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.

Last Friday night we had a Spring Fling dance at school. I stood in the hallway greeting students as they arrived. I stood in the same place I stand each morning as they arrived at school so it was fun to witness different sights and attitudes. Being one of the first to see them, I had the pleasure of seeing their excitement and nervousness as they walked toward the gym. While they were all decked out in fancy clothes, many of them wore perfumes or colognes. As I stood there admiring all the sights and smells of our students, it occurred to me that we do the same with the “scent” of God. 

Think about it. When we are going to church, a celebration, or an important function, we get all cleaned up. We put on our best clothes, our best smells, and our best attitude. We greet others with kind words and it’s easy to exude the scent of God to others. In contrast, what about the days that nothing goes right or the days when you have one difficult situation after another? How about when co-workers criticize you or when someone spreads a rumor about you? What about when you learn someone who you thought was your Christian friend has expressed a judgemental comment to others about you? How do you respond? Do you plan your revenge? Do you brainstorm ways to retaliate? What scent do you exude? Times like these, difficult times, times of injustice and mistreatment … these are the times that we must follow the example of Christ and allow God to defend us. We must rely on God. In Psalm 62:5-7 David declares, “I depend on God alone; I put my hope in him. He alone protects and saves me; he is my defender, and I shall never be defeated. My salvation and honor depend on God; he is my strong protector; he is my shelter.”

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for Your everlasting love, grace and protection. Give me strength and courage to lay my sorrows before You and allow You to defend me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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 my studies on today’s scripture, I read a commentary written by Scott Hoezee in which he wrote, “Getting graced by God is like getting dipped into a vat of perfume: the residue of the fragrance should waft off of you from then on.”

What an intriguing thought. What a beautiful thought. We have been graced by God. We have been dipped into a vat of holy perfume and as a result the residue of the fragrance of His grace should waft off you and me. What does God’s scent of grace smell like? It is the sweet smell of love, forgiveness, and non-judgemental acceptance of all! God loves you. God loves me. God loves everyone and He wants us to do the same. 

When others hurt us with their words or actions, when others wrong or mistreat us, when others judge or spread rumors about us, or when others act un-Christlike towards us, we should exude the scent of God’s grace. We should extend grace to everyone, especially those who have mistreated us. 

Spend some time thinking about those who have hurt you. Pray for those people by name. Ask God to give you guidance and strength to extend grace. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for Your everlasting love and grace. Open my eyes to my response to others who have treated me unfairly. Help me to extend Your love and grace. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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.

Naturally, when we are mistreated by others, we want to defend ourselves or our loved ones. We want to retaliate. But, how should we respond as Christians? 

Just 4 weeks ago we celebrated Palm Sunday. From there we walked through Holy week with Jesus as we were humbled by the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday and saddened by His death on the cross on Good Friday. But then we rejoiced and celebrated on Easter Sunday. 

Today’s scripture reminds us that Jesus walked through Holy week for you and me. Jesus suffered for you and me. Jesus endured the nails in his hands and feet for my sins and your sins. Jesus was sinless and innocent, yet when He had insults hurled at Him and when He suffered, He did not retaliate. Instead He trusted God and as a result He set the ultimate example of grace for us. 

Grace—free, unmerited favor of God. 

We do not deserve it and we cannot earn it, yet God extends grace to us every day. Spend some time today in prayer about your response to others who have wronged you. Focus on the grace God extended to us at the cross and the grace He extends to us each day. How can you be an instrument of His grace today in your response to others who have treated you unfairly?

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

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.