So Satan really is not happy with me. I have felt it this morning since 6 and he totally just deleted this the first time I wrote it...
Yesterday was an AWESOME day and I don't know how it could have gotten any better. Many of you have heard my life motto (J.O.Y. - in order to have true lasting JOY, you need to put JESUS first, then OTHERS, then YOURSELF). Yesterday was the perfect example of that. I spent some sweet time with Jesus yesterday morning. Took a walk through the park and had coffee together. Really cool (try it sometime - it's worth it!). Then a friend and I were working on a project to serve others yesterday. Then last night, I took time for myself by having a fun night at my apartment (sorry Beth if we were loud...). I went to bed about 2:30 this morning and woke up at 6 feeling this oppression from Satan like none other. He isn't happy when someone is doing the will of God and he will try anything possible to prevent you from doing so. So I started praying... And praying... And I asked someone else to pray for me... Then I opened up His word. I have been doing a leadership study on Peter (through LeaderTreks, great study!). Today was the last day in it, but God knew WHAT I needed, and WHEN I needed it.
Every day you do a different Bible study method - today was paraphrasing. Not my favorite, but that is how God spoke to me this morning... Here's my paraphrase of 1 Peter 4.
Christ suffered, so must we. We shouldn't live this life for ourselves, but for God. You have already been like the world: sexually, drinking, idolatry, among others... The world thinks you are crazy for not doing these things. Remember, God will hold them accountable on judgement day. You will be held accountable too! The gospel is preached to the saved and unsaved so that we all have the same standards.
You don't have much time here on earth! Stay focused and PRAY! Most importantly, love each other! Help each other willingly, don't complain about it. God has given us all unique gifts for the purpose of serving each other. Remember, when you speak, God is speaking through you. God will provide you with the strength that you need while you are serving. This is all so God can be praised and glorified. Glory and power truly belong to HIm forever!
Don't be shocked when you experience hard times. Rejoice in it and be on the lookout for how God will bring glory from it. If you are insulted because you are a Christian, blessed are you because someone can see Christ in you! Suffering for sin is not the same as suffering because you are a Christian. We need to re-evaluate ourselves and make sure we are doing what God wants us to. Can you imagine if we aren't doing what we should be doing?! If the righteous can't live out their faith, why would a sinner want to be saved?
*****If you are suffering because of something you are doing for God, draw near to your Creator and keep going! FINISH STRONG!*****
So often when we start living the way God wants us to live - with a purpose and intentionally. But then when we begin to feel oppressed or experience discouragement, we give up or we become less purposeful or less intentional. Can you imagine what this world would be like if every Christian just lived one day with complete purpose and intentionality?! Holy cow! Keep going! FINISH STRONG! You aren't done with this race until you get to heaven!
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