1 Peter 2:19-25 NIV — For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness. “By his wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

In today’s scripture lesson, Peter addresses those who have been wronged or those who have suffered unjust circumstances. Specifically, he was talking to slaves who had been treated wrongly.   While you and I may not face the same problems or situations they did, we do face our own issues. Each of us has  times in our lives when we have been “wronged.” Have others criticized you, judged you, attacked you, or spread rumors about you or your family members? How did you respond? Today I am honored to have the opportunity to speak at church for our Women In Ministry Sunday. Since I have recently felt the sting of being hurt by the words or actions of others, God led me to today’s featured scripture. Follow the blog this week as I share parts of the message I will share at church today. As you read each day, examine yourself, your motives, and your response to hardships. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for Your everlasting love and grace. Open my eyes to my response to hardships and equip me to be more like Christ in my actions and reactions. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

“The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.” 1 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Join me by clicking the link for See You Saturday as we talk about Intercessory Prayer.

I encourage you to worship through intercessory prayer with William McDowell and “Songs of Intercession”

“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” Psalms‬ ‭23‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Yesterday we talked about finding joy through prayer. Today I want us to find rest through prayer. In our key verse, God gives us rest by refreshing our souls. Do you need physical rest? Are you tired of waiting on someone or something? Are you in a spiritual or physical battle? Does your soul feel heavy and burdened? Or maybe you don’t know where or how you need rest. 

Notice Ray’s picture of a bridge over a pond. According to Merriam-Webster, a bridge is a structure carrying a pathway or roadway over a depression or obstacle. Just like this bridge helps us cross over the water, God guides us along the right paths. Will you be swimming or taking the bridge today? Allow Him to lead you beside the quiet waters. Let’s pray.

Father, Thank You for the seasons of every activity, including rest (Ecclesiastes 3:1). When I need physical rest, I want to be still as You guide me to quiet places and refresh my soul (Psalm 23:2-3). When I’m in a time of waiting, I want to be still in Your presence, waiting patiently and confidently for Your perfect plan to unfold (Psalm 37:7). When I’m in battle mode, I can be still, knowing that You will fight my battles for me (Exodus 14:14). When my soul needs rest, I can come to You with my burdens, and in Your gentle, humble heart I can find rest (Matthew 11:28-29). When I do not know what kind of rest I need, Your Holy Spirit intercedes on my behalf according to Your will (Romans 8:27). In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

“I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last, you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬-‭12 ‭NIV‬‬

Yesterday we talked about making a spiritual resolution and moving forward with God’s good work. On this Thankful Thursday, I want us to find joy through prayer.

I was able to find joy this past weekend as we stayed in a beautiful bungalow on a horse farm while visiting our son at Clemson. I made sure to get up early so I could see the sunrise from the comfort of my rocking chair. At first, I was disappointed that the dense fog blocked my view of the sun. In the meantime, I had the joy of witnessing the horses being fed as I patiently waited for the fog to lift. The horses had been eating grass out in the pasture when a farmhand drove up with feed. Immediately most of the horses made their way back to the barn, except for a few stragglers that had to be whistled in. It was amazing to witness the horses and how they knew that the farmhand was supplying their food. Within a matter of minutes, I was able to witness the fog lift. I was reminded of the secret of being content. Does life feel like a dense fog lingers over you? Are you struggling to find joy? Or has the fog lifted and you can see and feel contentment? Let’s pray.

Father, As I come before You, show me the path of life; that I might find the dance, for in Your presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11). Help me to focus on the blessings I receive within Your full measure of joy (John 17:13). As I live by Your Spirit, help me to keep in stride with Your spirit of joy (Galatians 5:22-25). I long to learn contentment through all circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. Help me to find contentment in every situation, well fed or hungry, living in plenty or want (Philippians 4:11-12). In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Yesterday we talked about how the process of transformation starts inwardly in the unseen places with God. Today I want to talk about resolutions. Not the ones we make in January and don’t keep, but a lasting spiritual resolution. According to the dictionary, a resolution is a firm decision to do or not do something. In our key verse, we know that God has already begun a good work in each of us. Although God has equipped us, we must make a decision to step out in faith and do that good work. In Hebrews 13:21 NIV, we read that God will: “Equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Where are some areas in your life where you need to stand firm? Are you walking on water or sitting in your boat? I have created my own spiritual resolution. I encourage you to recite mine or create your own. Let’s join together in creating a legacy of faith by being a Water Walker.

My Spiritual Resolution: I resolve to conquer my fear! I will live my life on purpose, earnestly seeking to honor my Lord in my actions and reactions. I will focus on His promises and not my fears. I will spend time in His word and prayer, basking in His truths so that I can demolish any strongholds. I will hear His call and respond by becoming the wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend God has designed me to be. I commit to leaving a legacy of faith. I resolve to be Brave!

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Yesterday we talked about continually having praise on our lips. In order to have praise on our lips, we must mirror that praise in our hearts. Transformation is an inward process. Even though those around us may hear or see a transformation, it first starts in the unseen. 

In our key verse, we are taught where to pray. We are instructed to go behind closed doors, in the unseen. He also teaches us how to pray through the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 NIV. Below I have created the Lord’s prayer in my own words. What version of the Bible do you read the most? For me, it is the New International Version or The Message. I encourage you to take a moment to read these verses from Matthew in several different versions. Really let the words soak in. Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, Blessed be Your name, Sacred, the Great I Am. Let Your kingdom reign. Transform me in Your image so that I may submit to Your lead and not my own will. You are the Bread of Life, may I rely on Your strength and not my own abilities. Help me to live unoffended and choose to love my offenders, through Your grace. May Your spirit of truth keep me on the narrow path. And when worldly things overtake me, may Your redeeming love deliver me. I acknowledge all the power and glory be Yours for all eternity. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Yesterday we talked about prayer being our first line of defense. What better way to put prayer first than to continually praise God. Were you able to make a prayerful declaration? Has it helped change your mindset for this Monday? Mind over matter is using our willpower to overcome. In similar thinking, if we continually offer a sacrifice of praise, we can overcome the mind. I love the image of “the fruit of lips” in our key verse. Like the berries on the tree pictured here by Ray, when rooted in God, we can have His sweet word on our lips.

One of my favorite forms of prayer is called Lectio Divina which is a dialogue with God through scripture. We may not always know what to think, say, or pray but thankfully we can turn to God’s living word to find the words we need. These words are sharper than a two-edged sword that can cut through Satan’s ploys. I have shared with you a prayer using God’s word. I encourage you to use this example to create your own prayer using scriptures.

Father, Thank You for Your living water that quenches my thirst spiritually and never runs dry (John 4:14). Help me stand firm upon Your word so when trials arise I will stand tall (Matthew 7:25). May I live without fear for the future knowing You have redeemed me, You call me by name, I am Yours (Isaiah 43:1). As I hear Your call may I step out in faith into the waves (Matthew 14:29). When I obey Your commands, I experience Your peace like a river, Your holiness crashes over me like the waves (Isaiah 48:18). May I continually offer a sacrifice of praise on my lips (Hebrews 13:15). In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.