Living For God

1 Peter 4:1-11 NLT

"So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin. You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God. You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols. Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you. But remember that they will have to face God, who will judge everyone, both the living and the dead. That is why the Good News was preached to those who are now dead—so although they were destined to die like all people, they now live forever with God in the Spirit. The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen."

- God's Word is very clear and direct. It is impossible to read the bible and not be changed. How many can embrace the fact ,that suffering helps us be like CHRIST! Then why are so many people trying to do anything to avoid pain? We as followers of Christ, however, should be willing and prepared to do God's will and to suffer for it if necessary. I thank God for getting me to the point, where I can embrace the suffering. I have seen many blessings come out of it. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I gladly invite them, but when the sufferings come, I know my God is with me to see me through! Pain and danger reveal our true values. I have seen growth in my life through the trials and tribulations. 

This is what God says further down in 1 Peter 4:12-13 "Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, BE VERY GLAD—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world."
AMAZING! Only God can give us joy in the midst of our sufferings. Keep in mind that we will never experience the pain that Jesus Christ experienced for us. He has spared us from it. So when you face some challenges whether it is from sickness, relationship conflicts, loss of a family member or friends, unemployment, financial struggles etc. know that it does not compare to what our precious Jesus faced for us. Hallelujah, that is so worthy to give God a super shout out.

Now of course when you are new to this, it may be difficult to swallow or understand. Your friends also may scorn you because you have changed, that's why mature Christians should help new believers resist such pressure of oppositions by helping them to be faithful to Christ, surrounding them as new friends, and encouraging them to develop new habits and activities that are not only enjoyable but positive for their spiritual growth.

As time goes by things are getting crazier, Jesus is coming soon. We should live expectantly. Getting ready to meet Christ involves continually growing in love for God and for others. It is important to pray regularly and to reach out to the needy people. You will spend eternity with other people. Invest your time and talents where they will make an eternal difference.
We all have gifts, find them and use them for the further some of the Kingdom. Serve others! If you see a need in the church then seek to meet them. God is using us to make a difference. Don't waste your gifts! God is glorified when we use our abilities for Him.

Let us all be encouraged and do what God has called us to do. Don't just be hearers of the Word, obey it and be doers.  Faith without deeds is impossible to please God.

Blessings!
Nicole Crews