Stay Alert!-November 23

 My take-away from Peter's words today challenge me to get my mind ready for action by being sober and setting my hope on the grace I'll be given when Jesus is revealed. I always want to be ready for Kingdom action. "Stay alert!",  is how the Message Bible says it. Setting my hope on future grace means I'm anticipating more of Jesus. Where my mind is dwelling, is where my affections will be. I still have a lot to learn about doing this. It's easy to get so caught up in my activities and focus on the present thing, that I forget to invite the Spirit to fill me and lead my thoughts.

Then I've always loved the verse that identifies me (all believers) as Chosen, a Royal Priestess, a Holy Nation Citizen, and God's Possession. I'm valued, loved, elevated with saints, part of royalty with a royal title and function, and living under holiness law. But the next part of the verse is often overlooked. This grandeur is all for the purpose of proclaiming God's virtues and how I was granted this turn of events. For when I was in a dark place, God led me into His life-changing light. 

Father, teach me more about getting my mind ready for action. Fill me with a greater desire to be in union with you where my affections are for you above all else. Thank you for bringing me into your Light. Give me opportunities to proclaim how you are and what you've done for me. Then I need boldness to actually step into those openings. Your will be done in me today. Amen.

November 22-Joy in Suffering

I want to be faithful with the gift of writing that God has graced me with, by writing more frequently. As an experiment, I'm posting thoughts about the readings I meditate on following the Daily Bible Reading Through a Year Plan. 

The plan is in the book of Ezekiel in the Old Testament. Honestly, I'm not finding a lot of inspiration from these chapters. I'd like to hear what Biblical scholars make of the temple and its measurements that God shows Ezekiel. I may do some research on that at some point. Today the reading included requirements for priests and their holiness. I don't think we hold God's holiness in the reverence it deserves. Open my eyes, Lord, to understand your holiness and how you want me to live and respond.

The book of 1 Peter made it's entrance into the plan today. Peter is writing to scattered believers who had to flee because of persecution. May his words of encouragement speak to all of God's family today who find themselves in very trying circumstances:

May grace and peace be yours in full measure! Remember your inheritance in heaven that can't be diminished by any earthly thing. What a joyful thought, even in the suffering. And what indescribable and glorious joy is yours because you love and believe in Jesus. He is saving your soul, right now! The trials are proving the character of your faith, which is much more valuable than the most precious wealth of the world.

Our Father, give comfort to those who are refugees in difficult situations today. Send your words of encouragement to them. May those who love you dwell in the joy of knowing you and hoping in the future inheritance that is theirs. May the rest of us in your family see and know about their proven character of faith. Preserve their stories, so we can learn and grow in faith, also. Cause us to remember these brothers and sisters, often.

The verses I discovered from Psalm 119 today are a prayer and a declaration. Remove me from the path of deceit! Deceit is a popular tactic of the enemy right now. Whatever method he chooses to remove me from any path going that way; I welcome it. I want to keep my eyes and heart focused on the path of his commands. He'll enable me to run along this path. (vs. 32)