There are those times when you feel the waters rise and the wind of confusion blow. The heaviness of fear weighs you down and you just want to dig a hole in the sand and go underground for awhile, but...what can I do to help, so many are discontent, discouraged, hurt, lonely, because of those that are ANGRY, Despairing, selfish, mean, dishonest and deceitful.
A little voice says, "NO!.. Do not give up, Don't Quit"
Check out this awesome slideshow of the famous unknown authored poem "Don't Quit", http://www.thedontquitpoem.com/
No your not hearing things, if you are saved it is the Holy Spirit (or Jesus) depending on your docrtinal beliefs. Scripture is trying to set you free from your bindings of fear and the limitations of your understanding. (For me it is very limiting at times, I have discernment and clarity of an infant other times I am running at the speed of light and actually KNOW where I am going and what I am supposed to be doing {Note: I did not say "what I am doing" ha ha}.
Times like this I Peter jumps to mind: Two passages help me aline my thinking and get stepping in the right direction. I Peter 2:1-5 (NIV) {my paraphrase or definition from Random House dictionary to add more emphasis and direct meaning}
And this is the word that was preached to you. {I have told you this once} Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice {meanness, desiring harm or injury} and all deceit, hypocrisy {looking like you have a desirable or publicly approved attitudes, beliefs, principles, etc. that one does not posses; pretending to be something your not; going with the flow then critizing them later} envey, {sense of discontent or jealousy with regard to another's advantages, success, possessions, wanting someone elses things or advantages}, and slander of every kind {malicious, false, and defamatory statement or report}. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. *As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him--you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.*
Well, using Random House dictionary I added the {definitions} and as we look back over the passage it is clear to see why conflict and tension are abounding in us and through out society today. We are not acting right, we are not following the scriptures we love to quote and the book we carry around with us. We need to really read it, define the words and make sure we understand them. A teacher I had as a child said "When you read a scripture if you do not feel like it is talking to you, if you do not see God telling you to do something, keep reading!" Look this over and see what God is saying to you. God has brought me to this passage over and over and I read, and cry, and question and stop at the first part, because I always thought the verse 4 about the stone was a separate "section" but read it together and it adds to the passage, it hold the promise, the comfort, the compassion!!!!
I Peter 5:5 .... "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble"
I Peter 5:6-10 Humble yourserlves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he care for you. Be self-controlled and alert, Your enemy the devil (not your brothers and sisters) prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. AMEN!
We are chosen by GOD!!! We are being built into a spiritual house to be an offering of spiritual sacrafice acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. We are under construction, and God is finishing a work in us. Sometimes construction is not pretty, and there are losses and tear downs, but when it is done, it is like a jewel! We will be a jewel in heaven someday. So as Lenny Cravitz song "Bring it On" says...
God is in control!.. Check your heart and your steps, your diet. and know that Your God Reigns. Banquet at the table, try to share the joy and the light and know "the Lord is good".!!!
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