in Strong's Exhaustive Concordance and it reads, "doulos, n. GK; servant, slave; in the New Testament a person owned as a possession for various lengths of times (Hebrew slaves no more than 7 years, Gentile slaves without time limit), of lower social status than free persons or masters; slaves could earn or purchase their freedom."  In verse 18, referring to #3610, it reads, " oiketes, n. GK;  house servant, domestic slave.  This clarifies the meaning in this text.  I would like to believe that slavery does not exist.  However, that would be foolish on my part.  I will state that I am opposed to slavery.  Vehemently opposed.  We are told by Peter, "You are not slaves; you are free."  We are free in Jesus Christ, God.  "We are free to live as God's slaves", Peter says.  Do NOT do evil.  He further clarifies that freedom as God's slave is such that we are to "show respect for everyone.  Love your Christian brothers and sisters.  Fear God.  Show respect for the king."  Again, our government or ruling authority, as we know it, wherever we live, since most of us don't have the same kind of government as he did then.  And please keep in mind, Jesus IS King!  Alleluia.

In verse 18 it talks about having a master, with a definition of house servant.  Whomever we work for, we must respect their authority.  Peter tells us whether they are kind or not, we must be patient and endure unfair treatment.  Reminds us all not to do wrong.  Even implies we may be beaten (physically or emotionally) even if we do right, but still must be patient, and God will be pleased with us.  Please note that he will not be pleased that we are being beaten or abused.  He will be pleased for exercising patience, in an unfair, painful situation.  Not doing as the other is doing, not striking back, physically, mentally,  emotionally, or spiritually.

Peter tells us, "This suffering is all part of what God has called you to.  Christ, who suffered for you is your example.  Follow in his steps."  In Mark 10:38-40, Peter's son tells us the following as relayed to James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who had asked if they could sit in places of honor next to him in his glorious Kingdom.  'But Jesus answered, "You don't know what you are asking!  Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of sorrow I am about to drink?  Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?"  "Oh yes, " they said, "we are able!"  And Jesus said, "You will indeed drink from my cup and be baptized with my baptism, but I have no right to say who will sit on the thrones next to mine.  God has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen."  So, if we are to choose Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we MUST know that we will walk his walk....receive the baptism of suffering.  But we must also know that we MUST walk as he did, head held high, focused on God, doing HIS will, walking in his ways, to the glory of HIS name.

Note how we are to live that life:  never sinning, never deceiving anyone, not retaliating when insulted, not getting even for having suffered and further, leave your case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.  Peter tells us that, "He (Jesus) personally carried away our sins in his own body on the cross so we can be dead to sin, and live for what is right."  He goes on to say, "You have been healed by his wounds!"  He yelled this out......exclamation point, folks.  YOU HAVE BEEN healed by his wounds!  He reminds us, "Once you were wandering like lost sheep.  But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls."  HAVE YOU stopped wandering?  I'm still feeling some days as though I am wandering.  And I have the Savior in me.  And I DO turn to my Shepherd, the Guardian of my soul.  And I call out loudly some days in anguish that the Lord would hear my cries for myself, and the people of his pastures.  I know, as does he, that we are human.  He hurt, why would we not?  But he saved us.  We can go to him.  We can reach out and cry out and know that he is there to listen and heal.  Love him today, won't you?  Let him fully be your Shepherd, the ONLY Guardian of your soul.

Wives, you have heard you must accept the authority of your husbands.  Even those who refuse Jesus.  Here you are told that your godly life will speak to them better than words.  THAT is true.....because they don't listen, right?  They are a visual people.  I scoff somewhat.  Peter says that they will be won over by watching your pure, godly behavior.  In being honest, I have to say 'do not be unequally yoked' going into a relationship.  Peter is an idealist it appears.  I appreciate his thought, his intent, the idealism, but history proves that although that can be true, it is not true in many cases.  Let's see what else Peter tells us.  He talks about not being concerned about outward beauty that depends on fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes.  That you should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.  And tells us that is the way the holy women of old made themselves beautiful.

I went to a church once or twice in Texas that had a wonderful group of people.  The Bishop and Pastor were Godly men.  The Pastor's wife was OVER adorned with jewelry...the more diamonds the better on all fingers.  I was rather taken aback.  A joke was made by someone about her adornments.  I didn't think it was funny, I felt it was sad for the Pastor.  This is a two way street folks.  I know you've seen men and Pastors who are adorned to the max.  Some in wild color gowns and gold everywhere.  Others in VERY expensive suits and extra jewelry.  Posh.  For those in the ministry, we are not to rise above the people, we are to be among the people...with the people.  The congregation needs to look up to us for our spiritual influence, and not see flaunting of their money inappropriately.   

Peter goes on talking to wives that the holy women of old trusted God and accepted the authority of their husbands.  That must have been when husbands of old trusted God and they were holy, too.  If your husband is not a man of God, you have to look to God as your husband to learn and grow.  You must not lie down, roll over, get kicked, or abused in any way and say that God said to do this.  This is NOT what is being implied here.  Peter was talking to CHRISTIAN GODLY men and women throughout todays scripture.  In no way should you consider submission to authority  in any other way than to a Christian Godly man.  And let me clarify that he must WALK the walk as well as talk the talk.  He must prove himself by his everyday actions to everyone.  Most especially God and you.  I've known many people, men and women, who were someone entirely different outside the door than inside the home.  Men, don't submit to your wife in love unless she, too, is a holy woman.  And don't, either husbands or wives, lord Jesus over your spouse, if they are not Christians.  Pray yourself up, pray them up, pray the family up, and while the Lord is working on you, trust that the Lord is also working on your spouse and family.  Love him, love them, and trust and obey. 

