- Joined
- Apr 25, 2006
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9 May 2008
Word on the Web
1 Peter 3 v 8-12
Finally, all of you should be in agreement, understanding each other, loving each other as family, being kind and humble. Do not do wrong to repay a wrong, and do not insult to repay an insult. But repay with a blessing, because you yourselves were called to do this so that you might receive a blessing. The Scripture says,
"A person must do these things to enjoy life and have many happy days.
He must not say evil things, and he must not tell lies.
He must stop doing evil and do good. He must look for peace and work for it.
The Lord sees the good people and listens to their prayers.
But the Lord is against those who do evil." (Psalm 34:12-16)
Being part of a family produces a whole range of emotions at different times. Sibling rivalries, learning lessons around sharing, responsibility, giving and taking, seeing things from someone else's point of view, forgiving and forgetting, and finally learning to love by putting other's needs before your own.
For those of us who are part of the church family, we learn similar lessons of maturity there. Understanding different agendas, forgiving and forgetting, loving and serving people who are not like me, taking responsibility, and sometimes getting the blame when things go wrong.
It would be easy to question God's wisdom in choosing the church model to fulfil his plans, and yet it is the very same church family which is designed to produce spiritual maturity in us. Can you see how God might be inviting you to grow through the challenges of being part of the church you belong to? Maybe you are frustrated, as I have often been, with the slowness of change or the apparent lack of vision. Invite God to give you his perspective on the church and to make you more like Jesus through being an active member of your local church family.
Father, you have chosen the church family to fulfil your plans on earth. Help me to play my part in being a blessing to those around me both inside and outside the church, through a kind and humble lifestyle. Amen
Written by Phil Pusey - Burton Youth For Christ
Word on the Web
1 Peter 3 v 8-12
Finally, all of you should be in agreement, understanding each other, loving each other as family, being kind and humble. Do not do wrong to repay a wrong, and do not insult to repay an insult. But repay with a blessing, because you yourselves were called to do this so that you might receive a blessing. The Scripture says,
"A person must do these things to enjoy life and have many happy days.
He must not say evil things, and he must not tell lies.
He must stop doing evil and do good. He must look for peace and work for it.
The Lord sees the good people and listens to their prayers.
But the Lord is against those who do evil." (Psalm 34:12-16)
Being part of a family produces a whole range of emotions at different times. Sibling rivalries, learning lessons around sharing, responsibility, giving and taking, seeing things from someone else's point of view, forgiving and forgetting, and finally learning to love by putting other's needs before your own.
For those of us who are part of the church family, we learn similar lessons of maturity there. Understanding different agendas, forgiving and forgetting, loving and serving people who are not like me, taking responsibility, and sometimes getting the blame when things go wrong.
It would be easy to question God's wisdom in choosing the church model to fulfil his plans, and yet it is the very same church family which is designed to produce spiritual maturity in us. Can you see how God might be inviting you to grow through the challenges of being part of the church you belong to? Maybe you are frustrated, as I have often been, with the slowness of change or the apparent lack of vision. Invite God to give you his perspective on the church and to make you more like Jesus through being an active member of your local church family.
Father, you have chosen the church family to fulfil your plans on earth. Help me to play my part in being a blessing to those around me both inside and outside the church, through a kind and humble lifestyle. Amen
Written by Phil Pusey - Burton Youth For Christ
