Romans 15:1-2 Msg

Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us.  Strength is for service, not status.  Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, "How can I help?"

What a beautiful verse.  I really like the Message version of the Bible for this main reason, it takes a verse and so to speak puts it in simple words for me :-)  I can understand "strength is for service, not status"  I can understand "How can I help?"  In these simple words I can relate it to my life and how I can use my strength to serve others.  My ministry today is being a mom, sometimes my strength is cleaning the bathroom that was destroyed by my two year old daughter, other times it is cleaning up that accident she had in her bedroom, and others it's snuggling my sweet bebs in when they're sick.  My strength right now doesn't seem like much, but God didn't ask me to do great things, just "to look after the good of the people around us".

So for now, that is my job, and what a beautiful job it is.

What's your job right now?  Are you using your strength for service?

1st Peter 4:12-13 ESV
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

In one week, we had learned that our house's value was less then what we owed it, that the furnace needed to be replaced, and that the basement was flooding.  What a devastation to us, a sad realization that a house that we no longer lived in was costing us more then we could imagine.  Thoughts of just foreclosing, and giving up ran through my head, but then I realized something.  God has never let our sweet family down.  Even in moments of financial suffering He has always provided.  Is this a fiery trial for us?  A test for us?  What a small trial, compared to the sufferings of Christ.  Gratefully, when this is through the glory of Christ is revealed and in that dear readers I rejoice.

1st Peter 2:22

1st Peter 2:22 msg
He never did one thing wrong, not once said anything a miss.  They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back.  He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right.

I am the type of person to want to prove a point, to make sure if I have been wrong that I speak out and get as many digs in to the questioning person as possible.  Not very nice... I know.  So when I read this, the first time my heart hit a wall.  Not only did Jesus die an unspeakable death, but He died with the sins of others on Him quietly.  Never once telling them I told you so, or pushing facts down their throat because He knew He was right.  What an incredible reminder for someone like me.  Jesus was content to suffer in silence, content to let God set things right.  So the next time my sweet husband says something inconsequential (I know it's wrong) I hope and pray that I hold my tongue and let God set things right.

What about you?

How are you going to apply this to your daily walk?

If you're looking for a book to read in the Bible, I highly recommend that you read the whole book of 1st Peter, it's pretty rockin'.  Have a great day, dear readers and feel free to contact me if you have any questions.