Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice. Today is a good day to do a random act of kindness to give glory to the Father, so just do it, what ever it is. I don’t know about you but in some situations it seems like doing the correct thing is quite painful. Lets see what scripture says about it.
Today’s Prayer
Father, for many generations the churches of our nation were considered “the keepers of our morals.” Today, we are seeing many leaders of the hierarchy of some of our mainline denominations re-interpreting Your Word to appease society’s “sins.” Many of these have not consulted You or their lay constituency. Help us all, Lord, who consider ourselves Your people, to see our waywardness and to seek Your forgiveness before it is too late, lest we become a party to bringing down our nation. Remind us that You have said: “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Help us to prayerfully consider our personal responsibility to encourage and support those spiritual and government leaders who are trying to lead our people in a direction that will be pleasing to You. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Let’s eat.
Suffering for Doing Good
1 Peter 3:13-22
13 Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good?
14 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats.
15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.
16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.
17 Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!
18 Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.
19 So he went and preached to the spirits in prison—
20 those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood.
21 And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
22 Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.
Quote of the Day
In the greatest difficulties, in the heaviest trials, in the deepest poverty and necessities, He has never failed me; but because I was enabled by His grace to trust Him He has always appeared for my help. I delight in speaking well of His name. ~George Muller~