This last line of Peter's to the wives is nuts in todays world UNLESS you are BOTH ABIDING Christians.  He says, "You are daughters (with Sara) when you do what is right without fear of what your husbands might do."   Here he is giving the gift of assurance.....knowing that your husband is a Christian....an abiding grounded founded Christian, it is blessed assurance to be able to step out in Christ without fear and do what is right at all times every time and know that your husband will support your relationship, your walk, your decisions with Jesus......as you will be able to do with him.....because you are both abiding grounded founded Christians. 

Peter, now speaking to husbands, says, "In the same way you husbands must give honor to your wives.  Treat her with understanding as you live together."  I'm sometimes wary of this statement, 'as you live together'.  Where else would one live but with their spouse, unless there is a radical divorce rate going on?  Somedays I don't want to venture into history to learn more.  Maybe this is a blooper from way back then, or maybe they did desert stints guarding, so they weren't at home, but shouldn't they honor them then, too?????  Okay, ladies, you won't like this next statement...I don't.  "She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God's gift of new life."  Men would NEVER be able to tolerate giving birth, staying up with a baby 24 hours, washing, cleaning, cooking, coordinating, running errands, being at ballgames, AND work a 40 hour work week when necessary, and have a wife, like we do with them as husbands, and moms, etc.  But hey, the great part of that sentence is that you ARE equal partners in God's gift of new life!  Woo Hoo! 

Peter then warns the husbands, "If you don't treat her as you should, your prayers will not be heard."  I have met a lot of men who would not care.  I have also met a lot of men who would die as to rather not have God on their side and have their prayers be heard and answered.  Peter again is talking to Christian men here, and it would have grieved their soul to not have God in their lives.  And they've just learned about Jesus and accepted him as their Lord and Savior.  He is their salvation.  Life would not have been worth living were they to lose their life.....were they to not love their Lord with all their heart....or their wives either.  Godly holy men.

Now Peter addresses everyone: 

Be of one mind

Full of sympathy toward each other

Loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds

Don't repay evil for evil

Don't retaliate when people say unkind things about you

Instead, pay them back with a blessing

That is what God wants you to do and he will bless you for it.

He quotes from Psalm 34: 12 - 16:

"If you want a happy life and good days:

keep your tongue from speaking evil,

and keep your lips from telling lies.   

Turn away from evil and do good.

Work hard at living in peace with others.

The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,

And his ears are open to their prayers.

But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil."

So in Galatians 3:24-29, Paul kind of gives us a wrap up, when he said, "Let me put it another way.  The law was our guardian and teacher to lead us until Christ came.  So now, through faith in Christ, we are made right with God.  But now that faith in Christ has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian.  So you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.  And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him.  There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female.  For you are all Christians - you are one in Christ Jesus.  And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham.  You are his heirs and now all the promises God gave to him belong to you." 

Turn to your Shepherd....the only Guardian of your souls.

And obey.                                                                 

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Let Us Pray

Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world.  Have mercy upon me.  Forgive me of my sins, heal me and make me whole.  Let me always know that you are the true Guardian of my soul, that you are my Shepherd.  I hear your voice and I follow you.  Help me continue to obey you as I walk the journey you have set forth for me.  Let me do it as sinless as I can, giving you glory in the good times, and begging forgiveness for those moments I am not perfect, and erase all the gracious glory I have just brought to you.  Please continue to keep me safe.  And let me be for others, a lamp for you, illuminating your truths.  I accept you as my Lord and Savior and Shepherd of my soul.  Please help me to bring you to others and help them see how you can be that for them.  Lover of the soul.  Help me obey you in good times and bad.  And thank you for loving me so much as to die for me.  May I be worthy of your love and show you how much I love you.  And how grateful I am.  Thank you.  Amen. 

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More love.... 

  Benediction...Blessing

Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'.

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation. 

It is not how we worship, but that we worship....the Trinity!   

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If you feel that the Church of the Holy Spirit has inspired or helped you, we'd like you to prayerfully consider tithing regularly to us or gifting us, so that we can further the work and carry out the will of the Father as proclaimed in Matthew 28:19-20 NLT

 to

 "Go and make disciples out of all the nations

baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:

I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

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  Our Current Cause

It is time to reach into the community and the world around you to see wherein lies the greatest need.  As you choose to focus on these areas, do so with a servant's heart.  Whether the need is for children, adults, or animals, or any cause in between that will help those in need, ask God how you can best serve his needs, what path you must take, and how long you should persevere.  Sometimes we are to be in the lives of others merely as stepping stones.  Sometimes we are to touch those lives forever.  Whatever journey you are called to take, whatever team you will be a member, know this:  God is with you always...even til the end of time.  He loves you, is grateful for you, and will help you along life's way, especially if you are helping others along theirs, persevering with a servant's heart. 

Please accept my sincerest thanks....and God's....and may God richly bless you!   

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    One last thing....

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

   Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

And the people said,

"Amen."

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided. 

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  Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

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