(1 Peter 4:7-19) The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. 8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaint. 10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; 16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? 19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.
Reminder:
"praying effectively" involves knowing God's will. When we pray in His will (in His name), He
may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like,
or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!
It is God's will:
- that we do not sin, and so suffer because of our own sins (4:15)
- that we are not ashamed, but glorify God when we suffer because of other people's sins (4:16)
- that we are not surprised when we go through tests and trials (4:12)
- that we keep on rejoicing even when we go through tests and trials (4:13-14)
- that we remain righteous and in God's will when we suffer, because we can trust God's faithfulness (4:19)
- that we pray with sound judgment and sober spirit (4:7)
- that we keep fervent in our love for our fellow believers (4:8)
- that we are graciously forgiving towards our fellow believers (4:8)
- that we are hospitable towards our fellow believers without complaint (4:9)
- that we use our spiritual gifts to serve our fellow believers (4:10)
- that we are godly in our speech (4:11)
- that we serve in God's strength (4:11)
Today's prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for the strength and guidance that You supply. Help us to pray effectively, so that our focus is on You and doing Your will, no matter what we are going through. Help us continue as we should when things get difficult. And may all that we do and say glorify You. Amen.
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