Day Thirty 1 Peter 3:8-12

"Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be thenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate wih insults when people insult you. Insead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it."
For the Scriptures say,
"If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil." 1 Peter 3:8-12

This scripture is a devotion in and of itself. How often do I ask myself,
"What do I have to do, to live in peace? Receive God's blessings? And just be happy?"
Well, there it is My answer; all laid out for me. Shoud be simple enough right? Ah, let's break it down, instruction by instruction:
  • Turn away from evil
  • Do good
  • Search for peace
  • Work to maintain it
  • The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do what is right
  • The ears of the Lord are open to their prayers
  • The Lord turns his face against those who do evil

Do you know when I've experienced God's greatest blessings and peace in my life? When I finally let go of a stronghold I know God wanted to rid me of (turning from evil.) When I've helped "the least of these" because I wanted to, not because I felt should (doing good.) When I sought his word for answers (search for peace.) When I made reading his word part of my daily routine (working to maintain peace.) I have felt the eyes of the Lord watching over me and know that he is hearing my prayers and answering them according to his will. I also feel the distance between us when I let old behaviors creep back into my life and my character (anger, gossip, resentment, not using the gifts he has given me for his glory, but for my own...) The closer we get to Christ, the more he makes us aware of what is still hindering us.....Are you NOT experiencing the blessings God has promised? Is the peace and joy lacking from your life? You may be simply entering a season in which God is building your character through endurance (Romans 5:3-5) or God may be reminding you that there is not room for "the old you" and "the new you" in his plan. His plans are great (Jeremiah 29:11) and his instructions available to us anytime of day! It's not a class you have to take, a fee you have to pay, or a product you have to order...It's a bible (or several) that sits on your nightstand, in your purse, or accessible online. Whatever the method you choose in the words of one famous Nike ad, "Just Do It."

May God give you the wisdom to understand his plan for your life and give you the courage to make the changes necessary to draw closer to Him!

Thanks for reading!

Love,

Julie

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